Unveiling the Downsides of Commercial Bee Pollination

 When people ask about my profession and I say, “Beekeeping,” one of two things generally happens: I’m immediately assumed to be a barefoot hipster with a general lack of ambition, seen as not pursuing a real career in my thirties. Or, I am immediately praised as some kind of hero without any understanding of the practices involved in beekeeping. Regardless of the response, the conversations I've had about honeybees often reveal a lack of awareness about commercial pollination and monoculture practices occurring in America.

It is never my intention to suggest that there is a right or wrong way to practice an art form like beekeeping. However, I am grateful to have experienced both the commercial and regenerative aspects of beekeeping, which have helped me form my opinions based on education and experience. My experiences range from large scale Queen Bee production for sale internationally, to working with sustainable companies specializing in foundationless beekeeping for herbal salves products, and now running my own regenerative honeybee farm and artisanal skincare business.

I value all of these experiences, both positive and negative, which have led me to identify as a “beekeeper” throughout my adult life. Through this blog, I hope to help you gain an understanding of the differences in beekeeping practices and to emphasize the significance of regenerative honeybees, as well as the importance of regenerative agriculture as a whole. I will try and explain the complexities of the honeybee pollination industry, shedding light on the adverse effects of practices like migratory beekeeping, monoculture orchards, chemical treatments, and the reliance on synthetic supplements.

 In the vast landscapes of the world, honeybees play a crucial role in the pollination of numerous crops, contributing billions of dollars to the agricultural industry in the U.S. each year. Yet, behind the scenes of this thriving commercial pollination business lies a tale of unintended consequences and hidden downsides. 

 

The Curse of Centrally Located Pests and Diseases:

One of the major challenges faced by the honeybee pollination industry is the unintentional concentration of pests and diseases due to migratory beekeeping.

 

As beekeepers transport hives across large distances to pollinate crops, they inadvertently create hotspots for the spread of parasites like the varroa mite. These tiny but devastating creatures attach themselves to bees and weaken their immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to other diseases. Consequently, these now centrally located pests from all over the U.S become a constant threat to honeybee colonies. Not to mention each season builds resistance to pesticides, which then makes the “farmers” up the doses...

  But why would someone want to load and drive their honeybees to a different state?

 For the 2022 almond bloom, roughly 1.3 million almond acres (6% in self-fertile varieties) required an estimated 2.6 million honeybee colonies for pollination.

 

The average fee for the 2022 almond pollination season for the most common colony strength requirement (seven to nine frames) was $205 per colony, though this ranged from $180 to $215 per colony.

 

One flat bed driving across the country can hold around 400 beehives.

Some bee company’s will bring 2,000-5,000 beehives. Maybe more?

That comes out to $360,000 on the low end with 2,000 hives.

Monoculture Orchards: A Pollination Desert:

 The rise of monoculture orchards has transformed landscapes into vast expanses of single crop species. A pollination desert. Unfortunately, this shift comes at a cost to honeybees and other pollinators. Bees depend on a diverse array of pollen and nectar sources to meet their nutritional needs. Mono floral diets provide inadequate nutrition and lead to weakened colonies. As a result, honeybees struggle to survive in these "pollination deserts," exacerbating the overall decline of pollinator populations.

But How Would the Bees Survive?

The Sugar Diet and Synthetic Pollen Patties Diet:

The stress of migratory beekeeping, along with the scarcity of diverse floral resources (pollination desert), necessitates supplementary feeding. To compensate for the lack of natural forage, beekeepers must feed their colonies sugar water to sustain them during transportation and periods of scarcity. While this practice helps keep bees alive, it doesn't provide the essential nutrients they require for optimal health.

Similarly, synthetic pollen patties are used to supplement the bees' diet and ensure they receive vital proteins and nutrients. However, these artificial supplements cannot fully replace the richness and complexity of natural pollen, potentially compromising the overall health and resilience of bee colonies.

 

Chemical Treatments: A Double-Edged Sword:

The battle against pests and diseases has driven beekeepers to resort to chemical treatments. While these treatments may offer temporary relief, they come at a price. Pesticides and miticides, used to control mites and other threats, inadvertently create a vicious cycle. As some pests develop tolerance to these chemicals, beekeepers may need to increase the dosage or switch to stronger alternatives, further impacting bee health and overall ecosystem balance.

 

The honeybee pollination industry in the United States is undoubtedly vital for agriculture and food production. However, as we navigate the challenges of commercial pollination, we must recognize the downsides of current practices. The centrality of pests and diseases due to migratory beekeeping, the transformation of landscapes into pollination deserts with mono crops, and the use of chemical treatments all contribute to the decline of bee health and diversity.
And somehow, without any lobbying or education from government resources, we have been confronted with a single-issue problem called CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder). All it means is that bees are dying, and we 'don't know why,' and it's referred to as CCD. The irony is that the skyrocketing CCD is directly correlated with the rise in monocropping and pesticide/herbicide usage.

To secure a sustainable future for honeybees and agriculture as a whole, we must embrace more environmentally friendly and bee-centric approaches. Implementing integrated pest management strategies, promoting diversified landscapes, and supporting local, sustainable beekeeping practices are essential steps towards safeguarding the delicate balance of nature. Only through a collective effort can we ensure that honeybee pollinators continue to thrive through sustainable and educated decisions.