>That is, if I run bees solely for honey production, I will have fewer but better hives to raise honey production. Whereas, if I pollinate, the incentive is to have the maximum number of average strength colonies. Just saying that these are two different types of business models, though some do both. Furthermore, some run a lot of hives to make splits and sell them, another sliding variable in colony count. 

I think that demonstrates the problem that we have in getting any accurate data.  It's apples and pears!  Without a clearly defined set of rules for reporting data everyone is left to do their own thing.  Not only that, but those that do report their crops are self-selecting - so those that do well will want to tell the world how good they are, while those that have done badly may choose not to submit a return.  

GIGO!

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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