>
> >You miss the point,  except for a few ELAP lovers,  commercial beeks
> don't let the hives collapse,  that’s how they get to stay commercial.
>

Absolutely true Charlie, in the case of almond pollinators, but not
necessarily so for honey producers that don't intend to go to
almonds--dependent upon the price of honey and package bees.

Let's say that a Midwestern beekeeper in October is having to make the
decision as to whether put on another 30 lbs of honey, or to do a mite
treatment.  If he foregoes treatment and allows his colonies to collapse in
November, he could harvest not only that 30 lbs of bonus honey, but perhaps
an additional 50 lbs from the brood chambers.  80 lbs of honey at $2/lb =
$160 in his pocket.  He would then not need to spend for mite treatment,
nor care for his colonies over the winter, and then take the winter off.

Come spring, he can pay $100 for packages, for a net gain of $60/hive, over
what he already made for his main honey harvest.  This strategy apparently
works for some.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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