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Pollination Survey

Lucerne Australia conducted a pollination survey 2008.

There has been quite a bit of conjecture in the past as to exactly what is normal when it comes to lucerne pollination. The survey conducted hopes to gives members an insight into the thoughts and experiences of other grower.
 
The survey certainly highlights the importance that growers place in pollination and the confidence they have in their chosen apiarist with 93% of respondents running bees on irrigated lucerne, and 63% believing that their apiarist has strong hives. The data collated could be deemed as representing the sector quite well as 67% of respondents had areas above 100 ha. The data returned shows that the mid sized properties were the best represented, with 100-200 hives being used by 47% of respondents, and 23% having 200-400 hives. This shows that the demographic that we are representing is the mid range grower with 100+ hectares of lucerne and 100-400 hives.
 
The surprising figures returned was the amount paid for pollination. 47% of respondents were paying $0 - $5 / hive as can be seen in the chart below.
 
Anecdotal data suggested that the primary variation in rates was due to location, with those in southern regions paying significantly more for hives.
 
The data confirmed that the average stocking rate of hives on irrigation is approximately 2.5 hives / ha.
 
This has been an been assumed figure in the past, but never confirmed. The results indicated that 46% were 1-2 hives / ha and 47% were above that rate.
 
In the dryland the stocking rates were surprisingly high. Those who actually ran bees on their dryland (43% of respondents) stocked them at similar stocking rates to irrigation, with 30 % in the 1-2 hives / ha range.
 
The stand out figure in dryland was the cost of the hives, or lack of. 50% of respondents indicted that they are paying $0-$5 . Ha for their bees, with only 3% paying over $15 / hive.
 
Australia compared to other countries does have very low stocking rates of bees. California for example would bee stocking hives at 3-4 / ha. The survey responses indicated that 33% of growers believed that their apiarist would be open to higher stocking rates, and 53% maybe open to higher stocking rates.