Randy wrote:

>>>> Also, vegetation on the orchard floor allows temperatures to drop on
frosty nights, which can make the difference between keeping and losing a
crop.

<<<<<<< 

OK Randy, drop it on me. How does the vegetation add to the risk of frosting
the trees?

 

Not sure of the author:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

If they had any thought for their 'environmental credentials' they would
cease growing almonds [or] keep their own bees for pollination, reducing the
need for shifting bees around the country

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

The immensity of the enterprise doesn't allow for any easy change. An area
the size of Massachusetts is under cultivation for this slightly bitter
confection. If they "cease growing" them, it would kick the back out of the
bee industry. As Pete mentioned, Other than the almonds, the area  can be
considered a desert. It's even running out of water. Another point is that
bees often don't prefer the plant they are moved on to pollinate
(blueberries, for instance) and the lack of other forage works in the
growers interest. I suspect this is true of almonds. 

     As a guy who took his high school degree in agriculture 60 years ago,
current practices sadden me, but we are never going to put the toothpaste
back in the tube. The world's population has doubled in that time and will
double again by 2050 (or so). What horrors await my grandchildren, I can't
imagine. Sorry for the downer.

      This is pretty far off topic. Do we need a new subject?

 

Dick Marron


             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L