pollination

[michael-bees]

How did you folks that do pollination get started? Did you use a broker or knock on doors?

[Trevor Mansell]

Its easy to go to Ca. or Maine they need alot of bees. Local pollination you have to kick the doors down, they are mostly built on relationships. Try working with a local beekeeper by filling in for him or her if they dont have enough bees.

[high rate of speed]

You can advertise in local ag papers,journals etc.Main thing is supplying a good product,and word of mouth gets around.

[Keith Jarrett]

Its easy to go to Ca. or Maine they need alot of bees. .

Well Trevor, I know alot of guys that have had trouble in Calif, some was self-inflicked some wasn't, I wouldn't say it's a cake walk.

[high rate of speed]

Im still looking for snow white and the seven dwarfs.:)

[Mathispollenators]

My dad has bees for ever it seems. Or at least since Noah lost that swarm. But as most beekeepers do or did he concentrated on making honey most of those years. Myself I got out of school and out of the bee business for several years (nearly 20) looking for better jobs. There are many stories we could all tell growing up beekeepers and moving bees around the south east to different honey flows trying to make honey. He is in central Florida where they plant lots of watermelons and began to pollinate them until that is where he makes his money off the bees now. It wasn't such an effort rather than he couldn't manage the bees he has, trying to produce bulk honey. With no outside help and beekeeping help is hard to find for some reason. Myself I had about 30 hives as a teenager that I pollinated with, at that time (early 80's) a man rented for watermelon pollination. I thought he was the biggest fool I ever saw to pay someone just to put bees in the corners of his fields. All the while I wanted to put them somewhere or dad would have them blended with rest of his bees and I lose them. I've been with dad again now about 6 months full time and part of the deal I made with him was we try making it pollinating rather than making honey for a while. I believe the cost of producing honey and cost of pollinating will equal out the extra you make off selling honey. At the time I'm searching new contracts for us other than the melons we have. Definatly looking at almonds next year, but I'm thinking of apples, cucumbers, blueberries, and anything else. Hopefully I can get this more here in the south east cutting transportation cost for us. Any other commercial guys got some ideas or tips I'll surely take them. Like I said I have to catch up the past 20 years and there is more new things out there than I thought

[Trevor Mansell]

Well Trevor, I know alot of guys that have had trouble in Calif, some was self-inflicked some wasn't, I wouldn't say it's a cake walk.

Im not saying its a cake walk. I hear the horror stories from people as well. Im just saying its easier to find contracts in Ca. or Maine . Local pollination at least in Fl is tough to break into unless you buy someone out.

[sqkcrk]

Its easy to go to Ca. or Maine they need alot of bees. Local pollination you have to kick the doors down, they are mostly built on relationships. Try working with a local beekeeper by filling in for him or her if they dont have enough bees.

Really Trevor? You can't just show up in Maine w/ a load of bees and find a place for them, can you. I call a grower last year, in early May, because I heard that they needed more colonies and was told, No thanks.

So, how do you get work for your bees? Who do I call? When should I call them?

As far as Maine and California, I'll bet it helps to know someone who is already pollinating and either tag along w/ them the first year of get an intro through them.

If you are near where pollination is needed, go see the grower and see what happens.

[JohnK and Sheri]

We got started by tagging long with some other beeks who were going out to California for almonds. They knew their broker was looking for more bees. We have stuck with this particular broker for a few years now, going out on our own.
Like breaking into most occupations, networking smooths the road. It helps to have word of mouth recommendations, there are some shysters out there who think nothing of taking advantage of a newbee.
Contact other beekeepers/pollinators in your area. Ask them about availability, if they use a broker, etc. If you have bees available they may have room on their trucks, or know someone else that needs bees to fulfill a contract.
Contact brokers in the area of interest. A broker will take care of some or all of the contractual headaches, this varies by broker. You may only need to supply good bees (to their standards), with the broker arranging placement, moving them in and out and collecting the money, or you may have to handle the logistics of moving in and out of the orchards the broker contracts with.
Contact the grower's associations. A grower might try to lowball you so know your pricing. Find out who did their previous pollination and why they need someone new. Is it because they didn't pay the last one? Is it because there are worse than normal conditions in the orchard that make placement difficult?

Whatever you do, don't just take a load out anywhere looking for a placement, that is a good way to lose a bunch of money fast. While some might do that and be fine, they know and accept the risk, are established in the area, and have a place to set them while shopping them around.
Sheri

[Trevor Mansell]

Really Trevor? You can't just show up in Maine w/ a load of bees and find a place for them, can you. I call a grower last year, in early May, because I heard that they needed more colonies and was told, No thanks.

