Upper Rogue Pollinator Project
Bees, Pollinators, and Livestock
When beekeepers can’t keep their
bees alive inside the box, how does a
colony like this - against all odds survive OUTSIDE the box?
A Feral Colony Of Bees
Could the reason be genetics?
The Value of Honey Bees
(more than just honey)
 More than just honey
 Pollinate more than 90 of the tastiest flowering crops
we have – among them:
 Apples, nuts, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli,
celery, squash and cucumbers
 Citrus fruit, peaches, kiwi, cherries, blueberries,
cranberries, strawberries, cantaloupe and other melons
 One-third of the human diet comes from insectpollinated plants.
 The honeybee is responsible for 80 percent of that
pollination.
 Even CATTLE, which feed on alfalfa and clover, depend
on bees
Demise of the Honey Bee?
(Demise of Humanity?)
 Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
and pollinator decline
 Main causes of colony collapse
disorder are (according to most
scientists):
 Nutritional stress
 Pathogens (mites, viruses and
fungus)
 Pesticides and insecticides
(especially neonicotinoids)
 Herbicides (destroy habitat)
 Fungicides have insecticidal toxic
affects on pollinators (killing off
important bee "gut" microbiota)
 Even adjuvants (so-called inert
ingredients) in above chemicals
The Effects of Pollinator Decline
 The success rate of beginning beekeepers is only 25%.
 Even advanced beekeepers suffer between 30% - 65% hive loss.
 Crops dependent on insect pollination are in decline (e.g., CA almonds).
Who are we?
Wild Bee International
 Teaching –
Research –
Development
 Standardized teaching system for
beginning beekeepers and youth.
 Research stations to develop
habitat and genetically superior
bee stock while improving the
sustainability of livestock
production
 Ultimate goal: An enhanced
future for our children and
grandchildren
 Collaborate with OSU and SOBA.
A Solution –
The Upper Rogue Pollinator Project
 All pollinators in
Jackson County are in
peril.
 Farmers’ and cattle
owners’ lifestyles are in
danger.
 Local solution –
enhanced genetics and
improved habitat
 Uniqueness of Southern
Oregon
Upper Rogue Pollinator Project The Concept
 Collaboration among
local farmers, cattle
owners, beekeepers,
scientists and
researchers
 Promote improved
livestock foraging within
a self-sustaining
ecosystem
 Focused on Upper
Rogue River Basin
 Controlled honeybee
environment
Upper Rogue Pollinator Project The Mission
Russian Queen Bee
 Establish a controlled beekeeping environment to . . .
 Breed a predominant, locally adapted and genetically
advanced honeybee population while . . .
 Increasing the forage basis for livestock.
 Benefits
Good For Bees - Good For Livestock:
Sainfoins (Onobrychis)
 Eurasian perennial herbs of the legume family
 Extends throughout Europe as far north as
southern Sweden
 Grows on grassland, agricultural land and
wasteland; non-invasive
 Drought tolerant, winter-hardy and frost
tolerant
 Blooms between June and September and
pollinated by honey bees and solitary bees
 Superb forage for grazing animals - voluntary
intake of sainfoin by cattle and sheep is 20%
higher than for grass
 Non-bloating, anthelmintic (extremely
palatable & nutritious), increased protein
absorption, very rapid liveweight gains
 Excellent source of nectar for honey
production as well as pollen for bee food
U.R.P.P.
History and Variety Development
of Sainfoins in America
 Introduced into the Northern Great Plains in the 1800s.
 Variety Development
Variety
Year
Released
Releasing
Agency
Eski
1964
Montana State University
Remont
1971
Montana State University
Melrose
1972
Agriculture Canada
Renumex
1979
New Mexico State University
Nova
1980
Agriculture Canada
Certified seed is available from seed producers in Wyoming, Montana.
U.R.P.P. Target Area:
Rogue Basin Watershed - Little Butte Basin
U.R.P.P. Goal: Distribution to local
beekeepers – over time – will establish a
predominant, genetically advanced honeybee.
Upper Rogue Pollinator Project
Endorsed by:
 Ramesh Sagili – OSU Professor, Dept of Horticulture &
Honey Bee Lab
 Randy White - Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager
 Paul Showalter - Natural Resources Conservation Service
(USDA) conservationist
 Greg Grissom - President of Lake Creek Historical Society
 Hugh Charley - President of the Stockmens Association
 Ralph McKechnie - Owner of the Upper Rogue Independant
 Ron Padgett – President of the Southern Oregon
Beekeepers Association (SOBA)