> Beekeeping is one of the few animal industries where there is not a
> great  emphasis on the male line.  Bulls, rams and stallions always
> command a greater price compared to cows, ewes and mares.  Maybe it is
> because bull s and the like can be easily inspected and their progeny
> can be tested for performance.
 
Maybe the reason drones don't sell for thousands of dollars is that once
they are bred, that's it  :)
 
Allen