The magazine of the INTERREG North Sea Region Project BEESPOKE

MARCH 2023

The magazine of the INTERREG North Sea Region Project

BEESPOKE

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BEESPOKE is a project funded by the INTERREG North Sea region Programme.

Insect pollination is worth €15 Billion in the EU, but the number of wild pollinators is decreasing due to loss of flower-rich habitats. As a response the EU adopted a pollinator initiative in 2018. The NSR is one of the most productive agricultural areas, but pollinators are

Benefitting Ecosystems through Evaluation of food Supplies for Pollination to Open up Knowledge for End users

in decline across the region. The overall objective is to increase the number of pollinators and crop pollination on local and landscape scale by providing new expertise, tools and financial knowledge to land managers and policy makers, in order to create more sustainable and resilient agro-ecosystems.

BEESPOKE brings a wide range of partners together – from policy makers, research institutes, advisory and end users from six different NSR-countries – to develop new products and approaches to increase the diversity of insect pollinators and crop yields by 10%. We will develop bespoke seed mixes and habitat management guidelines to support the suite of pollinators required for 14 crop types on 72 demonstration sites.

Sites for each crop will showcase best management practices, and training materials will be developed for biodiversity monitoring and for measuring pollination. The same type of agro-ecosystems occur across the NSR and transnational cooperation will give economies of scale for development of these novel tools.

This approach will enable land managers to adopt pollinator management as a routine practice, fostering a bottom-up, land manager approach, ensuring a continuing improvement of crop pollination by insects.

photo: Jan-Willem van Kruyssen

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Foreword

(7.7%) and 244 species are stable (12.6%), however, for 1535 species

Introduction to the BEESPOKE project

detailed monitoring is needed to keep track of their trends. With fewer

by John Holland, BEESPOKE project coordinator

species in northern than southern Europe, there is less robustness

Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK

in the pollinator community to such losses, further emphasising the

in the EU (79%) there is no long-term data. More widespread and

importance of protecting the remaining species and populations. photo: John Holland

Across the world insects are

There are many potential causes for the declines in pollinators

the most important pollinators

including climate change, pesticides, urbanisation and loss of flower-

of flowering plants including

rich habitats, but no clear scientific evidence regarding the importance

many crops, such as apples

of each of these.

and strawberries, but also wild plants. They therefore play

One of the most important landscape changes has been the loss

a crucial role within natural

of flower-rich grassland as farmers have switched from hay to

and agricultural ecosystems

silage for livestock. Putting small amounts of such habitat back

ensuring plants can produce

in the landscape has proven to help boost numbers of pollinators.

the seeds and fruit upon which so

many

including

species

depend,

ourselves,

and

ensuring their survival from year to year. For some crops this role is performed by managed honeybees, yet there are many more types of wild pollinating insects which are even more important, including bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies. Unfortunately, there is now alarming evidence that numbers of wild pollinators are in decline and the range of many species is contracting, putting crops, wild plants and ecosystems at risk.

In the UK, providing just 2.2% flower-rich habitats doubled the numbers of nests of four bumblebee species in agricultural areas.

Indeed, provision of more flower-rich habitat has been seen as a way to help pollinators throughout European agri-environment schemes of recent decades. Uptake of such schemes has, however, been low with pollinator conservation seen as the motivation rather than enhancement of crop productivity.

In the NSR, many of the economically important crops rely on insects for pollination; some are highly dependent (apples, cherries, soft fruits, blackcurrants, pumpkins, courgettes, spinach) or are moderately

The North Sea Region (NSR) is no exception and was identified as

dependent (pears, plums, runner beans). For these and other crops we

having a very low pollination potential leading to a pollination

don’t always know which are the best pollinators and how much they

‘gap’ or deficit that has implications for farm incomes and food

contribute to improving yield or quality.

security. In the EU, insect pollination is valued at 15 billion

Despite its importance, the value of pollination is rarely quantified

EUR and consequently there are considerable economic gains

or considered, although in Belgium the annual total value of insect

to be made from ensuring wild pollinators are preserved and

pollination was estimated at 252 million Euros in 2010. The EU

enhanced to ensure optimum pollination.

Biodiversity strategy (Action 5) required EU Member States to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national

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In the NSR wild pollinators are particularly important being more cold-

territory by 2014, assess the economic value of such services, and

tolerant and efficient pollinators than honeybees, but alarmingly there

promote the integration of these values into accounting and reporting

is evidence that they are declining. Indeed, almost 1 in 10 species of

systems at EU and national level by 2020. There is still much to do

bees are considered threatened and a further 5% near threatened. In

in terms of quantifying the value of pollination and also the cost of

terms of their long-term population trends, 150 species are declining

increasing this ecosystem service.

There is evidence that pollination is below the optimum due to insufficient numbers of honeybees and wild pollinators. In the UK <25% of the demand for pollination is provided by honeybees, and in Germany and Denmark is also low at 25-50%. In addition, crops vary in the types of pollinators which are most efficient, for some crops it is bumblebees whilst for others it may be solitary bees. There are also differences in which plant species individual species and groups of pollinators prefer to forage upon, depending on their anatomy. For example, long-tongued bumblebees can reach the nectar of flowers with long corollas whilst solitary bees, having short tongues, need more simple, open structured flowers. Across all countries, farmers are typically unaware of their pollination levels or how to encourage the right types of pollinators for their crops.

Having techniques to measure pollination levels and supply appropriate floral resources, products and services will generate meaningful economic gains across the region. This will encourage and support more sustainable agroecosystems and embed consideration of pollinators into farm management practices.

Other habitats in the landscape (low-input grassland, hedgerows and woodland) also contain flowering plants that are beneficial to pollinators and insect diversity and offer opportunities through appropriate management to increase floral resources at landscape scales.

