How much do farmers pay for bee pollination?

Hive rental fees typically range anywhere from a low of around $45, to a high of $200 per hive. Costs will vary based on the type of crop being pollinated, the number of hives needed, the distance that the beekeeper must travel, the price of fuel, and general honeybee availability.

How much do bees account for pollination?

The plight of pollinators Honey bees alone pollinate 80 percent of all flowering plants, including more than 130 types of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, bee populations have dropped alarmingly across North America, as have the populations of many other pollinator species.

What is commercial beekeeping?

There are an estimated 115,000 – 125,000 beekeepers in the United States. Commercial beekeepers will produce large amounts of honey to bottle and sell, rent their hives to growers for pollination, raise honeybee hives to sell to new beekeepers, or sell other products produced by the honeybees. …

Do farmers rent bees?

Some growers rent hives by contacting individual beekeepers directly. They leave their hives dotted throughout the plantation just as bloom is starting, and return to collect them at the end of flowering. Because beekeepers collect their hives at night, it’s unlikely that many bees are left behind.

How many bees does it take to pollinate an acre?

Number of Colonies per Acre A two-story colony with at least 20,000 bees will normally provide adequate pollination for an acre of tree fruit.

How much does it cost to buy a hive of bees?

The initial cost of beekeeping can be intimidating to new beekeepers. You will need to invest in supplies such as a hive, proper protective clothing, a smoker, and hive tool. As of this writing, a single new hive may cost about $150, clothing and gear may cost about $160, and a package of new bees may run $125 to $150.

How much do bees contribute to the economy?

One key finding is that the economic value that is dependent on insect pollination totaled $34 billion in 2012, much higher than previously thought. The team looked at 2012 because it was the most recent year for which data were available.

How much do honey bees contribute to the US agricultural economy?

Pollinators contribute more than 24 billion dollars to the United States economy, of which honey bees account for more than 15 billion dollars through their vital role in keeping fruits, nuts, and vegetables in our diets.

How much do commercial beekeepers make?

If you work for a commercial beekeeping organization, such as one where your job is to keep the hives healthy while keeping track of honey, wax, and royal jelly production, the pay is a bit more likely to move you toward the career’s salary average of about $72,000 a year (source).

Is commercial beekeeping profitable?

Depending on how many hives you have, you can make a profit. However, it really depends on the season and nectar flow. There are start up costs when getting into beekeeping. After that, you can expect a beekeeping profit per hive of around $600.

How much does a bee queen cost?

(All Prices Include Complimentary Queen Marking)

How many acres do you need for beekeeping?

Generally speaking, most backyard beekeepers have 1 to 2 acres of land with 2 or 3 bee hives.