From [log in to unmask] Sun Feb 15 13:18:40 1998
Newsgroups: sci.agriculture.beekeeping
Subject: Re: Pollination,Washington cranberries and other
From: [log in to unmask] (Beetools)
Date: 15 Feb 1998 21:18:40 GMT
 
Before you consider pollinating cranberries, you should read my Open Letter to
Cranberry Growers on the BEETOOLS WWW site at http://members.aol.com/beetools -
this is a very tough crop on the bees to pollinate.
 
There is also a paper at that site from Oregon State Univeristy on cranberry
pollination.
 
I made a presentation to the OceanSpray growers in Bandon OR last month on this
subject and what I told them in a nutshell is that the going rate this year of
$40-50 per set is at the break even point when all things are considered. They
will find a few beekeepers in Claifornia nd Washington that have never done
cranberries who will rent for $25-35, but won't be back the next year. I also
told them that they need to be prepared to pay in the $75-90 range in the
future which is what cranberry grower in the Mid-west, East Coast and Canada
are paying.
 
If I can be of any further help, let me know.
 
Ron Bennett, Luckiamute Bee
 
PS you might try to trackdown Kim Patten at WSU Long Beach Extension.