Farmers
Why Use Our Pollination Services?
Native pollinators assist in crop pollination, but they cannot be relied upon from year to year. Their populations fluctuate significantly due to weather, habitat loss, and agricultural pesticide use. Managed honeybees offer a consistent, professional solution.
Many crops require honeybees to transfer pollen in order to achieve a good seed set and ensure quality fruit development. As honeybees gather pollen and nectar for their survival, they pollinate crops — and crops are up to 90% dependent on honeybee pollination.
Each year, farmers and growers continue to feed more people using less land. Managed honeybees are the most efficient means to ensure successful pollination across a wide range of crops — and are very much part of this modern agricultural success story.
Farmers and tree growers have an indispensable role to play in our wellbeing and the environment. They contribute to food production and shape large sections of our landscape. We work with farmers to improve the environment and the quality of life of future generations.
Our high-quality pollination service is available to growers across the South East of England. We provide the required quantity of honeybee colonies in appropriate condition, at the time they are needed. Our professional expertise ensures optimum hive placement and density for maximum pollination, with minimum disruption to other farm activities.
Crop-Specific Pollination Information
Oilseed Rape (OSR)
New research published in Basic and Applied Ecology (2022), led by PhD student Stace Fairhurst at the University of Edinburgh and SRUC, revealed a significant compensatory response in oilseed rape plants facing pollination deficits. Affected plants grew taller with a more open structure, making them vulnerable to strong winds, and yielded fewer pods with fewer seeds per pod.
The study found a 60% reduction in fruit set for plants with pollen deficits, compared to 78% in adequately pollinated plants. Under-pollinated plants also produced 21% fewer seeds per pod than those effectively pollinated by insects.
Peas
While peas are largely self-pollinating, cross-pollination by bees can still contribute to increased yields and improved quality — making managed honeybee colonies a valuable addition for pea growers looking to maximise output.
Beans
Field beans are a key part of healthy crop rotation, fixing nitrogen in the soil. Honeybee pollination supports successful field bean growth and sustainable agricultural practices, with studies showing yield increases of up to 138 kg/ha.
Borage
Each borage flower lives for an average of just 21.2 hours, making high-level pollination essential. A comprehensive three-year study conducted in Poland (Stawiarz et al., 2019) found that a single borage plant produces an average of 953 individual flowers over a 56-day flowering span, supplying insects with 1.1 grams of nectar sugars and 1.1 grams of pollen.
Top Fruits and Soft Fruits
Honeybees should be introduced to top and soft fruit crops once approximately 5% blossom is showing — this encourages bees to work the target crop immediately rather than seeking alternative food sources. Honeybees can also be used effectively in polytunnel and greenhouse environments for soft fruits, with yields increasing by up to 30% and fruit size by up to 10%.
The Importance of Pollination
Pollination is a key ecosystem service, vital to the maintenance of both wild plant communities and agricultural productivity. Insect pollination — mostly by bees — is necessary for production in 84% of all crops in Europe and 75% of crops used directly as human food worldwide. In 2005, the economic value of insect pollination amounted to approximately £120 billion globally and around £440 million in the UK per year.
With growing concern about the decline of both domesticated and wild pollinators, ensuring reliable pollination services for food production has never been more critical. By identifying sustainable pollination solutions, we contribute to food security, sustainable agricultural practices, and the maintenance of consumer choice for UK-grown produce.
What's Included in Our Hive Package
As part of every hive package, we supply all clients with a rhubarb plant — a natural, chemical-free way to help control varroa infestations, with the added bonus of fresh rhubarb for you to enjoy. Find out more about our rhubarb plants.
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Interested in our pollination services? Get in touch to discuss your crop requirements and we’ll put together a tailored pollination plan for your farm.