BOOK REVIEW

Almond Pollination Handbook. Joe Traynor 86 pgs. Soft. $7.00pp.

Between the 1950s and '80s, California's almond industry went from 90,000 to 400,000 acres. Approximately 800,000 colonies are needed to pollinate this crop each spring, half of which come from out of state. This annual event is unsurpassed in the history of the beekeeping industry, and without doubt points toward the future of beekeeping and crop production in the U.S., and eventually the world.

Because of the immensity and importance of this
co-production event, undertaking the task of outlining the basics of
successfully developing an almond orchard,
marketable pollinating
colonies, and relationship between grower and beekeeper is formidable. This small but powerful handbook succeeds. And the author does so in an easy-to-read and easy-to-use style.

Written by Joe Traynor, who operates a pollination and agricultural consulting service in Bakersfield, CA, this book explores, in easily under-stood language requirements and responsibilities of almond grower and pollinator.

It discusses how and where to hire the right strength colonies, and what beekeepers need to do to get them to the right strength. Given several options, cost is also discussed, along with contracts.

Distribution for optimum fruit set, colonies/ac., competing bloom, placement and removal timing, bee activity and other fruit set considerations are discussed. It is made crystal clear that good fruit set requires bees, but poor set is not always due to poor pollination.

The beekeeper's perspective is somewhat different, even though the goals are the same.

Traynor addresses making contracts, existing regulations (both into CA, and back home), and information sources. Definitely worth checking out if you're interested in pursuing this business.

But there's more. What each part of the state offers in cover crops, weather and orchards, along with pesticide exposure. But probably the best information is found in the sections on preparing colonies for pollination in mid- to late-February - definitely a problem for some outfits. Equalizing colonies, measuring potential, feeding and medicating - all are necessary to produce a colony that meets the needs of a grower.

Traynor, who was a beekeeper, offers a balanced, insightful look at the needs of both grower and beekeeper. He realizes growers need very high fruit set to be competitive, but bees are not always responsible if that doesn't occur. He also realizes growers need their money's worth when renting colonies and what a colony is worth.

Even if you never intend to truck bees to CA, but do pollinate crops, this book will serve you well. And, perhaps even better, $4.00 of the $7.00 cost is donated to mite research. What could be better?

To order, send $7.00 to Kovak Books, P.O. Box 1422, Bakersfield, CA 93302.

Kim Flottum BEE CULTURE

California produces more than half of the world's almonds. All of the important almond cultivars grown in California are self-unfruitful and require cross-pollination. Honey bees are the primary agents to move pollen from the anthers of one cultivar's flower to the stigma of another cultivar's flower.

Traynor gives a concise yet thorough review of almond pollination. The booklet is easy to read and should be understood readily by the layperson. It is written for the almond grower and beekeeper; however, it is also a good reference for farm advisors, consultants, and researchers.

The first chapter is devoted to a general discussion of almond pollination. The remainder of the booklet is organized into two major sections - one for almond growers and the other for beekeepers. In the grower section, orchard design for pollination, factors that growers should consider when renting bees, and ways that the grower can help the beekeeper to maximize pollination are covered thoroughly. The section for beekeepers emphasizes how to get started in almond pollination, regulations affecting bees, and bee placement and management within the orchard. In addition, information on the need for bees and the cost of feeding bees to provide strong colonies for almond pollination is covered. Traynor discusses pollinators other than honey bees and factors other than pollination that can affect nut set. A section of 12 color photos illustrates some of the points made in the text.

Much of the publication is based on studies by university and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture researchers. Traynor also presents some interesting and novel ideas that, at times, may conflict with conventional wisdom, but they are well thought out and should give readers cause for reflection. Although there are a few minor points that may be questioned, the important information is accurately and factually presented.

More information on Africanized honey bees and their affect on almond pollination would be useful. Although a more complete glossary is not critical, it would be helpful to those not particularly familiar with the bee industry or almond pollination.

This is a relatively unbiased publication that explains almond pollination clearly. It points out the needs and concerns of both growers and beekeepers.

WARREN C. MICKE Dept. of Pomology Univ. of California Davis

B00K REVIEW: Almond Pollination Handbook by Joe Traynor

You might ask why should an Iowa beekeeper be interested in
a handbook on almond pollination. I'll give you two reasons. 1.) Many of the principles of pollinating almonds also apply to pollinating any crop, especially other tree fruits. 2.) The demand for honey bees to pollinate California almonds and the opportunity to earn some cash during an off-time of the year may be attractive to some Iowa beekeepers.

The book is divided into two sections, the first section for the almond grower and the second for the beekeeper. Topics for the grower include: orchard design for pollination, renting bees, pollination management, bee removal and alternate insect pollinators. This section makes this book the ideal gift for an orchardist for which you are currently providing pollination services or a prospective customer. A similar manual for fruit growers in Iowa (primarily, apples and some cherries, pears, plums, peaches and apricots) would certainly be valuable.

The section written for the beekeeper covers topics such as pollination agreements, state regulations, theft, bee delivery, pesticides, preparing colonies, bee removal, time and duration of bloom and grower-beekeeper communication.

This 86-page handbook is well written and printed on nice glossy paper, well organized for easy reference, and has some nice color photography. And last, but not least, the price is right -- $7.00 (which includes shipping and handling). To obtain a copy send a check to Kovak Books, P.O. Box 1422, Bakersfield, CA 93302.

This interesting and thought-provoking little book goes far beyond what might be expected from the title. Not that it wanders, but its perceptive analysis of the real factors affecting California almond growers and beekeepers, now and in the past, is sociological as well as agronomic.

Traynor shows that Californian almond growers and beekeepers are locked into a tight symbiosis with effects which reverberate throughout the US West Coast agricultural community. As an example, almond growers are effectively subsidizing both local alfalfa seed producers and Washington apple growers up the coast. In winter the Montana beekeepers, instead of hibernating their bees, now send them to California to work in the sun as part of a circular tour, passing on to Pacific Northwest traditional fruit growers.

This symbiosis is based on a distinctive feature of almond pollination - these trees need a set of 30-60% of blossoms for a bumper crop, while most orchard crops need only 5-10% set.

The overt subject matter of the book is dealt with very competently and in detail. The first section, For Almond Growers, covers orchard design for pollination, and includes good tables of pollen compatibility variety groups and bloom dates. Extensive practical information is given on renting bees, on pollination management, and bee removal. Some consideration is given to other factors affecting nut set, self-pollinating almond varieties, other insect pollinators, and importing bees from Canada.

The second section, For Beekeepers, comprehensively covers the whole field from the other point of view - even such things as the impact of California state income tax on out-of-state based apiarists.

Finally, Traynor looks at the long-range future of California's almond industry (excellent), and suggests that the Central Valley, where all the almond plantings are located, will see a gradual shift of orchards from the west to the centre, because of water-supply limitations.

This book is well produced and illustrated and is highly recommended.

Western Australian Nut & Tree Crop Association