Progress in providing pollinator resources via agri-environment schemes varies between NSR countries. Also, the aim of these schemes is to typically boost overall numbers of pollinators and insects using standardised wildflower seed mixes. These may not contain the types of plant species needed to support the required pollinators of a particular crop. Consequently, more targeted seed mixes may be needed. Standardised monitoring of pollinators and insect diversity is also in its infancy and is only national. Knowledge of long-term trends in abundance and distribution are a valuable tool for detecting where remedial measures are needed and are a powerful motivator and reward instrument.

photo: NIAB

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List of contents Aims of the Project

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Aims of the BEESPOKE project

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The BEESPOKE partners

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13-16

Insights & advice

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The Importance of Native Seeds

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Lessons learned from the Establishment of Wildflower Strips

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Bee-friendly agriculture

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Leave it messy - The value of additional habitats on farms

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Crop Production and the Pollinator Deficit

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Interviews - From Farmer to Farmer

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How the Hosford Brothers Promote Pollinators

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A look behind the scenes at the bee-friendly farm “The Land of Milk and Honey”

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Supporting Pollinators in the Grassland of the Marshlands

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Guides & Tutorials

42-47

Monitoring Pollination & Pollinators

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Supporting Biodiversity & Pollinators

44-45

Video Tutorials, Interviews & More

46-47

Future & legacy of the project

48-51

The Legacy of the BEESPOKE Project

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Contact

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photo: Vlaamse Landmaatschappij

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photo: Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein

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Aims of the Project

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Aims of the BEESPOKE project

by John Holland, BEESPOKE project coordinator Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, UK

The overall aim of BEESPOKE is to increase levels of pollinators and crop pollination at local and landscape scales by providing land managers and policy makers with the expertise, tools and financial knowledge to instigate bottom-up change creating more sustainable and resilient NSR ecosystems.

Crop pollination is rarely measured routinely so one of the first objectives has been to develop farmer friendly methods for measuring their own pollination and levels of pollinators. If pollination need improving, then it is important that the right types of pollinators are enhanced. To achieve this, we have been developing and testing bespoke seed mixes that address the needs of the specific crop.

These were established on farms so that their impact on pollination and pollinators could be measured and as a focus point for knowledge exchange activities. This included training in the new methods for assessing levels of pollinators and pollination, and in habitat management. Guides and videos have been developed to support these activities.

Pollinators can be mobile moving across the landscapes between farms and therefore management at landscape scales is also needed.

A landscape modelling approach was used to produce maps that predict levels of pollinators across existing NSR landscapes based upon the occurrence of different types of habitats and the likely levels of pollinators that they support. Correlations between the predicted levels of pollinators, actual levels as measured in crops and subsequent levels of pollination have been sought and incorporated into the model.

Outputs from the first objective of the model was to identify the levels by which habitats can be improved for pollinators and then use the model to redesign farms/landscapes to increase levels of pollinators to match the demand for pollination. Outputs from the model will identify the amount of new habitat or extent of improvements to existing habitats needed to enhance pollination and pollinators.

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Each member state has existing Agri-environment schemes funded through the CAP or nationally, however, these vary hugely, as does the uptake. Using a series of expert meetings, review, economic analyses, surveys and outputs from the demonstration studies we aim to provide recommendations on how to revise member states AEMs to improve opportunities and increase uptake of pollinator enhancing habitats.

To ensure continuous improvement and adapt activities within the project to make sure that we reach our objectives we have applied a formative approach to evaluation. The ultimate goal being to be able to identify what key measures instigated change among our target group as well as what bottle necks or hurdles still exist and/or hardest to overcome.

As an extension to the project we are also investigating whether environmentally friendly farming systems can benefit pollinators and whether further practices could be of value such as new flower-rich grassland seed mixes, novel crops and reductions in herbicide inputs to conserve arable plants. We also aimed to create a longer legacy from the project via a new online tool for selecting appropriate wildflower mixes for local conditions, developing long-term management plans for flower mixes and a new initiative to boost local wildflower seed production and create new potential income stream for farmers.

Two new partners were also brought on board to provide additional demonstration platforms in Sweden and Norway.

To ensure findings and recommendations reach as wide an audience as possible there is a comprehensive communications package that uses traditional and modern media to achieve this besides on-farm knowledge exchange activities.

The aims of this magazine are to inspire more stakeholders to consider management of pollinators as a key farm activity. Such actions may not only benefit farm incomes for crops requiring pollination but also help conserve pollinators and other insects which so desperately need help. We will provide updates on our work so far and give voice to those that have already adopted such practices to learn from their experiences.

Illustrated by Levina Steinkönig

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photo: Jayna Connelly

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The BEESPOKE partners

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The BEESPOKE project Partners The BEESPOKE project brings together 16 partners from 7 North Sea Region countries. Experts from research organisations, institutes and universities are working together on different topics within the project.

The main work fields of the project - Project management - Communications - Design of biodiverse landscapes - Biodiversity monitoring, protocols & training - Improving policy, delivery & uptake - Project monitoring & evaluation

Learn more about our partners and their role in the project in their introduction videos

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The project partners

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photo: Anna Vollmer

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Insights & advice

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The Importance of Native Seeds Cruydt-Hoeck reinforces the use of native seeds and proper management of wildflower areas Jojanneke Bijkerk & Cynthya Russchen, Cruydt-Hoeck

Insects have a hard time these recent decades, through loss of habitat, use of pesticides and climate change. Fortunately, there’s an increasing awareness for the role insects play in ecosystems as well as a growing understanding of the importance of biodiversity for a healthy production and living environment. That’s why native seed mixtures are growing in popularity, also by agriculturists. There are a lot of mixtures on the market, but not every seed mix has the desired effect to help restore biodiversity.

But a very large group of more critical insects are specifically dependent on many different species of native plants of local origin. So, to help restore biodiversity we need a multi-species native plant environment.

