Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Jen on April 01, 2016, 03:36:06 pm
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I think I'll be selling my nucs for $150 each. But what if I have a full on established healthy hive? What would that sell for?
Or, like the swarm I just caught in the medium box, that is a very large colony in there?
and of course I would wait to sell it when the queen is laying and has some capped brood? Right?
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Up here:
Nucs selling for $180 (4 frame)
Swarms? I have known a bee supply place that sold swarms for the same price as nucs, and they had a waiting list for them. In theory, more bees, and they are in comb building overdrive mode.
Hives = Now? would be really expensive, probably close to $500+, In the fall, maybe $250.
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Wow!
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you get the mites too. LOL
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you get the mites too. LOL
The only way I know of to get mite free bees is to buy packages from Australia, and they are usually among the first to collapse when they get here.
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So far I have less than 10 mites on each of my 3 sticky boards, and they look more like mite husks, like the bees are doing a pretty good job of mite kill.
Does anyone else do one OA treatment before the sale of nucs?
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Jen, you can do an easy sugar roll test and get a good idea about the mites. Nucs sell around here between $130 - $170 or so.
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Here nucs are 160 to 175
Saw some hives on craigs list the other day for 300 they were a deep and medium, wish I would have bought them, could have made two splits out of each one and still been ahead of the game. They were gone the next day.
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Hmmm Well Good! Then I think my nucs for $150 sounds fair :)
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My area nucs sell for 130 to 180. 3 frames of brood only 130. 5 frames 3 brood, I frame each of pollen and honey. 150 to 180. some treat their nucs for mites before they go out. I think all nuce should be treated for mites before you take somebody’s money.
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Two years ago in June, I paid $200 for a full hive which included a 8 frame deep full of bees, a bottom board, inner cover and top cover. I found it on Craig's List. It was a good buy.
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Marion, is that a typo? A 4 frame deep would be a nuc. A full hive would be 8 or10 frames.
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Yes, just noticed and fixed it. 8frame hive.
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200 dollars at today’s cost is a good deal. Today’s cost with new boxes and bees will cost over 400 dollars for one hive. You have to be careful when you buy used bee equipment. Are the boxes in good condition. How old are the frames. Does the hive have any disease. New people coming into the field don’t know this.
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We were lucky. It was an old Russian couple and they knew their bees. Had to get rid of them because the town they lived in was making them. They have been healthy and productive.
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The way I envision my nucs that will be ready for sale, will be 3 frames of brood, 2 frames of pollen and honey, proof that they are mite free at the point of sale by showing them the sticky board that I will have on the bottom board of the colony.
I think it is a good idea as well to give the nucs one shot of OA about a week before I advertise. It can't hurt. And that would be 1 scoop of oa for a nuc, as opposed to 2 scoops for a full hive.
I also like the idea of just 3 frames of brood only for $130.
Still listening for other comments on this :) :)
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Don't forget the value of the woodenware, whether nucs or full size hives.
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Iddee, I figured that would be included in the selling price. Except the nucs, where I will ask for a $10 deposit for the box, of which they will get back when they return the box.
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Sounds reasonable to me.. I sell nucs for about that price as well. As far as OA treatment, I do not think one scoop will overwhelm your nuc, but two scoops is for a double deep, one scoop would be a single deep. so HALF a scoop would treat a 5 frame deep nuc.
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Hi Scott! Yah, that sounds more like it, gonna write this equation down :)
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I would skip the part about "proof they are mite free" because I doubt you can do that. You can certainly mention the treatment you did though.
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Half a scoop is all I use to treat my nucs. They never come out mite free after treating. I just want a low mite count
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That sounds reasonable :)
Does anyone else mention a low mite count when selling nucs? Do you as the seller even bring up the subject?
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I tell everyone I sell to that the first major decision they will have once they are set up is they should have a plan to deal with varroa? Even if I sold someone an absolutely varroa free nuc, it will only remain mite free for a short period of time.
