July 24-28, the 1^st International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy was held on the beautiful Penn State campus.  In addition to numerous researchers and scientists from the USA, other representatives who attended the conference were from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, Israel, Kenya, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK.  This truly global gathering was an unprecedented summit all in the name of pollinator research. 

Just a sampling of the topics presented was Evolving Policies on Pollinator Risk Assessment and Conservation, Impact of Environmental Toxins, Disease Ecology and the Status of Pollinators Worldwide.  What was exceptional about the conference were the exchange of ideas and the channels of communication that were initiated between multiple organizations for what is perhaps the first time ever.

Not only scientists and researchers from major universities and at the forefront of honey bee research  spoke, but other agencies present were USDA-ARS, USDA-NRCS, The Xerces Society, DuPont, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bayer Crop Science just to name a few.  This diverse interchange was exciting to see and also to be a part of.  PAm feels that the information and ideas exchanged from this conference will have an enormous impact on the health and future of the honey bee, as well as, all world pollinators.

Of particular benefit to PAm were presentations and discussions with EPA and others on honey bees and pesticides, the agencies and funding available for improving pollinator habitat, and the presentations on colony health. 

The “High Country” of North Carolina was home to the 2010 Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) Meeting August 2-6.  This year’s conference was held at Appalachian State University in Boone.  Meg Ribotto, PAm administrative assistant, managed a booth at the EAS Trade Show event where we distributed outreach and educational materials and promoted our most recent project, Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the form of brochures to beekeepers.  Christi Heintz, PAm’s Executive Director, spoke to more than 60 EAS member’s on “Best Management Practices for Beekeeper’s Pollinating Agricultural Crops” with an emphasis on California’s almond crop and the need for honey bees as a pollinator.  Another speaker was PAm’s own Board Member, Dave Mendes.  Dave’s presentation was a very detailed account of a year’s view from a beekeeper entitled “Tales from a Migratory Pollinator”.  Both Christi’s and Dave’s topics complimented each other and reinforced the message that sound management practices make for healthy honey bees for almond pollination.

The organizers of EAS did an outstanding job of putting together speakers, apiary visits to learn about hive inspections, sampling, queen rearing and record keeping.  Microscopy lab clinics were held to see honey bee anatomy, hands-on genetic analyses and tests for diseases.  Social events were held on campus including “The Hive Carry” rodeo.  We are proud to announce that Board Member, Dave Mendes and his team of four, was this year’s EAS winner.  Congratulations Dave!  Mark your calendars for 2011 EAS to be held July 25-29th at the Crowne Plaza in Providence, Rhode Island.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the 2010 California Almond Objective Measurement Report on July 8, 2010.  California's 2010 almond production is forecast at 1.65 billion pounds, up 8% from May's subjective forecast and 17% above last year's almond crop.  The USDA forecast is based on 740,000 bearing acres.

The weather this spring had few negative effects on the coming almond crop.  Honey bee activity was reported to have been affected somewhat by the rain, but overlap of almond varieties was excellent the report stated.  The USDA also cited that a benefit of the cool spring weather has been less insect pressure and that the trees are growing well with the crop developing in good condition.

The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA), in collaboration with the USDA-ARS and PAm scientific advisor, Jerry Hayes, have recently published a report on losses of over-wintering honey bee colonies.  This past winter, according to their survey, beekeepers suffered 33.8% losses.  This annual survey is now in its fourth season and losses are eye-opening:   29-36%.  No industry should endure 30% + annual losses.  PAm’s research program is committed to decreasing these statistics on winter honey bee losses. 

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has recently published two important documents concerning the California almond industry.  First, on April 30, 2010 the updated 2009 Almond Acreage Report was released.  Here’s the bottom line – there are now over 800,000 acres of almonds in California.  Bearing acreage will be up 20,000 acres compared to this previous pollination season so beekeepers will need to generate 40,000 – 50,000 additional colonies for almond growers for the 2010-2011 season. 

Then, on May 6, 2010 the subjective almond forecast was released.  Even with variable spring weather, the almond crop is estimated to be 1.53 billion lbs or 8.5% above last year’s production of 1.41 billion lbs.  Despite the weather in some areas, bees made the most of their flying time.

To view the 2009 NASS Almond Acreage report, click here.   To view the NASS 2010 Subjective Almond Forecast, click here. 

Almond growers and beekeepers, join in the Bee Challenge!  This is your economic call to action. PAm has brought a "New Vision" to beekeeping research.  Beekeepers and growers are collaborating under PAm's umbrella to solve the challenges of pollinating crops. PAm representatives have found almond growers anxious to match beekeeper contributions to PAm and beekeepers willing to match almond grower contributions for bee research conducted by PAm.  Show your commitment to the future of our industries and to honey bee research!  If you are an almond grower, click here.  If you are a beekeeper, click here.