The Australian honey bee industry is under increasing pressure from drought, floods, bushfires, and limited access to public lands. As a result, private farmland is emerging as a valuable resource for honey production. One promising but often overlooked option is pasture legumes—plants that support livestock and are a rich source of nectar and pollen for honey bees.
The Clover4Bees pilot study, funded by AgriFutures Australia, explored how pasture legumes could benefit honey bees. Over two years, researchers evaluated different legume species at four sites across NSW, including the Glen Innes Agricultural Research Station.
The study identified six standout species for honey bees: woolly pod vetch, arrowleaf clover, balansa clover, gland clover, Persian clover, and crimson clover. These legumes consistently attracted high numbers of bees across multiple sites. Other species, such as purple clover and sainfoin, showed potential but were not included in the first group as limited by seed availability or challenges adapting to some regional conditions.
A key research output was an improved understanding of flower structure— an essential trait for honey bee access. Some species have longer flower tubes that can restrict bees from reaching nectar. However, the high nectar yields of some species still make them valuable food sources.
While the project has yielded valuable insights, much remains to explore. Researchers plan to investigate a broader range of legumes, deepen their understanding of the floral traits that attract bees, and assess how these plants influence honey production.
The Australian honey bee industry could benefit from greater use of pasture legumes, which offer broader adaptation and production potential than traditional species such as sub clover. Their diverse traits can be leveraged to enhance honey production and agricultural systems across southern Australia.
The project report is available at https://agrifutures.com.au/ For more information, contact Carol Harris on 0458 206 973.
