41 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | July/August 2024 Canola is an interesting crop to think about pollinator dependence. All the hybrid seed that gets planted is the result of insect pollination. Canola flowers are normally perfect hermaphrodites, capable of self-pollination. But in hybrid canola seed production, the seed is produced from a female plant which doesn’t produce fertile pollen. As a result, it must be outcrossed with a pollen source. In that case, the crop becomes 100 pollinator-dependent. But the seed produced on most farms, from this hybrid seed, isn’t nearly that dependent on insects. Estimates vary, but in most field conditions, seed yield can increase 15 to 20 per cent from insect pollination. Higher estimates go to nearly 50 per cent if really dense insect populations have access to the field. There are other benefits to insect pollination beyond yield. With ample insect pollination, crops can ripen more quickly and evenly. Flowers pollinated by pollinators have more time to ripen and less chance to get caught in poor weather at the season’s end. Increased evenness also allows easier harvesting with mechanical equipment and high grades of fruit and seed when marketed to buyers. Given pollinators’ potential benefit to fruit and crop production, how do we put them to work on our farms? Probably the most important consideration is pesticide stewardship. Insect pollinators are susceptible to insecticide applications. Adhering to published thresholds and avoiding pesticide applications unless they are absolutely needed is a huge benefit to pollinators. Before applying them, read and follow the label as directed. Pesticide labels are carefully developed and have information valuable to the protection of pollinators. They can recommend when to spray, where to spray, and how to spray to provide some protection to pollinators. An excellent practice is to spray at night, early in the morning, or late in the evening. Almost all of our pollinators on the Prairies are active during the bright, warmer parts of the day. Spraying outside those times protects them with timing. In some crops, there are multiple insecticides available for some pests. When choosing an insecticide, consider the pollinators on your farm. Avoiding spraying non-crop areas and pollinator habitat provides a refuge for them as well. Spray applicators can also check for sensitive areas to spraying through Driftwatch (driftwatch. org) to help protect pollinators. Maintaining, enhancing, or building pollinator habitat back onto your farm can also boost populations. Keeping low-lying areas and wetlands with willows and wildflowers, maintaining fence rows with shrubs, and adding nesting habitat and alternative flowering plants gives pollinators a place to live and forage adjacent to production fields. Pollinator populations will benefit from additional forage provided by these areas and will have places to nest, both in vegetation and undisturbed soils. Finally, if you have a honey beekeeper in your area, ask them if they need a location for their bees. Many commercial beekeepers will be happy to have a new bee yard location if they can get it. Old yard sites, sheltered areas, and tree bluffs provide some protection during windy and cold days and help keep bees in good condition, able to go to work on adjacent cropland. The summer is a great time for our pollinators. Offering protection from pesticides and some adjacent habitat greatly benefits them. Given a little consideration, pollinators can be valuable contributors on our farm, increasing crop yields and aiding harvest. BF Ag Insights GRAHAM PARSONS Graham Parsons is a pollinator biosecurity specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, based in Prince Albert, Sask. Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture photo This shelter is designed for leafcutter bees, but honeybees use it too.
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