This "fact" is one that I often hear repeated among non-commercial beekeepers - "migratory beekeeping is hard on bees." I must disagree. There is a distinct difference between migratory beekeeping and migratory pollinating.


Very well put!   And I would add we are all looking for ways to reduce that stress even more!  Odds are if you ever bought bees,  they came from a migratory beekeepers hives.



In my opinion, migratory beekeeping is generally only hard on bees if the business model is based primarily on doing paid pollination jobs rather than honey production. Pollination exponentially increases the exposure to myriad pesticides, mono-crop pollen sources, and a great deal more time on the back of a truck.



While I agree with the above mentioned risk,  there are ways to mitigate and even prosper (bee wise) doing pollination also. Being good friends with many who pollinate,  its not all bad and dead bees by any stretch,  but if your not knowledgeable and skilled  it does seem that way from the bleachers.
Unfortunately a vocal few have made it seem like a losing battle,  but the reality is for every one crying foul,  there are a dozen doing just fine.  It is a different skill set and lifestyle, as well as management.



Charles

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