>
> >For those of us who don't get to experience almond pollination, can
> someone explain where did those bees come from that weren't there a week
> before? Are there commercial beekeepers who move their bees late to
> California and fill those late minute contracts?
>

Yes.

>
> Do brokers/growers call commercial beekeepers and ask them to supply extra
> bees when the supply is low?


Brokers and other beekeepers call around.


> And when was the last time that there was a true shortage of colonies for
> the almonds?
>

It was really bad in 2004/2005, and up and down since.

-- 
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