Peter, I do not believe that growers who depend on honeybee pollination over
estimate the value of that service to them.  But I have always wondered how
accurate the estimates of the percentage of total agricultural production
owed to honeybee pollination are.  I have heard the figure of 1/3 thrown out
a lot.  Is it possible this is a bit of an exaggeration?  Also, we often 
hear dire predictions of world wide famine resulting from the impending
demise of honeybees.  I wonder how realistic this is.  On the other hand
what little bit of interest and respect beekeepers get is probably due to
these estimates.

Steve Noble  

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