> > >You miss the point, except for a few ELAP lovers, commercial beeks > don't let the hives collapse, that’s how they get to stay commercial. > Absolutely true Charlie, in the case of almond pollinators, but not necessarily so for honey producers that don't intend to go to almonds--dependent upon the price of honey and package bees. Let's say that a Midwestern beekeeper in October is having to make the decision as to whether put on another 30 lbs of honey, or to do a mite treatment. If he foregoes treatment and allows his colonies to collapse in November, he could harvest not only that 30 lbs of bonus honey, but perhaps an additional 50 lbs from the brood chambers. 80 lbs of honey at $2/lb = $160 in his pocket. He would then not need to spend for mite treatment, nor care for his colonies over the winter, and then take the winter off. Come spring, he can pay $100 for packages, for a net gain of $60/hive, over what he already made for his main honey harvest. This strategy apparently works for some. -- Randy Oliver Grass Valley, CA www.ScientificBeekeeping.com *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html