Buckfast: Origins and Advice

Introduction to Buckfast

The Buckfast queen bees are one of the oldest European bee varieties, originating in England. Their selection began around 1920 by the German monk Brother Adam and this selection has led this species to obtain a remarkable resistance to diseases, mites and other parasites.

Furthermore, Buckfast is a variety that has been shown to possess very high honey production qualities compared to others and can be bred with good results both at home and professionally. An Italian beekeeper who wishes to breed this variety must carefully evaluate the pros and cons: from resistance to pathogens to high productivity up to the feared fixed cost of breeding. However, it is important to consider the importance of respecting the procedures regarding good practices in the care and welfare of insects in order to obtain the maximum economic profit from this activity.

The origins of the Buckfast queen bees

The Buckfast queen bees are a variety of bees that originated in Buckfast Monastery in England. They were selected and developed by the Dominican monk Brother Adam during the first half of the 20th century and were introduced in Italy in 2001.

These bees are known for their prolificacy, hardiness, disease resistance, and productivity. They are also characterized by good summer foraging on flowering plants, making them particularly suitable for intensive beekeeping. A particular advantage of Buckfast bees is that they have resistance to Varroa miteis, a common parasite among European honey bees. With the right mating of queen bees with the right genetic skills, breeders can achieve exceptional results in the production of honey and beeswax.

Quality Buckfast Queen Bees

The Buckfast queen bee is internationally recognized as one of the most productive and efficient bee species. In fact, they would be distinguished by their great resistance Varroa, which is a common enemy of bee families; moreover they would also seem particularly prone to overbreeding, thus allowing beekeepers to obtain conspicuous results. Buckfast strains in particular are said to be slightly less aggressive than most other types of bees, making them pleasantly docile and manageable. Buckfasts are not only productive even on poor soils, but have shown that they can develop strong resistance to adverse weather conditions. In general, buckfast queens can be considered very suitable for breeding in Italy.

Considerations on the breeding of Buckfast bees in Italy

The breeding of Buckfast bees in Italy was introduced thanks to the dedication of some beekeepers in the last century. Buckfast bees have been selected for their resistance to diseases and parasites, high honey productivity, persistence in production even in periods of low flowering, adaptability to adverse climatic conditions and good yield in fruit pollination.

As regards the economic advantages deriving from the breeding of buckfast bees, as a pro, we can certainly say that this variety, being long-lived and resistant, guarantees a profitable result. However, there are also some negative aspects to consider such as a higher management cost and possibly the purchase of biological material supplied by other regions. In any case, knowing the local area, its environmental characteristics and the behavior of the buckfast bees is essential for optimal management and breeding. In conclusion, considering all the factors listed above, we believe that the breeding of buckfast bees in Italy can be done safely and efficiently with positive results for the beekeeper.

Conclusion: advantages and disadvantages of keeping Buckfast bees in Italy

In conclusion, keeping Buckfast bees has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, these bees are easy to keep, resist more diseases, and have higher productivity than other bee species. They are also able to withstand changing climates and air pollution better than other types of bees. On the other hand, there is the expensive price of genetic material needed for breeding and the need to carefully monitor disease resistance. However, considering the clear benefits of the significant production of honey, pollen and propolis by Buckfast bees and the possibility they offer Italian beekeepers to enter the global market, it can be said that it is still a profitable investment for Italian beekeepers.