Local native plants and insects depend on each other Native plants and native insects are sharing a history of many thousands of years. In this time, they co-evolved and are often interdependent on each other. Many insects are dependent on one specific plant or a group of plants for survival. For example, the caterpillars of the small copper live only on sheep’s sorrel and common sorrel. These plants are essential for their survival. Some wild bees are real specialists and feed their young pollen from one specific plant or a selected group of plants. For this reason it is important that native plants are growing and blooming in their territory. Also, think of the many hundreds of species

There is a large offer of seed mixtures to be found online. A large part of these mixtures consists of non-native seeds: non-native to Europe, often also non-native to your own region or so called “native seeds” but in fact originated from Eastern Europe or much farther away. These non-native mixtures are often cheaper, but colourful. Less critical insects such as some common species of bumblebees and butterflies find nectar and pollen in these plants.

of moths that need all these many species of native plants as hosts.

Birds and other predators are dependent on the abundance of insects like moths and their caterpillars to feed their offspring. In this respect it is also of value that the native seeds are from your own region and not from far away and from different climate zones.

The role of insects in agriculture Pollinators are essential for our own communities. One of the most important role of insects in nature is the pollination of plants. A lot of the crops we eat are pollinated by insects like wild bees. So, insects do agriculturists a great favour. With a native flower meadow or strip (preferably wide), these useful insects can be attracted and supported, so that they can pollinate the crops. Remember, insects require bed and breakfast, so besides lots of plants they need a place to live as well.

But this is not the only help insects provide to agriculture. Insects that are attracted by the native flowers are also useful as a natural pest control, therefore native flowers can also be financially interesting.

Farmers from the Waadrâne area (the Netherlands), who participated in the BEESPOKE project, experienced much less infestation of aphids when a flower strip was present.

photo: Gemert, Cruydt-Hoek

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The right choice of flowers

a seed mix with perennial species. The advantage of a permanent

There are several native seeds mixtures on the market. Please ask for

meadow is that you don’t have to sow every year and that there is a

advice on the best mix for your location from your local native seed

continuous source of nectar and pollen and shelter that benefit

producer. If you wish a permanent flower meadow/strip, please choose

pollinators.

Please pay attention to the soil type and quality as this has a big impact on the quality and durability of a meadow or flower strip. Several native plant species are specialized on relatively nutrient-poor soil, while other species can grow on a disturbed ground (annuals and bi-annuals mostly). Apart from soil type and quality other factors may also have great influence on the establishment, development and endurance of a flower mix. The amount of sunlight, the acidity and the moist content are of great influence. Most flowers that are particular for meadows require lots of sunlight. The acidity may be particular in a specific region. So, make sure the flowers are from this region as well. Some plants may grow very well on very dry soils, like viper’s bugloss, while others prefer a moist or wet soil, usually tall species like meadowsweet and hemp agrimony. When soils are very wet, they are usually less useful for arable crops. So most arable soils are sort of dry and better suitable for knapweed, meadow cranesbill, oxeye daisy and common bird’s-foot-trefoil. Always try to select plant species for your mix that suit your area.

Proper management is crucial for long-term success Without mowing the meadow will change into forest. It is dependent on your soil how much mowing you have to do. If you have an nutrientrich soil than you have to mow two or three times in a year. If you have an nutrient-poor soil than one mowing in September or October is enough. A native seeds nursery in your country can advise you about mowing policy.

Biodiversity restoration is necessary and agriculture plays a huge role in it. But if you invest in biodiversity you will contribute to our society and it also will benefit your farming business.

photo: Gemert, Cruydt-Hoek

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Lessons learned from the Establishment of Wildflower Strips

Here are 5 takeaways that we

Land Agency)

1. Perennial mixes provide food resources throughout the season

2. Adding annual sp to provide sufficien blooming

The Flemish Land Agency (VLM) is the government agency that

We noticed that perennial wildflower

Although perennial flower strip

supports open spaces in Flanders, Belgium. For BEESPOKE we

strips have a better effect on the bee

beneficial, it is useful to add s

established four pilot areas and work together with 40 farmers,

population. They have a longer blooming

plants in the seed mix (e.g. c

including some fruit growers. The farmers establish wildflower strips

period during the year from early spring

Perennial flower strips tend to

that VLM and other BEESPOKE partners monitor closely. Both the

to autumn providing food resources

blooms at first, the annual flow

pollinator population and the species-dependent plant preferences of

throughout the season. More individuals

bloom early after the establis

bees were monitored.

and species of wild bees were counted on

bridge the first period when

In the flower fields VLM uses as many native species as possible. For

these perennial fields. Annual flower strips

did not start to bloom yet.

our region that means we use plants like wild carrot, cornflower,

bloom more abundantly, but for a shorter

brown knapweed or tansy. Cultivars or introduced species either don’t

period of time.

5 Takeaways from the Flemish Land Agency Wim Vandenrijt & Dries van Hecke, VLM - Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (Flemish

produce nectar or the nectar is not reachable for the indigenous wild bees. We do add more typical agricultural crops like alfalfa, buckwheat, black mustard or dill since these species support wild bees. These species also help to bring down the costs of the wildflower seed mixes.

Annual flower strip: common poppy, cornflower, black mustard, buckweath, dill, rapeseed, borage, hairy vetch, etc.

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Perennial flower strip in the third year: red clover, common yarrow, wild carrot, smooth hawksbeard, cat’s ear, ox-eye daisy, etc. - biennials in this mixture (left and middle) like yellow mignonette and blueweed (typical of disturbed soils) were crowded out from year 3 onwards.

have learned so far

pecies nt

3. Ensure sufficient nesting possibilities in surroundings

4. Autumn sowing for best results

5. Manage for biodiversity in general

ps are more

Not only the selection of the seeds is

Early autumn (September/October) is

Flower strips do not solve everything.

some annual

important, the location of the flower strip

the best time to sow. The weed pressure

In order to support the population

cornflower).

is also crucial. There should be nesting

is much lower around this time and the

of pollinators, an overall biodiverse

show fewer

places within 200 meters (the flying range

blooming starts earlier next year. We

landscape should be created. For example,

wers start to

of most wild bees). Many wild bees in

noticed the false seed bed technique

shrubs like blackthorn are an important

shment and

agricultural areas are nesting in the soil; but

sometimes can be effective in suppressing

provider of food for wild bees in early

n perennials

some also nest in cavities of trees or plants.

the weed.

spring. A land that is not too intensively

Therefore, a nesting place can be a hedge,

managed generally makes a great place for

tree or a general rough terrain. Solitary

pollinators.

bees are heat-loving, so a sunny place normally is the better option as the flower fields also perform better there. However, during hot, dry summers we did find that fields that were shaded in the afternoon withstood heat and drought best.

