Mite Resistant Honeybees? VSH Explained (Cory Stevens)

Рет қаралды 5,465

Жыл бұрын

Cory Stevens is an authority on mite resistance in honeybees and is obsessed with developing a bee that is resistant to varroa mites but also maintains the desirable traits that beekeepers desire such as gentleness and productivity. In this video we we discuss a few key things that may cause some confusion in the beekeeping world. What exactly is VSH when it comes to honeybees? And what about SMR? IPM? UBO? These are all acronyms that are important to understand when tackling the problem of varroa mites in our honeybee population. How can the average beekeeper incorporate a reasonable plan to find success in fighting the varroa mite? Though mite resistance is a desirable goal are treatments never needed when using VSH queens? Watch/listen to the video and you will see? Also learn how Cory's unique approach of queen introduction. Interesting stuff!!!
Check out Cory's Channel ‪@stevensbeeco767‬
Check out his website: stevensbeeco.com
#brucesbees #varroamite #beesarecool #VSH #corystevens

Пікірлер: 74

@CastleHives Жыл бұрын

This right here is what folks need to hear so that they understand what VSH is. Recent videos from folks claiming Varroa resistant, with no experience behind them are so misleading. Good stuff Bruce.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes. So many people claiming it but do they even really understand it? I didn’t until I did this interview. Cory did a great job of subbing it down for me. Hopefully it will help arm folks with more knowledge that can help them understand thing better in order to reach their goals.

@donbearden1953 Жыл бұрын

Bruce, that was a great idea for you to talk with Cory. He is definitely a wealth of knowledge!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

He certainly is and he is reasonable in his approach. He has obviously put a lot of time and energy into this thing. It is his passion. And it is his calling.

@markbee5787 Жыл бұрын

It’s kind of nice to listen to someone that has such a balanced attitude about this subject.👍👍

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes it is. Committed to improve things but reasonable in goals and approach. Very smart. Making a difference.

@danschneider9219 Жыл бұрын

nice I just got done reading Randy Oliver's articles in scientific beekeeping this morning. I've been bringing in VSH virgin queens for a few years now, It seems to be working but I should be keeping more records on the hives.

@joestocker660 Жыл бұрын

We had major losses every 2nd year for several years. Eventually switched stocks to certified Russians (Steven & Angelia Coy) with only the feral survivors in trees here in the Appalachian mountains adding to the gene pool. This works great with 2 caveats. First, ours went broodless right after our first freeze (Oct 6) and just began laying in mid Jan. We have double deeps with about 1-2lbs of bees, so early pollination or honey crop is out, .... period. Second, we are in an isolated area, which is great for raising queens, but not inundated with migratory and packaged drones roaming about. - Hygienic is a cool angle, and ours do some grooming. But 2-3 months without brood and thriving despite carrying common viruses is where I think the future lies. This will likely stay at odds with those needing huge populations in Jan-Feb, but we all keep chipping at it. Great info Bruce and Cory! :D

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Interesting stuff. This was a very informative and interesting interview and I now have a much better understanding of VSH. Honestly did not really understand it very well before this interview. Cory is a very smart man and I think he is a pioneer in the industry.

@joestocker660 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees For realsies. He’s pretty sharp.

@nickford5549 Жыл бұрын

It’s awesome that you bring such enthusiasm to the industry. Randy Oliver has finally started to get his breeders to wash zero. Long road to go to lock then in and spread the genetics around

@felicityblakeley8361 Жыл бұрын

Love love love. So happy for such insightful info! Lightbulbs have been going off since hearing Cory speak the first time a few days ago. Wish I’d found him a year ago. Thank you! Super awesome guy to talk to as well. Pleasant, quick to respond and easy to understand. Can’t wait to get beekeeping this spring again w/ so much more wisdom under my belt thanks to him and the few folks I’ve heard him chatting w/ the last few days.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. Yes Cory is a great source for information regarding VSH and is doing great things.

@keithspillman Жыл бұрын

Another informative video with a great guest!! Nice job!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks fir watching Keith!

@MrJonb1984 Жыл бұрын

Good video guys. I'v heard Cory talk many time about his VSH bees and it never gets old to me. I always pick up on something new each time. VSH is exciting and I believe a vital tool in the tool box for the future of beekeeping.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes he is phenomenal. A wealth of information.

@brucesouthernsassapiaries8316 Жыл бұрын

Bruce great interview! Cory, awesome information as always!!! Keep pumping out great information!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Gonna try. Thanks for watching !

@richardpraeger6357 Жыл бұрын

Another Great Video Bruce! You're hitting some much needed subject matter.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I hope so. Becoming more of a “bee nerd” as tule goes on. Trying to become more “intentional” and to do that I need to gain a better understanding of the critters.

@stacywaltman7898 Жыл бұрын

That was a great conversation very informative like what Cory is doing

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching.

@tonyfox5422 Жыл бұрын

Very good, and well worth the time listening. Thanks. Now for your March virgins programme!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I’m sure I will do something to document it. It is about to get wild around here!

@WildwoodsBeekeeping Жыл бұрын

Good job Bruce, been studying VSH (Vorroa sensitive hygiene) Queens lately, been hearing about it so thought I would learn more about them. Good stuff!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Great job Grayson and thanks for watching. If you keep an open mind and keep learning you will become a leader and a force for good in the beekeeping industry!