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That sounds good Perry :)
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I sell a well stocked 4 frame nuc for $145. After advertising in our club's facebook page I sold out +20% in 4 days. This suggest to me I am a bit too cheap. My neighbor down the road who also does the 'no treatment route' sells his for about twice that price. He always sells out also and maintains a waiting list. Perhaps price alone is not something to remedy our problem.
with no treatment you make no claims about no bugs in the box.
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145 dollars for a 4 frame nuc is a good price at today’s prices. You are fair to your customers. These people that want to sell their nucs for double the price are robbing their customers but again they find customers with no common sense who are willing to pay 250 dollars for a box of bugs. The all mighty dollar is taking over now. Nobody gets rich in this world working for a living. Swarms are better. They come cheap.
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Tec - that is very interesting indeed. I haven't treated this year, my hives have less than 10 mites on my sticky boards.
Ray - Ya know?... I've always been shy asking people for money, even if I have some thing of great value to sell, I can be haggled down. I don't like doing that anymore. My parents went thru the depression and carried that attitude into our family. We didn't do without, but had to cut corners for our mother to buy the fabric for our prom dresses. I had a good upbringing and learned how to judge good value.
But as I become more vintage, and how I see people spend their money these days, it is clear to me that I do have something of great value to sell here, and with a clear concsious I could sell it for premium price if I want to. In addition, I would never consider honeybees in a hive.. a box of bugs.
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Jen
I can remember what my grandfather told me about the great depression. Lets hope we never have to go thru one during our lifetime. Life has been good to me. Never had a day without a job. Allays had a dollar in my pocket. I never took advantage of nobody. When I don’t value something no more I give it away. I have given my bees away too for a couple apple pies. Sure I can make some money. Money is not everything in life. If you give more you will have more too. If I robbed somebody for a box of bees I know I will pay for it later. I think I have good bees too. If somebody needs some. I can work out a nice cheap deal for a box of them. I think 75 dollars is enough for anybody to pay for bees. At today’s prices its to cheap to let them go. I could never look somebody in their eyes if I took advantage of them. Bees are nature. We don’t own them. Right now we have a shortage of honeybees. We need more beekeepers too. The last thing we need is a bunch of beekeepers taking advantage of newcomers coming into the field because we live by this thinking of economic supply and demand. It should be greed and demand. I wont let greed get the best of me.
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Nicely put Ray! and I deeply respect your opinion, especially knowing the generation we come from long ago and our deep seeded values. Frankly, I'm having a harder time finding these values these days, they are out there but farther and fewer between.
What my plan is, is to sell nucs early in the season when they have a good chance to build over the summer for the buyer. Then, when it gets to that time of year when nucs shouldn't be sold due to not enough time for them to build up before winter, I will give them away, if there are any left. From what I've read tho, I doubt that that will happen.
Until then, I sure don't mind sliding a few bucks into my pocket. Beekeeping is hardwork and a return would be nice.
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I am with you on this one for bees are an expence and hard work, I know I would try to make it a good deal for anyone that willing to be a good bee keeper.
Ken
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And, there is a challenge too Kebee, I sure hope that my nucs go to beekeepers new and seasoned, and the nucs do well for them, and the bees multiply and prosper :)
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When you sell a good product, there is no price too high.
When you sell a bad product, there is no price cheap enough.
Always give good merchandise and service, but always demand a sufficient price for what you put into it.
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a Ray snip..
You are fair to your customers.
my comments....
I don't like selling too cheap and yes I try to compose a price that is fail to both parties. I don't abide well with folks that try to chisel the price. Oh I can understand haggling and I also know how to tell them to find someone else who can do it at a cheaper price. I also have a waiting list so at this time there is no shortage of customers.
And thanks for the above Ray.
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Jen,
Kind of late to this thread, but, for what its worth. I've already paid for nucs that I will pick up end of this month. They come in a cardboard box with 3 deeps brood and queen and 2 pollen and honey for $140. An extra $10 for the nice boxes you have seems like a great deal.
Neill
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I'm selling a few five frame NUCs for $125...Selling only to Club members. Guess I'm too cheap.
