Hi All,

Here is a report about our recent pollination symposium

     REPORT ON CROPS AND HONEY BEE POLLINATION
SYMPOSIUM, GUELPH, ONTARIO - March 13th, 2000

              Janet Tam, Geoff Wilson, Medhat Nasr

Ontario Beekeepers' Association, c/o Dept. Environmental Biology,
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1.

     The second annual pollination symposium was held on Monday,
March 13th, 2000. This symposium was sponsored by the OBA's
Ontario Honey Bee Pollination Association. Growers and beekeepers
were brought together to discuss various subjects related to crops
and honey bee pollination. Promotion and marketing of honey bees
for pollination was also addressed. Here is a summary of the
presentations:

Visit to Bick's Delhi Tank Farm for Pickling Cucumbers
                 (Simcoe area) - George Pape, Agricultural Manager

     Early birds enjoyed an interesting slide show and tour of the
tank farm. The history of the farm was given through photographs
and narration. Much work was put into the building of the farm.
Considerations were given to the environment during construction,
as shown by all the precautions: layers of clay, plastic liners,
fibreglass tanks, overflow tanks and a lagoon all had their place
to keep any possible brine leakage contained. Surrounding
wells are tested regularly to ensure that salt is not contaminating
the ground water.
     The process of pickling, from sorting cucumbers to delivery to
the Scarborough plant, was given in detail. Cucumbers are first
sorted into different grades (gherkins, baby dills, regular dills,
spears and slicers for the food industry and relish). Specialized
equipment is used for filling the tanks, as not to damage the
cucumbers. The cucumbers are pickled in a salt water solution,
known as brine. Air is bubbled through the tanks during the
pickling process, to remove the carbon dioxide, and the salt
levels monitored. The minimum pickling time is 3 weeks, though
they can be stored for 1-2 years in brine. When ready for
shipping, the pickles are pumped out and the brine recycled.
Quality testing then determines the use for each tank of pickles,
and they are shipped to Scarborough for flavouring, finishing
and packing.
     The tank farm currently has 360 tanks, but by the end of this
summer they expect to expand to 600 tanks. Most of the pickles
sold by Bick's are grown in Canada, but the supply is
not enough, so they import some (gherkins only) from India. The
importance of proper pollination was emphasized for uniformly
sized cucumbers, premium prices and to facilitate the use of
machines for harvesting. Bick's plans to continue to educate
and encourage growers about thebenefits of pollination.

Pollination Services and Goals - John Van Alten, OHBPA Chair

     The Ontario Honey Bee Pollination Association (OHBPA) would
like  more cooperation between beekeepers and growers. They must
work together to solve problems, such as determining proper
recommendations for colony densities in different crops, colony
strength requirements and standard fees for pollination.
Communication is important for avoiding accidents during colony
movement and pesticide spraying. The OHBPA is also involved in
the promotion and marketing of pollination and pollination services.
Advertisements and brochures are presently being used, but new
ideas for educating growers and encouraging pollination services
are welcome.

Status of the Beekeeping Industry in Ontario - Doug McRory,
         Provincial Apiarist, OMAFRA, Guelph, Ontario

     The beekeeping industry has changed in the past 10 years. Varroa
mites and tracheal mites have spread into and throughout Ontario,
and as a result, the number of beekeepers, especially hobbyists, has
gone down. The numbers have dropped from 115,000 colonies and
5,000 beekeepers 10 years ago, to 77,000 colonies and 4,000
beekeepers 2 years ago. Now there are only about 3,500 beekeepers,
but the number of colonies has risen to 87,000. Presently, 90-95%
of colonies have varroa mites, and 25% have both varroa and
tracheal mites.
     For the past six years, Dr. Medhat Nasr has been working for the
OBA to develop short and long term solutions to the mite problem.
Formic acid has been developed for use as a 'soft chemical'
application, and has been made part of an integrated pest
management (IPM) program. The recommended treatment program
is formic acid in the spring and Apistan in the fall.
    Beekeepers should not rely only on chemicals. Dr. Nasr has
also been working on a breeding program to create and maintain
lines of tracheal mite resistant honey bees. 22 queen breeders and
producers have been participating in this ongoing project. Recently,
traits for varroa mite tolerance (hygienic, grooming) have been
incorporated.
     Before the mites, feral bee colonies accounted for about 20% of
pollination. Now, feral colonies cannot survive because of the mites
and honey bee colonies must be rented to provide sufficient
pollination. Although there are 25,000 acres of apple orchards, only
12,000 colonies were rented out for pollination. This comes to less
than half a colony per acre, which is well below the
recommendations of 1-3 colonies per acre, depending on the
density of apple trees grown.
     Lately the bulk honey price has been quite low, and the
carry-over from large honey crops does not help. Most Ontario
honey, however, is sold out of the honey house, or packaged and
sold directly to stores and consumers, so our beekeepers have been
mostly cushioned from the low bulk prices.
     Looking at the big picture, honey sales amount to 12 or 13
million dollars per year, while the value of pollination to agriculture
is more than $100 million. Obviously, this industrial sector needs to
be better utilized. Pollination services must be sold without
undercutting competitors, but without 'gouging' the customer.
The quality of the service must be controlled and guaranteed, but
also with the guarantee of safety for the honey bees themselves.