@tjjastrem127 Жыл бұрын

Great discussion thank you

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@texasfriendlybeekeepers8210 Жыл бұрын

Your best video ever Bruce! taking notes. :)

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks Stan. This means a lot to me. I am going to try and do more of these. Is there anyone in particular you would like me to reach out to? I have started a playlist called Intentional Beekeeping. Hope to find some more gold to put there. Intentional Beekeeping is a theme I want to develop. It has been a weakness of mine and I have been all over the place. Trying to get better.

@josephrawls Жыл бұрын

Great stuff.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks Joey!

@kevinwilliams691 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview Bruce. I believe Cory will soon lead industry in veroa resistance.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

He is definitely doing what he is called to do. He is passionate about it and willing to put in the work to get it done.

@texasfriendlybeekeepers8210 Жыл бұрын

awesome video!! thumbs up!!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out Stan. I know it is a little long but there is some gold there.

@texasfriendlybeekeepers8210 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees With Cory on there go at least 2 hours! im learning so much from him. Smart and humble and diving deep into why VSH is so key. Great job!!

@researcherAmateur Жыл бұрын

It's one of the easiest things to breed out.. the aggressive side, that nervousness. Just don't select those that run the combs like it's a race. Always breed from those who stay calm on the frame.. even when you give it a little shake. Could depend on your neighborhood, but in my experience it takes only 2-3 years to be able to work in shorts. Ofcourse, your neighbors should do the same... Good conversation with Cory.. l wish mite resistance was that easy to breed for.. like for calm bees

@paullandsberg2573 Жыл бұрын

Great talk guys!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in Paul!

@paullandsberg2573 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees I try to keep up with your stuff

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate it. This means a lot to me.

@rodbeckstedt8588 Жыл бұрын

Bruce, thanks for doing the interview with Cory. I just spent an hour on the phone with him talking about his stock. Your video with him was down to earth with great explanations of the acronyms. I'm ordering some of his stock and will be working on the VSH selection processes in my colonies. Can't wait to see the results. Thanks again for the video. I definitely will be referencing it again when needed.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. I really enjoyed it as well and learned a lot from him.

@schammond8993 Күн бұрын

I recently started watching your videos and have enjoyed them immensely. This was Very interesting, educational and easy to understand. I make videos like this into a class, saving the video, making notes on each topic. I reference these in my yard when trying something new. (Because I will forget something I was suppose to do🙄😅) Well done, great class.

@brucesbees Күн бұрын

@schammond8993 hey thanks so much for the kind words. Makes it all worthwhile. Best wishes to you and your bees!

@tarheelbeekeeper3971 Жыл бұрын

Good stuff here Bruce you are producing some great content very informative

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I hope folks like it and continue to share the content.

@tarheelbeekeeper3971 Жыл бұрын

If their really into bees and bee keeping. then they should really enjoy the in depth conversation and simpler terms making it easier to understand what Cory and others are trying to do

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

This is good to hear. My goal was to see if we could simplify and clarify acronyms and terms to help eliminate confusion. I learned a lot during this interview.

@tarheelbeekeeper3971 Жыл бұрын

As did i

@stonegatefarms Жыл бұрын

Bruce, I would be interested in some Bruces VSH queens. Maybe something you may want to pursue in the future.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Maybe someday. The wheels in my brain are turning.

@tomfuller9010 Жыл бұрын

When we balance hives will that help jump] start the hives the live bees from vsh hive for the life of worker bee

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks ms for checking in!

@JandHFarms Жыл бұрын

Great stuff here!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thank. A lot of information here. Cory is a pioneer in the industry.

@phillipbaldwin2318 2 ай бұрын

I'm wanting to get in on the genetics and disease resistance aspects, where do I start reading?

@fateh.3295 Жыл бұрын

In Asia there is a honey bee species viz Apis cerana, totally resistant to varro destructor and viruses, Have you people heard about that.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes I have heard of it. Those bees are definitely ahead of Mellifera when it comes to mite control.

@fateh.3295 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees yes sir.

@costacheliviumarian2516 Жыл бұрын

great talk, i have seen in my bees vsh i belive i have seen bees taking out purpe ey pupa in some hives, i have some bukfast queens in this hives i never seen this behavior, just in some the ferral bees that i been (hunting) swarm traps, this year i am gona do alcohol test 3 times treat wher need, folow cory assays, all the best from romania

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in. It’s so neat to know that people are watching this video from all over the world!

@CCCRApiary Жыл бұрын

i need a video that shows me how to do this stuff. I need instructions.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Here is Cory’s channel. I will try to show the things I learn as I try new things. youtube.com/@stevensbeeco767

@alanwiebelhaus8750 Жыл бұрын

I have a mean hive they get under my gloves they get on my back when I bend over they sting my legs till it looks like confetti from guts and stingers. It’s a large hive and very low mites. Truthfully I don’t care if it makes the winter or not. If it does I’m splitting 3 ways and putting a new queen 3x

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Sometimes they need to be replaced if unworkable. Mine are getting better but still have some tweaking to do.

@alanwiebelhaus8750 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees I agree I just wish I could remember where I got the queen. If it was purchased or if it is a feral hive I collect my colonies in the fall and bring them home for the winter(Kansas) so I can keep a closer eye on the feed At that point they get mixed up. I think I’m going to try splits and requeen if they kill the queen well I’m not going to retry Thanks

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yep sometimes they it just happens. I have found that I identity the feisty ones and then work them last before I leave the location.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

But hoping to get away from the spicy bees by replacing the genetics with more gentle strains.