Published on 15 December 2025

Agricultural crops

The bee not only gathers honey, pollen and propolis, but while foraging it pollinates many flowers.

What is the importance of honeybees for the pollination of cultivated and wild plants? What is the economic importance of bees for agriculture?

The cultivation of catch crops in the autumn for ground cover after the grain harvest is a common agricultural practice. Some beekeepers are pleased with this extra foraging opportunity, whilst others fear a weakening of the colonies and premature exhaustion of the winter bees after flight into catch crops. The experiment presented here aimed to clarify whether the late flight from the hive led to a weakening or stimulation of the colonies before the winter, and whether the overwintering of the colonies was affected.
As part of the plan for improving bee health, the Swiss Confederation has expanded the options for direct payments for the placement of pollinator flower strips. Agridea has published a booklet of recommendations for farmers wishing to establish such flower strips.