Re almond pollination
I spent the day with Dr Mussen last week, and we share what we hear and see.
The supply appears to have been a similar situation as last year--a
shuffling of colonies at the last minute to fill in collapses. Lots of
boxes with only a few frames of bees. Lots of deadouts. Lots of loads
rejected, then placed somewhere else!
Many beekeepers had much better colonies than last year--they got onto
feeding and parasite control. But unacceptable fall and winter losses are
taking a big bite out of their profits. Some who actually tried to increase
their numbers went down in flames.
I drove around some orchards where bees were carefully graded. Beekeepers
appear to be generally struggling to produce strong colonies.
Growers benefited by exceptional weather--there was no problem setting a
crop. Half the number of colonies would have sufficed.
If there were a glut of bees, the price would drop back to $50 in a flash.
The reality is that there is no need to count colonies--the offered price
will tell you how robust the supply of decent colonies was.
Randy Oliver
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