SARDA Ag Research

Native Pollinator Project

by Shelleen Gerbig, BSA, P.Ag.

Pollinators are critical in crop production, and honey producers often look for clover and canola fields to set up bee yards. But it is a well-known fact that native pollinators are as efficient or more efficient pollinators than tame honey bees.

In 2020 and 2021, honey bees had very high winter mortality rates, likely due to stress caused by the wet year in 2020 and the drought in 2021. The varroa mite is also increasing its detrimental effects on local honey production and pollination. Tame bee hives are in high demand and short supply. Pollination services from honey producers may not be readily available to help with crop production. Maintaining buffer zones next to water features and habitats for wild native pollinators is imperative.

Bee nests provide a place to lay eggs and rear young. About 80% of native bees nest in the ground, and 5% do not make nests. Having undisturbed lands adjacent to fields is a great place for native bees to nest. 15% of the wild bees set up homes in wood or hollow plant cavities. These bees, often called leaf-cutter or mason bees, may live in small groups, but many prefer to live alone. We want to encourage this type of native bee for its ability to pollinate crops. As a yield benefit, a correlational study of 60 million seeded acres of yield data in Alberta obtained from AFSC showed that fields with non-crop areas also have slightly higher canola yields (Canola Research Hub).

SARDA Ag Research has set up two bee houses to encourage wild bees to live and reproduce in the area. While two bee houses will unlikely affect the production could encourage the bees to set up residence in our houses. Bee houses can be a welcome addition to yards and gardens, providing aesthetic and pollination services.

Plan on attending the free SARDA Ag Research Pulse and Cereal Plot Tour on July 19 to view our bee houses and learn about the many different crop trials.