Author Topic: Financial Rewards? (Read 6167 times)

Newbee · « **on:** February 23, 2015, 03:58:00 pm »

Hello,

I'm new to beekeeping, but have been wondering in the back of my mind for a while now: what, if any, financial rewards are there at the hobbiest level? Is it kind of a break-even thing on the expense? Does it ever become/make sense as a part-time job?

I do not have any hives yet, and the money isn't the reason I'm interested in the hobby, so don't worry about that…

I've been involved in keeping saltwater corals for many years, and while never a money-maker, they did hit the break-even point after a while (which if you know how much it costs to run a large saltwater aquarium…) So in thinking about my future hive(s), if I net 20 lbs of honey per hive, and it sells for about $9/lb retail here… I could get 100-200 bucks back per hive annually? That would about cover most of the expenses of starting up and growing more hives, no? Granted I anticipate most of my 'reward' will be in new knowledge, well wishes, thank-you's, and good neighbor's, but I was curious if anyone here parlayed this hobby into a part-time gig or retirement income? Something like that is more likely to require 100+ of hives and a state agricultural license I suspect? Do local farmers offer anything for you to keep your hive's on their fields (or do they expect a big jar of honey in the fall in return?)

FWIW I'm considering my first hive this year or next, as a back-yard beekeeper (but I'm surrounded by farm-country).
Yes, I realize this is waaaay off in the future (never hurts to think ahead!)

Thanks.

- K

Yankee11 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:09:56 pm »

First off, Welcome to the forum,

You will net way more that 20lbs of Honey per hive.

I started 4 yrs ago and am at around 50 hives. I can tell you, yes you can make money. BUT, there is a lot of learning to do between now and then.

Your first goal is to start with 2 hives and get them to survive the first winter. If they survive winter, the next goal is to prevent them from swarming next spring, after that, it's off to the races...

This is the best place to learn and ask questions, these guys and gals will keep you out of the ditches. It's some of the most fun I've ever had (beekeeping).

Up front costs are expensive but after that you decide to keep the money or grow more hives.

LogicalBee · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:17:34 pm »

I’ve yet to make any net money in this hobby, but like you say there are worse money pits to fall into (saltwater aquarium, car racing, etc). I don’t think it would take too much effort to break even in this hobby as long as you don’t go overboard up front. I suspect many people go a little crazy upfront though; before they know what they’re doing. I did.

Like most things, it takes a while to get your operation running smoothly enough to start selling more than you’re buying. The cold weather, the mites, the hive configuration you want to use, small cell vs big cell, swarm control, heavy vs light, etc. It just takes a while to experiment and get to a system that you like and that’s sustainable.

Along with selling honey, selling bees (nucs) is also a good way to cover the costs. Lots and lots of people lose their bees in the winter and need replacements come spring.

Bees are fascinating in their own right and as you say, it’s not always about money.

Papakeith · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:24:59 pm »

It also matters where you are located. Climate and regions within that climate zone will determine to a great extent how well or poorly your honey crop will be. that being said, 20lbs for an established hive in a reasonable ares is doable.

Yankee11 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:27:05 pm »

Lol, Yea, I started as just a hobby and was going to have a couple of hives. Had chickens, goats, huge garden, made jellies. Got a couple hives, then the conversations were like this.

"Oh, so you have Honeybees? Do you sell your Honey?" very quickly, I was out of Honey.

Now I no longer have chickens, goats, and a very, very small garden. Made about 12 jars of honey last year and now have 50 hives......and I am still out of Honey.

Thinking of making a tee shirt. ( I keep Honey Bees and Yes I sell the Honey )

Jen · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:30:31 pm »

Hi Newbee

I would have to agree with Logic and Yankee. This is my 5th year in beekeeping. I didn't have a mentor the first three years so I had a lot of casualties. However, I found this forum, and these educated people here helped me get my hives into shape.

My best advice, take your time, like 5 years to get the sense of honeybees. Read Everything! Stick with this forum, and Find A Seasoned Mentor if you can.

Like Yankee said, it's the most fascinating hobby I've ever had.

barry42001 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:31:31 pm »

Welcome newbee, and I have to advise you that just because you're surrounded by farmland does not mean your bees will do well sometimes it means just the opposite because the farmers spray their fields down with insecticide that would be ruinous for you. Secondly you certainly can do better than 20 pounds per hive, during a good year 100 lbs would not be unheard of. Followed by another year we are lucky to collect 20 pounds for the bees to keep so you have to be prepared to feed them if necessary. At the end of the day beekeeping is only as complicated as you make it you can keep it simple and still earn some cash on the side or you can expand your operations get a couple hundred hives or more. Spend your days off in hot summer days going through your hives and checking to see how they're doing see how many swarms you have to chase.