So, how do you get work for your bees? Who do I call? When should I call them?

As far as Maine and California, I'll bet it helps to know someone who is already pollinating and either tag along w/ them the first year of get an intro through them.

If you are near where pollination is needed, go see the grower and see what happens.

Of course you should have your ducks in a row before you show up. Calling growers in Maine the first week of May expecting to find pollination is wishfull thinking .

working with someone that is already in Maine and Ca. is always going to be a big help . Especially the loading and unloading of the bees . Its not hard to find pollination work if you have good bees ,in certain areas.

I talk to growers in my area and everything is all sewed up . Not alot of new farms going in due to land prices. Most existing farms have established relationships with beekeepers going back for years . I try to fill in when they need more bees and hand out cards.

[Angi_H]

Living out in Ca. Actually in the heart of Ca. I am in prime farm land. almonds Almonds everywhere. Out where I have a few of my bees now they have 200 acres of Almonds where the bees are. The bees are currently on organic seed alfalfa and Conventional organic cotton. I have made a few contacts with bee keepers that come out here. And I still offer my help next year for anyone who comes out and is in the Central Valley of Ca. I am trying to find placement for my 10 hives next year for Almonds. Hopefully all 10 will make it but I have hope. It is looking like 2 of my hives need splitting again they are bursting at the seams again. The one farmer that buys my farm fresh eggs allowed me to place my bees out on his ranch. For nothing. All togather he has 800 acres of Almonds. I have been trying to go and talk with a few farmers about pollination next year and asking them how many hives they would need. I have a friend that is local that has 100 hives. He eventually wants me to buy him out. My offer stands if any of you all need help next year when you start bringing in the girls. One thing I have read was that hive prices are expected to rise another 20 to 40 dollars and that most eastern bee keepers will stay home due to the cost of fuel. As it would cost more to haul them then what they would be getting per hive. I know for sure in my county alone that we have seen a huge increase in young almond groves being put in this year. Not to mention the other nut and fruit trees. It would be great to meet you all when you come out this way. Looks like I will get to meet Greg from ND this fall in Nov when he comes out to check on his bees out here. I can not wait to meet him and get to work with him.

Angi

[alpha6]

Angi,

Thanks for the offer. I think you will get a better response if you already have locked in a certain number of hives that are needed. For example, you are in a contract with a farmer for 500 hives. Then I think people would respond better with ok, I have 200 available, etc.

You also need to know a little about how the process works. It may be different with others but the way it usually works is the contact in Calf. is paid 8 bucks per hive (last year price) to manage and if any feeding is needed then thats also tagged on. They unload and place the hives then reload for shipment back. So if we send 1000 hives, then he makes 8k plus whatever for feeding on just our hives. Not a bad gig for them.

Also, a lot of people send out their hives in Oct. and they are stored in huge bee yards till they are needed in spring for the almonds. If you are planning to get into this I would recommend having a place to store the bees until pollination. You will also need a swinger, trucks to move to groves..etc. etc. It may be best to check with a local who is doing this already to get some first hand knowledge on what is involved. Hope that helps.

[Troy]

I am a sideline beekeeper in the Orlando area. I saw several folks talking about watermelon and pollination in FL.

I have only concentrated on honey so far, but my bees are sitting idle right now. If I could feed them and get them pollinating a crop, right now, that would be great - at least for them, and for the farmer.

I am just a sideline guy and have a day job, so moving them has to be on the weekend and with Fuel prices I'd have to charge a fair sum to make it worthwhile to only move a few hives, but if someone out there just needs a few hives, I might could help out.

I currently have about 10 hives that are at full strength and could be available for pollination. Does anybody ever need that few?

I was thinking about an ad on Craigslist - anybody ever try that?

What do people normally get for this kind of service?

[alpha6]

Can't hurt to advertise. If you are going to move your bees, load them late evening and move them at night so you keep all your field bees in the hive. I wouldn't worry about feeding them as watermelon flowers produce nectar and pollen.

[Troy]

Thanks, I knew to move them at night. It is still hard to do in the hot summer here in FL as they tend to beard outside a lot at night.

As for the Watermelon, I thought I had read that the pollen was not very good for bees and the nectar was almost non-existent, so I assumed I'd have to feed them sugar water at least.

[alpha6]

Troy, you could be right, I can't find anything regarding how much nectar or pollen they produce. I did find this link that talks about them and that they do produce some of both but what the quality is, I don't know.

http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/7224.pdf

[Trevor Mansell]

There really isnt any pollination in Fl durring the summer. They will start planting around the end of Aug .