Pollination of High Density Apple in Washington - Dan Mayer,
        Professor, Washington State University, Prosser, Washington,
        USA

     Trees and bees - they have a very important relationship. One
provides food for survival, the other provides the pollination
necessary for reproduction. Some varieties of apples, such as
Golden Delicious or MacIntosh, can self-pollinate, but other trees,
such as peach, apricot, or older apple varieties, require
cross-pollination, which means that they need pollen from another,
compatible variety. Bees are required to transfer the pollen in either
case, though it is more critical in cross-pollination. Pollination must
be planned in order to be successful. Pollinizers, the trees providing
the pollen (e.g. crabapple), must be strategically placed for maximum
efficiency of pollen distribution. Staggering them within and between
rows, 15 feet apart, has been found to be most effective. Pollinizers
must be compatible to main crop, bloom at the proper time (before
and during the main crop bloom), be attractive to bees and they must
also be compatible with bee behaviour and pollination (e.g. the same
colour blossoms as the main crop). Pollinizers must also bloom
profusely, and not take up too much space in the orchard.
     From the beekeeper's perspective, bee colonies need to be
strong, healthy and equalized before putting them into pollination.
Washington regulations demand that each colony must consist of at
least 6 frames which are 2/3 covered with bees (at 65øF) and one
queen. One method of determining colony strength is to count 75
incoming bees/minute at the hive entrance. This is, however, time
consuming and not reliable.
     Timing of pollination is a joint responsibility between the
beekeeper and the grower. Bees should be in place 1 or 2 days before
the king bloom. The king bloom is the first blossom to bloom in each
bunch, and it produces the largest fruit. It only has a life of 1-2 days,
so timing is important.
     Colonies should be in the sun, raised off the ground, and placed
in groups of 4-12, about 100 yards apart. This will encourage bee
activity to begin earlier, and provide good coverage of the orchard.
     The field force is the amount of bees out pollinating. It can be
quantified by the number of bees/tree/minute. Each bee makes 6-7
trips each day, and each flower requires 40-50 bee visits to ensure
cross pollination. Competition within the field force encourages bees
to switch trees more often and is required for efficient pollination.
The recommendations are 2 colonies/acre, and up to 4 colonies/acre
for higher density apple orchards. If the weather is poor for bee
activity, more colonies are required.

     To determine if effective pollination is taking place:
1. The number of bees on the main variety and on the pollinizer
     should be similar.
2. The number of bees throughout the orchard should be more or
     less constant.
3. Check the king bloom to see if it has been set.
4. Check for fruit/set flowers on the sides of trees facing away
    from the pollinizers, and compare to the side next to the
    pollinizers.

     Methods to supplement pollen in orchards with poor pollen
sources:
1. Plant more pollinizers.
2. Use pollen inserts on pollinating honey bee colonies (must be
   serviced twice a day).
3. Strategically place bouquets of pollinizers in orchard.

Sustainable Pollination Project Report - Dr. Peter Kevan
    (Professor)/Mark Robinson (Research Assistant)/Paul Kron
    (Researcher), University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

Pickling Cucumber Pollination - Dr. Peter Kevan

     Pollination in pickling cucumbers is important for the production
of symmetrical fruit and a synchronized crop. Honey bees do not
like cucumber pollen, and forage mostly for nectar. Cucumber fields
are seeded with 10-15% pollinizer plants (with mainly male flowers),
and the remaining plants produce mainly female flowers. Genetic
tracking has determined that 70% of the fruit produced is sired by
the intended pollinizers. The current recommendations are 1
colony/acre of cucumber. At 250 metres from the colony, bee visits
are reduced by 50%, but full fruit set was still observed. For larger
fields, the distribution of pollinating colonies must be considered.
Native bees, such as sweat bees or bumble bees, were not observed
in large numbers, but more studies are required to determine their
significance to cucumber pollination.
     The timing of harvest is important. It cannot be delayed, so
pollination must be timed correctly for the crop to be uniform.