Some species tend to overgrow, like daisy and wild carrot in the above cases. Also tansy has that tendency. We advise to be careful with the share of these seeds in the seed mix.

Despite the fact that no grasses were added in the perennial edges, we do observe strong spontaneous grassing after a few years

photos: Vlaamse Landmaatschappij

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Bee-friendly agriculture Advice from Inagro on a selection of farming practices Written by Thomas van Loo (Inagro), translated by Anna Vollmer

If you want to lend a helping hand to the pollinators of your crops, there are a couple of effective measures worth considering. Wildflower strips are often the first thing that comes to mind, but there are more options in addition to establishing (preferably perennial) wildflower strips.

You could think of

Some flowering crops that are interesting for pollinators are: lupine

sunflower

field beans

hemp

chickpeas

flax

zucchini

peas

camelina

rapeseed

pumpkin

soft and hard fruits.

However, most crops only flower for a very limited time. For this reason, providing additional flowering plants might be necessary to the use of as long as possible: pollinators like bumblebees need food sources

installing mixed hedges and properly maintain them

from early in the season up until late in the year.

applying pesticides very cautiously and only if really necessary establishing flower-rich meadows mowing part of your alfalfa plot according to a phased mowing schedule cultivating flowering crops.

Bee-friendly agriculture ultimately revolves around 3 principles.

1. Providing sufficient food sources throughout the year in the form of flowering plants (herbs, shrubs, trees and crops).

It is important to stretch the flowering period of successive flowering plants as long as possible. Think of the life of a bumblebee colony: the queens awake from hibernation in February or March. They then have to start a colony by themselves. At that time, it is important that they find sufficient amount of food for themselves as well as their larvae.

Once the colony established, the bees need nectar and pollen until October. This is when the last new queens leave the colony in search of a suitable place to spend the winter, after which the whole cycle starts again.

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photo: Inagro

photo: Inagro

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2. Shelter and nesting facilities (e.g. hedges, old (mouse) holes, sparse vegetation (bare ground present), rough herbaceous vegetation, hollow stems).

sector. Visitors of the plot benefit from the demonstration in the field

Several the well-known pollinators (honeybees and all species of

as well as a kestrel box installed on a post. In addition, the plot also

bumblebees) live in colonies and therefore need relatively large

offers space to set up crop-related trials. For example, in 2022 there

cavities. For instance, bumblebees often nest in old mouse holes,

was a trial in which we wanted to find out whether it is possible to sow

cavities in trees or they weave their own nest in rougher herbaceous

flowering field herbs in winter wheat without the seeds ending up in

vegetation. These are all elements that can often be found in and along

the harvested crop during threshing.

rather than just reading about it.

On the plot there are perennial wildflower strips, mixed loose hedges, a beetle bank, a flowery mixture that focuses on the needs of partridges

hedges. Less well-known pollinators, various species of solitary bees in particular dig tunnels in the ground themselves or use existing holes above the ground.

3. Protect pollinators as much as possible from contact with pesticides.

Plant protection products often have harmful side effects next to the purpose for which they are initially used. Some products kill bees when they come in direct contact with it. Other products do not kill the bees directly but might substantially impair them, for example in their ability to navigate properly. Besides that, bees are usually not exposed to the harmful effects of a single product but to multiple different products at the same time.

It is therefore crucial to consider the use of pesticides very reasonably and thoughtfully: try to avoid application schemes based on fixed dates and only intervene when the spread of pest species is really getting out of hand - give the natural enemies a chance. If effective intervention indeed is required: try to apply the pesticides only when no bees are active and do not treat crops that are flowering. Rinse your sprayer in a place where the rinse water can be collected and processed and therefore does not end up in the environment.

Inagro’s agricultural demonstration plot Inagro manages a field where several agri-environmental measures are applied. These measures not only support general biodiversity but also bring advantages for the farmer. With the demonstration and management of these measures in the plot, Inagro gains more practical experiences and knowledge about the different measures and their management and can in turn transfer this knowledge back to the

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You can read the article in Dutch as well.

In this video Ruben Mistiaen from Inagro introduces a selection of bee- and biodiversity-supporting farming practices and to the Inagro demo plot.

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Leave it messy

Apple orchards are perennial, less disturbed production systems with

The value of additional habitats on farms

diverse environment to support and/or enhance biodiversity. Apple

Helle Mathiasen, HortiAdvice, photos: Helle Mathiasen, HortiAdvice

orchards often have quite a few marginal areas that are not cropped.

a higher degree of stability which offer the possibility of to provide a

These areas are important to preserve and restore as additional What can farmers do on their farmland to enhance and support

habitats to support biodiversity/pollinators - either by providing

biodiversity? And how can they benefit from this increased biodiversity

food resources or nesting habitats. The apple trees provide a lot of

at farm level? Sometimes this is easier than expected. Not only new

food during their bloom, but this supply only lasts for a short period.

measures are supporting biodiversity are worth considering, but also

Pollinators need food resources from early spring, before the apple

what farmers are already doing and could continue doing. Initiatives to

trees are flowering, until late summer. For this reason, additional

support biodiversity can be both: establishing new habitats but also

habitats in the orchard, can support pollinators even better.

to preserve and protect existing habitats.

Establishing new habitats by planting perennial seed mixes is one

Our project partner Helle Mathiasen from HortiAdvice came

way of supporting pollinators by providing pollen and nectar (food

across some examples of additional habitats providing food

resources). A wildflower strip can support pollinators on the long term

and nesting possibilities during a farmers’ meeting at an apple

if the seed mix contains a wide variety of species which differ in time of

orchard in Denmark. Laust Spandet Jensen is the owner of the

flowering providing food resources throughout the season.