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Hi Lee, I would love to have a bee club period. But I do know some people around the area that would possibly like to have a nuc. I like the idea of selling at a lesser price to people who are already bee savvy.
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Neil, curious what you are going to do with those cardboard nuc boxes? I had an epiphany last night to charge the same $10 deposit to return the cardboard boxes the same as returning the wooden one, then reuse it, or maybe break it down flat and store over the winter.
Dadant sells them for 9.95 not including shipping. I've shopped for these before and price is comparable.
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packages up here are going for 125-135. nucs? not sure what people are getting but I would bet it would be around 175 or better
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Jen,
I hadn't thought much about it but I guess I'd store them on the chance that at some point in the future I might use them.
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"When you sell a good product, there is no price too high.
When you sell a bad product, there is no price cheap enough.
Always give good merchandise and service, but always demand a sufficient price for what you put into it."
what iddee said jen.
i have spent a great deal of funds on nucs to add/supplement my own bee hoarding........ :D guess last year i spent 130 each on 4 frame nucs; seller gave me a discount (i am a long time customer for queens and nucs) normally sell for more. those nucs i purchased are full blown hives right now, made it through winter and are just waiting for our cold and snow to get gone to get going.
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Reconsidering selling my nucs for $150, my nucs are mediums, less bees than a deep nuc...
I read that it doesn't matter if the nuc is a med or a deep, same amount of work went into it, same price.
What do you think?
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs21.postimg.cc%2F5pa7l2m4z%2FDSCF9090.jpg&hash=d5459813e64423b3a1f37c85108fcbfecb4fbb6d) (http://postimg.cc/image/5pa7l2m4z/)
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Reconsidering selling my nucs for $150, my nucs are mediums, less bees than a deep nuc...
I read that it doesn't matter if the nuc is a med or a deep, same amount of work went into it, same price.
What do you think?
I was going to stay clear of this topic but you asked the question.
This is true from the the economic side of being the seller. When it comes to the potential from the buyers point of view a deep nuc contains 33% more resources over a medium. In the terms of potential build up This is huge. In building up a 5 frame medium will be slower and take longer than a 4 frame deep.
Even on the economics of making up nucs, In a deep hive you may have 10 to 12 frames of brood to choose from. with the use of medium for supers the available frames will be 15 to 18 in the same size colony.
So you pull 2 nucs out of a deep colony so 6 frames of brood the hive housed in 3 mediums will allow 9 frames to be pulled thus your economic return will be greater. It may be the same amount of work for the beekeeper but not for the resources that are being provided by the bees to each nuc.
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Thanks Apis :) hubby and I have been discussing this. We're thinking that $150 is too much to ask for medium nucs in our area. I'm thinking $130 with $20 deposit for boxes. $130 if they bring their own boxes.
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I disagree completely. Everybody has deep nucs for sale. Few, if any, have mediums for sale. I would price 3 brood, 1 feed, 1 empty deep at 150. I think 4 mediums of brood and one medium of feed should sell for 160. Where else can they get a medium nuc if they are going all mediums. Have you ever tried installing a deep nuc into medium hives?
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Hmm, interesting perspective Iddee
I'm still listening
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Around here a nuc is 5 frames of brood and bees. May be a more than what others give. Would be interested in how other areas deal them out. Saw a few on here.
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yeah, 5 frames with brood and bees, though not necessarily FULL frames of brood.. they need to have the pollen/honey ring around them, and usually they get transfered from the nuc into a ten frame box, so the need for an empty frame is not there.
And... chisel? Anyone that tries to chisel down my price I nod saely and then raise the price as much as they lowered it... If they ask me why, I tell them so we can meet in the middle......
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I'm going to be facing this selling of nucs thing soon. This is a real good thread for those of us just starting out ;) 8)
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Hey again Jen, I am going to pipe in. As this is my second season selling nucs, first year, I asked 125 and sold out. Only posted in one Facebook group. This year, posted on Craigslist for my queens that I grafted last year (overwintered nuc) 170. They sold out in 2 weeks in January. I will sell more nucs this spring for 140. Don't know how many yet, have two sold already just from selling woodenware. But aside from the funds that help keep my hobby growing, I am getting to know and become friends with good people. That is the very best part. I am staying in touch and enjoying their adventures too. One guy I sold a nuc to last year, which was his first year. I saw him post a video yesterday of him catching a swarm. Great to see a new friend get to do that.
