jul-aug-2019

PAm Mustard Mix provides a source of pollen for honey bees before and after the almond bloom, helping them build colony strength for pollination, and leaves the orchards strong. CULTIVATING SUSTAINABILITY Seeds for Bees® Program Offers Free Cover Crop Seed to Almond Growers In 2011, Project Apis m. (PAm) launched the Seeds for Bees ® program to directly and immediately support honey bee health in almond orchards. Since that time, we have partnered with hundreds of growers to plant over 28,000 acres of cover crops. As acres of monoculture crops increase, available forage (food) for honey bees and other important pollinators is decreasing. Bees need diverse and healthy diets in order to mitigate environmental stressors like Varroa, pathogens and pesticide exposure. Access to adequate pollen sources also help build colony strength which is important for pollination. As the population of each hive grows, so does their ability to successfully pollinate, especially when facing adverse weather conditions like we saw in 2019. Seeds for Bees ® is an elegant way to increase the density, duration, and diversity of blooming plants while improving soil conditions in the orchard where honey bees are placed before the almond bloom. This extra source of nutrition before and after the bloom helps “jump start” the hive, supporting stronger pollination and keeping colonies stronger year-round. However, honey bees and other pollinators are not the only beneficiaries when growers incorporate cover crops into their management practices. We know by observation that soil health, water infiltration and retention, and weed suppression are also improved by planting PAm seed mixes. Thanks to collaborative research efforts, we are also beginning to better understand these additional environmental benefits. University of California professors, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources extension agents, Almond Board of California, and Project Apis m. are working together in almond orchards throughout the state to gather data on the effect of cover crops in orchard systems. It may be another one to two years before data collection is complete and the paper is published, but preliminary data shared by these investigators regarding colony health, survival, and frost risk is very exciting. Dr. Elina Niño, Apiculture Extension and Researcher at UC Davis, evaluated honey bee colonies for adult populations, brood population, Varroa mite levels, and forager collection rates before and after they were 2 0 A L M O N D F A C T S