Vesterled frugtplantage (Vesterled fruit orchard) and grows apples, pears and plums on the small island Fejø in the southern

But visits to apple orchards can sometimes reveal that farmers

part of Denmark.

are already doing something for biodiversity without doing anything or by simply being a bit messy.

Do you want to learn more about the orchard and the surrounding area? Have a look at the Visit Denmark video.

Nesting and forage possibilities An example of a marginal spot between two sections of apples in the field with flowering trees and bushes and in front anything emerging is left to grow without being cut.

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Early food resources A closer look at the spot reveals trees of prunus which flower early and provide food for pollinators very early and before the apple trees do.

Nesting possibilities An undisturbed spot with wood and bare soils which can be an important nesting habitat for ground nesting bees.

Nesting possibilities Another potential nesting habitat with coarse sandy soil for ground nesting bees.

photos: Helle Mathiasen, HortiAdvice

Nesting and forage possibilities Another permanent and undisturbed habitat between two sections in the orchards. In front, stones which have been removed from the field and placed here over time and some flowering perennials. In the back, the hedgerow with differences trees and bushes. This habitat provides both food resources, shelter and nesting habitats for pollinators.

Nesting possibilities During the meeting and field walk (June 2022), we looked for pollinators and observed this ground nesting bumble bee, white-tailed bumble bee, in the grass row between the rows of apple trees.

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Crop Production and the Pollinator Deficit Some Initial Survey Results Professor Iain Fraser, University of Kent

various farm level management practices, although these results are statistically weak.

Thus, although our results indicate that many farmers do not think that they are suffering from a problem as a result of there being a pollinator deficit, there is a difference for the type of crop being grown.

These findings raise an interesting question regarding the discussed

There is much discussion and research examining and measuring

pollinator deficit:

the pollination deficit for a wide array of crops. However, it is unclear the extent to which farmers consider or even understand the potential for a pollinator deficit to exist.

To examine this important issue, we undertook a survey in the UK to examine farmers attitudes about pollinator management for crop production as well as wider environmental objectives. In particular,

Either certain groups of farmers are generally unaware of the pollinator deficit and its impact on production or the significance of the pollinator deficit is of far less importance to certain farmer groups compared to other aspects of crop production?

we wanted to understand the degree to which farmers consider the current level and quality of pollinator activity and its impact on

Our respondents also provided extensive feedback on survey. With

production.

regard to crop yield and pollination, the responses provided are revealing. Several respondents assess yields (compared to historical

Our reason for examining this issue is that there is little evidence that

levels or national averages) and suggest any deficit might be due to

the pollinator deficit is a problem being reported by farmers. We also

a pollinator deficit but several also note that measuring a pollinator

wanted to understand what land use activities are being implemented

deficit is very difficult in practice.

to support wild pollinators.

Fundamentally, there has been little

research examining farmer understanding of pollinators, how this

“Very difficult but think that the crop could always yield better and

informs on-farm monitoring and management and the adoption of

maybe it is down to not enough pollinators”

land-use activities to support wild pollinators.

“I think it is very difficult to assess how I can say how much the yield is down due to pollinators”

Our survey was undertaken online in two waves during 2021 and

“Very difficult to assess yield deficit”

2022. In total, we collected 228 responses. When we asked farmers about the relationship between pollination and several aspects of

Overall, our results indicate that identifying a pollinator deficit at

crop production, our results revealed some interesting insights about

the crop level is difficult and is maybe considered less important

pollination deficits. For example, when asked if crop yield was lower

than other yield limiting factors that can affect output on an annual

than it could be because of insufficient pollination, less than 20% of

basis. This finding highlights the need to inform farmers that current

respondents answered positively. We also found very low responses in

levels of crop pollination may not be optimal and there are practical

terms of how insufficient levels of pollination negatively impact crop

steps that they can take to remedy this limitation. In particular, the

quality and financial returns.

Beespoke project is generating extensive crop level resources (videos

However, when we examine the responses in more detail there is

and information sheets) to enable farmers to identify pollinators and to

a difference in terms of responses for fruit farmers compared to

better gauge the magnitude of pollinator deficits.

arable farmers. Fruit farmers appear to understand the link between

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the importance of pollinators and crop quality and quantity, they also

For any readers interested in undertaking the survey (UK, Belgium

actively monitor for pollinators and support pollinators by adopting

and Netherlands) please follow the links provided here ->

photos: George Hosford

UK Version

Belgium Version

Netherlands Version

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photos: Anna Vollmer

Interviews From Farmer to Farmer 31

How the Hosford Brothers Promote Pollinators From farmer to farmer

into more regenerative farming practices and manage for pollinators generally. They focus on the maintenance of healthy soils, the reduction of chemical and fertiliser inputs where possible and the establishment of wildflower margins. They have not planted any BEESPOKE mixes but provided their farm as a study site for BEESPOKE research on field

Interview with George and Dougal Hosford from the Traveller’s Rest Farm, Dorset

beans and hedgerows.

(England). Interviewed by Lucy Capstick, written by Anna Vollmer, revised by

Pollinator friendly measures – their wildflower margins

George and Dougal Hosford

Promoting pollinators and pollination is part of the brothers’ farm management. George and Dougal manage 74 hectares of their land as wildflower margins and plots and have various areas of downland across the farm, which are good habitat for wildflowers. At first, they were unsure of how to establish wildflower areas. But Dougal was very interested and learned on the job, using the farm’s Vaderstad drill to establish the wildflowers. It worked out very well and they had good experience with establishment.

Encroachment of grasses – mowing & cutting To avoid the grasses to becoming too dominant, the farmers mow the margins and remove the cuttings. They bale up the cuttings and make hay from it, which they feed to their cows. They prefer to make hay rather than silage since hay is cheaper and they can avoid using plastic.

Dougal emphasises the importance of autumn mowing and the © George Hosford

removal of the cuttings, to restrict the excess grasses and weeds, and to promote the growth of the flowers the following year. He points out

George and Dougal Hosford support the conservation of pollinators

that, “[...] it’s all about reducing fertility. […] if you reduce the fertility, all

and other wildlife and manage their farm accordingly. The brothers’

those things can sort themselves out”.

