Scot McPherson wrote:
> Organic beekeeping is far less costly than standard commercial practices.
> Less fuel costs, less medication costs, less lumber and wax replacement
> costs, healtier bees that don't need to be replaced as often and therefore
> build up faster since not new installations every year. 

A major cost item that I don't see on your list, is labor.  My 
understanding is that "organic" is expensive because is more 
labor-intensive than standard commercial practice.  Is your labor free?  
As a hobbyist, I don't have to worry about hiring help, but if I did, 
all the money I have invested in bees, equipment, and supplies in the 
last 8 years would barely be enough to pay for even one hired hand for 
13 weeks in the summer (at minimum wage).

Please, if you are going to make a strong statement about one beekeeping 
method being "cheaper" than another, don't leave out major cost items.

-- 
Tim Eisele
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