WCN Dec e

Average Colony
Strength
Requirement
8-frame
Total
Percentage of
Responses
11%
28%
46%
15%
Continued from Page 43
Average Pollination
Fee
$ 192.00
$ 184.81
$ 192.05
$ 211.43
years 2010-21. Following the 2012
drought, winter mortality rates were
31%, according to Bee Informed Partnership
(BIP), 38% higher than the previous
winter. Average colony strength
delivered for 2013 almond pollination
dipped Beekeepers 20% Preferred lower than the previous
Bloom timing
year. Cover 2022 Crop almond Mix pollination could see
similar impacts on colony availability
and strength from the 2021 drought.
January-March
Average Premium/
Discount compared
to 8-frame
-0.03%
-3.77%
10.09%
2021 Almond Pollination
Survey Results
March-June
In February 2021 to April 2021, we
conducted an online survey of over 90
commercial beekeepers that participated
in the 2021 almond pollination
market to better understand their almond
pollination decisions. The sample
represented over 19% of hives demanded
for the 2021 almond bloom. The
following sections summarize some key
findings of interest. Some participants
chose not to answer certain questions,
so sample sizes vary and will be indicated
in figures, tables and text.
Potential Benefits to
Almond Orchard
Percentage of
Almond Pollination Responses Fees
We asked survey respondents to
report the fees associated with their
largest almond pollination agreement
in 2021. Reported fees ranged from
$130/colony to $225/colony. Fees vary
due to a number of factors, a primary
determinant being the colony strength
requirement in the agreement. Table
1 shows the average, minimum and
maximum pollination fee by colony
Increased soil organic
matter, water infiltration
Combination of Brassica
and Clover mix benefits
Minimum
$ 175
$ 130
$ 160
$ 200
Maximum
$ 205
$ 200
$ 225
$ 225
$ 192.84 $ 130 $ 225
Table 1. Average 2021 almond pollination fees by average colony strength requirement (N=95)
Proactively mitigating risks to colonies from pesticide exposure and providing
payments in advance are relatively low-cost options for improving upon existing
agreements and enhancing the relationship with your pollination provider.
strength requirement.
Most pollination agreements (46%
of those reported) required eight active
frames for an average fee of $192 in
2021 (Table 1). Across all frame count
categories, the average fee was $193 per
colony. Agreements with higher colony
strength requirements received a 10%
premium compared to eight-frame
agreements, while six- to seven-frame
agreements saw approximately a 4%
discount. Low strength agreements (