What did y’all think? It was a good day and I was glad to have Davis there. Have had some comments about the cart we used. I put a link in the video description if you want to check it out. Thanks for watching!
Looking good Bruce! Excited for you. Question: What are you shooting for in terms of what you send frame wise? I guess you've said you need 5 frames of brood & 8 frames of bees, but in addition to that, do you try to leave room for them to expand? Empty foundation, Empty Comb? Is that why you send over a deep and a medium? Is that customary for bees going to pollination to be sent in that configuration? Interested in hearing more on this, as I'd like to get there in a year or two myself if I can.
I think a lot of these questions may vary depending on contract or expectations of grower and broker etc. My goal in reality is for them to have a strong bunch of bees in the hive. In past years the term was “8 frame average” but this particular grower expects 5 frames of brood. That doesn’t mean sheets of brood. Pretty much any amount on 5 frames will do. It is impossible, really, to go through every colony and look for brood so you just have to look at the bees and decide. Last year it went well and I think my bees are stronger overall this year than they were last year. Some may put an empty super on before they go. As long as you have a packed out bottom box you will probably be fine doing that. Remember that is is very stressful on the bees getting them out here so they probably take a little bit of a step back during the trip. But when the almond bloom hits they absolutely will explode. As far as configuration goes we send them in a deep and a medium 10 frame. Some send double deep 8 frame colonies. Yet others may send double deep 10 framers. Obviously he size of the boxes determines number of colonies on the truck. Many things to consider.
All great questions. I am not 100% certain. The first couple of years we were told 8 frame average of bees. But with this current contract supposedly it is 5 frames of brood. Meaning 5 frames with brood on them. Supposedly even a small patch of brood qualifies. I don’t know if they incorporate an average into those numbers or exactly how that works. One day I would like to go out there and observe the grading process. My main goal is to get them as strong as possible. In the previous video I showed how Davis and I graded mine. I think mine are pretty much all at or above requirements. Some are extremely strong and way stronger than required and a few are borderline. Hopefully they will all check out ok.
Great grading video. We look for 8 frames as well. Many times, the smaller hives left behind will explode within two weeks. Has this been your experience? That ML cart is worth its weight in gold when transferring, huh. A few years ago, I modified a trailer moving dolly. It works about as well as the ML cart and we use both now to speed things along. Thanks for the video.
Hopefully the mud in the orchards isn’t too bad to mess those new pallets up. It’s been crazy weather out here for the last 6 weeks! How many pallets you have coming this way?
I have 52 colonies coming. 13 pallets. We have 432 colonies on the truck total. As far as the pallets are concerned. As long as they pass inspection at the border I am if they get muddy. Just hope the bees do well out there.
@@brucesbees I see that now. And I agree. I do like the idea of lifting from the bottom to see though. This way you don’t let all the heat out. I never thought of that. Thanks for always trying to help Bruce. Hey-I just ordered my second hive!! Third one will come next year.
Great question! They throw a net over the hives. We sent them off last night. Will get that video edited and up hopefully uploaded by the end of the week.
No. But they need to be either new or clean. Any dirt or grass can flag them when crossing over into Cali. You want the inspectors to look at the load and see clean equipment. I think it just expedites the process.
Last year we cleared somewhere around $125 give or take per hive after expenses. Of course that will vary. Actual payment was somewhere around $200 but not sure of the exact number.
My real kids? Yes and no. I am glad they are moving on but we miss them at home. My youngest is a freshman in college so we are officially empty nesters which is a bit strange. The bees? Nah I am fine with it. Assuming all goes well they will grow on the almonds and come back ready to split and explode. And it gives me some time to focus on production colonies and prep for the upcoming season, as well as personal things. Also, the check at the end of it all is nice.
I was referring to the bees. Sometimes bees are like our kids. But my son has been gone from our house for a while 26 now and is missed more than my bees. By the way he is in Sierville and spent the week with him.
Yes I figured as much. It is strange when they leave for sure. We do miss ours. And 3 of our kids and both grand babies live in Utah. Don’t get to see them often enough. Our youngest is at Auburn. Not too far away. So it is not too hard for her to come visit.
