Hi I have been reading BEE-L for almost two years, although this is my first post. I receive it in digest form at work (I was never sure if I could reply via that format.) I read it first thing in the morning and really enjoy it. I feel like I know some of the regulars. It is a great source of info. Anyway, the reason I am writing is a question I have. I have a small operation, 23 colonies AM (after mites), in eastern PA. A friend, who runs about 150 colonies, and I were talking about yields per colony. Then he told me he was looking to move. The reported average per colony in PA is about 40 lbs. although most good colonies will easily double or triple that in a good year. But that is still not a lot of honey compared to some locations that report 200 -300 lbs per colony. We still have the same cost per colony but not the yield. He is not interested in a migratory operation. He has mentioned the Dakotas, Montana region as an area he has read about. So, here it is. A chance for you to say "mine is bigger than yours". We would like some info, good or bad, on different areas of the US. Not to offend members outside the US, please feel free to respond although I don't think he wants to go that far. If you would rather respond directly that's great but I think this could start a fun string for a while. One request; please keep the exaggeration to a mimimum, he will take this information very serious. One final note, I travel a lot in my job, primarily Northwest and Southwest, and I am always hoping to meet other beekeepers. If you are in Seattle, Portland, or Phoenix areas, send me a note. Maybe we can meet over coffee ( I'll buy). Thanks, Ron Bogansky Milk & Honey Farm Kutztown, PA