[high rate of speed]

The hives we place in california for summer watermelon pollination,dont do a whole lot.We due better from the surrounding sources.

[Keith Jarrett]

One thing I have read was that hive prices are expected to rise another 20 to 40 dollars and that most eastern bee keepers will stay home due to the cost of fuel. As it would cost more to haul them then what they would be getting per hive.
Angi

Well, it looks as though you have a crystal ball Angi.

Lets look at your numbers....

"20-40 dollars more per hive, eastern beekeepers will stay home due to fuel costs", Hmmm.

Ok, let's say $30 more per hive @ 408-480 a load = $13,000

Are you saying $13,000 more is going to be ate up in fuel?

Sounds like to me someone has gotten a hold of a machine gun with too much ammo.

[JohnK and Sheri]

Hey Keith, I kinda liked Angi's forcast. at least the $20-$40 part ;). But you are quite correct, if all the Eastern beekeepers stayed home the price would rise and give them the incentive to spend the $$ on fuel, the pendulum do swing.
Sheri

[high rate of speed]

We all better pray for rain.If not there will be an excess of bees,acres will come out quicker than they went in.It would be nice to have a crystal ball.

[Keith Jarrett]

Hi Sheri,

Ya the fuel issue, if the price goes up just $5 it will off set any fuel cost's.

But you know, every keeper I know has again this year made increase this spring, the supply houses were running 24x7 to keep up. The planting's of almonds has slowed, the keepers making increase has not, you guys draw your own conclusion.

[HarryVanderpool]

Sounds like to me someone has gotten a hold of a machine gun with too much ammo.

Now, that was really funny Keith!

:)

[high rate of speed]

[QUOTE=alpha6;338068]

They unload and place the hives then reload for shipment back. So if we send 1000 hives, then he makes 8k plus whatever for feeding on just our hives. Not a bad gig for them.

Doesnt sound like a bad gig for the guy who is supplying the bees.Shoot 8k doesnt even buy a load of syrup now days.Cost alot more than 8 dollars to move bees.

[Keith Jarrett]

$8 dallors a hive to move in and out of almonds.

Gee that's like the doctor leaving the hospital after eight hours of work and putting in another four at McDonalds.

[Tom G. Laury]

High rate of speed:

Not sure if you're talking SD or Cal, but the westside of the SJ valley is really suffering from lack of water. One more drought year will cause some serious problems on serious acreage. Annual row crops are being abandoned to keep trees alive. Well water is too salty for almonds.

8$ per colony? Thanks Keith & high rate for a moment I thought I was overpriced as I charge more than twice that for unloading, placement, reloading, etc., and even then no cake walk or gold mine.

[JohnK and Sheri]

8$ per colony? Thanks Keith & high rate for a moment I thought I was overpriced .....
Yeah, for a moment there I thought we were way overpaying, lol.
It is money well spent, imo, they really earn that money.
Sheri

[sqkcrk]

Does anyone have an update on Canadas' attempts to get into CA to pollinate Almonds? I have a friend who really wants to get into Canada to pollinate blueberries across the border from Maine. It would only be fair, right?

[BEES4U]

FYI:

Nothing in beekeeping is easy!Regards,
Ernie Lucas Apiaries

[high rate of speed]

I second that motion Ernie.I have said it from day one,anyone who sends hives to california for someone else to manage,needs to come out at least one season and play our fun games.definatilly not a cake walk.:D

[Focus on Bees]

whats the going rate for cranberries ? and why doesn't anyone want to get into that ?? Are you worried about pesticides ? Or is it because there's only cranberries and nothing else for nectar and pollen .

[Keith Jarrett]

whats the going rate .

Ya Lou, whats the going rate for berries. :)

[high rate of speed]

Dont get me started.LOL.:p

[high rate of speed]

That phrase is as good as feild run.That phrase cost alot of people money as well.

[JohnK and Sheri]

Focus, I heard going rate for cranberries was $60. Usually there is more honey to be made that time of year than the amount of money they pay for cranberries, especially with the high honey prices. The bees usually go backwards in cranberries, especially in the big bogs where that is all they have to forage on. Sometimes they make a little honey but not usually, and they often come out smaller than they went in. I know some beeks that just send weak colonies that wouldn't make honey anyway.
This year was an exception I think, at least in our area. We had so much rain and the bees made so little honey you would have been better off taking the cranberry money.
As for pesticides I don't know how much of a problem that is as we don't go in, but the beeks I know that do go into cranberries don't usually complain about pesticide kills but maybe pesticides contribute to some general malaise. I think the main reason many go in is it is a cash flow thing, quick easy (relatively speaking:D ) money that time of year before extracting and selling the honey crop.
Sheri

[sqkcrk]

whats the going rate for cranberries ? and why doesn't anyone want to get into that ?? Are you worried about pesticides ? Or is it because there's only cranberries and nothing else for nectar and pollen .

