The Essex Beekeepers' Pollination Scheme
Much research has been carried out into how crop yields are increased by pollination by honeybees and to ascertain how many hives are needed on particular crops. In past and recent research, IACR-Rothamsted has shown that each hive on or near a grower's land for a year is worth upwards of £1400 to the grower in increased yields.
Even seed crops that are largely wind pollinated, such as oilseed rape and field beans, may benefit from the visits of honeybees thereby setting the lower flower trusses earlier … this may lead to less lodging and better harvesting. The earlier set may give up to a week's earlier start to harvesting, which may mean the difference between a good and poor crop with, perhaps, no need to dry the crop further.
The Pollination Scheme aims to target specific crops by bringing in hives of honeybees when they may be best pollinated. Crops concerned vary from top fruit to seed crops. There is a charge per hive to the farmer of £42 for top fruit and £30 for seed crops, each for up to four weeks.
Frequently they are needed for less time than this since; for example, a few days for apples at the critical time is all that is necessary. This enables minimal changes to the grower's spraying operation. In the case of pear pollination there are examples of heavy cropping with bees and no crop at all without them.
Honeybees may also be used for crops in greenhouses/tunnels and this is much cheaper than importing bumblebees. Examples of this are for early raspberries, strawberries and for borage seed. The charge for this is £36.00 per colony plus a weekly maintenance fee by agreement.
Other field crops pollinated in recent years by honeybees are oilseed rape, sunflower, Canary flower, echium (viper's bugloss or meadowfoam), strawberry, gooseberry, blackcurrant and borage.
The Scheme guarantees the suitability of colonies. If for any reason you feel dissatisfied with the colonies, an independent inspector is asked to examine them at no extra expense to yourself.
This service is provided by EBKA members for EBKA members ; as a charity EBKA takes no responsibility for its delivery. Non members and growers wanting a pollination service should contact the Bee Farmers’ Association www.beefarmers.co.uk
Please contact Geoff Mills pollination@ebka.org Tel 01245 223494 for further information.