Contractors are out in force over the next few weeks collecting flowers for pollen milling. It’s important to select flowers for milling that are as clean as possible, to reduce the risk of spreading Psa via pollen.

For the past 3 years, KVH has been collecting pollen samples from Recovery regions and had them tested by Hill Laboratories for Psa.

Last year, Psa was detected in all 11 samples tested and all 33 sub-samples. The levels of Psa detected were all high. Live Psa bacteria was found when culturing 28 of the 33 sub samples.

Please refer to KVH Protocol: Artificial Pollination for further details on requirements for pollen mills and flower collectors.