Reasonable price for annual management of colonies?

[sqkcrk]

No problem Mark. I dont know the pollinator personally only the owner of the orchard.

Have you considered renting him 8 hives at $75.00 each? Maybe it isn't a good honey location. Though I don't know why it wouldn't be. If he sprays a lot, that might not be good.

If you pollinated this orchard then everything would be yours and you would get paid for the service. Drawback is you would have to be able to move 8 hives. You could put them on a trailer, permanently.
Setting the full trailer right in the middle of the orchard.

[Nate Ellis]

Yeah thats a possibility though Im not loving having to move bees. I guess it could be an adventure and would expand my skills while helping him out. Is it appropriate to still charge him the 55 cents a mile reimbursement in addition to the 75.00 for pollination ? I would think so with gas over $4 a gallon? Im just trying to cover every expense so its worth my time. The permanent trailer is a good idea I know thats what Steve F does when he moves. Im considering all options right now. I know he sprays alot which has always been at the core of why Ive been reluctant to put any over there. Id have to get them out as soon as petals fall right?

[sqkcrk]

Yes, petal fall is when hives need to be removed.

If I could get $75.00 per colony I would not charge mileage. But get what you can.

[Nate Ellis]

Mark whats the minimum size trailer I should be looking at if I go that route?

[sqkcrk]

Seems like it wouldn't have to be very big at all. Four hives facing each of the two long sides, so 64 inches long and 48 inches wide. Single axle. One thousand lb gross. Maybe something you would build yourself. That's just off the top of my head and quickly thought up.

[Acebird]

I would consider a boat trailer. Easier to move into position with the longer tongue and already has the winch where you could winch on a skid of hives.

[Nate Ellis]

Ok thanks Im sure I could pick something up off Craigslist pretty easy.