Best bang for buck with nicot queen rearing kits?

[OzBuzz]

Who sells the best price, best supported, most complete nicot queen rearing kit? I'm looking at producing around 100 queens each year. I'm in Australia but with the way our $$ is at the moment it would be cheaper me buying in the USA and shipping it here

[BeeMaster2]

I don't know if I would do that. Our seasons are opposite of yours which completely throws off their timing. I think Finski will attest to that. He has mentioned this several times.
Jim

[Robo]

I believe he is looking to buy the Nicot kit from the US to raise his own queens.  Not looking to buy queens from the US.

I bought mine through Betterbee, but guess it is going to come down to who has the cheapest shipping,  which I have no idea about.  I know folks in the US have issues with Betterbee shipping,  so I have my doubts about their international shipping being reasonable.

[edward]

If cost is the main issue I would just go for a Grafting Tool   http://www.swienty.com/shop/vare.asp?side=0&vareid=112101

Looks harder than it is to use , we are a group of 8 beekeeper that have started a queen rearing club on our way to make it into an enterprise to provide queen too ourselves , to our beekeeping neighbors and hopefully the rest of the country.

First try 9 queens , 2 try 24 last try at the end off the season 72+ grafted queen cells each time  :-D

From trying to find a supplier to deliver on time or at all, queens , queens , every wear  :-D

This year we are going too split up into 4 groups and try even harder to start the season earlier.

We use the plastic cell cups , the cage to lock in the queen demands more work and extra visits to the bee yard , but i eyesight or steadiness of the hand is a problem I suppose it could bee an option.

Good luck , if you have a steady supply of queens it makes beekeeping a lot easier and less stressful  :-D

mvh edward  :-P

[Michael Bush]

You can do graftless without buying anything:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeshopkinsmethod.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeshopkins1886.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmillermethod.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbetterqueens.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesalleymethod.htm

[edward]

It occurred to me today that prices may even bee better in England/Europe than the states , last time i compared USA prices (summer 2011) they where 20 - 30 % more expensive than locally in Sweden and the UK.

The Internet is wonderful when you place your order it doesn't mater if its a local dealer or on the other side of the globe .

Its the same boxes that arrive on the porch/veranda when you get home.

mvh edward  :-P