>
> >Further, the predicted pollination shortfall that we have been hearing
> about since the 1970s when colonies numbers in the USA were twice that of
> today, never materialized.


Actually, Pete, that shortfall did indeed materialize.  In my career of
pollinating almonds, the price paid by the growers for hive rent has grown
from $8 per hive to as much as the $198 that I made this year for some
strong hives.

Much of that jump materialized in 2005, when a shortage of pollinating bees
caused the offered price to jump from about $45 to $155 in a single year.

The high price paid by the almond growers results in plenty of hives
available for pollination after the almond bloom ends.  The rest of the
country's pollination requirements are in effect subsidized by the almond
industry.

That said, more generally, do you have data to support that all crops are
indeed being optimally pollinated today?

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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