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

Published Oct 16, 2024

Tridge summary

Farmers in Western Australia are being encouraged to grow legume pastures, particularly aerial seeded clovers, due to their potential medicinal properties and benefits for beekeeping. Research has found that honey produced by bees feeding on these clovers, known as 'clover honey,' contains unique compounds with health benefits, including alleviating symptoms of menopause. This discovery could lead to the development of clover honey or other nectar products into health foods or dietary supplements. The research also highlights the importance of providing reliable nectar and pollen sources for bees, which can also benefit farmers by increasing seed set and supporting native pollinators.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

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 ...

Source: Farmweekly