What Makes Saskatraz Special?
Saskatraz breeder queens are selected for the traits beekeepers value most:
Exceptional honey production
Strong wintering ability
Calm temperament
Improved tracheal mite resistance
Varroa tolerance / resistance
Resistance to brood diseases
Enhanced hygienic behavior
The Saskatraz program uses recurrent natural selection to improve varroa tolerance in productive colonies—continually evaluating new lines to stabilize this trait. Over the past several years, high-performing VSH lines have been incorporated to further strengthen varroa tolerance with promising results.
Hybrid Vigor You Can See
OHB produces Saskatraz hybrids by mating virgin queens from diverse Saskatraz families with unrelated drone populations in Orland, CA. This results in colonies with strong genetic diversity, which translates into:
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Faster spring buildup
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Increased honey yields
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Greater overall colony vigor
Beekeepers should still monitor fall stores for winter and support early spring nutrition to let these genetics shine.
Building Better Bees in Your Apiary
Using Saskatraz hybrids doesn’t just improve your colonies—it strengthens your drone pool, potentially increasing the frequency of favorable traits like honey production and varroa tolerance across your entire apiary.
Quality You Can Trust From OHB
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Certified free from Africanized genetics
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Certified free from Small Hive Beetle
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Distributed only through OHB and their authorized partners—HillCo included
If you’re looking for a package bee option that combines performance, scientific breeding, and real-world durability, Saskatraz hybrids are an outstanding choice.
To explore the full research behind the Saskatraz project, visit Saskatraz.com.
