BEES AND POLLINATION

Table of Content

The Buzz on Bees: Pollination Services and their Importance in South Africa

Bees and pollination is a prerequisite for a thriving agricultural sector and South African agriculture relies heavily on a hidden army of pollinators – bees.

But pollination isn’t just a happy side effect of honey production; it’s a specialized service that demands dedicated beekeeping practices.

Here we look into the world of bee pollination in South Africa, considering the intricacies of the service, the factors affecting its success, and the crucial partnership between beekeepers and farmers.

Beyond Honey: The Art of Pollination

Supplying bees for crop pollination is a distinct discipline within beekeeping.

Here, the focus isn’t honey production, but cultivating strong colonies with a large workforce of field bees.

These bees are essential for transferring pollen between flowers, ensuring fruit and seed development. This process is vital for over 70% of the world’s flowering plant species, including many of the vegetables, fruits and grains that grace our tables.

Beekeepers achieve optimal pollination performance by meticulously selecting and nurturing colonies to meet specific strength and size standards.

These standards form the cornerstone for pricing pollination services and guarantee optimal performance.

Remember, the number of active bees, not just hives, determines a colony’s effectiveness.

Ideally, each hive should have four or more frames buzzing with brood (developing bees) and enough bees to completely cover them. Additionally, a healthy reserve of honey ensures the colony’s energy needs are met.

Throughout the pollination period, beekeepers may conduct regular hive examinations to monitor for diseases, parasites, and queen health. The examinations also assess the overall health and strength of the colony, ensuring they continue providing the necessary pollination force.

The Diverse World of Pollinators

Honeybees, while the most commercially utilized pollinators, are just one piece of the puzzle.

South Africa boasts a remarkable diversity of native bee species, estimated at over 2000, with many playing crucial roles in specific ecosystems.

These include:

Solitary Bees: Unlike honeybees which live in social colonies, solitary bees live and work alone. However, they are still highly effective pollinators, particularly for certain plant species with whom they’ve developed specialized relationships.
- Species like carpenter bees and mason bees are vital pollinators for fruit trees and legumes.
Flies: Hoverflies, with their long proboscises, are adept at reaching deep within flowers to access nectar and pollen.
- They are particularly important pollinators for umbels (plants with clusters of small flowers), such as carrots and coriander.
Beetles: Scarab beetles, with their fondness for pollen, contribute significantly to pollination, particularly for night-blooming flowers.
Butterflies and Moths: While not as efficient as bees, butterflies and moths also play a role in flower pollination, particularly for brightly colored, fragrant flowers.

Understanding and promoting the health of this diverse pollinator community is crucial for a robust and resilient agricultural ecosystem in South Africa.

Tailoring the Approach: Factors Affecting Bee Deployment

The number of bee colonies required per hectare of crops isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula.

Several factors influence this decision:

Crop Attractiveness: Certain crops are naturally more appealing to bees than others. For instance, brightly colored flowers with readily available nectar and pollen will attract more bees compared to duller varieties. Sunflowers, with their large, pollen-laden heads, are highly attractive to bees, while canola, with its smaller, less conspicuous flowers, might require a higher bee density for effective pollination.
Competition: The surrounding environment plays a significant role. If nearby fields boast competing nectar and pollen sources, be it cultivated plants or weeds in flower, more beehives might be necessary to ensure adequate pollination for the target crop. 20-30 hives per hectare might be sufficient for a well-established orchard with minimal competition, whereas a canola field bordering a natural flower meadow might require double that number.
Fruit Set Ratio: Some crops require a higher percentage of flowers to successfully produce fruit for a profitable harvest. Almonds, for instance, require a high level of cross-pollination between different varieties. This factor directly impacts the number of bees needed for efficient pollination.

Beyond these core considerations, several additional factors can influence bee deployment:

Weather Conditions: Wind, rain, and extreme temperatures can significantly impact bee activity. Beekeepers may need to adjust hive placement or even temporarily relocate colonies to sheltered areas during periods of harsh weather.
Flowering Period: The duration of a crop’s flowering window is a factor. Short flowering windows might necessitate a higher bee density to ensure adequate pollination within the limited timeframe.
Varietal Differences: Even within a single crop species, different cultivars might exhibit varying degrees of attractiveness to bees. Understanding these variations allows for a more tailored pollination approach.

By carefully considering all these factors, beekeepers can create a customized pollination plan that optimizes success for the farmer and maximizes the crop yield.

The Vital Partnership: Beekeepers and Farmers Working Together

A successful pollination season hinges on a strong partnership between beekeepers and farmers.

Open communication and clear expectations are important.

Here are some key aspects to discuss beforehand:

Number of Colonies: Based on the crop type, surrounding competition, desired fruit set ratio, and other relevant factors, the optimal number of bee colonies per hectare will be determined collaboratively. Beekeepers can offer expertise on bee behavior and pollination efficiency, while farmers provide insights into specific crop characteristics and field conditions.
Pesticide Usage: Certain pesticides can be detrimental to bee health, not only killing bees directly but also affecting their navigation and foraging abilities. Discussing planned pesticide application schedules allows the beekeeper to relocate hives temporarily, protecting the bee population and ensuring pollination success. Farmers can explore alternative pest control methods or time applications strategically to minimize impact on bees.
Colony Standards: Transparency regarding the beekeeper’s colony strength and size standards fosters trust and assures the farmer they’re receiving colonies optimized for pollination. Beekeepers can explain their selection process and hive examination procedures, allowing farmers peace of mind about the health and effectiveness of the bee colonies.
Hive Inspection Rights: The farmer might want the right to periodically inspect the hives to verify bee health and colony strength. Establishing clear guidelines for such inspections protects both parties’ interests. Beekeepers can outline their inspection protocols and address any farmer concerns, while farmers can gain a firsthand understanding of the bee colonies entrusted with their crop’s success.
Access and Movement: Beekeepers require unrestricted access to their hives for maintenance, monitoring, and potential relocation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, agreeing on the timeframe for deploying and removing hives from the fields ensures smooth logistics and minimizes disruption to farm operations.
Pollination Fees and Payment: A clear fee structure and agreed-upon payment terms eliminate potential conflict and ensure the beekeeper is fairly compensated for their specialized service. Fees can be structured based on factors like the number of colonies deployed, the duration of pollination services, and the specific crop being pollinated.

By fostering open communication and addressing these crucial pre-season considerations, beekeepers and farmers in South Africa can work together to ensure a successful pollination season.

This collaboration benefits both agricultural productivity and the health of vital bee populations.