Queen bee insemination (course taught by Susan Cobey) at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Instruction
Queen bee rearing and instrument insemination are among the classes taught at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey, a researcher at UC Davis and Washington State University, teaches these specialized classes to improve stock. All classes are at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis.
Below are the classes offered in 2012. Contact Susan Cobey at scobey@mac.com for updates.
1. THE ART OF QUEEN REARING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The intensive one-day workshop is designed to provide hands on instruction in what it takes to rear high quality queens. Basic biology and principals of queen rearing will be presented. Beekeepers will be involved in the various steps of the process including setting up cell builders, grafting, handling queen cells and establishing mating nuclei. The importance of drone production and establishing mating areas will also be presented. The class will consist of a combination of classroom and hands on beekeeping. Two basic queen rearing systems will be demonstrated, a queen right system and a queen less system. Registration: $150. Optional Queen Tour: $50.
Optional Queen Tour, Wednesday, March 28, 2012
For class participants who would like to see large scale commercial queen production, an optional one day tour will be offered following the workshop. We will visit northern California producers during their busy spring season. You will observe a diversity of techniques and systems involved in queen production. Optional Tour: $50.
2. INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION & BEE BREEDING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 17, 18 & 19, 2012
This three-day day class is designed for commercial beekeepers who are involved in a breeding program and for laboratory personnel requiring the skill for research purposes. A practical hands-on approach to instruction is provided with emphasis on individual attention, therefore classes are kept small. Detailed instruction of semen collection and insemination of queens will be emphasized and facilitated with the use of a video camera. Various types of insemination instruments are displayed and reviewed. The preparation and care of virgin queens and drones will be presented. Basic bee genetics and various breeding systems will be reviewed. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided for the class. Practical beekeeping and queen rearing skills are a pre-requisite. Provision of your own insemination equipment is required. Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. Registration: $500.
3. ADVANCED WORKSHOP ON INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION
Wednesday and Thursday, April 25 & 26, 2012
This two-day class is for researchers and beekeepers with some experience in Instrumental Insemination with a focus on perfecting insemination techniques and solving related problems in the laboratory and in the field. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided. Provision of your own insemination equipment is required. Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. Registration: $425.
For Information:
Susan Cobey
scobey@mac.com
University of California, Davis
Department of Entomology
Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
367 Briggs Hall
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA. 95616-8584