Pollination services

Pollination of crops by bees is integral to Victorian agriculture and horticulture. Without bee pollination some crops would suffer greatly reduced yields.

Benefits of pollination services

Many crops benefit from bee pollination resulting in:

• increased yield
• better quality produce.

Pollination services offered by beekeepers are a controlled way of ensuring effective bee pollination of crops.

Some beekeepers are paid to bring their hives into a particular crop to ensure pollination.

Other beekeepers offer the pollination service for free so their bees have access to the crop's pollen and nectar.

People involved in the pollination chain

Good communication between growers, beekeepers or brokers, agronomists, hive auditors and government agencies is important for successful pollination. Everyone involved has a role to play in keeping bees healthy, meeting legal requirements and achieving good crop pollination.

Click on each participant below to learn about their role and responsibility.

Hive Standards

Beehives used for crop pollination must meet an agreed standard between the beekeeper (or broker) and the grower. This standard should be written clearly in the pollination agreement so everyone knows what is expected. Regular hive inspections, or audits, should be carried out to make sure the hives continue to meet the agreed standard.

The exact requirements may be different depending on the crop being pollinated. However, the minimum hive standard should include:

• an average of 8 full-depth frames of bees, with no hive having fewer than 6 frames
• 2 full frames or 4 half frames of brood containing all stages of bee development
• at least 3 full frames of stored honey in the hive while the bees are being used for pollination.
• an active queen bee that is laying eggs
• enough space in the hive for the colony to grow
• effective management of diseases, pests and viruses.

Visit the Bee Aware website for more pollination dependant crop information.

The auditor should inspect a sample of apiaries to make sure they meet the requirements in the pollination agreement. Growers can also check hive health by walking through their crops and watching bee activity.

Unusual hives with very few bees or no bee movement at the entrance, should be reported to the beekeeper or broker as soon as possible.

This helps ensure problems are fixed quickly and pollination is completed successfully.

Hive checks should be carried out when the temperature is above 14°C, there is little or no wind, and the weather is sunny. These conditions help bees stay active, making it easier to assess the strength and health of the hive.

Pollination agreements

A pollination agreement is an important document that helps growers and beekeepers or brokers clearly understand their responsibilities during the pollination period. The agreement should be developed together by all parties to make sure it is fair, accurate, and meets everyone's needs.

The agreement may include:

• the number of hives provided and the agreed colony strength
• the dates and times for hive delivery and removal
• details about the grower, where the beehives will be located, the type of crop being pollinated, and the size of the area that needs pollination
• details of the beekeeper’s or broker’s current registrations and certifications
• any special arrangements, such as plans for pesticide spraying
• payment rates, such as the amount paid for each hive or frame of bees
• insurance requirements, including public liability insurance to cover accidental damage
• the varroa mite status of the bees, including any treatments or management practices being used.

Use the pollination agreement template [MS Word Document - 61.9 KB] to help develop an agreement between the grower and beekeeper or broker.

Growers should give beekeepers advance notice if pesticides will be used so the beehives can be moved to keep the bees safe. The agreement should also explain any extra payments or changes if the bee colonies are stronger or weaker than expected, and who is responsible for any damage to hives, such as damage caused by vehicles. This is especially important when hives come from areas where varroa mites are present, as the bees may need varroa treatments during the pollination period.

Beekeepers should comply with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

Hive locations on your property

Most growers set up their properties to maximise the area available for crops. As a result, there may not always be ideal places left for beehives.

This can be more challenging when several hive sites are needed. For example, hives may be supplied by different beekeepers, or a large crop area may need to be pollinated at the same time.

When choosing hive locations, consider the following:

• Vehicle access
  Hive sites should be easy for large vehicles to reach in all weather conditions. There should be enough space for trucks to turn around and safely load or unload hives without disturbing the bees.
• 24-hour access
  Beekeepers often deliver and collect hives at night when all the bees have returned to the hive and the weather is cooler. Hive sites should be accessible at any time so hives can be moved safely when needed.
• Protection from weather
  During warm weather, hive sites should have shade in the late afternoon to help keep bees cool. In late winter and early spring, hive sites should also be protected from frost to help keep the bees healthy and active.
• Distance from busy areas
  Place hives away from areas with lots of vehicle or foot traffic. This reduces the risk of people being stung and allows bees to work without disturbance.
• Buffer zones
  Hive sites should be placed away from areas where pesticides are used and away from beehives owned or managed by other beekeepers. This helps protect bees from chemical exposure and reduces the risk of pests and diseases spreading between hives.
• Weed management
  Hive sites should be kept free of weed seeds. This helps prevent weeds from being spread between farms.
• Away from flood zones
  Make sure the hive site is not in an area that could flood. This includes low-lying areas and places near irrigation lines that could leak or burst.

Responsibilities of beekeepers and growers

Beekeepers and/or brokers must:

1. Keep in regular contact with the grower and make sure they understand the importance of giving notice before any spraying takes place. Insecticides are usually the most harmful chemicals for bees, but some herbicides and fungicides can also be harmful.
2. Inspect hives regularly and keep colonies healthy and strong so they can provide effective pollination. If a hive does not meet the pollination standard agreed to in the pollination agreement, the beekeeper should manage the issue and replace the hive with one that meets the required standard. This helps ensure there are enough healthy bees available throughout the pollination period.

Growers must:

1. Keep in regular contact with the beekeeper or broker and let them know ahead of time about any planned spraying. This includes spraying in the crop being pollinated and in nearby areas where chemicals could affect the bees.
2. Protect bees from disturbance so they can pollinate crops effectively. Good communication is important, and even a simple phone call can help prevent bee losses and reduce the risk of lower crop yields. Growers, beekeepers, and brokers should keep their contact details up to date, including mobile and landline phone numbers, so they can contact each other quickly when needed.

Further information about bee friendly practices can be found at Living in Harmony – Pesticides and Bees.

Protecting bees during pollination

Growers must make sure that bees are not disturbed or harmed by agricultural chemicals. This includes insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

Do not spray any agricultural chemicals on a crop being pollinated by bees. If this is not possible the beekeeper has to be notified at least 48 hours before spraying takes place. This gives the beekeeper enough time to take any action needed to protect the bees.

After being notified, the beekeeper will assess the risk to the bees and decide whether to:

1. Leave the hives in the crop during spraying.
2. Move the hives to a safe location while spraying is underway.
3. Close the hives temporarily during the spraying period.

If a chemical with a residual effect is used, the hives may need to remain away from the crop for a period of time after spraying. Always follow the chemical product label directions, including any withholding periods and instructions for safe use.