From: "Lloyd Spear" <[log in to unmask]>
>I was just told by a customer in Idaho that he signed a 2005 pollination
> contract at $100 a hive!  Any confirmation of that?

From: "Lloyd Spear" <[log in to unmask]>


>I was just told by a customer in Idaho that he signed a 2005 pollination
> contract at $100 a hive!  Any confirmation of that?


There's a fellow in California (whom I spoke to & confirmed, VP of Ca Bee
Assoc.) signed 1000 8-frame singles for $100/ea.  What's interesting about
the arrangement is he gauranteed four(!) frames of bees as the minimum.

Lyle Johnston (pres. of American Honey Producers Assoc.) was asked recently
by a grower, "can't you beekeepers make money at $60/hive for pollination?"
& answered with  "like the  almond market, pollination is set by supply &
demand; same as when growers raised prices on almonds from $.84(cents) /pd
to $2.85/pd in  three years".

Many beekeepers are eyeing 10-frame singles as the way to provide enough
coverage for the growing almond demand.

This morning there was word someone from Washington State found contracts at
$150/ hive.

With over a month away from the drop-dead date for almond pollination there
will surely be alot of interesting stories shaking out.  The rise in price
has also spurred theft of beehives.  With CA mite resistance, theft &
increased transportation charges there are plenty of variables to think
about before sending your bees out for hire but certainly the opportunity
has become more attractive.

Matthew Westall - E-Bees - Castle Rock, CO
-thinking it's been a mild winter so far for Colorado.  3 months

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