Up, Up, and Away

The bees are off and busy pollinating almond flowers for one of the most most important events in a commercial beekeeper's season. For some of us, one quarter to one half of our annual income is generated in three weeks in August. This year, because of Varroa, hive numbers in the almonds have dropped by the tens of thousands. No official reports out yet, but I have heard of beekeepers who had contracts for 3000 colonies only able to bring 800 that met pollination grade. I'm not sure how many colonies short, but perhaps as much as 20% (60,000 colonies). Grading is underway and more insight into the status and strength of hives will be known in a few weeks.

We run a tight operation with between 250 and 500 colonies, depending on the season where most of our income is from pollination, queens, courses, research, and self packed honey produced close to home. The keys to our success are efficiency and high standards and every year seems to get a bit smoother.

Orchard photos supplied by Andrew Turnbull and Richard Collins. Thanks mates!!