I been reading this post and have got to wondering what is the total cost per hive on average going to the almonds, hauling to and from, feeding and pollen sub.? after all that is it really worth traveling to almonds when the price is $100 a hive, what is the base line price to make it good per hive(worth the time)?
Last year at $152, my net was 105 after trucking from fl, off loading in almonds, loading back on truck and broker fees. If I feed (have them feed in Ca) cost was $5/ hive including srup.
I wonder what taking a semi load of bees from Dexter, ME to Merced, CA would cost? I'm guessing there and back would be about $15,000 - reckon thats in the ball park? 3342 miles according to Mapquest
January 6 Ag Alert, California Farm Bureau weekly add. Pollination service, ALMOND GROWERS, Are you looking for an oppertunity to rent high quality bees at an attractive price? 10,000 colonies available, 8 frame average, $117.00, 10 frame average, $127.00, Most of these bees live in So Cal with warm weather and a current nectar flow. I know of no beekeeper from calif. that ever worked with this broker twice. ( Nectar Flow ?) Where? Bees are robbing in the foothills around LA and Orange county. Alen Buckly 605-851-3304, Supplying quality bees for 40 years. There must be an endless supply of gulible beeks and growers.
2 ads in the Fresno bee offering pollination. I phoned them. Both are sold out, at $100. 2hrs later one of them phoned me back, needing 600 at 105 maximum. Go figger.
Welcome to California.
I wish them bad luck! Maybe that will stop the undercutting...No bees will cross from east US to west US at $100. By the time you pay unloading or go unload yourself, trucking feeding if it in wet ect you are at less than 70....not worth it for that long of a trip!
I agree. This year my bees are better off in Ga. Besides if this year is anything like last year the bees looked almost worse coming back from the Almonds than they did going out. Its pretty crazy in Ca. If you remember a few years back prices hit 180 right at the end of the season cause they didnt have enough bees out there.
8 frames means exactly that...when you pick up the box and look from bottom up....bees are covering 8 frames(deeps) shallows/med count as 1/2 frame. My bees are now pollinating almonds...price went up. Had a offer of 190 to me less transportation Monday. Desperation has set in! Bet I'll geta contract before chritmas next year! My bees have came back strong the last three years....great flying weather now so bees should be doing good, just hope it holds. Grower told me today that first blooming variety will be in full bloom Friday...looks like a fast bloom.
lol you did alot of talking about not going to be both feet in huh? Definitely inspired me. Think a decent contract can be got as early as july this year for next season?
Can anyone tell me what I should be charging for a handshake contract pumpkin job in kansas, Its only about 7 acres and the guy wants only a dozen colonies.
Never been paid for cotton. Kind of a hit or miss kind of thing, like soybeans, as far as buildup goes. Be very careful, if they find a weevil they'll spray mercilesly, and not in a bee friendly manner.
We have almost 2,000 hives here in Fresno, Ca we expect Almond Prices to be $150.00 per. We are 100% booked...but "the checks are in the mail"
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