> Seems that honey bees are usually able to survive by sheer force of numbers, but honey crops are probably reduced.

This is simply not borne out by real world experience. In Canada there is overwhelming evidence that honey production reaches record highs when bees are placed in canola. 

> In the past decade, the number of honeybees in Canada has reached near-record levels (more than 700,000 colonies Canada-wide in 2012, up from 600,000 in 2000. More than 70 per cent of these colonies are in Western Canada, where canola has become one of the most important crops.

> The health of hives in Western Canada remains high as these two industries grow in close proximity. The overwhelming majority of beekeepers have reported no problems with canola production practices. Beekeepers seek out canola fields because they are such a good nectar/pollen source, and canola growers know it is in their own best interest to protect this mutually beneficial relationship.

http://www.canolacouncil.org/markets-stats/industry-overview/bees-and-canola-a-sweet-relationship/

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