Wheat growers participate in key pollinator conferences

The National Association of Wheat Growers participated last week in two important conferences -- the Honey Bee Health Coalition and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) International Conference.

The Honey Bee Health Coalition was formed 18 months ago in response to the declining honey bee population. Its goal is to find a solution to the declining population while protecting the present honey bee colonies.

Representatives from federal agencies, agriculture and non-agriculture industry organizations, technology providers and state departments of agriculture attended the conference. Four important groups (hive management, crop pest management, forage and nutrition and outreach and education) led the discussion and presentations.

At the NAPPC International Conference, xperts on pollinator protection spoke about honeybee health grants, including the impact of insecticides on hive health and the ability of honeybees to self-medicate.