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All PIRU Publications Pollinating Insects Research Unit

1955

Alkali Bees vs. Drainage

George E. Bohart Utah State University

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Part of the Entomology Commons

Recommended Citation Bohart, George E. 1955. Alkali Bees vs. Drainage. Farm & Home Sci. 16(2):23-24.

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Pollinating Insects Research Unit at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All PIRU Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Fig. I. (Upper left) Portion of a nesting site of alkali bees. Note salt grass and other plants typical of highly alkali soil Fig. 2. Nest mounds of alkali bees. Dark centers indicate moist soil recently excavated

HEREVER alkali bees (Nom ia alkali-bee farming. Furthermore. somewhat higher than adjacent W melanderi Ckll ) are abund­ they may find it necessary to com­ land, or where a local high water ant, alfalfa seed yields are likely to promise with what are generaUy table develops along the margins of be high. Experience in Washing­ recognized as efficient irrigation cut-off ox-bow channels. Basic re­ tnn. Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah and drainage practices. quirements for the occurrence of ( proved that these bees, without nesting in both of the above situa­ help from other species, can polli­ Nesting Sites tions are ( 1) subsurface moistme nate large acreages. In most of the Districts favorable for alkali bees (fig. 2), ( 2 ) alkalinity and ( 3) areas where alkali bees are impor­ have cmtain characte1istics in com­ freedom from :flooding. tant, alfalfa seed growers are in­ mon: rainfall is low, midsummer Today, by far the greatest num­ terested in keeping them healthy. temperatmes are high, and the soil bers of nesting sites are found in Since alkali bees nest in the soil has a compact or "tight" structure. seeped areas resulting from under­ in dense aggregations (.fig. 1), ef­ The land surface is characterized ground movement of excess irriga­ fective populations may occupy a by alkaline, wet zones on low tion water. The establishment of limited acreage. Also, since they slopes or mounds. Such conditions new irrigation dishicts, or the ex­ migrate readily to new nesting occur principally in the lower land pansion of old ones, is often fol­ sites, effective populations may sud­ of the arid, treeless Yalleys of the lowed by a rapid increase in the denly appear in favorable areas and West. number and size of alkali bee nest­ build up rapidly from year to year. Before the development of irri­ ing sites. Such a development is These characteristics make it fea­ gation in the 'Vest, alkali bees must now taking place in the Rosa area sible for growers having land fa­ have nested in natmally moist of 'i\'ashu1gton. Irrigation and the vorable for nesting to attract ag­ areas. However, populations were presence of new forage cause the gregations and to maintain nesting undoubtedly smaU since now near­ bees to establish new holdings and sites without sacrificing much land. ly all of their forage consists of expand their old ones. Increased However, growers must understand weeds along irrigation channels. al­ seed yields resulting from increased the rather specific requirements of falfa, and other introduced plants pollination encourage the farmers in irrigated fields. to develop more seed acreage and more irrigation. Under such "snow­ DR. GEORGE E. BOHART is a member Under modern conditions, ex­ of the Legume Seed Research Laboratory tensive nesting sites may be found balling" conditions alkali bees can cooperative between the U. S. Depart­ where the aquifers under broad easily keep pace with expanding ment of Agriculrure and the Utah Agri­ cultural Experiment Station. H.is research valleys are subjected to artesian seed acreage. The Wapato, Wash­ ' ~ts with alfalfa pollinators. He is em- pressme. More restricted sites oc­ ington, and Riverton, Wyoming, 1 ed by the Entomology Research • -ncb of the Agriculrural Research Serv­ cur along certain natmal water­ seed districts bear witness to this . ice. courses where the river bottom is (Continued on page 24)

FOR J UNE 1955 23 ..