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...I am getting to know and become friends with good people. That is the very best part...
That is a good aspect of beekeeping to be sure! :)
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Hey Rookie :) Were your nucs deeps? and did you have 3 or 4 frames of brood in them?
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Hey Jen,
First year selling Nucs; I have had a few requests for Nucs on Medium frames. Nucs on Medium frames are very hard to find. I would consider them a specialty item and sell them for at least the same amount or more.
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The difference between 130 and 150 bucks is obviously 20 bucks. Now, my question is: How many people will balk at 20 bucks difference if they want the bees. If the buyer feels comfortable with the seller, I don't think 20 dollars makes a difference. Besides, the people in agriculture have been selling too cheap since the first transaction. When you sell a nuc, I bet there is 20 hours of work gone with the it, not to mention the value of the bees. You can honestly tell the buyer that the bees are healthy, and you will do it with confidence. That alone is worth something. Set your sights high.
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a Jen snip..
Neil, curious what you are going to do with those cardboard nuc boxes? I had an epiphany last night to charge the same $10 deposit to return the cardboard boxes the same as returning the wooden one, then reuse it, or maybe break it down flat and store over the winter.
Dadant sells them for 9.95 not including shipping. I've shopped for these before and price is comparable.
my comments...
I do quite often recommend the Jester boxes but for several reason would not suggest the two piece boxes sold by Mann Lake. The Jester boxes are quite tight and require no additional equipment to put these together. They are a bit of a puzzle but after 1 they go together quite quickly. I would burn the Mann Lake boxes rather than pass that problem off to anyone. At the 100 count I get these for about $8 and the shipping is another $2.
I do think lazy shooter is on to something < ps I sold one nuc to a fellow from up GlenRose way and told him he needs to find the Dino club at the first opportunity.
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I am using a one piece box from Mann Lake and it's great and reasonable. The only thing you have to provide are two small pieces of screen. Really happy with them.
a Jen snip..
Neil, curious what you are going to do with those cardboard nuc boxes? I had an epiphany last night to charge the same $10 deposit to return the cardboard boxes the same as returning the wooden one, then reuse it, or maybe break it down flat and store over the winter.
Dadant sells them for 9.95 not including shipping. I've shopped for these before and price is comparable.
my comments...
I do quite often recommend the Jester boxes but for several reason would not suggest the two piece boxes sold by Mann Lake. The Jester boxes are quite tight and require no additional equipment to put these together. They are a bit of a puzzle but after 1 they go together quite quickly. I would burn the Mann Lake boxes rather than pass that problem off to anyone. At the 100 count I get these for about $8 and the shipping is another $2.
I do think lazy shooter is on to something < ps I sold one nuc to a fellow from up GlenRose way and told him he needs to find the Dino club at the first opportunity.
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Jen snip:
In your favor, you have successfully kept bees for a few years, and your bees have a phenomenal survival rate. Your bees are good quality bees and are worth more than the average nuc. Advertise that by work of mouth and charge accordingly. One-hundred and fifty bucks is cheap.
If you get a fair price for your products, in the long haul, it is beneficial to agriculture as a whole. When you sell too cheap it is detrimental for the same reason. Get a fair price. You live in California where the cost of living is higher than most areas. I live in Texas where the cost of living is low. I don't know where I can buy a nuc for $150.00. Nucs in my area are $175.00 and up. Stay the course and get at least one-fifty.
lazy
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Lazy! A perfect perspective to start my day! Everyone's encouragment on this thread has built my confidence to do this nuc thing the smart way. Love this positive forum :bee:
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This is a hive from a swarm 4 weeks ago. It's gang busters! ;D
This hive is 10 frame deep. Untreated bees, laying queen, LOTS of bees, 6 frames of capped brood 2 of which are now full frames of brood. Eggs, Larvae. The frames are quality wedge wood, with wired wax foundation.