Traveller’s Rest Farm is located near Blandford forum in Dorset, England and covers 800 hectares altogether, including grassland

By removing the cuttings, soil fertility can be reduced. This suppresses

for their livestock as well as over 600 ha. arable fields and some

competitive grass species that prefer nutrient rich soil and benefits the

woodland. The family have been tenants of the farm since the 1960s

less competitive wildflower species. The farmers advise not leaving the

and the brothers took over farm management in 1985. They also

cuttings, since this encourages even more grasses to grow by adding to

hope to pass it on to the next generation.

the soil fertility and increasing the number of grass seeds. Leaving the cuttings on the ground can also have negative effects on invertebrates

Dougal is a chairperson of the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest (FWAG SouthWest) and George leads the farmer cluster that they are a part of. Their farm is not organic, but they put a lot of effort

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as the thatch creates uninhabitable cold and moist conditions.

photo: Lucy Capstick

Costs of management – making hay & sourcing seeds The farmers are in countryside stewardship (a UK agri-environment scheme) in which they receive subsidies for their wildflower margins.

By feeding the cuttings as hay to their cows the brothers are saving money while also offering their cows good and diverse food. For this reason, the maintenance and management of the margins work out very well for them. However, they also recognise that the costs of the management might be more of a problem for other farmers since they don’t profit from, for example, the cuttings since “many arable farms don’t have any livestock, though perhaps they could be composted and spread back on the land as fertiliser?”, Dougal says.

The brothers are proud to have harvested seeds from their own downland to sow in some newly planted margins. Dougal knows about the importance of their seeds: “It’s native. They are genetically adapted flowers, they’re going to provide long term habitats. Much better. You never know where bought seeds are coming from.“

Non-native seeds might be cheaper and more colourful and provide resources to common pollinator species. However, other critical species depend on a sufficient amount and diversity of local, native plants.

Also, the brothers understand that the costs of seed mixes and thus the establishment of wildflower margins can be off-putting. For this reason, the farmers prefer to use their own native seed mixes, since these seeds have “[..] already been adapting and reproducing themselves locally over the last 12 years”, George says. They see the use of their own seed mixes as “[…] an interesting experiment to do”, Dougal adds.

They got a sample of their seeds identified, so they know what species they are sowing.

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Reducing inputs

difficult for other farmers to be convinced. They started the

The brothers are convinced that reducing chemical inputs and

establishment of their flower strips with just with the belief in

insecticides is necessary to ensure sustainable farming and insect

doing “the right thing” and that “some kind of balance will return”,

conservation. George is:

George says. They just wanted to try it out and see whether it would be compatible with their crop management - even two years

“praying for the day when all insecticides on anything flowering are banned, but unfortunately there will still be farmers who

before they received money from the stewardship.

heart-breaking. It really troubles me. I remember years ago

Convincing other farmers – certain evidence & policies

when we did used to. […] I was never comfortable doing it and

The brothers want other farmers to be encouraged to try and

we tried hard to avoid them. But yes, since 2018, we’ve applied

establish wildflower margins at their farms as well. But George

no insecticides, we just made that decision. It’s actually a very

points out that “uncertainty discourages people from trying”.

easy agronomic decision because you’re just not going there

The uncertain future of policies and subsidies (in the UK) as well

and whatever happens you take it on the chin […]. We’re aiming

the perceived lack of evidence for benefits make farmers reluctant

with the flower strips to try and balance up our natural level of

to introduce new management practices. Therefore, farmers

background [predator] species.”

tend to stick to their well-known, conventional methods and

are because they think they’ve got a pest problem. Which is

production management hesitating to “sacrifice” part of their land He adds that there are probably a lot more farmers “who wouldn’t

for wildflower margins.

take an awful lot of persuasion if we can find evidence that if you leave it alone, the insect problems do not get worse.”

Dougal suggests that farmers need stable policies and subsidy regulations as well as the evidence that the margins indeed

Monitoring pollinators & pollination – evidence for the benefits Monitoring the numbers and diversity of pollinators can provide valuable insight in the relationship between crop yield and

benefit pollinators and crops: “evidence of benefits is really what we need for all these things […]. And also then get the government to pay us to do the things which can actually make a difference. You know there’s so much uncertainty still.”

pollination (potential pollination deficit). Thereby evidence can be provided to what extent the wildflower margins are “working” thus

Dougal is hopeful that bringing farmers together to

benefitting crop pollination. George and Dougal recognise the value

exchange knowledge and ideas with each other is a good

of monitoring and are very interested to know which pollinators

way to encourage them and to dissolve their uncertainties:

are visiting their margins and how much benefit they bring for

“Getting farmers together and talking about these things is

their crops. However, they cannot identify insects themselves and

the best way. We had a FWAG Farm walk on Monday, you go

find it difficult to pursue the monitoring. They have not yet found

and look at things, you get people standing by and you all talk

someone who is willing and able to do it. They say that many other

about it. That’s the best way to be convinced.”

farmers might think the same way and might also be interested in monitoring their pollinators but wouldn’t know where to start. If

Since the interview the UK government have very recently

they can find someone skilled who would be interested in doing the

announced the introduction of a payment per ha to farmers for not

monitoring, George would agree to that “[...] without a question.”

using insecticides on their land. The Hosfords are very pleased to hear this news and are looking forward to entering the scheme and

Without the monitoring and evidence that the wildflower margins are positively affecting the crop, they believe that it would be 34

being rewarded.

photo: Lucy Capstick

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A look behind the scenes at the bee-friendly farm “The Land of Milk and Honey”

We follow a crop rotation of six years: three years of herb-rich

From farmer to farmer

the air and store it in the soil. This way of working benefits the life in the

Interview with Johan Bousseamaere from Nieuwkapelle, Belgium .

grassland, followed by 3 years of arable farming. The herb-rich grassland lets the soil rest and enriches it with nitrogen. After these 3 years arable crops ensure that the accumulated nitrogen is used properly and the soil is supplied with carbon again. To enrich the soil with extra carbon, we always try to thresh the arable crops, and returning the straw to the soil. And in doing so we remove CO2 from soil: a healthy soil is the starting point for healthy production.

