>>>  So why do the small timers consistently lose so much more than the commercial operations? 

I think a large part of it may have to do with the unusual spring we've had this year plus ignorance and poor management practices on the part of the beginning/new beekeepers.  It's no longer a proposition where you put bees in a hive, add supers, then come back later to booming colonies and a lot of honey production.  Now days, you have to be pretty knowledgeable about beekeeping and all the problems that are currently present and good beekeeping practices for a local area to do well in beekeeping.  And then sometimes Mother Nature will throw you for a loop no matter your skill level.

Mike in LA

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