> Cattle in feedlots basically stand in the mud or bare dirt, and wait for 
> the next load of feed.
<snip>
> I can't see how placing a high density of beehives in a given area is 
> anywhere near to a feedlot system.  What are almonds?  Two hives per acre?

As with many such misconceptions, there is a tiny grain of truth behind 
associating almonds pollination with idea of feedlot beekeeping.

In moving bees to pollination, commercial beekeepers sometimes find it 
necessary for logistic reasons -- snowstorms, uncertain timing, windows of 
opportunity, forced moves, unscheduled spraying, legal restrictions on 
travel, etc. --  to drop large numbers of hives in fairly barren areas 
temporarily for holding and sorting and and to wait for permission until 
spraying is over at the destination yards.  Where bees are pulled out of 
snow banks in the mid-west, the bees mush be set down somewhere warm to fly 
and be assessed.  It would be ideal to go straight to almonds and often this 
is possible, but just as often it is not.  I recall seeing a shot of Adee's 
large losses on a recent occasion, and the yard shown had held literally 
thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of hives stretching on forever.

In such temporary situations, although the bees can fly, there is nothing 
for them and they are entirely dependant on their stores and any feed 
provided.

Obviously, this is not an ideal condition and you can bet that the beekeeper 
is working long hours lining up suitable locations to get them into a more 
productive and less destructive environment.

 

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