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Date: | Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:06:40 -0700 |
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> Alfalfa pollination <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollination> is
somewhat problematic, however, because Western honey bee, the most
commonly used pollinator, are not suitable for this purpose
Unfortunately, this is not true.
The honey bee is not the _ideal_ alfalfa pollinator, however honey bees
were widely used to vastly increase alfalfa yields before the leafcutter
bees were imported and took over the seed pollination business. As I
recall, the seed yield increase from using honey bees was a bout a
factor of ten.
Leaf cutters are much cheaper for the grower, since beekeepers were
typically paid half the alfalfa seed crop for pollinating and many
growers manage their own leafcutters and are not bothered by stings and
honey, heavy hives, wintering, and all the other necessary honey bee
activities.
Currently, honey bee keepers seek out alfalfa for the honey, which is
excellent, and by being there do pollinate alfalfa hay crops. This
pollination does not provide any benefit to the seed grower, and the
beekeeper often pays a token amount of honey for the privilege of being
on the land.
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