the Buckfast bee
The history of the Buckfast bee (Professor Armbruster / Brother Adam) has been documented in many books, and we all know and therefore neglect the part of history.
At this point we would like to refer to books written by Brother Adam: "Auf der Suche" and "Meine Betriebsweise", both published at Kosmos Verlag as well as a book by Raymond Zimmer: "Die Buckfast Biene - Fragen und Antworten," published by KOCH Imkerei - Technik - Verlag.
We don’t want to make comparisons between the Buckfast bee and other bee breeds as well, because the choice of a bee breed is irrational and includes personal fondness.
In addition, it's much often the case that there is deplorable invidiousness between bee breeders who have different bee breeds - like Buckfast and Carnica - and we don’t want to foment distrust.
We possibly have enough problems in Europe which intimidate the apiarists and solutions are already behind time. Wouldn’t it be advisable to join the forces?
The Buckfast, breeding aims and current breeding status
Meanwhile, imported breeding material is essential for the preservation of the Buckfast bee. Therefore you have to resource to Anatolica, Cecropia or Sahariensis to reach the aim of breeding progress and the adaptation to a changing climate.
Combination breeding means hybridization between the current Buckfast bee and the breeding material mentioned. Only after intensive selection and when a good breed is created we are talking about a new Buckfast line.
The Buckfast bee is a man-made (and artificial) race, but no hybrid bee (like for example, the Starlight), as often is falsely claimed.
The Doberman was bred with the aim to be a hunting dog that also protects something/someone. Many breeding attempts were necessary and there was no immediate success. Here, also a man-made race arose.
A crossbreed between a female Dobermann and a male Dobermann leads to Doberman puppies. None of us would call it into question.
And our Buckfast bee ... ?
... The situation, of course, is the same:
A crossbreed between a Buckfast queen and Buckfast drones leads to Buckfast bees.
Alright?
