Ballarat Backyard Beekeepers' migratory colonies are part of the nation's biggest stock movement, working to ensure almond crops are a blooming success this year.

Best-known for creating honey and supporting the region's beekeepers, Ballarat Backyard Beekeepers' Scott Denno and Amanda Collins also enjoy helping producers across the state when it comes to pollination.

This is their third season sending their bees to almond crops, this year based along the Murray River from Hattah to Swan Hill.

"Our bees generally do pretty well. They come out of their winter spell with the warmth but the dry condition up there really help," Mr Denno said.

"Almond growers where our bees are have become really good at letting weeds and more native grasses grow, which seems strange for their crops. But, if there is more than one pollen, bees tend to be more attracted to the pollen."

Mr Denno said almond pollen was generally of good quality and, while having no direct impact on honey taste, this encouraged bees' breeding.

Australia's almond industry relies wholly on honey bees for pollination and requires about 277,000 hives this season, which are trucked to the orchards across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Bees tend to stick close to their own hives.

The almond flowering season begins in late July and continues for about six weeks. Winter chill encourages the trees to burst into bloom with flowers, which are cross-pollinated by honey bees moving pollen throughout the orchard.

Mr Denno said it was a beautiful time of the year in the state's north-west for his bees to get to work.

Once finished in the almond orchards, Ballarat bees will move on to help pollinate other crops, such as faba beans.

"Some crops are paid but a lot are just passion for us," Mr Denno said. "The pollination trail helps keep us connected to the industry."

IN OTHER NEWS:

About 35 Australian horticultural and agricultural industries depend on pollination services provided by our honey bees.

This includes for seed production of crops that provide feed to our meat and livestock industries, for example lucerne depends on honey bee pollination to produce seed. Macadamias, cherries and mangoes also highly rely on bee pollination.

Beekeeping is recognised as an essential service and the industry has been navigating differing COVID-19 restrictions between states.

- with Stock and Land