Should farmers keeping bees be part of new EMLS

[Johnnyboxer]

In arable areas, should each farmer also paid to keep bees on his steading, as part of the new environmental payment schemes?

 

[betternextyear]

Every farmer in these islands should have at least 1 hive. Even if the hive belongs to another beekeeper. The benefits are huge the cost almost nothing plus you get delicious honey. AND dont get me going about bumble bees......

 

[renewablejohn]

Only problem would be providing sufficient bee friendly food in some areas.

 

[topground]

As a cattle breeder and Bee keeper I would like to see EMLS paid to Beekeepers on a headage basis with the count to take place around the end of May.

 

[spin cycle]

Only problem would be providing sufficient bee friendly food in some areas.

thus you'd grow the food for them...wildlife win win

i think op's idea is brilliant

 

[B'o'B]

I got myself 2 hives last month to start learning about bee keeping. I’m so on trend!

 

[renewablejohn]

thus you'd grow the food for them...wildlife win win

i think op's idea is brilliant

Think someone needs to look on the profitability poll thread.

 

[renewablejohn]

I got myself 2 hives last month to start learning about bee keeping. I’m so on trend!

I am also back with bee hives after the collapse of my buckfast bees.

 

[Sonoftheheir]

I’d rather have bees than turn grade 1 soil over to trees.

 

[Muck Spreader]

The Vegan mafia will never buy into bees.

 

[raymono57]

As a cattle breeder and Bee keeper I would like to see EMLS paid to Beekeepers on a headage basis with the count to take place around the end of May.

Double -tagged??

 

[Steevo]

Subsidising people to keep bees so they can claim funding is a backwards way of going about things.

 

[B'o'B]

I am also back with bee hives after the collapse of my buckfast bees.

It does seem to be more challenging keeping them up to strength these days. Looking forward to learning a new craft though and I’m putting a fair bit of pollen and nectar mix in this year which should help them along a bit.

 

[yellow belly]

any one thinking bee farming is just having a hive and letting the bees go collect the nectar with little imput
will get a big shock

I have over 100 hives on my farm all looked after by a bee farmer the work involved needs a level of management on a par with any other livestock
at certain times of year every hive need fully inspecting (lid off every screen inspected 10 per hive ) every week at a minimum
they need feeding and treating for diseases and pest just like all crops and livestock

 

[Shughie McFee]

so, to follow red tractor rules, you'll have to phone the local beekeeper ( yourself ) when you're about to set off with the sprayer. only a few more years till retirement.sigh.

 

[Steevo]

any one thinking bee farming is just having a hive and letting the bees go collect the nectar with little imput
will get a big shock

I have over 100 hives on my farm all looked after by a bee farmer the work involved needs a level of management on a par with any other livestock
at certain times of year every hive need fully inspecting (lid off every screen inspected 10 per hive ) every week at a minimum
they need feeding and treating for diseases and pest just like all crops and livestock

Exactly right! There's a lot of work to it, and specialist knowledge too. Not to mention the work of spinning, jarring, marketing and selling the honey/wax etc.

Some serious time, money and equipment investment. Beekeepers deserve a lot of respect for the work they do.

 

[spin cycle]

Think someone needs to look on the profitability poll thread.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Can I be that antisocial and awkward one that ruins it for everyone who keeps wasps instead.

 

[renewablejohn]

any one thinking bee farming is just having a hive and letting the bees go collect the nectar with little imput
will get a big shock

I have over 100 hives on my farm all looked after by a bee farmer the work involved needs a level of management on a par with any other livestock
at certain times of year every hive need fully inspecting (lid off every screen inspected 10 per hive ) every week at a minimum
they need feeding and treating for diseases and pest just like all crops and livestock

Amount of work required depends a great deal on the type of bees and sort of hive.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Every farmer in these islands should have at least 1 hive. Even if the hive belongs to another beekeeper. The benefits are huge the cost almost nothing plus you get delicious honey. AND dont get me going about bumble bees......

There should be no need for the taxpayer bribe then.