> Juanse, perhaps I misunderstood your earlier post, but I thought you had
> an oversupply of hives to fulfill your pollination contract? This post
> indicates that the weaker hives (less than 3 frames of bees) will still be
> required to make up the numbers for your pollination contract this year.

One needs enough hives (usually up to 50%) over the pollination contract so
as to be able to supply top quality hives for pollination if not doing
severe fall culling. If doing *severe* fall culling the number *in my
opinion* can be dropped to around 10% over the number needed.

We grade hives for almond pollination in fall. 1 , 2 or 3. Number 1's are
always ready in spring when properly prepared in fall. Some number 2's will
grade number one at shipping time. We like to ship only number 1's and maybe
some number 2's. Almost all number 3's can be combined to make a number 1.

it is usually not cost effective to combine two number 2's.

Those beekeepers which winter in the far north and ship to almonds directly
from the snow covered fields in January spend a huge amount of time and
labor on preparing the hives THIS TIME OF YEAR. Only what I would consider
number one grade are wintered.( 4-500 miles north of my location)

 A friend sent 10 loads and all hives graded and I think he said he had less
then fifty deadouts.

bob

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