Communication Key For The Pollination Of Almonds

All of those involved in the communication chain for the pollination of almonds, not just the grower and beekeeper, but the pest control adviser (PCA), the bee broker, and more, play a critical role. And as the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Here’s a look at the functions for each player.

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Beekeeper/Bee Broker

  • Engage in agreements with growers.
  • Register hives with the county agricultural commissioner by Jan. 1 each year or upon arrival in California.
  • Request optional notification from the county agricultural commissioner each year upon registration and with any hive movement.
  • Immediately report any suspected pesticide-related bee incidents to the owner-lessee (grower) and the county agricultural commissioner at almond bloom and throughout the year.

Owner/Lessee (or Grower)

  • Engage in agreements with beekeepers/bee brokers.
  • Communicate the details and specifications of the agreements to stakeholders down the chain (farm manager, PCA, applicator).
  • Follow the “Honey Bee Best Management Practices Quick Guide for Almonds” and, if applying pesticides, follow the “Applicator/Driver Honey Bee Best Management Practices Quick Guide for Almonds.”
  • If applying pesticides, contact the local county agricultural commissioner to notify beekeepers with nearby managed hives before making applications any time of year. This is mandatory for “toxic to bees” label statements and recommended for other applications, particularly during almond bloom. When a pesticide to be applied bears “toxic to bees” label statements, beekeepers with hives within 1 mile of the application must be notified — if they have requested notification — by the applicator at least 48 hours before the planned application.
  • Immediately report any suspected pesticide-related bee incidents to the beekeeper/county agricultural commissioner at almond bloom and throughout the year.

Farm Manager (or Grower)

  • Communicate the details and specifications of the pesticide application agreement to the PCA and the applicator.
  • If you’re applying pesticides, contact your local county agricultural commissioner to notify beekeepers with nearby managed hives before making applications any time of year. This is mandatory for “toxic to bees” label statements and recommended for other applications, particularly during almond bloom.
  • Immediately report suspected pesticide-related bee incidents to your beekeeper/county agricultural commissioner at almond bloom and throughout the year.

PCA

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  • Communicate details and specifications of the pesticide application agreement to the applicator.
  • Immediately report suspected pesticide-related bee incidents to the owner or lessee/beekeeper/county agricultural commissioner at almond bloom and throughout the year.

Applicator

  • Before applying pesticides, contact the local county agricultural commissioner to notify beekeepers with nearby managed hives before making applications any time of year. This is mandatory for “toxic to bees” label statements and recommended for other applications, particularly during bloom.
  • Immediately report suspected pesticide-related bee incidents to the grower/beekeeper/county agricultural commissioner.

County Agricultural Commissioner

  • Collect and map locations of managed bees throughout the county based on information provided by registered beekeepers.
  • Provide pesticide applicators the contact information for beekeepers with hives within a 1-mile radius of the application location.
  • Investigate reports of suspected pesticide-related bee incidents.

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