The biggest problem the US beekeeper faces, other than competition from
producers in centralized economies with no cost structure and a huge need
for US currency (like China) is the excessively strong US dollar.

The US dollar's strength, caused by political factors -- the US is currently
the world's only superpower -- is killing other US producers as well.  Look
at steel.  Look at any labour intensive, resource-based industry.

> ...In beekeeping this would be yield per colony not total production of
the outfit.  The question is how can we increase yield per colony without
increasing costs?

Emphasizing yield -- whether per hive or per operation -- rather than
overall management, is a dangerous distraction.

Chasing big yields has killed more agricultural producers -- particularly
young 'educated' ones -- than any other trap.  The survivors in agriculture
are -- oftener than not -- those who are conservative in their approach,
conserve their capital, and seek smaller but more certain returns and who
avoid large outlays of money for uncertain returns.

Consistent financial returns, not the largest yield, is the crucial goal.

Good risk analysis, good strategy, and hedging of bets are the cardinal
characteristics of those who survive.

allen
http://www.internode.net/HoneyBee/Diary/