SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014
Almond Facts 33
Dr. Eric Mussen, Extension
Apiculturist Emeritus, UC Davis
beekeepers or bee brokers. In addition to being involved in
honey bees, several board members are growers and farmers.
The fnal slate of proposals for
Blue Diamond
funding will be
Blue
Diamond
-approved. Project Apis m. is using the
Blue Diamond
funding to seek matching corporate funding from other entities
interested in honey bee stewardship and sustainability. We
believe there will be several worthy projects to fund.
A sneak preview of submitted honey bee research projects
includes studies to develop better feld diagnostics for honey
bees so we can evaluate colony strength more quickly and
effciently on-the-spot. There are proposals that seek to assess
viruses in general, specifc viruses, and a proposal to improve
pathogen identifcation.
One study plans to develop infra-red imaging for assessing
hive strength and augmenting visual grading of colonies.
There are proposals to improve honey bee stock, improve
nutrition prior to almond bloom, and look at the impact of
transporting colonies to almond pollination. Finally, for the
honey bee nemesis Varroa mite, research has been proposed
to look at delivery systems for mite controls such as organic
acids and essential oils.
PAm received over $325,000 in proposals by the deadline for
the $100,000 available in
Blue Diamond
funding, and we are
seeking additional funding to augment
Blue Diamond’s
donation
as there are numerous worthy proposals that can ensure
almond growers a sustained supply of honey bees for almond
pollination. For the February 2015 bloom, 1.7 million honey
bee colonies will be required to pollinate the almond crop.
Blue Diamond’s
“BeeCause We Care” honey product line raises
consumer awareness and the importance of honey bees while
showing
Blue Diamond’s
commitment to bee research. Tell all
your friends the new snacks are sweet as honey and will keep
you and the honey bees healthy! Thank you to your co-op and
for the continued support.
PAm’s Scientifc Advisors
Dr. Gordon Wardell, Director of
Pollination Operations, Paramount
Farming Company
Dr. Frank Drummond, Professor
of Insect Ecology and Insect Pest
Management, University of Maine
Jerry Hayes, Commercial Director,
Beeologics, Monsanto Company
Randy Oliver, Beekeeper and Bee
Biologist, ScientificBeekeeping.com