Hi Dick & All,

> What amount of honey, pound-wise, were you able to harvest from the hives
> by leaving enough for your bees to overwinter on?
>

I am in a mode of building up numbers in my apiaries and most colonies were
made to increase this year. 15 out of 18 colonies survived last winter and
this spring I added one package bee that did not go to any customers. The 16
were increased to 25 plus three nucs. I put honey supers on 6 colonies just
so I could harvest a little honey even though I am in more of a mode to
increase numbers rather than harvesting honey just yet. From these six
colonies I harvested 250 lbs. and from some of those six colonies I even got
a couple splits. So to me it is more than just harvesting honey that is
important. I am also providing a pollinating service in all the locations my
apiaries are. I would say leaving honey on last season was a success for me
and my goals. Like I said I am building up my apiaries so I have more
numbers of colonies and that I am doing.
   . ..
c(((([
Keith Malone
Chugiak, Alaska USA
Caucasian Bee Keeper
[log in to unmask]
http://takeoff.to/alaskahoney
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Norlandbeekeepers/

Check out current weather in my area and 5 day forecast;
http://www.wx.com/myweather.cfm?ZIP=99654

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