Pollen Dispersal in Apples: Implications for Bee and Orchard
  Management - Paul Kron

     The traditional row/block style of planting orchards does not
facilitate cross-pollination.Bees tend to move along rows when
foraging, not across rows, and so they tend to visit only one variety
per foraging trip.
     Each variety has specific genetic markers. Thus the parents of
an apple can be determined using genetic fingerprint analysis of the
seeds to identify the pollen donor source. Using this technique, it
was possible to determine the movement of pollen in the orchard.
Pollen was found to move across 18 rows, though most movement
(75%) was in the first 3 rows. Along a row, pollen moves only as far
as 5-7 trees.
     Results can be improved by increasing the number of colonies per
acre, decreasing the block size of individual varieties, splitting rows,
and by careful selection and placement of varieties and pollinizers.

Pollination of Red Clover: Preliminary Assessment of Bumble
    Bees and Honey Bees - Mark Robinson

     A preliminary study was designed to assess the pollinating
efficiency of bumble bees, honey bees, native bees, and a mix of
bees in red clover. Plots of 1 mý were monitored throughout the field
for 15 min periods and the types of bees and number of visits were
recorded. The amount of seed set was used to determine the
efficiency of pollination.
     Results showed that mainly honey bees were observed in the
field. Some bumble bees were observed foraging, and very few
native bees were seen. The highest seed set was found in the area
nearest the honey bee colonies. High seed set was found near the
bumble bee colonies as well, but it was less consistent. From the
bee observation data, it seemed that high seed production was
associated with honey bee pollination. Pollination by native bees was
not significant, but mixed bee pollination was significant.

Pumpkin and Squash Pollination - Dr. Peter Kevan

     The hoary squash bee is a specialist pollinator which forages
only on squash plants. Its life cycle is based on the growth and
blooming cycle of squash plants. It is a solitary, ground nesting bee
which digs about 18 inches into the soil, and can often be found
nesting in the squash field. Shallow tilling may be a method to
preserve this bee, which is the most effective pollinator of squash
plants. A survey of squash bees was conducted in Ontario, and
its range was found to be patchy throughout southern Ontario, and
it was not present in northern Ontario. More work is required to
learn about the behaviour and biology of the squash bee to
determine the type of habitat it prefers and why it is absent in
certain areas.

Colony Strength and Quality Used for Crop Pollination in Ontario -
     Dr. Medhat Nasr (Tech-Transfer Specialist)/Janet Tam (Research
    Apiculturist), OBA, Guelph, Ontario

     A survey of honey bee colonies in pollination was completed
during spring apple pollination and summer cucumber pollination in
1999. The colonies were examined to determine health and strength.
About 75% of colonies in apple pollination were found to have the
minimum strength requirement of 4 frames covered with bees.
However, only 31% of beekeepers were found to have all of their
surveyed colonies meeting this requirement. 41% of the colonies
were infested by tracheal mites and 4% by varroa mites. 10% of the
surveyed colonies were queenless, but these were mostly provided by
one beekeeper, whose colonies were 50% queenless. Summer results
were similar, with about 79% of the colonies having 4 or more
frames of bees. 48% had tracheal mites, and 20% had varroa mites.
Only 7% of summer colonies were queenless.
     As a follow-up to the spring colony survey, the apple pollination
results were screened to find 2 well-pollinated orchards, and 2
poorly pollinated orchards. From these orchards, Red Delicious and
Ida Red apples were picked, and measurements of weight, volume,
height, width, and breadth were taken. The radial lengths of each
carpel were also measured, and the number of viable seeds counted.
Statistical analysis was used to determine if there was a difference in
apple quality due to the difference in pollination levels. Results
showed significant increase in the average weight, volume and width
of each variety in the well-pollinated orchards. There was also an
increase in the number of seeds in Ida Red apples from
well-pollinated orchards. Apple weight was significantly correlated to
the number of seeds. With each extra seed, the weight increased by
4 grams in Ida Red apples, and 7 grams in Red Delicious apples.
Overall, the higher pollination level resulted in higher quality fruit.
     A survey regarding pollination services was sent to apple
growers, cucumber growers, and beekeepers. Results concerning the
number of acres with bees for pollination, the number of colonies
placed per acre of different crops, rental fees, colony strength and
health, timing of delivery and removal of colonies, pollination
agreements and pollination concerns were obtained. It was found that
the number of colonies per acre in apple was below the
recommendations of 2 colonies per acre. There were only 0.5-0.75
colonies placed per acre. The number of colonies in cucumber were
0.5-0.75 per acre, but still below the recommendations of 1 colony
per acre. All beekeepers and growers had verbal agreements for
pollination services. Most growers did not know how strong a colony
should be, and 61% beekeepers thought that a colony should have
between 4 and 8 frames of bees. All beekeepers providing summer
pollination services also provided spring pollination services. Fewer
beekeepers provided summer pollination, although the prices for
summer pollination are higher. Most growers paid an average of $50
per colony for spring pollination, and $75 on average for summer
pollination. Although most growers were satisfied with their
pollination services, they were concerned about the availability and
strength of colonies in the future, due to mites and other problems.

