For the past few years, we have been talking about the use of insecticides in agriculture and the effect it is having on the pollinators that are depended on in the ecosystem. Sometimes the discussions were heated. Sometimes the discussions were only inclusive to one side of the argument. Putting super-charged emotions to one side, what has been learned about the situation? What can be done to protect the bees and give farmers the tools they need to be able to protect their crops?
One apiarist talks about where we have been, what is being done, and what he sees coming for the future.
Last week, I had the chance to visit Honey Hollow Apiary and Gardens outside of Indianola. That is where I met Iowa Honey Producers Association President Jason Foley. We talked about the history of where things hit a bumpy road between pollinators and agriculture. It all started with neonics. Foley says that while studies concluded there was no danger to bees after one year of use, it was the years that came after that caused a problem.
It is taken some time for both sides to actually sit down and look for commonsense solutions. Foley says that when it comes to the neonics, he says chemical companies doing the right thing and adjusting the compounds they are using to make it less harmful for bees. He also talks about research in plant biology that is being done to help ward off insects like bees to keep them safe, they may also be able to ward off many problem pests at the same time. However, this research is far down the road.
Foley says that neonics are a cause of colony collapse. That is something that has been argued by some chemical companies, saying that it is varroa mites that are causing it, not the neonics. However, Foley says there are two red flags that say that argument doesn?t hold much weight. That is because bumblebees don?t deal with these mites, and they are facing colony collapse. Also, in Australia, where these same neonics are being used, they don?t have varroa mites. So, how can they be causing colony collapse there?
Again, Foley reiterates that this is not the problem that it used to be, because the large chemical companies have taken steps to make changes, but there is still a long way to go.
Another thing I asked Jason about was when you go to farm shows or fairs, and you see Ag groups handing out pollinator seed packs. We also see ditch planting done around the country to grow more of these plants as well. These are both designed to grow more plants that attract bees and help stabilize some of the losses. At least that is what we are hoping it is going to do. But are they doing any good?
If you haven?t checked out our visit with Jason Foley about his operation and the Iowa Honey Producers Association, you can check out the video here.
