Economic Considerations of Growing Bee-Friendly Cover Crops in Almond Orchards: Grower and Beekeeper Perspectives
Fenton, Marieke and Brittney Goodrich
from ARE Update Vol. 26, No. 3, Jan/Feb, 2023
Abstract
Planting bee-friendly cover crops in almond orchards can improve honey bee colony health and lower beekeepers’ costs of feeding, while also providing soil health benefits. However, for the full bee-health benefits to be realized, growers must plant in the fall and receive timely rains or have access to irrigation between orchard rows. We review benefits and considerations for both growers and beekeepers of this potentially mutually beneficial practice.
Keywords
almond pollination, legumes, brassicas, honey bee, soil health, bee health, bee nutrition
Citation
Fenton, Marieke and Brittney Goodrich. 2023. "Economic Considerations of Growing Bee-Friendly Cover Crops in Almond Orchards: Grower and Beekeeper Perspectives." ARE Update 26(3): 9-11. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
https://giannini.ucop.edu/filer/file/1676489934/20605/