Two New Department Heads Named { Howard B. Peterson fessor in 1934 and professor in 1942. 1941 he was appointed chairman of The students he has b·ained in dairy the western division of the Ameri­ R. HowARD B. PETERSOI\ has manu.facturing now hold positions can D airy Science Association, in been appointed to succeed D of responsibility in industry and in 1944 he became state manager of Dr. D . W. Thorne as head of the land grant colleges th1·ougbout the the American Dairy Associati on in Department of Agronomy. Dr. nation. Utah, a position be still holds. In Peterson bas been a member of the Professor .Morris has won nation­ 1952 he was elected secretary of staff since 1940 when he was ap­ al recognition for his teaching and the manufacturing section of the pointed research associate in agron­ his efforts to improve dairy prod­ American D airy Science Associa­ omy. H e is a native of Redmond, ucts. H e has taken an active part tion, in 1953 he became vice chair­ Utah, and a graduate of the Brig­ in the activities of the Utah and man, and he is now national chair­ ham Young University and the the American Dairy Association. In man of the manufacturing section. University of Iebraska where he received his doctor of philosophy degree in 1940. ALKALI BEES Dr. Peterson's research has been (Continued /1·om pc£ge 23) in the area of soil chemistry and Decline of Populations a.nd Destruction the last of these are important in fertility. From the spring of 1949 of Nesting Sites until the fall of 1950 he acted as the case of alkali bees. A parasitic project leader of phosphate fertil­ Unfortunately, it seems that just fl y, Heterostylum robustum O.S., izer investigations for the U.S. De­ when things are going at their best has nearly eliminated alkali bees partment of Agriculture. H e is for the bees, trouble strikes, and from Cache Valley, Utah. Parath­ joint author of the book "Irrigated populations of alkali bees decli11e. ion has done likewise for certain soils: their fertility and manage­ Nesting sites may dwindle gradu­ nesting sites near Delta, Utah. ment," in collaboration -..v:ith Dr. ally from year to year or virtually However, neither factor appears to Thorne. In addition he has written disappear in a single season. In have played much part in the de­ a number of bulletins and technical Wyoming the opinion bas devel­ clining population of nesting.. ·s articles. He has been active in oped among growers that alfalfa neru· Riverton, W yoming, and I''vrt national agronomic organizations. seed can be grown successfull y in Hall, Idaho. During 1940 he was president of an area for only about fi ve years. _ esting sites of alkali bees may the W estern Society of Soil Science. The fact that seed yields in the p ast be damaged or destroyed b y ( 1) have declined rapidly after a few flooding, (2) ploughing, ( 3 ) en­ Arthur J. M orris years of ltigh yield may have re­ croachment of dense weed growth, sulted partly from lack of lygus ( 4 ) excessive seepage moistme, RTHUR J. tvloRRis, professor of bug control, but the association in and ( 5 ) dryi ng up. Flooding may A dairy industry and assistant Wyoming of seed production and (Continued on pc£ge 39) dean of the school of Agricultw-e, alkali bees makes one suspect that has been appointed bead of the D e­ declining bee populations have partment of Dairy Indusb·y on the been largely responsible. Such a FARM AND HOME SCIENCE r·etirement of Professor George B. decline seems to be taking place Caine from administrative duties, now in two of the newest and most Published Quarterly by the July l. successful "alkali bee seed areas"­ Agricultural Experiment Station Professor Ylorris obtained both South Pavilion and Hidden Valley, Utah State ~i cultural College his B.S. and M.S. degrees from located on the Bureau of Reclama­ Logan, Utah USAC in 1923 and 1930, respective­ tion project near Riverton, W y­ ly. H e bas done graduate work in oming. R. H . WALKER, Director dairy manufacturing at the Uni­ Why do populations of alkali D. A. BURGOYNE and versity of \.Yisconsin. bees often decline so soon after a B. H . CRANDALL, Asst. Directors From 1923 to 1930, Professor rapid increase? Expanding popula­ GLADYS L. HARRISON, Editor Morris was on the staff of the tions of insects are usually lev­ Address correspo ndence regarding ma· Branch Agricultural College at eled off or reversed by one or more !erial appearing in these columns either Cedar City. He came to USAC in of fom principal factors: ( 1) para­ to the editor or to the a uthor. More d etailed information on the sub· 1931 as assistant professor of dairy sites and disease, ( 2) weather, ( 3) jects discussed here can often be f~ · •nd industry in charge of the creamery. reduction of food sources, and ( 4 ) in Station bulletins and circula rs ci tl H e was appointed associate pro- use of insecticides. The first and be had thr.oug h corresponden ce. ...,, .

