BeeHero has announced the expansion of its Pollination Insight Platform (PIP) to the apple industry, offering growers data-driven insights to optimize pollination strategies and improve yields. The platform, which utilizes in-field sensing technology, aims to address challenges specific to apple pollination, where timing and precision are critical for fruit size, quality, and overall production.
Apples, with more than 100 varieties grown in the United States alone, require precise pollination management to ensure optimal yields. Factors such as bloom timing, hive placement, and pest management must be carefully coordinated. The decline in managed honey bee colonies, with loss rates exceeding 55% in the U.S., has made effective pollination strategies increasingly important. PIP provides real-time data and predictive models to help apple growers make informed decisions regarding pollination timing and resource management.
Using low-cost IoT sensors placed throughout orchards, the platform allows growers to monitor bloom progression and determine the optimal time for hive deployment. This synchronization helps prevent over-pollination and ensures bees are active during peak bloom periods. PIP also tracks foraging activity, providing insights into the best timing for pest management activities to avoid disrupting pollinators. Additionally, data collected on apple variety and yield projections enables growers to adjust hive placement and density for improved pollination coverage.
The platform features high-resolution heat maps that visualize pollination activity in real-time, allowing growers to compare bee activity with yield outcomes. This data helps refine pollination strategies for future seasons, improving efficiency and sustainability in apple production.
BeeHero has previously applied its sensing technology to various crop systems, integrating AI-powered data analytics and predictive modeling to enhance pollination management. The expansion of PIP to apple orchards aligns with broader efforts to improve agricultural efficiency and support sustainable food production.
For more information:
Shelbi Perkins
BeeHero
Email: Shelbi@BeeHero.io
www.beehero.io
Allison Grey
Headline Media
Tel US: +1 323 283 8176
Tel UK: +44 203 807 4482
allison@headline.media