Oct 22, 2020

Zoom conference focuses on managing orchard mason bees for crop pollination

Oregon State University, in cooperation with Washington State University, is planning a series of short talks from industry professionals on the basics of orchard bee management and their deployment for crop pollination. These talks are designed to help growers better understand how to incorporate mason bees into their pollination programs.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to noon (PST)
Where: Online Zoom Conference
Cost: $10
Register: www.orchardbee.org/upcoming-events-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1261638714170209

Topics:

1. Why Mason Bees? (Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA ARS)
2. How to incubate and release the bees. (Steve Peterson, Foothills Bee Ranch)
3. How to deploy bees in an orchard and nesting options. (Brian Bly, Hart Farms)
4. How to manage summer development and cool down. (Dave Hunter, Crown Bees)
5. How to clean cocoons and store for winter. (Morgan Dunn, Orchard Bee Association)
6. Osmia pests and their management. (Glen Trostle, retired, USDA ARS)
7. Marketing the bees, OBA’s role, and concluding remarks. (Jim Watts, Watts Bees)

Contact: Andony Melathopoulus, Assistant Professor Pollinator Health Extension
Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University
(541) 452-3038 [email protected]