Louisiana State University Ag Center Finds Bees and Cattle Mutually Benefit Each Other

The Louisiana State University Ag Center is working to prevent bee populations from declining and ensuring vibrant pastures for cattle. Scientists at the Ag Center have found reach both objectives simultaneously by placing bee hives at cattle pastures. The team found that clover-covered pastures will benefit both populations.

Beekeepers looking to prevent bee population decline found flowering clover to be a great food sources for their honeybees. These same clover provide cattle a nutritious food source and a good seed-set to ensure propagation for future pastures. This propagation is provided by bee populations through pollination. Clover were picked as an optimum habitat for bees and because it provides cattle a superior source of protein and energy, which will help improve animal performance.

Cattle pastures were chosen due to the large area of land that cattle ranches occupy in the United States. This large area provides a wide area for bee populations to flourish. Clover pastures pollinated by honeybees will help set seeds more rapidly and effectively, benefiting the cattle producer who wants to provide nutrient-rich fields for their cattle. By encouraging the collaboration between bee keepers and cattle producers, the LSU Ag Center is working to ensure the mutual benefit of both bees and cattle.

For more information on this work from the LSU Ag Center, read more here.