For Immediate Release
October 16, 2006

For More Information:
Marsha Venable
(209) 343-3233
mvenable@almondboard.com


Almond Industry Hosts Seminar as Bee Business Faces New Challenges

(Modesto, Calif., October 16) – As the almond industry harvests what is anticipated to be the second largest crop on record, some industry members took time off to plan ahead for bloom, examining the role of the honey bee in producing the state’s largest exported crop. The Almond Board of California (ABC) recently hosted a Honey Bee Seminar, bringing together almond industry members, government officials, pollination researchers and beekeepers to discuss new challenges as well as familiar issues facing the bee and almond industries as we head into the 2007 almond bloom.  Dan Cummings, Almond Board member and grower, said, “Almond growers and beekeepers are uniquely dependent upon each other, our trees need healthy bees and so the almond industry must take a proactive role in problem solving bee pest issues.”
Key Learnings From Voluntary Program
A voluntary apiary certification program aimed at reducing time and complications at border inspections for Red Imported Fire Ant which launched last year was deemed a success, reported Carla Markmann, a California Department of Food and Agriculture biologist.
This year, beekeepers and county officials are hoping a similar timesaving process can be put in place at border stations to guard against bringing in the Small Hive Beetle, while facilitating transportation for beekeepers.  The goal is to implement a policy which will permit the timely movement of an ample supply of hives into California prior to the almond bloom and at the same time, protect the California beekeeping industry and the State from this invasive pest, for which no statewide policy currently exists.  As a statewide policy is developed, counties are taking action on an individual basis.    For instance in almond growing areas, some counties (Kern, Shasta, Sutter) maintain zero tolerance for the Small Hive Beetle while other counties such as Butte, Tehama, and Glenn will reject a load if they find it on inspection at the border, but if the beetle is found after the hive is in use, may treat the hive in the orchard.
Beekeepers predict that increased incidents of Small Hive Beetle will interrupt the transportation process of hives to California for almond pollination.  Lyle Johnston, a beekeeper with one of the larger businesses, says 60%-75% of the hives will be in place by late December . 
Consumer demand for almonds has increased substantially “thanks to public awareness of the health and nutrition benefits” said Richard Waycott, President and Chief Executive Officer. Overseas, the strength of the Euro has also helped demand.  California grows more than 80% of the world’s supply of almonds and nearly 70% of the crop is shipped overseas.   The California almond industry currently requires an estimated two-thirds of the nation’s available bee supply during the short period of bloom every February and March.   That need is growing with every new acre of almonds planted in California.  At the same time, the availability of healthy pollinators is being tempered by a number of issues.  These include hive pests like varroa mite and Small Hive Beetle, California border restrictions, and, inspectors’ limited hours of operation.  Commenting on the upcoming 2007 pollination season, UC Extension Apiculturalist Dr. Eric Mussen said, “There may be a shortage of bees because foraging was reduced in late summer.  Because of the heat, food was not adequate.  This may be the smallest honey crop in recent history.” 
In order to facilitate the cooperation between the beekeeping and almond industries, ABC will continue the Bee Task Force aimed at protecting the mutual interests of the almond industry and beekeepers.  The task force includes representation from both industries as well as the United States Department of Agriculture and University of California researchers.  The Almond Board also funds honeybee and pollination research, which amounts this year to nine projects with a total budget of $140,000. 
For more information contact CDFA, Pest Exclusion Branch at (916) 653-1440 or click on “Pollination” at www.AlmondBoard.com.
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The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture.  Established in 1950, the Board’s charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California’s largest tree nut crop.  For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondBoard.com.