The 4 year experiment used commercial-scale fields replicated across multiple sites in the midwestern United States and evaluated the consequences of adopting integrated pest management (IPM) using pest thresholds compared with standard conventional management (CM). The study found that insecticide use can be dramatically reduced (by ∼95%) while maintaining or even increasing yields through the conservation of wild bees as crop pollinators.
The Almond Centre of Excellence (ACE)
Imagine walking amongst almond trees that are just about to burst into bloom, with bees foraging amongst nearby native vegetation, and in cover-crops, waiting for the swollen buds to unfold. This is the picture of sustainable bee-friendly practices envisioned by the Almond Board of Australia (ABA).