Oregon's Seed Producer Bee Protection Protocols: Dispatch from the trenches

The US Environmental Protection Agency has provided guidelines to states to develop Managed Pollinator Protection Plans to protect honey bee colonies during crop pollination. Although many states have developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) for growers to follow during crop pollination, many of these BMPs are generic and not specific to cropping system. Here we describe the process to develop crop specific BMPs with the Oregon Clover Commission and the Specialty Seed Growers of Western Oregon and research to help growers manage pests that cause damage during bloom. The US Environmental Protection Agency has provided guidelines to states to develop Managed Pollinator Protection Plans to protect honey bee colonies during crop pollination. Although many states have developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) for growers to follow during crop pollination, many of these BMPs are generic and not specific to cropping system. Here we describe the process to develop crop specific BMPs with the Oregon Clover Commission and the Specialty Seed Growers of Western Oregon and research to help growers manage pests that cause damage during bloom.