WCN Dec e

Demand for strong hives to cover all
almond ground in the state requires
that both sides agree on exact
terms and put them in writing.
are compensated for additional expenses
in providing
quality hives.
Growers can further monitor colony
strength by walking orchards daily
during bee flight hours to observe
activity levels. When walking orchards
during bee flight hours, growers should
look for bees carrying pollen on their
legs, which confirms that pollination
is taking place. In addition, growers
should record hives that appear weak,
having few bees coming and going at
the hive entrance during the day, or
inactive, and then report those hives to
the beekeeper.
’
Other Considerations
Qualls noted that bee supplies
remain tight. If beekeepers can keep
winter losses under 40%, there should
be adequate numbers. She said losses
were only anticipated to be in the 25%
to 30% range this year. Varroa mites,
drought and lack of native forage have
had negative effects on hive strength,
she said, and beekeepers have higher
costs in maintaining healthy hives.
She noted that as demand for pollination
services has increased, higher
prices will likely follow, though they
have held steady at $200 to $210 for the
last two years. Hives priced at lower
rates may mean beekeepers haven’t
made the effort needed to control varroa
mites, Qualls said.
Rising costs for inputs and the ongoing
drought have been hard on both almond
growers and beekeepers this year,
Lewis said. When it comes to pricing
information for pollination, Lewis said
California State Beekeepers Association
generally surveys beekeepers at their
annual meeting and then publishes that
information.
Besides frame and grading requirements,
House said other important
contract points are number of hives
delivered, delivery date, price per hive
and payment schedule. Pesticide applications
when bees are present in the
orchard can also be part of the contract.
The pest management plan for the
orchard should be shared with beekeepers
to make them aware of the products
that may be used, Lewis said. Beekeepers
are asked to register their sites with
the county, but it is also important that
they relay contact information to PCAs.
Who will change water after a pesticide
application should also be specified.
“Both growers and beekeepers should
have a clear understanding of the elements
of the contract,” Lewis said.
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