I'm getting $50.00 per hive. Here in Northern NY there are other things for the bees to work on after the cranberries are done.

I know another guy who pollinates cranberries in another part of NY. He'll be moving his hives soon. I don't know what he gets per col. and i do think that the area in which those crans grow is not a good honey area.

[Focus on Bees]

hey, thanks for the info. I'm trying to figure out if its worth doing or not, and I like to get different opinions. So much appreciated !!

[jean-marc]

Focus on Bees:

I charge about what I would get per hive if I were to go and produce honey in this area. We don't get a lot of honey here but there is a high demand for locally produced honey. The value for my locally produced blackberry honey is much higher than the "going rate of honey" has been in the last 4-5 years.

I suppose if the bees were able to get something else afterwards that could put a downward pressure on the price. On the otherhand I bring some bees to southern Alberta on canola pollination. Demand is fairly high so I may have to raise the price on cranberry pollination.

Cranberry growers spray insecticides during the bloom. They apply insecticides at night, wait a few hours then wash it off using their iirgation system.

Hope this helps.

Jean-Marc

[Oldbee]

Wisconsin wants to increase acreage: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/296849

[Trevor Mansell]

I got paid $65.00 for cranberry pollination . My contract is for a minimum 11 frames of bees. You have to rush to get them in and rush to get them out wich can be a real pita .If honey prices are over a $1.00 per lb. then its probably not worth it.
I hear in Mass. they are getting around 70 to 80 dollars a hive.

[Scrapfe]

[QUOTE=Troy;338093]I am a sideline beekeeper in the Orlando area. I saw several folks talking about watermelon and pollination in FL.

I have only concentrated on honey so far, but my bees are sitting idle right now. If I could feed them and get them pollinating a crop, right now, that would be great - at least for them, and for the farmer.

I was doing a little web research today and I found this information on watermelons. I though you may bee interested. This is from the University of Georgia, go daws!
To read the whole article go to Tillie blog in the bee soruce forum and click on her web blog sight and then scroll down to the University of Georgia link. This UG link may be useful to keep handy to refer beginners to.


http://www.ent.uga.edu/

Watermelon:
Watermelon plants have separate male and female flowers. The pollen is sticky and not blown by wind, so insect pollination is necessary to transfer pollen to receptive female stigmas. In the absence of superior food sources, bees readily visit watermelon blossoms for nectar and pollen. However, the overall density of flowers is low enough that bees rarely collect a surplus. As with other cucurbits, watermelon flowers open early in morning and close in the afternoon, so early morning (10 AM or earlier) bee activity is important. Not surprisingly, the stigma is most receptive in the morning. Each stigma needs about 1000 grains of evenly-placed pollen to develop a well-shaped, large fruit. This corresponds to about eight bee visits per flower.
Seedless, triploid watermelon varieties also require pollination. Pollination triggers seed formation and fruit development, but seeds abort shortly thereafter.

Recommended Bee Populations for Watermelon

No. of honey bee hives/acre Reference
2, 3 Atkins & others 1979
1 Hughes & others 1982
0.2, 0.5, 1 McGregor 1976
1, 2 USDA 1986
1.3 Literature average
Rate
1 bee per 100 flowers McGregor 1976

[jjgbee]

Will the $1.60 per lb honey keep all the Texas beeks at home? Wil Kansas beeks go to Texas? As for placing bees in CA. We haven't had a real sloppy wet year in CA since this mass exodus has started. It will be real intresting. Does your pollination deal cover flood damage? One sloppy wet winter I arrived at my Almond farm to find the entire place under a foot of water. One year a big beek from florida came out to cut prices and all the locals just sat back and watched him slog in the mud. He didn't come back.

[high rate of speed]

Not quite a $1.60 anymore,market is starting to soften.

[jean-marc]

So what is the market price of honey then? Thinking of selling some.

Jean-Marc

[Tom G. Laury]

Calif. orange blossom, white, $1.55- 1.60

[alpha6]

The market is holding right now at $1.50 - $1.60 per lb. of light. A few cents less for darker honey. I don't see it dropping lower then that this year.

[high rate of speed]

Boy it sure jumped up the in the last 2 days.Last I heard was $1.35,but it is predicted to go back up.

[Tom G. Laury]

It's a great view from the living room window.

[Angi_H]

Hey Tom Shoot me a PM I have a Local Question for ya. And Wanted to know something as well. Give me a holler.

Angi In Hanford