Products are emerging that will help pollinators and promote activity. The Almond Board of California recently released its best management practices guideline for honey bees, and at their 2014 annual conference last week, bees were a big topic of discussion. Some vendors at the trade show were showing attendees products that can aid bee pollination.
Pollen Tech CEO Tom Brown said applying natural, supplemental pollen across an entire field can make a huge difference. The drought is taking its toll on bees as well. Less standing water in orchards is creating poor bee health, and soil salinity is making for poor tree health. Brown says while they were testing last year they found that adding pollen to an orchard with high salinity concerns may be a must-do practice.