I get a kick out of...

[Perry]

Going through the latest bee magazine (Canadian).
One of the topics was a poll asking keeps what queen traits they thought most important and I thought it was interesting.
The list has 18 traits that keeps listed in order of importance.
The top 3 being:
#1 - Honey (production I assume)
# 2 - Gentleness
# 3 - Overwintering
and so on and so on.
I find it interesting because on occasion I am also asked what traits I find most desirable when it comes to bees, and what do I look for?
I don't know why but I find this question funny.
Clearly (to me anyways) survive-ability is number 1, honey production and gentleness don't mean anything if they won't survive a winter.

[CBT]

Even in the south. You would thing we should never lose a hive no more bad weather we have. Sometimes I think a good cold spell may help survival knocking back hive Beatles and such.

[Perry]

CBT, I have to agree with you. While our winters may seem harsh, they do provide for one heck of a brood break.

[riverbee]

 given the three you mentioned perry, for me it is this:

1.  SURVIVE-ABILITY (thriving in my environment, like robo said thrive-ability)

2.  honey production
     in the big picture honey production is also dependent on nectar/pollen sources; our weather, our environments and whether the queen/ bees are   
     healthy or not.  not the queen's fault the rain/floods flooded nectar/pollen sources or we suffer drought.                   

3.  gentleness
     i keep russian bees so just throw that out the window........   not even on my scale.............

[neillsayers]

given the three you mentioned perry, for me it is this:

1.  SURVIVE-ABILITY (thriving in my environment, like robo said thrive-ability)

2.  honey production
     in the big picture honey production is also dependent on nectar/pollen sources; our weather, our environments and whether the queen/ bees are   
     healthy or not.  not the queen's fault the rain/floods flooded nectar/pollen sources or we suffer drought.                   

3.  gentleness
     i keep russian bees so just throw that out the window........   not even on my scale.............

X2

[vvand111]

WOW  never thought about any of it like that Perry.

It would be nice to have a productive queen for several years that produces healthy girls that help produce a good and acceptable outcome in relationship to the weather and other conditions that are provided to her and her hive.

Most of that is mother nature but some of that could come down to me and my judgments and behavior.

Vandy