Photographs by Ian Bates
The beekeepers who help pollinate some 70% of the world’s crops charge $435 million for their services each year in the U.S. alone. One way farmers can increase their return on investment is to hire better bees.
Argentine startup Beeflow says it has more than doubled its tiny workers’ pollen-carrying capacity by feeding them custom compounds. The nutrients enhance the bees’ immune systems to handle colder conditions and also increase their attraction to the particular flower the farmer wants them to pollinate—blueberries, raspberries, or the all-important almonds. The 2-year-old company tested its insect fuel this season in the fields of a major California almond farmer and on raspberry crops for Driscoll’s, America’s largest berry grower. On deck: cherries and avocados. Read More