Honey bees pollinate more than 90 cultivated crops with a combined annual value of $10 billion. Nebraska crops dependent upon bees for pollination include: alfalfa, vetch, sweet clover, sunflower, and other seed crops. Many fruit and vegetable crops also benefit from bee pollination including: watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupe, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and pears. Honey bees pollinate many plants that are important in soil conservation. Many of the wild flowers that cover our woodlands and meadows also depend on honey bee pollination. We must protect and conserve our pollinators. No other insect is more easily managed or relocated for specific pollination, nor does any other insect pollinate such a wide range of plants.

NDA conducts inspections of hives when a Nebraska beekeeper requests a Bee Health Certificate for shipping their hives interstate. Requests for a Health Certificate and inspection should be sent to the NDA State Entomologist at agr.plant@nebraska.gov.