Alternative species for pollination didn't pan out

[Bakersdozen]

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-promising-backup-to-the-honeybee-is-shut-down/

As the article explains, almonds growers grew nervous during the decline of the honey bee.  Some began exploring other species of bees.  Here is the results.

[apisbees]

But when asked why the company decided to discontinue the program right as the BOB season was about to begin, Mark Carmel, director of corporate communications, replied in a written statement, “We’ve determined that continuation of the program is not financially feasible. In addition, we were unable to consistently achieve the level of female replication needed to make the program successful.”

It sums it up perfectly, Keeping bees 52 weeks a year for five weeks when needed, and having large enough populations when they are needed.
breed a almond tree that blooms a month later and they could have all the honey bees that they need as dead out colonies could be replaced by then.

[Perry]

I'm thinking water will be more of a problem in the future, not bees.

[Bakersdozen]

I got a big lesson in shipping honey bees to the almond trees this weekend.  I heard Randy Oliver speak and he shared how he prepares his colonies for almond bloom.  Wow, it's intense how he starts in January.  They open the hives to feed pollen sub no matter what the weather.  Rain, sleet, snow it doesn't matter.  He starts with 1600 hives and may end up with 1000 going to the almonds.  Weak colonies don't go or are combined.  He leaves 200 behind for breeding queen stock.  When the almond pollinators are brought home, he splits them and makes nucs to sell.  He also breeds his own queens.