>
> > Is someone familiar with the area able to comment?
>

You are correct that holding yards in Calif are stocked far beyond the
ability to provide forage.  I agree with Charlie that this is a common
practice, although Adees practice it to the extreme.

Feedlot beekeeping is thus practiced by necessity.  And yes, the whole
thing is stressful for colonies, and helps in transmission of pathogens and
parasites.  I am not placing any judgement--simply saying that that's the
way it is.

There are huge logistical issues involved in supplying nearly 200 million
hives of bees to the almond orchards.  There is not enough forage in the
entire state of California, other than when almonds are in bloom.  And the
time windows during which beekeepers can move the hives into or out of the
orchards are very short.  So holding yards are an unfortunate necessity for
larger bee operations.

I also agree with Charlie's assessment that the article is an outdated
rehash.

Flight weather in the almonds has been poor this season.  However, record
crops have been produced during years with poor flight weather, provided
that there are enough strong colonies in the orchards.

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

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