Greetings All,
Well after hanging my commercial veil and smoker up 15 years ago I have once again been craving that venom addiction. Within the next year my family will be transferred to North Carolina, and knowing that part of the country, my interest in commercial beekeeping has spiked.
Years ago, when I hung up my hat, we were only getting 43 cents per pound for ELA in upstate NY. The market was good but just like it is now; there was a lot of strife. Pollination fees were also weak at that time and an over abundance of self proclaimed “commercial beekeepers” existed diluting contracts.
I have considered starting up small and building up over a 5 year period paying for things out of pocket each year preventing that dreaded bank loan. Hence my question to you professionals;
If you could do it all over again what would you do? Would you stay with commercial honey production, go into package or nuc production, strictly pollination or a combination of the above? I have also considered going the supply route but much research has proven the market to be saturated for this aspect of the industry.
My goal is to build up to 1000 colonies in 5 years via annual splits, yard purchases, and perhaps after almond purchases. I know it can be done since I have done it before, although I am older and have more liquidity! I do have to say, I miss the outdoors, the exercise, the freedom and certainly the challenge to determine what is happening with a weak link.
Any advice or discouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Well after hanging my commercial veil and smoker up 15 years ago I have once again been craving that venom addiction. Within the next year my family will be transferred to North Carolina, and knowing that part of the country, my interest in commercial beekeeping has spiked.
Years ago, when I hung up my hat, we were only getting 43 cents per pound for ELA in upstate NY. The market was good but just like it is now; there was a lot of strife. Pollination fees were also weak at that time and an over abundance of self proclaimed “commercial beekeepers” existed diluting contracts.
I have considered starting up small and building up over a 5 year period paying for things out of pocket each year preventing that dreaded bank loan. Hence my question to you professionals;
If you could do it all over again what would you do? Would you stay with commercial honey production, go into package or nuc production, strictly pollination or a combination of the above? I have also considered going the supply route but much research has proven the market to be saturated for this aspect of the industry.
My goal is to build up to 1000 colonies in 5 years via annual splits, yard purchases, and perhaps after almond purchases. I know it can be done since I have done it before, although I am older and have more liquidity! I do have to say, I miss the outdoors, the exercise, the freedom and certainly the challenge to determine what is happening with a weak link.
Any advice or discouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!