Allen:
> Thrifty bees take care of themselves better, but prolific bees take care
> of the beekeeper better

Not so over here.  Maybe the cost of feeding is much lower for you, but in
the UK feed costs are very significant 12.5kg (27lb) block of fondant has
rocketed to around £11 this year) and we need to consider input:output very
carefully.

Over the last 7 years we have moved to native (A.m.m.).  Total honey crop
from around 150 hives has actually increased slightly (except for this year)
but the cost of feeding is less than 30% of what it was with more prolific
bees.  A.m.m. produce smaller colonies of longer lived bees and that extra
life is all foraging time.

This year has been a disaster for everyone - the wettest year ever recorded
and with beekeepers of 50+ years experience saying that they have never
known anything as bad.  Despite thta, our best colony of very pure A.m.m.
managed a staggering 150lbs - and did not require any feeding.

Best wishes

Peter
52.144244, -1.503509

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