Interesting discussion.   As Pete says, honey harvest is mainly about
location and competition.  Prior to varroa, we averaged about 35 lbs here
in the Calif foothills, better in El Nino years.  If you have a gazillion
acres of oilseed rape nearby, or if you are in the Peace River area of
Canada, you'd expect much more.

Agriculture practices and weather of course change things.  Three of the
best US large commercial beekeepers only averaged about 38 lbs in North
Dakota last summer due to poor weather and loss of CRP land.  They normally
expect about 100 lbs, and brag about 200.

Re feeding Italians.  Perhaps silly to argue about keeping Mediterranean
bees in a non Mediterranean environment.  Here in Mediterranean Calif,
foothills, Italians did not require feeding prior to varroa, and now only
need it if they are not moved to decent late summer pasture.  I kept
Italian stock for 25 years in a migratory operation,  never fed a drop of
syrup, and harvested 50 lbs of honey from irrigated alfalfa each July.  I
made good strength grade for almonds each year.  No spring, winter, or
summer feeding of any sort, and selling off half my operation each season
as nucs.

Re productivity vs defensiveness--I haven't noticed any correlation over
the years.


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

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