A Grower's Perspective of the Value of Honey Bees for Pollination -
    Vic Hann, Grower, Norwich, Ontario

     For pickling cucumber growers, honey bee pollination is very
important, and even more so with the changeover from hand picking
to machine harvest. Machine harvest requires changing pollination
management. Plantings should be staggered, but because of problems
with heat in July and cold in September, a double crop can only be
accomplished in more moderate areas, such as near Lake Erie in
southwestern Ontario. Pickling cucumbers are machine harvested
only once, all at the same time. As a result, the timing of pollination
is critical to ensure uniform maturity and high quality cucumbers.
It is known that bees are required, but the number of colonies per
acre is not known. Presently, the recommendation is 1 colony/acre,
but this figure was determined for hand harvested cucumbers. Many
growers do not know how important it is to have enough bees.
Pollination levels are different for different circumstances.
Weather, for example, can change pollination requirements. And no
matter how many bees are in a field, they will not perform if the
weather does not allow it. Growers are not into beekeeping, so they
need education in these areas. They may not necessarily know all the
details of successful pollination, especially since pollination
management continues to change. By working together and sharing
knowledge, growers and beekeepers will be able to cooperate more
easily to achieve maximum yields and benefits.

Beekeeping and Pollination in the US - Dan Mayer, Professor,
    Washington State University, Prosser, Washington, USA

     Many methods to improve pollination have been tested in the
past, including the use of helicopters to distribute pollen, dusting,
bouquets, and hand pollination using brushes. Generally, only the use
of bouquets is both successful and feasible, with the help of bees.
Many types of bees have been tested also, with the conclusion of
honey bees being the most effective.
     Throughout history there have been cases of honey bee poisoning.
In the U.S. there are about 15 "catastrophic" cases of honey bee
poisoning, amounting to 2,000-10,000 colonies being killed, each
year. The pesticides causing bee kills have changed through the
years, but there have been no advances in the prevention of such
incidences. Pesticide applicators must abide by the product label,
which should include a bee safety statement, with regards to the
toxicity of the chemical to bees and its persistence. Pesticides must
not be applied during bloom (The definition of "bloom" in Washington
is stated as "5 or more open blooms per square yard" or "10% of
tassels shedding pollen" in corn). This is a state law with a penalty
of license suspension for 6 months or more, and up to $50,000 in
fines. The best way to avoid bee kills is to apply pesticides in the late
evening. Toxicity also depends on formulation. Dusts are most toxic
to bees, then wettable powders, followed by emulsifiable pesticides.

Panel Discussion - Graham Roberts, OBA President

     Beekeepers should take into account the "big picture" when it
comes to providing pollination services. Things to consider: crops in
the area, availability of bees (season), what the bees are being used
for (honey, queen production, etc.), swarm control, going rate of
colony rentals, cost of hired help, the condition of equipment,
modifications in management for grower demands, reliable transport
with safety equipment, bee damage and theft, spray damage,
growers' knowledge and respect for bees and beekeeper health.
     The price of colony rental was a topic of fierce discussion.
Spray kills, trucks, trailers, lifts, labour and bee health must be taken
into consideration when setting prices. It was estimated that to
account for the costs of fuel, labour, equipment and vehicle
maintenance, $25 must be charged per colony before any profit is
made. As well as covering colony movement expenses, the rental fee
must pay for the lost honey crop. Remember, there is very little
honey to be made in cucumber. There are different rates for
hand-picked and machine harvest cucumber pollination rentals, due to
the length of time the colonies are in the field. The amount a
beekeeper should charge for a second move was also questioned.
     Work needs to be done on moving colonies, on trailers, to
different locations within the same field (e.g. second move in
machine harvest cucumbers) to resolve issues of bee drifting.
Public safety and liability was also an issue, with regards to
farmers moving the bees themselves after delivery by the beekeeper.
It was agreed that written agreements would aid in assuring colony
strength for the grower and bee safety for the beekeeper.
     Grower attendance was low at the symposium. Pollination is not
an issue of concern to only beekeepers, but is far more important to
growers. How can we promote this meeting to more growers? If
education and communication is the key for successful pollination
services, we need more growers to be present at meetings such as
this one.
Medhat Nasr, Ph.D.
Research Scientist,
Ontario Beekeepers' Association
Dept. Environmental Biology
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
N1G 2W1
Tel: (519) 824-4120 Ext: 6243
Fax:(519)837-0442
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