24 FARJ\1 AND HOME SCIENCE centrate had a better feed conver­ sion factor than those fed the com­ .,. ·Tlation of protein supplements . ... e high fat level in fish meals would be eA'Pected to improve feed conversion. The heavier weights of the chicks fed the combination protein supple­ ment was undoubtedly a result of greater feed consumption as the lots fed only fish meal had a better feed conversion factor. Thus the results of tllis investiga­ tion establish the feeding value of carp meal to be equal to or better than fish meals sold on the open market.

Production of Carp Meal Still a Problem The economic problems con­ nected with mass production of this fish meal must be investigated further. Of considerable impor­ tance is the amount of fish oil that can be recovered in the processing operation and the problems of puri­ fying and marketing. The amount and vitamin content of the oil are of major importance in ~ economy of processing the carp ...• to meal.

ALKALI BEES served at Riverton plenty of suit­ pumping systems to eliminate the (Continued from page 24) able a r e a remains around the remaining seeped areas, w o u l d wettest zones and it would prob­ probably come close to eliminating be caused by overirrigation, or ab­ ably be a mistake to attempt to re­ the alkali bee as an important fac­ normally high rainfall. Deshuction duce the moisture supply. tor in the pollination of alialfa. by ploughing, ironically enough, Drying of the soil in the nesting may be caused by the high yields sites is the most common cause of Effect of Efficient Irrigation on Nesting Sites which the bees bring about. When nesting site abandonment. It is di­ yields and prices are favorable, the rectly associated with drainage and Alkali bee areas around Wapato, grower, in his anxiety to place more irrigation practices and generally Washington, Riverton, Wyoming, land under cultivation, "destroys results from ( 1) construction of and the Uinta Basin in Utah are the goose that lays the golden egg." drainage rutches, (2) lining of ir­ principally on low benches where Damage to nesting sites by ex­ rigation rutches, or ( 3) drought. waterlogging is caused by an un­ cessive seepage moisture rarely bas In the fl at areas around Delta, derlying hard pan. Here, water in been observed. However, in one Utah, a rising water table made the seeped areas is derived prin­ site near Flowell, Utah, and in necessary an eA1:ensive system of cipally from u n 1 in e d irrigation several near South Pavilion, Wyo­ drainage rutches. However, as a rutches and canals a short rustance ming, areas within nesting sites result of these drains, the nesting away on higher ground. The seep­ have become so moist that free wa­ sites were limited to a few remain­ age water is augmented periodical­ ter can be squeezed out by hand. ing areas where deep confined wa­ ly by deep percolation from fields This conrution results in exn·emely ter built up artesian pressure, up­ under irrigation. In the Riverton late emergence of the bees and a ward ground water flow, and water­ area water loss through the sandy aeral avoidance of the spot by logged overlying clays. The estab­ canal beds is unusually high and uesting adults. In the cases ob- lishment a n d use of drainage a rutch-lining program is under

