Several beekeeping operations have taken risk management to heart and repositioned themselves for survival in the new millennium as described in Forth Worth. Pat Heikam has become a pollination broker in California. In essence, he handles others' bees for almond pollination. Growers are better served under this system. They get a steady supply of good-quality bees and are able to hold someone accountable for their pollination.
Beekeepers get more stable and predictable prices for their pollinating bees as well.
Darrel Rufer, who used to only produce honey, now sells both nuclei and splits out of Minnesota. Pat Niemeyer delivers package bees. Finally, Fred Rossman has shifted much of his queen and package-bee business into equipment manufacture. One of the best possibilities for reducing one's risk mentioned on the Texas Risk Management Education Project is forming cooperatives. That concept was discussed by Mr. James Matson, cooperative marketing specialist at the USDA's Rural-Business Cooperative Service in Fort Worth.