How does $300 sound?
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs32.postimg.cc%2Fewqbgnua9%2FDSCF9191.jpg&hash=7d855d50fb91b5a4cfcb345cf2ceb49b7ce09ffd) (http://postimg.cc/image/ewqbgnua9/)
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You will get that for it.. I sell a triple medium hive for 300 to 350, but the prices of good NUCS are approaching that price range now, so I am sure someone will be happy to pay that price for the major start those bees have.
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I'm still a nebee,and what I've learned is ,as iddee said it's hard to split top bar and mediums, with most nucs being deeps?? We're running in to that problem with cover it up 'S wedge frames, no where to split unless ya make another K T B hive.
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Sorry Jen, I have been super busy. To answer your question on the med./deeps. Yes, I got the same price and yes, 3 frames of brood and 1 frame of honey and 1 frame pollen.
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Thanks rookie, I think it's a fair price as well, glad to know you were successful :)
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I'm still a nebee,and what I've learned is ,as iddee said it's hard to split top bar and mediums, with most nucs being deeps?? We're running in to that problem with cover it up 'S wedge frames, no where to split unless ya make another K T B hive.
You can drop a medium frame into a deep box, but you cant drop a deep frame into a medium box. You can also place a deep with a medium on top of it with the medium nuc/frames in the top medium box. There are ways around it if the buyer wants the nuc. Folks that run mediums dont always have a deep box, folks that run deeps usually have medium boxes to use as their supers.
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This thread had me thinking I was going to have to fork over a deposit for my nuc boxes so I had the money ready but he let me keep em. They are Jester boxes and seem to be very well build for cardboard.
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No you paid for it, the price was included in the cost of the nuc. On a large scale it is less hassle to fold up a new one than to worry about getting the old one back unfolding it and storing it till nest year.
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Here in east Alabama everything is cheaper. (I retired here and built a 1800 sq foot home and I went to check my taxes and they told me I was to old to pay taxes) but here I get $125 for a nuc ( bring your nuc and I will transfer) and the last two above average hives I sold were $275.
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Too old to pay taxes? :o
Funny, Iddee, Jack or tecumseh never mentioned this. :laugh:
Jen, start at $150, the market will quickly tell you if you are too high or low.
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Jen, I would like to add to what Perry just said. I can sell all the NUCs I care to make, and the people in my Club do not even ask for a price now...more than half of them are repeat customers expanding their apiary. Texas has recently legalized an AG exemption for honey bees and there is a demand for bees as people qualify for the exemptions. :)
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Lee "Texas has recently legalized an AG exemption for honey bees and there is a demand for bees as people qualify for the exemptions."
Would you be so kind as to explain this a little further please? Not sure what you mean by 'legalized an AG exemption for honey bees' and 'people who qualify for the exemptions'
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I remember it being Discussed earlier on the other forum. here is a link
http://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/public/agricultural-exemption/
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Jen, the link apis provided above sets the stage for increased demand for honey bees. Each county sets the minimum number of hives required for an AG exemption. Texas property taxes are the highest of any State I have lived in, so this can be a money saving exemption if you jump through all the hoops, it takes five years.
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Jen:
My ranch property has two values. The true market value, which would conservatively be $3,000.00 per acre and the ag exemption value of $72.00 per acre. My ag exempt taxes per year on six hundred acres is 540 bucks, but my taxes based on market value would be $24,000.00 per year. That is a huge difference in taxes, but it is based on acreage. The home on my ranch and one acre of land that it sets on cannot be ag exempt. Lee can deduct a few acres if he establishes ag exempt status. Texas does not have a state income tax so we get hammered hard on property taxes to make up for that. The tax man will somehow get his coins.
The cost of ag exempt land is built into the price. Ag exempt land sells for twice as much as non exempt land. It's a big deal if one owns much land.
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Lazy, thanks for your explanation, it is an eye opener! :)