Hello All,
Will the problems in California Almond groves ever end?

http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci3516762

Most growers say 26F. for four hours could be a killer of blossoms.

Snow was reported sticking in the almond groves around Oceano.

Most growers say it will take two weeks to know the extent of the blossom
damage (but they should know before the hives come out).

Beekeepers without signed contracts tell me the last time this happened they
had trouble collecting fees. Beekeepers fear some growers will not pay for
pollination if they know they will get a very poor crop. Some growers thing
a poor crop will drive the price back up( the wholesale price for almonds
dropped again last week).

Beekeepers are very worried for the almond industry and have expressed their
concerns to me .

I might add for those reading the information at the site that Dan Cummings
was the almond industry spokesman at the American Beekeeping Federation
meeting and Dan said nothing about a stepped up grading system.

Bob

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