Australia: Farmers to benefit from bee-friendly pastures producing healthier honey

Farmers across Western Australia now have an extra incentive to grow legume pastures, especially aerial seeded clovers. It has previously been found that some of these species have potential medicinal properties from their leaves and roots. Already widely used for livestock fodder either for direct grazing, silage or hay and as a natural fertiliser delivering atmospheric nitrogen to the soil, honey production may also become a significant by-product of growing these clovers. Not only would this benefit farmers in terms of potential extra income, it would provide a diverse nectar and pollen source for beekeepers. As the flowering windows of the clovers are known, bee keepers could then plan when to introduce and remove hives each year. They would not have to rely on mother nature for flowering times, as is the case for honeys harvested from native bushland or forests where flowering is dependent on a multitude of external factors. It could also boost their honey production if ...