From:                   [log in to unmask]

> If you are a migratory beekeeper chasing big crops as many as you can.

I'm not sure what you mean here, Chris?  If you are trying to make a
living, it would not make much (economical) sense to run 30 miles
(probably paying a helper) to work 10 hives?

Most commercial beekeepers in good honey areas (commercial
guys tend to gravitate toward good honey producing areas, unless
they do pollination or have some other specialty; they get sorted out
by poverty otherwise...) run around 40 - 80 hives per yard.  During a
good flow, I've seen areas that could have 200 hives and still have a
lot of nectar going to waste within a half mile. But when there's not a
flow, the bees tend to get robby and you have all kinds of problems.
So the commercial guys try to come to a good compromise, based
on experience of the area. Too small, and your work is inefficient;
too large, and the bees get robby and feisty.

I always liked to stay on the low side of that, usually around 36-40 in
my yards, but that was a personal preference more due to sore
backs than anything else. I never had any lifts or Bobcats.... Another
factor was that 40 single story hives made a good load for my trailer.

Dave  SC, USA
The Pollination Home Page:  http://pollinator.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::