![Bee pollinating flower.](https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/cahnrs/uploads/sites/40/pollinators-other-1.jpg)
Other Pollinators
- Specialty Pollinators and Alfalfa Seed Facts
- Washington is the #2 producer of alfalfa seed in the U.S.
- Nearly 14 million lbs of alfalfa seed were produced in Washington in 2015
- The state’s 2015 alfalfa seed crop was valued at nearly $35 million
- Alfalfa seed production relies heavily on two bees
- Alkali bee
- Alfalfa leafcutting bee
- Pollinators are the single largest expense to growers of alfalfa seed
- Growers can lose up to 50% of their bees to diseases, parasites, pesticides, and other causes
- Techniques to integrate pollinator safety with pest management are constantly being researched and tested
Contact
![Doug Walsh](https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/cahnrs/uploads/sites/40/doug-walsh.jpg)
Doug Walsh, Washington State IPM Coordinator and leader of the state’s Extension IPM Implementation team, leads the team’s efforts in specialty pollinator protection