Cost of Raising Queen Bees for Utah Hive Survival

On a family farm in Price, Utah, Skip Henrie and Len Anderton have expanded their beekeeping venture from 16 to 200 hives. By breeding their own queens, they support local beekeepers and provide pollination services from Green River to California.

What began as a hobby has evolved into a thriving business named Desert Castle Bees. While still based on their family farm, their bees have gained recognition beyond Utah. The operation distinguishes itself by rearing queens, which enhances sustainability, especially as queen survivorship issues affect beekeepers nationwide. Purchasing queens can lead to colony rejection and losses, but raising their own improves survival rates, according to Anderton.