>...heres another beekeeper who shares my same view of feedlot beekeeping

I read the article and i can't say you two have similar views. I have spoke
with George Hanson on many occasions and suspect the writer ( former
freelance writer) is related to George.

I question he is a very knowledgeable beekeeper when he says nosema ceranae
causes dysentery. Even entry level beekeepers know dysentery is not nosema
and he should know that nosema ceranae usually shows not staining.
Beekeeping 101 today!

Maybe he is on your level Brian but certainly not on mine.

,http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/03/no_way_to_treat_a_bee.html

Brian said:
But some beekeepers are beginning to question the sustainability of such
practices.

I agree but the only option is too stay home. All I hear is whining about
feedlot beekeeping without solutions. Kind of like the person which
complains about Washington and does not vote.

What will you do if one day you go out and all your hives are dead Brian?
Forget apple pollination or call the commercial migratory beekeepers you are
always dissing?

California hard facts ( personal experience)
Places to make holding yards in California are hard to find. Large numbers
of hives have to be kept in the same place. Its easier to care for the bees
in a large yard and there is not pollen or nectar at that time of year
anyway. Pollen patties and feed need given or strong hives will starve. When
you have sent thousands of hives to almonds they can not be set every two
miles in yards of say 10 hives like at Brian's place.


> This new model of beekeeping requires gargantuan effort to keep bees
> alive, let alone healthy.

I agree. Nothing new here. the above has put many a commercial beekeeper in
bankruptcy. So far other beekeepers have gladly taken their place. The above
in almonds has culled many an operation which did poor beekeeping.

Give us some solutions Brian. Other than staying home which is no solution.
I think Jeff promotes "local pollination" because he really has no solution
to today's problems.

>In order to keep the bees jazzed enough to be industrial-strength
>pollination machines, for example, we feed each hive an average of 60 to
>100 pounds of sugar annually, because when bees are involved in intensive
>pollination, they are burning carbohydrates so rapidly they cannot
>accumulate honey and require supplemental feed. ?

I agree!

 Only 60-100 pounds a hive? What's their secret?

If you want strong hives and enough feed to winter you feed bees. Starvation
kills more hobby beekeepers bees than mites!

Again I interpret what the writer said different than did Brian.

Thanks for the post Brian!

Only posting the opposite view.

bob

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