From: http://bluediamond.com/growers/field/detail.cfm?l_location=3 "In preparation for the bloom, beekeepers spent the latter half of January moving colonies into staging areas throughout the region and as the month ended, the first hives began to move into orchards planted to the earliest blooming varieties." The price per hive for almond pollination fees in California has an effect upon pollination pricing across the entire United States as the perceived worth of a hive rented for pollination is transferred across the country. The ABJ reported in the February 2004 issue that early reports of pollination fees have been averaging near the $50.00 per colony level; I have been hearing more like $60.00 and up, up, up! Does anyone know of actual contracted prices? Chuck Norton Norton's Nut & Honey Farm Reidsville, NC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::