Equalize to meet the grade and maximize profits. If 5 brood and 8 frames of bees is grade, for every extra frame of brood sent is lost revenue. I mean, if 5 colonies had one extra frame each, that's another digit on the pollination cheque and another colony. That new colony, with its increased revenue in the shipment, will lower the shipping cost (average per colony). If the brood is sent as a bonus, it's still on the truck, a bonus to the grower but not to you. A rich man didn't get rich by giving money away. I understand if it's impossible to do the workload because you don't have the time.
Good stuff. Didn’t have time to equalize but I think we will be ok. Great input. What you say makes sense. I think/hope that they look at averages. I’d they do that then mine will, I think, average above the required grade.
Bees sure look nice and strong Bruce! Congrats! 🐝
What did y’all think? It was a good day and I was glad to have Davis there. Have had some comments about the cart we used. I put a link in the video description if you want to check it out. Thanks for watching!
Great looking bees.
Great cart so handy
Looking good.
Oh your moving them! Ok. I get it
Good luck Bruce. Looks like another round of rain headed inland to Ca. Hope your bees don't get flooded.
Yeah me too.
Nice Bruce, just helped David get his hives ready Sunday that you guys went with. Hives are looking good.
I know he appreciated the help. I am guessing you used my cart then🙂
I have pallets heat treated for shipment to Mexico , it's cheap and quick and you get a ISPM 15 stamp to prove there are no invasive insect's
Looking good Bruce! Excited for you.
Question: What are you shooting for in terms of what you send frame wise? I guess you've said you need 5 frames of brood & 8 frames of bees, but in addition to that, do you try to leave room for them to expand? Empty foundation, Empty Comb? Is that why you send over a deep and a medium? Is that customary for bees going to pollination to be sent in that configuration? Interested in hearing more on this, as I'd like to get there in a year or two myself if I can.
I think a lot of these questions may vary depending on contract or expectations of grower and broker etc. My goal in reality is for them to have a strong bunch of bees in the hive. In past years the term was “8 frame average” but this particular grower expects 5 frames of brood. That doesn’t mean sheets of brood. Pretty much any amount on 5 frames will do. It is impossible, really, to go through every colony and look for brood so you just have to look at the bees and decide. Last year it went well and I think my bees are stronger overall this year than they were last year. Some may put an empty super on before they go. As long as you have a packed out bottom box you will probably be fine doing that. Remember that is is very stressful on the bees getting them out here so they probably take a little bit of a step back during the trip. But when the almond bloom hits they absolutely will explode. As far as configuration goes we send them in a deep and a medium 10 frame. Some send double deep 8 frame colonies. Yet others may send double deep 10 framers. Obviously he size of the boxes determines number of colonies on the truck. Many things to consider.
@brucesbees Thanks Bruce
Looks like you are ready for this season's cross-country trip. Good Luck and can't wait to see how things turn out!
looks great
Thanks!
Hope your bees come back strong and ready to split. How many hives made the grade this year? Last year it was 40 wasn't it?
32 year 1
44 (I think) year 2
48 last year
52 this year
I hope they come back strong too. Thank for checking in my friend!
Man. . Makes me want to drive south to work some Bees. Good stuff Bruce
You are welcome anytime Brian!
Bees look good
Do they grade on a sliding scale in the almond yards? How many of how many can be below the expected frame counts,?
All great questions. I am not 100% certain. The first couple of years we were told 8 frame average of bees. But with this current contract supposedly it is 5 frames of brood. Meaning 5 frames with brood on them. Supposedly even a small patch of brood qualifies. I don’t know if they incorporate an average into those numbers or exactly how that works. One day I would like to go out there and observe the grading process. My main goal is to get them as strong as possible. In the previous video I showed how Davis and I graded mine. I think mine are pretty much all at or above requirements. Some are extremely strong and way stronger than required and a few are borderline. Hopefully they will all check out ok.
Bruce, I hope your ladies does good for you. I guess they’re well on their way by now?
Yes they headed out last night. Hope to have that video out by the end of the week.
Good Luck Bruce, I've been following your almond pollination storyline, and it definitely sounds interesting and scary!
Thanks for watching. It is a lot of work but I have enjoyed it.
Where did you get the hive Lift I sure need one. Thanks
Mann Lake.
