By Scout Nelson
A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores ways to improve pollination contracts between beekeepers and California almond growers, which could benefit both parties.
Almond trees require large numbers of honey bee hives for pollination, with around 1.3 million acres of almond orchards in California needing 2.6 million hives annually. Most commercial bee colonies in the U.S. travel to California for this almond bloom season, then relocate elsewhere for the rest of the year.
“You can think of commercial beekeepers as livestock producers who engage in rotational grazing, moving colonies to the places where there are flowers blooming so the bees can find food. I’m interested in how beekeepers deal with risk in their operation and how that affects pollination contracts,” said Brittney Goodrich, assistant professor at the University of Illinois.
The study aimed to find out if certain contract clauses could make pollination agreements more attractive to beekeepers. They examined features such as protection against pesticide exposure, planting bee-friendly cover crops, and prepayments.
Beekeepers were surveyed, and the results showed that pesticide protection was the most valued clause.
“Usually, fungicides aren’t harmful to honey bees, but they can become synergistically toxic if they are mixed together. We included a contract clause specifying that growers would not tank mix fungicides, and they would only apply at night, when honey bees aren’t foraging so the risk of exposure is low,” said Goodrich. Beekeepers were willing to accept a small discount for this protection.
Cover crops, which provide extra nutrition to bees, were also appreciated by beekeepers, though the effectiveness of these crops depends on water availability in drought-prone California. The survey found that beekeepers valued certain crops like brassicas and soil builders for their nutritional benefits.
Beekeepers also valued receiving a portion of their payment upfront, as it helps cover transportation costs and guarantees income.
This research suggests that incorporating these contract elements could create more attractive offers for beekeepers and help almond growers secure reliable pollination services. The study offers valuable insights for both parties in negotiating fair and mutually beneficial contracts.
Photo Credit: pixabay-myriams-fotos
Categories: South Dakota, Crops