Riverrat · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:50:41 pm »

Bees may make you a little pocket change some years and cost you money in others. They are just like any other agricultural venture. There's a lot of variables that will determine how much honey you will get in any given year. Nothing is guaranteed. I like to think of beekeeping like any other hobby. Lets say a boat for example. Its going to cost you to enjoy the boat and it may cost you to get enjoyment out of the bees. You need to figure out would your money be better spent enjoying the boat or the bees. Buying the equipment to house the bees is only the start of money spent. Drought years you may spend the whole summer feeding bees sugar syrup 7 to 10lbs a week at the cost of 60 cents a pound. Fuel to get to the hives. And oh yes a box of hive tools. Bet you lose your first tool within first few weeks of starting out. We all have. If you choose to treat there is the yearly expense of treating the hives with your choice of products to hold off the mites etc. A package is $100.00 for a 3lb package there is replacement cost for those that didn't make it through the winter come spring. If this didn't scare you off welcome to beekeeping you will do fine. If not a boat may be a better option

and Oh yes welcome to the forum ITs free and worth every cent of your time if you decide to keep bees its the best resource in your arsenal

Perry · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2015, 04:52:16 pm »

Newbee

Most hobby's will cost you money and beekeeping is no exception. That said, once you have dealt with the upfront costs, that quickly does away with the major expenses.
I currently run 65 (ish) hives and I make money. I am not going to get rich, but that was never the point. I have fun and can "pay" myself a modest "salary". My goal a few years ago was to see if I could net $1,000 month over a year. I believe I have surpassed that at this point. Keep in mind that I do not keep track of every hour of every day I spend doing this, but the point is that I would be doing it regardless, cause it's what I love to do! Maximize all the value added you can and you would be surprised at what's possible.

Slowmodem · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2015, 09:16:49 pm »

There's going to be good years and bad years. And there is a big initial investment. However, the equipment is reusable and lasts for years with proper maintenance. It seems to me that losing bees over the winter is the hard part. If you can maintain a high survival rate, you can profit fairly well and it shouldn't take but a few years to recoup your investment. Keep in mind that there will be expenses along the way, too. But it's an adventure we all share and most of us didn't get into it to make money (which is good, because I don't make all that much money).

One hazard I discovered is that I had a good crop of honey one year and sold too much, and then I ran out about halfway through the winter and ended up buying some myself, which was kind of embarrassing.

Whatever you do, good luck and welcome to the forum!

Curtchann · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2015, 09:25:15 pm »

Newbee

Great question, and I think they hit it on the head with the responses. With anything, if you can make a little pocket change to pay for your hobby then all is good.

Jen · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:22:04 pm »

Except for Perry . Now, here is a good example of a bee whisperer Newbee. Imagine grossing an estimated 1 TON of honey last season! and that is with only 65ish hives. Good Gravy!

And now I know why Nova Scotia is buried in snow! It's to bulk up Perry so he can handle 2 TON of honey this year! Boggles the mind

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:27:53 pm »

Quote from: Jen on February 23, 2015, 10:22:04 pm

It's to bulk up Perry so he can handle 2 TON of honey this year!

Yah, HE is now in charge of the snowblower, six pack Abs incoming!

riverbee · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2015, 11:11:16 pm »

hello newbee, and WELCOME to the forum!!!

financial rewards? many good replies here to your question.
for myself, the reward really is in keeping bees; the bees, the queens, the honey harvest, and the wax harvested to make other products with. i don't keep enough hives to make a profit, not more than 10. whatever money i make usually goes back into costs to keeping bees for the most part. some years i make a little extra, but that little extra always seems to go back to paying for my 'obsession' with keeping bees...........

Newbee · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2015, 04:48:07 pm »

Thanks for the all the advice!

I'm not interested in the hobby for financial gain, but as I'm about halfway through my working-life, I'll admit I let my mind wander once or twice. Like I said w/ the saltwater stuff - if I can get to break-even, I'll be happy. Couple bucks on the side would be great! I went w/ the 20-lbs estimate to be cautious - being new, I'm not anticipating any great yields to start, and I also expect to leave a lot in the hive for the winters (they're rough here). I also have no plans on buying an extractor. The local club has one, or I'll do the crush-n-strain method, I guess (I've read comb honey is worth more?… and I am looking at foundation less…) Have been looking at used veil and smokers for ~$50 on eBay, and hoping to make my own hives and frames (like to work w/ wood, and my Son needs to learn some basic skills too). Assuming I can score a split from the club, or get in on next-year's order from the breeders, I hope to keep startup costs around $250 for my first hive (or two - bee's will be the biggest expense from what I can tell).

I do see a lot of hive boxes driving around in the area. Lots of apple and other fruit-tree farms in the immediate area. Surrounding fields are mostly corn, wheat/hay/grass, soy, and some cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower crops nearby as well. We have a lot of old mature tree's in the 'village' portion where I live, 7 massive pine's on our lot alone I'm curious to see if they prove of interest. I was hoping the combination of urban flower gardens and mature tree's mixed w/ farmland crops nearby would provide decent variety for the critters?

I have met a few local's right in town who know someone who know's someone who keeps hive (one guy from my Son's Boyscout troop has a second-cousin… I'm already working him over for the phone number) I'm starting to research different species now…. really feel like I'm starting to get sucked in now. LOL!

Thanks again for all the information and welcome wishes.

- K

Papakeith · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2015, 04:54:20 pm »

Here's a link to a Wiki that lists what blooms and when and whether or not it is a nectar source for honey bees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees

kebee · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2015, 07:22:22 pm »

Welcome newbee to the forum, hope you find your stay here fine.

Ken

Curtchann · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2015, 08:16:12 pm »

Silly question, but what does honey go for on the average at farm market's?

Yankee11 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2015, 08:19:35 pm »

Around here its around 7.00 a lb, 8.00 pint and 16-18 a quart

Curtchann · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2015, 08:43:11 pm »

People find out your a beek and the next thing out of them is "Do you have any honey for sale?" I could have sold a ton at work in the last few months. Seems the demand is there.