In an aspect, a decision platform that optimizes honey value chain can be provided. The decision platform may receive images of a geographic region including catchment areas, run a first machine learning model with the images as input to identify resources in the catchment areas, run a second machine learning model with the identified resources to predict pollen and nectar concentration in the catchment areas, run a third machine learning model with at least the predicted pollen and nectar concentration to predict honey yield in each of the catchment areas, and determine placement of a swarm to at least one of the catchment areas. The decision platform may also control an unmanned aerial vehicle to guide the swarm to at least one of the catchment areas.

In an aspect, a decision platform that optimizes honey value chain can be provided. The decision platform may receive images of a geographic region including catchment areas, run a first machine learning model with the images as input to identify resources in the catchment areas, run a second machine learning model with the identified resources to predict pollen and nectar concentration in the catchment areas, run a third machine learning model with at least the predicted pollen and nectar concentration to predict honey yield in each of the catchment areas, and determine placement of a swarm to at least one of the catchment areas. The decision platform may also control an unmanned aerial vehicle to guide the swarm to at least one of the catchment areas.

Techniques for drone device control are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises establishing, by a plurality of drone devices respectively operatively coupled to processors and coordinating with one other, a defined region of a defined coordinate space of a geographic area, wherein the defined region is associated with an animal. The computer-implemented method also comprises monitoring, by the plurality of drone devices, a physical relationship between the animal and the defined region. The computer-implemented method can also comprise, in response to identifying that the physical relationship between the animal and the defined region fails to meet a criterion, performing, by the plurality of drone devices, a pattern of operations selected to alter the physical relationship between the animal and the defined region to satisfy the criterion.

Techniques for drone device control are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises establishing, by a plurality of drone devices respectively operatively coupled to processors and coordinating with one other, a defined region of a defined coordinate space of a geographic area, wherein the defined region is associated with an animal. The computer-implemented method also comprises monitoring, by the plurality of drone devices, a physical relationship between the animal and the defined region. The computer-implemented method can also comprise, in response to identifying that the physical relationship between the animal and the defined region fails to meet a criterion, performing, by the plurality of drone devices, a pattern of operations selected to alter the physical relationship between the animal and the defined region to satisfy the criterion.

A bee swarm box and associated method of use is disclosed. The bee swarm box includes a first and second body portions. The first and second body portions are convertible between a closed configuration and a nested configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second body portions are brought together forming an internal cavity configured to receive bees and a first plurality of framelike elements. In the nested configuration, the first aligning portion of the first body portion projects so as to nest with the first aligning portion of the second body portion, aiding the first and second body portions in forming the nested configuration. The nested configuration saves space when transporting the bee swarm box between locations.

A bee swarm box and associated method of use is disclosed. The bee swarm box includes a first and second body portions. The first and second body portions are convertible between a closed configuration and a nested configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second body portions are brought together forming an internal cavity configured to receive bees and a first plurality of framelike elements. In the nested configuration, the first aligning portion of the first body portion projects so as to nest with the first aligning portion of the second body portion, aiding the first and second body portions in forming the nested configuration. The nested configuration saves space when transporting the bee swarm box between locations.

A method of managing livestock includes selecting an area of interest (AOI) from among a plurality of AOIs as a target AOI, defining a route along which livestock is to be guided to the target AOI, guiding the livestock to the target AOI via the defined route using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), identifying a stress condition of the livestock using the UAV, and reducing the stress condition of the livestock using the UAV. Identifying the stress condition includes identifying an animal not belonging to the livestock causing stress in at least one animal belonging to the livestock. Reducing the stress condition includes diverting the identified animal not belonging to the livestock away from the livestock by adjusting the distance of the UAV relative to the identified animal.

A method to inhibit bees from escaping a hive through a hive entrance, including the steps of providing a source for cooling air, and operating the source for cooling air to provide air cooling at the hive entrance to a temperature below 14? C. to provide thermal conditions at the hive entrance that inhibit bees from leaving the hive through the hive entrance.

A method to inhibit bees from escaping a hive through a hive entrance, including the steps of providing a source for cooling air, and operating the source for cooling air to provide air cooling at the hive entrance to a temperature below 14? C. to provide thermal conditions at the hive entrance that inhibit bees from leaving the hive through the hive entrance.

A biodegradable swarm lure formulation effective to provide for continuous release of one or more queen bee pheromone from a carrier over an extended period of time to effectively attract members of target honey bee populations includes a tincture of queen bee and a carrier effective to provide a substantially continuous release of the at least one queen bee pheromone over an extended period of time. One swarm lure formulation includes a tincture of queen bee, a biodegradable wax carrier, an emulsifier, a citral, a geraniol and a lemon grass oil. A swarm lure formulation dispenser can be used to apply a quantity of the swarm lure formulation to a swarm trap or hive to attract honey bees to the swarm trap or hive to encourage creation of a new colony of honey bees in the swarm trap or hive.