This was an interesting thread, and I thought that I would bring it back to the forefront, for anyone who wants some interesting "stuff" to read about.
I am on an agenda this spring for testing for hygienic queens. Don't know if I will be able to completely perform this task, but finding out whether a queen heading her colony has propagated hygienic qualities is a pretty important quality to have. Beautiful day in this greatest of life. Cindi
On the same quest here.
Have found an older beekeeper around me that has had bees for about 10 years now, started with bees from NC that were supposed to be mite tolerant or resistant, he has only lost 4 hives so far but the others are doing very good without any "meds" being used. As a matter of fact he ignored them for a few years and only recently started checking them with the help of his grandson.
After talking with him and got his permission to go into his hives and get some brood from them to raise a few queens from when spring arrives.
Hoping queen rearing kit gets ordered and arrives in time for spring.