Randy, thank for very much for the detailed reply.

My follow up question then is how do the Aussie packages impact the  
dynamics of hauling bees to California?  I am not a pollinator myself  
and have been working on a business model that focuses purely on a  
local/regional range, so I am asking purely out of interest as a  
beekeeper and beekeeping in the United States.  Do the numbers coming  
in from overseas and across border impact the migratory folks?

My point is that IF the number of Aussie bees displace the migratory  
folks at any level its sounds as if Americans are being pitted against  
Americans in attempt to squeeze every drop of profit from what ever  
the business is.  I hate to sound protectionist, but with all the  
POSSIBLE risks, why are beekeepers attacking themselves as opposed to  
attacking the system?  I understand why folks are angry with the long  
distance haulers that show up with no contracts, but why not the  
importing of bees when we have plenty of American beekeepers willing  
to do the job?

Just a curious question.

BTW, I hope to get a chance to hear you speak this Saturday in  
Indianapolis and thanks for taking so much of the research you are  
doing regardless of scale on your own shoulders.

Cheers!

Richard Stewart
Carriage House Farm
North Bend, Ohio

An Ohio Century Farm Est. 1855

(513) 967-1106
http://www.carriagehousefarmllc.com
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