Honeybee health

Honeybee specialists and native pollinator experts from around the country will discuss bee health and disease research during the Western Apicultural Society’s annual conference in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, ­California, August 17-20.

Other topics will include: beekeeping with minimal chemical input, cooperative rearing of local honeybee stocks, identifying pollinators other than honeybees, impacts of native bees on commercial crop production, and the biology and management of honeybees.

A wine and honey tasting is scheduled following registration on August 17. The conference will take place in the Dry Creek Inn and Krug Event Center. For more information, check the Web site at http://groups.ucanr.org/WAS/.

Apple crop outlook

During the Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference in Chicago, Illinois, August 20–21, a panel of apple grower-shippers from Washington State will discuss business models that will drive the growth of the state’s apple industry. Panelists will be: Robert Kershaw of Domex Superfresh Marketing; West Mathison of Stemilt Growers; Mark Zirkle of Zirkle Fruit Company; and Reggie Collins of Chelan Fruit Company. USApple Chair Bruce Grim will moderate.

Also during the meeting, attendees will hear reports from apple-growing regions around the world and discuss the 2009 apple crop forecast. In addition, experts will report on marketing and consumer trends.

The conference will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Chicago. For information, check the Web site www.usapple.org/industry/outlookconference/index.cfm or call (703) 442-8850.