Hello Randy & All,
Thanks for the scientific information. One can easily see how complicated
the whole fungicide/pesticide issue is.
The major players are the commercial beekeepers doing the pollination and
the grower /farmers doing the application.
One reality of the issue is commercial beekeepers have little actual contact
with the growers. The situation is changing with today's commercial
beekeepers. Instead of simply setting a pollination price and getting hive
placement directions today beekeepers are wanting to know exactly what
treatments are being used.
Five years ago I suggested commercial beekeepers ban together as a group and
let the group negotiate fees and payment methods with the almond grower
organizations. Most large beekeepers felt the idea made sense but many small
beekeepers felt they might get screwed. My answer was simple. You guys want
the pollination fees the large beekeepers receive so why not come under
their umbrella and all beekeepers under the umbrella will fall under set
pricing and grading. No more price wars.
Would eliminate the several brokers which have been ripping beekeepers off
for years. Will actually make life easier for the honest brokers. The
situation would be similar to a union negotiation (without being a union) as
the largest beekeepers would sit down with the largest almond growers and
set fees each year and cover all issues. Then both parties would sign on to
the agreement and the smaller growers and beekeepers would also sign on.
A further improvement might to be for the beekeeper group to hire a company
to collect pollination fees and pay beekeepers in a timely manor.
At first there would be a few outlaw growers and beekeepers but in a few
years I think all would see the benefits of the agreements. Almond
pollination has grown to a level both the beekeepers & growers want
stability.
bob
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