Get Ca Project Apis Sample Almond Pollination Agreement 2007-2025

The self-fertile (sometimes referred to as self-pollinating) almond variety 'Independence' was first introduced in 2008 and represented a major breakthrough for the almond industry in its bid to reduce dependence on honeybees for pollination.

It takes approximately two hives' worth of bees to pollinate every acre of almonds trees, meaning California's almond crop requires a total of around 80 billion insects in 1.7 million hives altogether.

Beekeepers house the bees so they can adjust to the California climate,” Lewis said. “Then, they are moved to almond orchards around early February when blossom season begins. Finally, once their work is done, many of the honeybees are shipped back across the U.S.”

Almond trees are not self-pollinating, so they need some extra help to pollinate flowers and start the process of growing nuts. Honey bees provide that essential link. During bloom season, honey bees move from tree to tree foraging for pollen and nectar, and pollinating almond blossoms along the way.

Does Almond Tree Pollination Require Two Trees? Most almond varieties are self-incompatible, meaning they cannot pollinate themselves. You will need at least two trees, and they'll need to be of two different varieties that are compatible and have overlapping bloom times.

Beekeepers often transport their commercial honey bee colonies more than 1,000 miles as part of an annual journey that typically begins in the Northern Great Plains—which includes North and South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota—and proceeds to California and beyond.

Most almonds require cross-pollination between varieties in order to produce nuts. Therefore, it's important to consider pollination strategies that ensure consistent and reliable nut set. Honey bees are the most important pollinators of almond in California.