FOR JUNE 1955 39 way. In 195-! several forn1erly m·eas like those near H.iverton, \Va­ included the cost of fertilizer, ma­ populous nesting sites were ob­ pato, and the Uinta Basin, com­ nure, seed potatoes, sacks, chem­ served in which, as a result of ditch plete ditch lining would almost icals, fees, and miscellaneous .­ lining, the soil had become nearly certainly result in smaller rather terials. Cost of seed potatoes J dry and the alkali bees bad de­ than larger farm incomes. the largest material cost, account­ clined or disappeared. If the trend Compr.omises Needed ing for 99. .3 percent of the total cost continues, it may be only a ques­ There is an obvious conflict be­ of producing potatoes. Manure and tion of tin1e until alkali bees no tween eff icient water management, fertilizers together accounted fo r longer exist in useful numbers and and the preservation of optimum 7.1 percent of the total. growers in the area give up pro­ nesting condition for alkali bees. Bliss and Pontiac Grown Most Widely duction of alfalfa seed. Compromises resulting in some sacrifice of water and tillable land Bliss and Pontiac potatoes were It is apparent that the making of the most common varieties grown proper recommendations for the will probably work to the advan­ tage of seed growers. In planning in Cache, Box Elder, vVeber, Davis, preser vation of alkali bees is a deli­ and Utah Counties. Preference was such a program, farm advisors, cate matter. vVhere the water table sho·wn for the Russet variety in under a large area rises to damag­ reclamation engineers, and growers must keep in mind that in an al­ 1-Jillard, Iron, Sevier, Piute, and ing heights, drainage is probably Garfield Counties. Fom other vari­ justified even if it means losing falfa seed area the yearly return M esa b ~ White Rose, Kenne­ from an acre of ground supporting eties; most of the alkali bees. However, bec, and Cobbler, were also pro­ a dense population of alkali bees within a lm·ge territory needing duced on a few enterprises. drainage, it might be feasible to is many times that from an acre of set aside and preserve certain un­ the best farming land. and will Advantages of Combine Harvesting more than offset the loss of many drained areas known to harbor Data collected were analyzed to acre feet of irrigation water. bees. In the case of seed-producing see what advantage, if any, there may be in using combine potato harvesters instead of harvesting by PROFITS IN POTATOES the methods that have been in use (Continued j?·om page 25) for many years. The 13 enterprises on which combine potato harvesters Total labor required in producing supplied by tractors. Tractor use were used were compared with potatoes varies with size of enter­ averaged 13.6 hours per acre for enterprises similar in size anu· ·· prise; and labor reqtu1·ed for har­ all farms studied. Trucks were yields, and using conventional har­ vesting operations varies with used for an average of 3.0 hours vesting methods. That comparison yields. Total labor decreased from per acre, of which 2.6 hams were indicated an average savings per about 86 man hours per acre to for hauling potatoes at harvest time. acre of 6.0 man hours of labor, .5 about 55 as average size increased tractor hams, and 1.7 b"Uck hours O verhead Costs Were 15 Percent of from 2.6 to 19.2 acres. Hours of Total Costs on enterprises using the combine labor per acre for harvesting opera­ harvesters. Total harvesting costs tions increased consistently as 0 \'erhead cos t s amounted to were $45.17 per acre or $.24 per yields increased; h owever, time re­ $27.77 per acre or 1-!.9 percent of hundredweight for enterprises us­ quired in harvesting operations de­ the total cost of production. These ing the combines compared to creased from .22 man hours to .16 included interest on fixed capital $56.37 per acre or $.29 per hundred­ man hours per hundredweight as invesbnents, interest on money in­ weight for enterprises using other yields increased from 101 to 273 vested in the crop, building and harvesting methods. hundredweight per acre. equipment repairs and deprecia­ Yields, Amount of Labor, and Size of Hired labor accounted for 47.1 tion, and taxes on land, water, and drainage. Interest on fixed capital Enterprise Most Important Factors percent of the total used in pro­ io Financial Success was the largest item of overhead ducing potatoes during 1953. It cost, accounting for 9.4 percent of Of various factors associated with accounted for 81.4 percent of the successful production of potatoes, total harvesting labor. the total cost of production. Taxes on land, water, and drainage to­ yield per acre, efficient use of man Power cost includes cost of trac­ gether accounted for 4.0 percent of labor, and size of enterprise as tor, truck, and horsepower used in the total cost of production. measured in acres o.f potatoes were producing potatoes. These costs the most important. Efficiency in amounted to $34.68 per acre or 18.6 Cost of Materi.als Amounted to a Third these three factors is most con­ percent of total cost of producing of Total Costs ducive to economical production. potatoes. Material costs am o u n t e d to A consistent association behveen Principal requirements for power $58.32 per acre or 31.3 percent of yields per acre and cost of prodtt for potato p roduction in 1953 were the total cost of prod11ction. These tion was indicated. Yields rangeu

40 FAR f AND BOJ\1E . C T ENCE