The USDA Baton Rouge Bee Lab in Baton Rouge, LA is, as the title suggests, concerned primarily with honey bee breeding and genetic issues. The development of Suppressed Mite Reproduction (SMR) and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) traits took place at the Baton Rouge lab. The introduction of the Buckfast strain into the U.S. was performed through the quarantine facilities there, too. The development and promotion of the so-called “Russian” strain were also done through the Baton Rouge facility.
