>> bees with nosema issues, varroa mites tolerant to their treatments and
>> small
>> hive beetle were the most heard issues.
>>
>
>, all the parasites that you
> mention did not originate in California--they were imported by out of
> state
> beekeepers.
All?
Varroa tolerant mites? Nosema? Hmmm?
> That's for sure--out of staters should keep their hives home! If you can
> convince them of that, you will be a hero to California beekeepers!
Randy! Randy! California beekeepers have only a third of the hives needed
for almond pollination.
If we stayed home one year the Mexican border would be open the next. 2500
semi's a day move across the border on hwy 77 in Texas alone and that's
only one border crossing. On the other side is the King Ranch which is
larger than the state of Rhode island.
I will say that in your meetings while discussing almond pollination over
coffee and donuts (furnished most likely by Paramount farms) you at least
think of my warnings.
> Bob, some have had serious problems, but in general, CCD, as Jerry says,
> was
> in poorly-fed out of state bees placed into holding yards.
And in California beeks ( based in California hives returning from the
Dakotas ) I have been told.
The hives of Richard Adee ( 88,000) should be counted as California hives as
most spend as much time in California (or more) as the 4-5 months spent on
the honey fields of the Dakotas.
> Only about 20,000 acres.
still another 40,000 hives are needed. That's a lot of hives when the USDA
has said that the major beekeepers are not expanding their hive numbers and
new beeks are not getting in. In fact the numbers of commercial beeks
continue to shrink .
>> I have read the water issue has eased? Not so?
>>
> Has eased. But when we get water, our bees also do better.
Glad to hear but mostly interested in almond grower renting hives because
able to get *ditch water*.
Many did not rent bees last year because they were afraid they would not get
water ( personal conversation). Those growers said they would rent this
year if water supplies increased. Not so?
In general,
> Calif beeks are reporting good bees this fall.
Looking back at my records California beeks have reported good fall bees
every year the last decade including the 2006-2007 crash.
> Thanks for this info, Bob. I have not heard this from Calif beeks
> returning
> from the Midwest.
>
During our main honey flow we had rain on 21 days. Normally 5-6 days.
> This is the sort of market response to bee shortages that I'm talking
> about.
> I don't know what Horace's price is,
Right now beekeepers can fly in and pick the hives they want from large
holding yards. All equipment is new ten frame free of fluvalinate or
coumaphos. pallets are available as are Florida small hive beetle and fire
ant free inspections. Hives will grade in almonds.
but due to the weakening of the US
> dollar vs the Australian, Aussie packages would have been quite expensive
> this year.
The hives of Horace Bell Honey are the best value on the market today in my
opinion. A better value than package bees as an established single.
Comparably priced to old junk equipment advertised in the bee magazines with
old wax contaminated comb and in many cases old queens.
> year the growers played hardball and drove down prices offered, so bees
> stayed home until a high enough price was offered. Given a high enough
> offered price, hives seem to come out of the woodwork.
I don't totally agree. high price is not the main issue. Grading standards
need dropped. When you pull hives out of a Midwest snow bank. Hives which
you have not looked into after December first and pay trucking and loading
and reloading in California you expect at least a minimum pollination fee
for a 5 frame hive and up hive. queens are lost during shipment (some say
10% and other higher estimated) . Growers know that most out of state beeks
will leave all the hives sit in the almonds. paying only for 8 frame and
above will not work.
> The growers largely follow the bee supply of the previous season, rather
> than truly investigate the current supply. Since last season bees came up
> short at the last moment, growers are willing to offer more this year.
True most growers need to look to those which supply the lions share of the
hives for the best information. Problem is hives shipped from the Midwest
can not be looked at until they arrive many times. Many Midwest beeks use
the stick method to determine the way the bees are wintering. Surely you
have heard of the stick method? Jerry? The method dates back to Langstroths
day.
> There's a name for this phenomenon--it's called "the law of supply and
> demand in a free market."
And is not price fixing common in California by almond growers?
or simply!
"Guidelines for beekeepers renting hives into almonds"
Always glad to have a civil discussion on almond pollination.
bob
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