To support bees in agricultural landscapes, people often think of flower borders, wood edges and reasoned use of phytochemicals. But there

Around the dairy farm, the cows follow a grazing schedule in which

are also other ways to help out wild bees.

they get a fresh pasture every day, only returning to the same pasture after three weeks. The vegetation in the pastures consists of a mix of

In Nieuwkapelle (Diksmuide, Belgium) Johan and Isabel manage an

grasses and herbs. Each herb species roots at a different depth, which

organic farm where they integrate sustainable and well-considered

makes the whole vegetation more resistant to drought. The herbs also

decisions in their management. Johan is also a beekeeper.

provide a more balanced pallet of minerals for the cows’ diets. The

Ruben Mistiaen from Inagro interviewed Johan about the management

clovers ensure that we do not have to apply additional manure to the

of their farm and how they integrate bee-friendly measures. You can

grassland.

watch the full recording of the interview and tour of the farm here.

Hi Johan, could you start by telling us a bit more about the structure of your company and how you approach things?

Our company consists of two large parts: on the one hand Isabel’s parental company, which is operated as an arable farm. And on the other hand, my parental company, which is operated as a dairy farm with about 130 cows. Both companies switched to organic in 2016, and since 2021 we also make and sell our own hard cheeses and yogurt.

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Because the cows only return to the same plot every three weeks, the herbs in the grass-herb mixture have plenty of time to grow back.

This way each pasture can flower for about 10 days before the cows return to the plot, and thus there are always some pastures that are flowering. The bees really appreciate that.

Research carried out within the BEESPOKE project showed that field beans are largely dependent on bees

for good pollination. You also have field beans in your crop rotation.

Could you explain how bees are supported on your farm?

Watch the full interview recording and get to know Johan and his farm even better. You can read and watch the Dutch article and video here.

In spring, there are many dandelions in the meadows as well as hazels, willows and some fruit trees that are going to bloom. Then the field beans bloom and when they have finished blooming, the clovers in the grass herb meadows begin to bloom intensively. The rotational grazing ensures that meadows are in bloom at any time. So we try to provide flowering plants in the area from early spring until late autumn.

Johan, thank you very much for this conversation and for the tour of the company!

Of course, you are very welcome!

photos: Inagro

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Supporting Pollinators in the Grassland of the Marshlands From farmer to farmer Interview with Nils von Deetzen from Jade in Lower Saxony, Germany Interviewed & revised by Mathias Paech, written by Anna Vollmer

flower strips. The farmer started the establishment of the speciesrich grasslands with the motivation “to initiate new processes and try something new, which is a bit future-oriented”. He appreciates these areas for their ecological benefits providing pollinator-friendly areas. At the same time he values them to be able to further process the cuttings as silage to feed his dairy cows with. For Nils, the decision to implement the wildflower and species-rich areas was clear quickly.

For his father Udo, it needed some more convincing. Paul comes from a generation where everything was supposed to be managed and grown fast and to a maximum. Nils says that, “now there’s such a slowdown process, so I had to lure him in with the little things – for example, that the seeds are provided and the costs are covered and this makes it more tempting”, Nils adds laughing.

On their farm they aim to distribute their different fields, species-rich grasslands and wildflower areas across the land “like a mosaic” to create a valuable “interplay between the pasture grass and this speciesrich seed mixtures. […] We have a few fields where cereal grows, where corn grows. We have areas, which are used either more extensively or more intensively, so legumes or pasture grass. Then everything is

photo: © Nils von Deetzen

The marshlands of Jade in Lower Saxony, Germany are home to Nils von Deetzen, his family and their farm. In total their farm consists of 175 hectares of which 15 hectare are managed as arable fields and 160 hectare as permanent grasslands for their dairy cows. On the arable fields Nils grows maize and cereal in rotation. Depending on the weather conditions, he either grows both at the same time or one after the other. The Hof von Deetzen is managed conventionally but Nils integrates wildflower strips, species-rich grasslands, Natura 2000 guidelines as well as lapwing and godwit nest protection into his farming practices.

The establishment of their species-rich grassland In 2020, Nils started to establish BEESPOKE grassland seed mixes in collaboration with the Grünlandzentrum Niedersachsen/Bremen e.V. They sowed 5 hectares of species-rich commercial grassland on Nils’ marshland. On each of the 5 hectares a different composition of a grassland mix was sown. Besides the BEESPOKE mixes, Nils manages another 25 hectare of species-rich grassland and another 3 ha of

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spread out a bit so that there really is an alternation. We also have a few areas that are involved in agri-environmental schemes where we maintain field margins […].”

Maintenance and obstacles All in all, Nils is positively surprised by how well the establishment and management of the areas worked out. “Red clover and white clover, they have established very strongly. Ribwort was also very well represented in the last three plots, although it was only included to a certain extent [in the seed mixes], but it has nevertheless established itself very well.” Before, these areas were managed as grassland. This led to weed infestation by sorrel. He avoided to use pesticides and managed to control the sorrel by mowing it early enough before its seeding to prevent further spreading. Over time, especially in the third year, gaps in the vegetation occurred. Nils suspects that the growth of the areas could be affected by foraging geese which bring quite severe damage to the grasslands of the area. However, Nils observed that the clover species spread out well and thereby also filled up some of the gaps.

The high amount of clover can impair the quality of the silage that Nils is making from the species-rich and wildflower cuttings. The high levels

to learn more about. This is in particularly important for him regarding the more restricted use of pesticides. He feels like there already is a lot of knowledge which is constantly growing, so he would like to stay updated with new useful insights. Moreover, he would like to learn more about how to deal with processing legumes as feed especially regarding the advantages of saving Co2 and using less mineral fertilizer.

He would be open to receive more of this knowledge by participating in more farmwalk events or simply in a printed form.

