U.S Cost info needed

[Oldbeavo]

Hi Guys,
This is a bit off topic for the forum but your help would be appreciated.
We have just received our price for almond pollination for the coming Spring, $102 + tax. $2 increase on last year, whoopee!
There has been a comment that the US BK provides a better product to the almond industry.
Could you please give me some figures
Average price per hive for this year for almond pollination?
Cost of fuel, diesel?
Average wage in the US, statistical figure used by Government when quoting wages?
Cost of a loaf of bread from the bakery, not supermarket specials?
Cost of a 6 pack of Bud?

Just to give the price paid for pollination some relevance.

Thanks

[BeeMaster2]

Hi Guys,
This is a bit off topic for the forum but your help would be appreciated.
We have just received our price for almond pollination for the coming Spring, $102 + tax. $2 increase on last year, whoopee!
There has been a comment that the US BK provides a better product to the almond industry.
Could you please give me some figures
Average price per hive for this year for almond pollination? $200
Cost of fuel, diesel?  $2.99
Average wage in the US, statistical figure used by Government when quoting wages? ???
Cost of a loaf of bread from the bakery, not supermarket specials?  $
Cost of a 6 pack of Bud?  ???

Just to give the price paid for pollination some relevance.

Thanks

[Dallasbeek]

Oldbeavo, if the figure you quoted is Australian dollar, you're looking at about US$76 per hive.  Is that correct?

[sc-bee]

This may give you an idea:

http://www.beeculture.com/2018-almond-pollination-market-outlook-demand-supply-contracts/

[Oldbeavo]

Hi
Dallasbeek, yes that is correct, and that is for an 8 frame average across your load.
SC Bee, very interesting article, USD$184 compared with our USD$76 is a big difference.
That is why I ask for other item prices to put relevance to our prices.
For example our diesel fuel is about USD$4.20 per gallon.

[Acebird]

For example our diesel fuel is about USD$4.20 per gallon.

Best not to use oil as a comparison.  Our oil is the cheapest in the world so we add taxes to it so it doesn't look questionable.

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Beavo, I believe California was paying about $100-125 per 10 frame hive for almonds.  Diesel is running $2.80 a gallon, gasoline $$2.30 gallon. The average family yearly income in Arkansas was $29,500, one of the lowest is the US.  Pork roast $2.85 pound, beef ribeye $12.50 pound.  12 cans of coke a cola $5.99.

Little scarlet strawberries jam imported from the UK $18.00 for 12 ounces, just thought I throw that in as I buy a lot.

Tupelo honey is about 1.00 an ounce.
Octapus I just bought 1 pound, $5.99.
1 pound 16-18 count shrimp $18.00
Whole Chicken $1.25 pound.
Gourmet hamburger $8.00.

Precious metals are monthly average.
Gold $1320ounce, TROY
Silver $16.75 ounce
Platinum $990 ounce
Palladium $1,000 ounce

5 frame nucs, $130-or $185 wintered over.
Mated queens $30 plus overnight $25.00 shipping
3 pounds bees. $99 to $135
All amounts in USD.

Blessings

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

For example our diesel fuel is about USD$4.20 per gallon.

Best not to use oil as a comparison.  Our oil is the cheapest in the world so we add taxes to it so it doesn't look questionable.

Oil, gasoline in Saudis Arabia is about $0.19 a gallon.  In Kuwait they pay you to put gas in your car if you are a citizen, regarding govt. handouts, free medical, free college.

[BeeMaster2]

For example our diesel fuel is about USD$4.20 per gallon.

Best not to use oil as a comparison.  Our oil is the cheapest in the world so we add taxes to it so it doesn't look questionable.

Most of the rest of the world taxes their fuel to death with the idea that it will reduce how much they use.
Jim

[Oldbeavo]

Exactly right Jim, I think that about 60% of the price of fuel for us is Govt taxes and charges.
Most of our almonds are sold on the export market, with India being our biggest customer.
But at USD$4.60 a gallon, fuel is killing us, A$113 to fill up today, about USD$80.
Your nuc price is probably OK with pollination prices as high as they are.
Ours sell for about USD$110 with 5 frames of bees, queen with 2-3 frames with brood.

The reason I use fuel as a comparison is that it is our biggest cost as a migratory bee keeper. We do about 60,000 miles a year shifting bees, longest shift this year was about 230 miles.
It is also the servicing, honey, checking etc at some of these distances.

[Acebird]

Looks like everyone has to pay for Trump lowering our taxes.

[BeeMaster2]

Looks like everyone has to pay for Trump lowering our taxes.

Trump had nothing to do with ethanol being added to gas.

[BeeMaster2]

Nucs in Pennsylvania are advertised at $225 if you pick them up, $296 if they ship them to you.
Jim

[Hops Brewster]

Fuel is more expensive in the western US than east, and prices are increasing at this time.  Diesel is at $3.19 + around here right now.   Gasoline (petrol) is at $3.10 +.
My bread's regular price is $3.29.
Budweiser is usually "on sale" for about $2/6,  but good local craft beer is at $8/6 or more.

[Oldbeavo]

Jim, I would want an 8 frame nuc for that money.
Hops Brewster. The govt belts alcohol with tax in Australia, Bud equivalent USD$12 and a good craft beer USD$15.
Loaf of bread is about the same, about UD$3, interesting comparison of how many loaves of bread to 6 pack of good beer, US 2.6 while Oz 5.

[Acebird]

Oldbeavo what is important a loaf of bread or a 6 pack of beer?  Bread can keep you alive but a 6 pack of beer can turn the most undesirable women into heaven on earth.  Could be a hard choice.

[Oldbeavo]

Look at it from another way, you can get 75 six packs of Bud per hive at pollination (US$150+), while we can only get about 8, (A$102) in OZ.
What bee industry is having more fun?