Any comments on Bob Brachmann's Russians?

[BeeCurious]

I may try to get a couple of Brachmann's queens this summer...

Would anyone care to share their experiences?

[sqkcrk]

I have never had any of Bob's queens, but he is a good beekeeper w/ experience producing queens. Were I in the market for Russians, I would buy them from Bob. I hold him in high regard as a person and as a beekeeper.

[valleyman]

I bought 7 queens from Bob last July to requeen with. they were shipped USPS. After 5 days they still didn't show so Bob sent another shipment. They both arrived on the 8th day of the first shipment date. Six of the first shipment were alive and well. Me and a friend used all 13. All 7 of the first shipment took and were laying after 3 days. 5 of the 6 that were at the PO for a week took and were laying within 3 days. The 1 that didn't make it was my fault. Bob would only let me pay him for the 2nd shipment saying that I had to make a bunch of splits and do work I hadn't planned on. One Queen laid too many drone eggs and I had to replace her from Ray Revis in NC because Bob didn't have any Queens availible. All the rest were great. I would with the highest level recommend either. Bob is probably easier to contact.
Hope this helps

[slickbrightspear]

I split that shipment with valleyman mine have done very well also no problems.

[habutti]

So far Bob's queens are among the best I ever bought.

[Apple Farmer]

I bought 5 from him in August 2010.
Good to excellent performance from all of them.
Good person to do business with.

[heritageorchard]

I got one queen from Bob last year and it did well, so I am gong in with a bee-buddy to get six deep nucs for this spring.

He is a straight shooter and and honest person to deal with.

Take care,
Mike

[fatscher]

Ditto, ditto, ditto, and everything everyone above has said. Bob Brachmann's Russians are the first and only Russians I have ever had to make honey for me. Gentle as lambs, too. Bob's is the best (but shhhhh don't let the secret out, or else he'll be run over by every beekeeper from the east to the west looking for quality queens). Bob is as honest and earnest a Yankee beekeeper can be.

[Adam Foster Collins]

A note on Bob's website:

"Unfortunately, Bob was involved in a car accident and can't walk for a while. Raising queens is out of the question. We are sorry for any inconvenience."

I'm not sure when that was posted, or what his condition now is... But certainly something to inquire about.

Adam