Review of Bee Health

Beekeepers face challenges in and out of almond bloom

February 6, 2015

From: Western Farm Press

Almond industry helping to address health and forage issues for honey bees

Bob Curtis, Almond Board of California

Some 1.7 million beehives have moved into California’s 860,000 acres of almonds across the Central Valley to pollinate the state’s almond crop.

The importance of bees to the success of California Almonds is undeniable. What may be less understood is the amount of money, time and manpower beekeepers invest to get these bees healthy and ready to pollinate the crop.

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Losses to Varroa mites and lack of native forage top the list of challenges beekeepers face, forcing them to increase inputs for mite control and supplemental feed to reduce pressures and subsequent overwintering losses to their bee populations.

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