Hi friends beekeepers,
 
My name is Jean-Louis Adant. I live near Montreal, Quebec.
I am new to this list. I got you address thru beenet in UK. Maybe
somebody could advise me about the following project.
 
ACTUAL SITUATION: few years ago I had 4 behives that I kept for 3
years, I learned the basics. Since the prices for blueberry and
appletrees pollinisation are quite good these days, I want to
become a professional beekeeper. I have a beekeeper friend that
owns 300 beehives a mile away from here, willing to help.
 
MY PROJECT: Have 300 to 350 beehives this november.
 
1-I can find inexpensive wood and I have good carpentry machines
and skills so I will manufacture all my beehives myself. I already
made special router guides. I have a sheet metal folder for the tin
roofs. I might also sell beehives.
 
2-I am not really interested in making much honey the first year
but I want to have the beehives ready for pollinisation next
spring.
 
3-I have a 34 acres piece of land (very good for honey) and some
storage. I can find many other good spots.
 
QUESTIONS: What is the best and most economical way to achieve
filling all my beehives with bees? If I buy only a few bees and
queens, it will be economical but it will take too much time to
multiply and if I buy bees and queens for the 300 - 350 beehives,
it would be very expensive... What is the best trade off? How many
times can I expect to divide all my beehives in the season (may to
november)? Is it possible to start with 40 colonies and divide them
in two (80, 160, 320) three times?
 
How many half size boxes do I need?
 
Is there computer software for managing beekeeping?
 
Is there anything you would like to know about Quebec beekeeping?
Or Quebec in general?
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Jean-Louis Adant, 30km east of Montreal (Qc)
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Sorry for my english. Je parle francais. Hablo espanol.