Bees & Pollination

Why are bees, beekeepers and pollination so important?

Bees and flowering plants have evolved, creating a symbiotic relationship - two biologically different organisms that have evolved to mutually benefit each other. The plant benefits because it is pollinated and reproduces and the bees benefit by collecting the nectar produced by the plant. Pollination of plants ensures that they can regenerate. This supports humanity with all components of our diet in one way or another.

As pest and diseases become more and more prevalent, beekeepers become crucial in maintaining bee populations worldwide. Since the invasion of the parasitic Varroa mite in New Zealand in the early 2000’s, wild bee colonies have been wiped out entirely. New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural industries rely on bees to pollinate their crops. They not only provide food for our nation, but also support our largest export industry.

It’s straight forward as to why pollination is required in horticulture. But the importance of bees in meat and dairy can be unclear... it’s as simple as this:

• Pastoral farming requires the growth of legumes (such as clover) to produce pasture for healthy thriving livestock.

• Legumes play an important role nitrogen-fixing our soils.

• They absorb atmospheric nitrogen as well as ammonia from

  decomposition of plant material.

• They convert this to useable forms of nitrogen (nitrates and

  nitrites) which are absorbed by plants and stored in their roots.

• Without pollination, legumes wouldn’t set enough viable seed to

  maintain themselves and fix nitrogen in our soils.

• Without legumes, the pasture and soil will become depleted of

  minerals and require larger application of artificial nitrogen

  fertilizers.

• Bees are an important part of ecosystems as a whole.