Guide to using bees for crop pollination

PREPARING and maintaining bees for the vital task of pollination is the focus of the new AgGuide Pollination Using Honey Bees, recently released by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Bee keepers and growers of horticultural crops, broad-acre crops and pastures all benefit from bees visiting flowers.

Lead author and NSW DPI honey bees technical specialist Dr Doug Somerville said the new guide provided information for bee keepers to ensure their bees were fit for pollination and informed crop growers on creating an environment that would provide the best results.

“Honey bees are the major insect pollinator of a significant number of flowering crops,” Dr Somerville said.

“Without them it is unlikely that many important crops would be economically viable.

“Recent estimates value honey bee pollinations at $3–4 billion to the Australian economy.

“Australia has approximately 10,000 bee keepers managing over half a million honey beehives, which are potentially available for contract pollination.

“The guide was developed following the success of the course Using Bees for Pollination, delivered at Tocal College last year.”

Dr Somerville said various topics were covered in the guide.

“Bee keepers can learn about orchard design and management, managing hives on the crop, netting and glass houses and post-pollination hive management,” Dr Somerville said.

“Also the important topic on how to make a business agreement between grower and bee keeper is covered in the guide.”

The AgGuide Pollination Using Honey Bees is available for purchase from Tocal College, in printed and e-book formats online at www.tocal.nsw.edu.au or phone 1800 025 520.