Almonds 2006

The build-up to California's growing almond pollination crisis is beginning again in time for the January/February season. The Almond Board of California says 40% of colonies were damaged by varroa last year -- and yet the demands (and pollination prices) steadily increase.

There are 2 million colonies of bees in the US and by 2012, it is predicted that they'll all be needed in California's almond groves.