Webinar: Pollinator Economics in the United States - Demands, Costs, and Logistics
Watch the June 26, 2018 webinar HERE.
Moderator: Val Dolcini, President & CEO, The Pollinator Partnership
Presenters:
Since 2006, winter losses of managed honey bee colonies in the United States have averaged 29 percent, approximately double the 15 percent historical rate. These elevated losses have raised concerns that agricultural and food supply chains will suffer disruptions as pollination services become costlier and less available. Among pollinated crops, almonds and plums have had the largest increases in pollination service fees, rising about 2.5 and 2.4 times, respectively, in real (inflation-adjusted) terms since the early 1990s, with the largest portion of the increase occurring between 2004 and 2006.
California almond production required over 75 percent of honey producing colonies in the United States in 2016 for its pollination needs. The magnitude of demand relative to the national supply of managed honey bee colonies has created a complex interaction between honey bee colony health and almond production. During this webinar, speakers will discuss the demand, costs and logistical issues associated with pollination of crops in the United States.