Regenerative Agriculture Boosting Honey Bee Health

A recent study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems reveals promising connections between regenerative rangeland grazing and improved honey bee health and productivity.

The research compared honey bee colonies placed on two types of grazing systems in the rangelands of eastern South Dakota: regeneratively managed lands and continuously grazed lands. Regenerative grazing — which moves cattle frequently, uses rest periods for pastures, and mimics natural grazing patterns — led to richer plant communities with more flowers and greater species diversity.

Key findings include:

• More flower abundance and diversity in regenerative systems.

• Stronger honey bee colonies, with better weight gain and brood production linked to improved floral resources.

• Lower incidence of stress factors like harmful mites in bees on regenerative rangelands.

The study suggests that sustainable livestock grazing practices not only benefit soil and plant life but also play a crucial role in supporting pollinators that are essential for global food production.

This is very exciting information to learn in the context of pollinator health in Vermont. At CVA, we've been promoting a transition away from neonicotinoid use on our agriculture fields and planting more wildflowers for both our bees and native bees. This research provides great information for a potential alternative for Vermont dairy farmers to accomplish this goal. Shoutout to this work and the Ecdysis Foundation for funding this research! 🐝🌱

Read the Full Article Here