Nils encourages other farmers to try out new things and to consider the participation in the BEESPOKE or a similar project. He photo: © Georg Bareth

recommends to just see how the participation and establishment of measures goes; figuring out what can be applied in the same way

of crude protein in the clover can negatively affect the cows. For this

as in the project guidelines and what could be implemented in a

reason, Nils is cautious when making silage from the strips and prefers

different way adapted to own needs and farming practices.

to mix the species-rich cuttings with some pasture grass. Thereby the

Therefore, keeping an open mind and considering new opportunities

silage he processed from the areas were not of worse quality than the

to apply pollinator friendly or other agri-environmental measures

ones made from the usual pasture grass. And the cows seem to really

could benefit the restoration of the surrounding nature as well as

like the silage from the species-rich grasslands.

the development of the farm itself.

Monitoring pollinators and ecosystem benefits Nils did not conduct active monitoring but definitely noticed a difference in his pollinator supporting areas. “[T]here were always butterflies or bees, they really appreciated the area. Always when you would walk through these areas you would see pollinators, which you would not have seen on the normal areas.”

Actively monitoring species on farmland might not only benefit the animals but might make farmers see their land with different eyes regarding habitat for wildlife. Nils receives subsidies for the protection of each lapwing and godwit nest on his land. By learning what to pay attention for in order to find and protect these nests, his awareness for the birds and their habitat on his land grew.

Wishes for further advice and recommendations to other farmers The maintenance of the wildflower areas and species-rich grasslands and their sustainable management is something that Nils would like

photo: © Nils von Deetzen

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photo: NIAB

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Guides & Tutorials

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Guides & Tutorials

Monitoring Pollination & Pollinators By monitoring the numbers and diversity of pollinators you can gain valuable insight in the relationship between crop yield and pollination

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One aim of BEESPOKE is to develop farmer friendly methods for

(potential pollination deficit). Thereby evidence can be provided to

measuring their own pollination and levels of pollinators and to

what extent the wildflower margins are benefitting crop pollination.

improve pollination by establishing bespoke wildflower areas. To

With our guides you can learn how to estimate your pollination

support these activities as well as general biodiversity we developed

potential, how to conduct pollinator monitoring and how to identify

several guides and video tutorials.

solitary bees and bumblebees.

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Guides & Tutorials Supporting Pollinators & Biodiversity If you want to take action for pollinators and general biodiversity on your land, the following guides are developed to support you with your efforts. Learn how to establish and maintain a perennial wildflower area, how other habitats can help biodiversity or how to build a nesting possibility for solitary bees.

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Guides & Tutorials Video Tutorials, Interviews & More On our Youtube channel you can find many additional as well as complementary video tutorials which can help you support your efforts for pollinators. Get inspired by interviews with farmers who share their experiences and knowledge about pollinator-friendly measures. You can also find more videos with additional knowledge about pollinator-friendly farming, webinars, the BEESPOKE project in general or our project partners.

Visit our webpage for all of our guides. If you are interested in scientific literature, you can find our publications as well as further reading here as well.

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photo: NIAB

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Future & legacy of the project 49

The Legacy of the BEESPOKE Project John Holland, Project Coordinator, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Above all else our hope is that this project will highlight the importance of pollinators for both wild plants and crops leading to greater adoption of management practices to support them.

Crop pollination

Policy The implementation of measures to support pollinators relies heavily upon sufficient financial support and appropriate agri-environment scheme options. Our work collating information about the member states current agri-environment schemes, feedback from land managers about how they perceive the schemes, and results from our own findings will be used to provide recommendations to NSR member state organisations responsible for agri-environment policy. This can ensure that uptake is at a landscape scale, helping to

We hope that through provision of user-friendly protocols and

improve pollinator populations whilst our landscape models can help

demonstration of the benefits of adequate pollination that more

identify where such habitats are most needed. However, there may

farmers and growers will make management of pollination a key

still be barriers to uptake but by better understanding these through

component of their production systems. New information will be

our interactions with stakeholders, surveys and analysis we aim to

provided to complement that which already exists on the importance

overcome these providing extra incentives such as information about

of pollination for major crops and for some new novel crops. This will

the costs and benefits. Overall, the project will generate some broad

include a predictive tool that can estimate the number of pollinators

recommendations alongside much more detailed guidance about the

for any location across the North Sea Region. This is based upon the

management of pollinators and crop pollination.

land-use, derived from satellite data, and the resources the different habitats provide for pollinators linked with their mobility.

Wild bee conservation

Legacy The project will develop many new training materials to help farmers and other land managers to survey and identify their pollinators, assess

Through the development of targeted bespoke seed mixes, we will

their impact on crop pollination and best manage their land to support

provide land managers with a way to encourage the types of pollinators

pollinators. This will include written guides, videos and online tools.

needed for their crops. New grassland mixes will also encourage

We will also have generated much new information about the role of

pollinators on grazing land. The seed selection tool will allow them to

pollinators in crop production which can help inform the science base,

further refine or develop new mixes appropriate for their particular

policy makers and land managers.

farms. The new seed mixes will also be used by a wide range of other insects helping to boost their falling numbers. Alongside these mixes we have provided training and produced written and video guides on how best to establish and manage these and other flowering habitats found on farmland. The provision of advice and tools to manage pollinators is essential to ensure pollinators are managed as best as possible.

Guidelines on how to identify and monitor the main groups of wild pollinators have also been produced, so that land managers can monitor their levels over time and to help inspire more people to take an interest in pollinators and monitor their numbers.

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photo: NIAB

photo: NIAB

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photo: Jan-Willem van Kruyssen

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photo: NIAB

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If you would like to stay in touch with us and receive all updates on the BEESPOKE project, just visit our website or social media pages!

K E C Q P Website

Facebook

LinkedIN

Instagram

YouTube

Colophon Graphic design Statuur, Bastiaan Blaauw Editing John Holland, Anna Vollmer BEESPOKE Project Coordinator John Holland beespokensrproject@gmail.com BEESPOKE Project Communication Jan-Willem van Kruyssen jw@vankruyssen.eu

All rights reserved, 2023

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