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Pr - How Sweet Are Beekeeper Returns From Almond Pollination And Honey Production?

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  • Ehmke, Mariah D.
  • Jones-Ritten, Chian
  • Patalee, Buddhika
  • Bekkerman, Anton
  • Curtis, Kynda
  • Ehmke, Cole

Abstract

Beekeeping can be an attractive option for agriculture entrepreneurs because beekeeping enterprises often require less initial land and capital than other agricultural ventures. However, while beekeeping may have lower barriers to entry, there is little information about management and marketing characteristics that may maximize beekeeper profitability. This study formally assesses the extent to which firm size and location, production and service activities, and marketing decisions affect returns to beekeepers. Empirical analysis of data from 107 beekeepers in the U.S. mountain west region indicate that smaller, semi-commercial beekeepers receive higher average variable returns per colony than larger, commercial beekeepers but that more established firms do not have a significantly higher variable returns over younger firms. The results also show that beekeepers could earn higher average variable returns from increased honey marketing and almond pollination services, suggesting that recent increases in almond pollination fees did not sufficiently offset revenues from per colony honey sales. Broadly, this study can improve beekeeper cost-benefit analysis and trade-off evaluation when making managerial decisions and responding to changes in policy related to beekeeping business development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ehmke, Mariah D. & Jones-Ritten, Chian & Patalee, Buddhika & Bekkerman, Anton & Curtis, Kynda & Ehmke, Cole, 2017. "Pr - How Sweet Are Beekeeper Returns From Almond Pollination And Honey Production?," 21st Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 2-7, 2017 345769, International Farm Management Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:ifma17:345769
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.345769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicholas W Calderone, 2012. "Insect Pollinated Crops, Insect Pollinators and US Agriculture: Trend Analysis of Aggregate Data for the Period 1992–2009," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Randal R. Rucker & Walter N. Thurman & Michael Burgett, 2012. "Honey Bee Pollination Markets and the Internalization of Reciprocal Benefits," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 94(4), pages 956-977.
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