> >I don't think I know anybody who buys queens
> >and packages
>
> In the U.S. the queen & package business is big
> business! The Wilbanks
> operation is featured in the November issue of Bee
> Culture and is not the
> largest.

I have a buddy who is planning on raising queens this
coming year and selling them locally.  He is getting
into all the phases of the beekeeping business except
the packages.  I have even ordered two nucs from him
for one of this year's students of mine.  Right now I
think he is about $6 - $ 8K in the red.  Will be
interesting to watch and see how he does.  And, this
is a sideline for him.

I also plan on raising my own queens this coming year
- for splits.  I have one Italian that has done great
this year and if she survives into the coming year I
plan to put her into a nuc and use her to raise new
queens.  This yard should produce interesting colonies
since I have an unrestricted mating area and have
SMR's, Russians, and Italians in the yard which would
provide at least some of the drones.  If nothing else,
I should get queens good enough to provide increase
during the summer via splits.

Mike in lower Alabama





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