Rufus Isaacs, the small fruit entomologist at Michigan State University has provided the following information on a Pollination Field Day event. All members of the fruit industry are invited to attend a Spring Pollination Update on May 17 at the Trevor Nichols Research Complex. Our focus will be on blueberries, but the information should be of value to any growers interested in maintaining an effective pollination strategy on their fruit farm. The meeting will be from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, with registration starting at 12.30.

Topics to be covered during an indoor session will be the following: honeybees and blueberry pollination, use of bumblebees for blueberry pollination, experiences with Osmia bees in cherry orchards, cultural practices and gibberellic acid to improve blueberry fruit set, and an update on native bee research in Michigan blueberry.

The outdoor demonstrations will cover the following issues: assessing honeybee hive strength and health, a bumble bee quad demonstration, identifying pollinators and assessing fruit set, and using native plants to attract bees and other beneficial insects. Presenters at the meeting will include MSU scientists Zachary Huang, Eric Hanson, Rufus Isaacs, Nikki Rothwell, and John Wolfe from Koppert Biological who produce bumblebees for pollination.

A small registration fee of $10 per person is being charged for this meeting to cover expenses. Contact our office at 944-4126 for registration details.

The Trevor Nichols Research Complex is located 3 miles east of I-196 on M-89 (between 63rd and 62nd Streets).

Bee there (pun intended)

That is all for today, this has been Al Gaus for Michigan State University Extension in Berrien County.