Beekeeping as a business.

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Beekeeping as a business.
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arvo

Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 3321
Location: Somerset

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 09 12:37 pm Post subject:

Mrs Baggins wrote:

Hi Andrew - a big WELCOME to downsizer! You are going to love it here!

My tutor says pretty much the opposite. He saysa you can make a fair bit of cash out beekeeping but so much that you could give up work or anything. I was just shocked to find that you could make any money at it at all! My foray into beekeeping came from a desire to have honey bees pollinating my beloved garden - and if I got a pot or two of honey a year - then that was a bonus!

My personal objectives remain the same. I don't care about making money at it. BUT if I am going to keep hives elsewhere - it does become more of an issue because I have to cover the extra outlay.

Hmmm...

Richard - There are not many other beekeepers 'round these part tbh. When I went into a local farm shops to ask about them buying honey from me they were really keen. I suppose it would all be part of the learning curve...

Arvo - Good summary of the overhead costs there... thx! I think I'd like to do a bit of queen rearing in the future, my tutor is really up on it and I think it would be interesting.

I really am getting all caught up in this bee stuff... it is SOOOO addictive... what have I done??

It is *very* addictive. You start answering peoples questions in public and their eyes glaze over (maybe thats just me!).

Queen rearing is *such* a good thing to do if you get your head around it. I reckon that way lies the future of the beekeeping. Is it beekeepers in Cornwall who are breeding slightly narky but more Varroa resistant bees because they bite the little b*gg*rs!

Mrs Baggins

Joined: 21 Sep 2008
Posts: 837
Location: West Kent

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 09 1:59 pm Post subject:

Arvo - Yeah, I really like the sound of queen rearing. I'd love to get into it if I get thru the basics for a few seasons and feel confident enough. My tutor does it and I think he'd like if his students followed in his footsteps.

I am already making ppl's eyes glaze over. It's sad. I have started quoting bee related statistics and getting very animated when I talk about bees. Ppl are going to start avoiding e for sure.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 09 6:27 pm Post subject:
If you want to raise queens using the minimum of equipment & no grafting then I suggest you read Queen Rearing By L.E.Snelgrove. That & his Swarming, Its control & prevention are as far as I'm concerned the two best bee books written.

Mrs Baggins

Joined: 21 Sep 2008
Posts: 837
Location: West Kent

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 09 7:27 pm Post subject:
Thx Tav, I'll check that out.

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