Great grading video. We look for 8 frames as well. Many times, the smaller hives left behind will explode within two weeks. Has this been your experience? That ML cart is worth its weight in gold when transferring, huh. A few years ago, I modified a trailer moving dolly. It works about as well as the ML cart and we use both now to speed things along. Thanks for the video.
As far as the colonies exploding it just varies as everything else with bees. The cart is amazing. A must have if moving bees from pallet to pallet.
Hopefully the mud in the orchards isn’t too bad to mess those new pallets up. It’s been crazy weather out here for the last 6 weeks! How many pallets you have coming this way?
I have 52 colonies coming. 13 pallets. We have 432 colonies on the truck total. As far as the pallets are concerned. As long as they pass inspection at the border I am if they get muddy. Just hope the bees do well out there.
Bees are looking good bruce. Question, where do you get your pallets from?
We buy them from a place called The Bee House down in Hosford, Florida. But I think they are closing their business.
Bruce. I’ve always known not to even crack the hives when it’s that cold out. Is there a reason you are doing that when it’s so cold?
Yes we are moving them. And bees are tougher than many would have you believe. We were only in them very briefly.
@@brucesbees I see that now. And I agree. I do like the idea of lifting from the bottom to see though. This way you don’t let all the heat out. I never thought of that. Thanks for always trying to help Bruce.
Hey-I just ordered my second hive!! Third one will come next year.
Great! Best wishes for you and your bees!
Let me know about your hand truck
I purchased it from Man Lake.
I think they don’t have I try to find it but said no result
Thanks
www.mannlakeltd.com/extracting-bottling/honey-bottling-equipment/ez-lift-hivetruck/?setCurrencyId=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzp6eBhByEiwA_gGq5M7lJ_c473Xcm-X42L1sVIPT3IFUR_osMJLiuwKO4dFfn2vnMKXUuxoCCx8QAvD_BwE
Thanks a million
When they're making the trip, do you close the entrances with some screen?
Great question! They throw a net over the hives. We sent them off last night. Will get that video edited and up hopefully uploaded by the end of the week.
Man some of those looked really good. How many do you get to send this season?
Sent 52
What is your area temperature?
It was in the low to mid 30s that morning.
Hey Bruce do you have to buy new pallets every year?
No. But they need to be either new or clean. Any dirt or grass can flag them when crossing over into Cali. You want the inspectors to look at the load and see clean equipment. I think it just expedites the process.
Bruce what do they pay per hive to pollinate .
Last year we cleared somewhere around $125 give or take per hive after expenses. Of course that will vary. Actual payment was somewhere around $200 but not sure of the exact number.
Nice bees Bruce. Should do a good job. Do you hate to see the kids leave the house?
My real kids? Yes and no. I am glad they are moving on but we miss them at home. My youngest is a freshman in college so we are officially empty nesters which is a bit strange.
The bees? Nah I am fine with it. Assuming all goes well they will grow on the almonds and come back ready to split and explode. And it gives me some time to focus on production colonies and prep for the upcoming season, as well as personal things. Also, the check at the end of it all is nice.
I was referring to the bees. Sometimes bees are like our kids. But my son has been gone from our house for a while 26 now and is missed more than my bees. By the way he is in Sierville and spent the week with him.
Yes I figured as much. It is strange when they leave for sure. We do miss ours. And 3 of our kids and both grand babies live in Utah. Don’t get to see them often enough. Our youngest is at Auburn. Not too far away. So it is not too hard for her to come visit.
Equalize to meet the grade and maximize profits. If 5 brood and 8 frames of bees is grade, for every extra frame of brood sent is lost revenue. I mean, if 5 colonies had one extra frame each, that's another digit on the pollination cheque and another colony. That new colony, with its increased revenue in the shipment, will lower the shipping cost (average per colony). If the brood is sent as a bonus, it's still on the truck, a bonus to the grower but not to you. A rich man didn't get rich by giving money away. I understand if it's impossible to do the workload because you don't have the time.
Good stuff. Didn’t have time to equalize but I think we will be ok. Great input. What you say makes sense. I think/hope that they look at averages. I’d they do that then mine will, I think, average above the required grade.