Hello All,
I was especially interested in the two million hives in Mexico from the 
site. Rapid increase in hive numbers. Even though the graph was nine years 
ago (1997)and like Keith said the numbers are certainly much higher.
Are the true numbers equal or above the number of hives now in the U.S.?

Under the WTO and Nafta we can not keep those hives out of almonds. Stall 
maybe. Lawyers have been looking at the issue for U.S. beekeepers.

The first self fertile almonds are getting a patent this fall as we speak. 
When you bag the blooms so no insect can reach the blooms and you get 
almonds then the trees are self fertile. I agree it will be a long time 
before the impact is felt by beekeepers and some growers will still rent 
bees to hedge their pollination BUT self fertile almonds have been in Asia 
for decades. One large test grove has been in the valley nine years without 
bees.

In ten years if I am still around I predict I will be writing of the woes 
of the California beekeeper in ABJ & BC. HUGE outfits are relocating into 
California now to chase almond pollination. California beekeepers are 
shipping their bees out of the huge state of California in summer to find 
nectar sources.

Gold rushes have been short lived in history. Followed by ghost towns (and 
maybe ghost industries)

 
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

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