Every time you walk through a soybean field or check on a patch of wildflowers, you see the result of hardworking pollinators. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, beetles, and even bats play an essential role in keeping our food system productive and our ecosystems balanced. Their daily work helps farms and seed companies thrive.
Understanding the role of pollinators is part of building a more confident and resilient ag community. Let’s explore what these tiny powerhouses do for agriculture and why their well-being matters to every farm and field.
What exactly are pollinators?
Pollinators are animals that help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one part of a flower to another. That movement sparks the production of seeds, fruits, and new plants.
While honey bees often get the spotlight, the pollinator family is much bigger. Wild bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and bats all play key roles. The USDA states that over 75% of the world’s flowering plants and roughly 35% of global food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.
Without them, our food system (and many farms) would look very different.
Pollinators and the Ag Industry
Pollinators don’t just make agriculture possible. They make it profitable, sustainable, and resilient.
Here’s how:
They help grow what we eat.
Pollinators are essential for crops like apples, melons, almonds, blueberries, and canola. Without them, yields would drop, and produce would be less plentiful.
According to the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, more than 100 U.S. crop varieties rely on pollination. From row crops to specialty produce, pollinators boost both volume and variety.
They improve crop quality.
It’s obvious how pollination can affect quantity, but it affects quality too. Fruits and vegetables that are well-pollinated tend to be larger, more symmetrical, and longer-lasting.
A 2014 study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that insect pollination improved average crop yields by 18% to 71%, depending on the crop. That’s a big impact from such small wings.
They add billions to the economy.
Pollinators are economic drivers. In the U.S. alone, insect pollination contributes an estimated $18 billion to crop production each year. Globally, pollination services are valued at over $235 billion annually.
That kind of impact supports not just farmers, but entire rural communities.
Why are pollinators struggling?
Despite their importance, pollinators are facing serious challenges:
- Habitat loss due to urban development and monoculture farming
- Pesticide exposure, especially from certain insecticides that interfere with navigation and survival
- Parasites and diseases, like the Varroa mite, which threaten bee health
- Climate change can alter bloom timing and migration patterns
In 2023, U.S. beekeepers reported losing over 48% of managed honey bee colonies, one of the highest loss rates on record. That kind of decline affects every link in the agricultural chain.
What can we do to help?
Thankfully, there are simple, practical ways to support pollinators while also strengthening your business.
Create Habitat
Planting native wildflowers and maintaining hedgerows or buffer strips can provide safe, nourishing places for pollinators to feed and nest.
Use IPM Practices
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can help reduce reliance on harmful pesticides. Choosing targeted treatments and spraying during times when pollinators are less active can make a big difference.
Reduce Tillage
Minimizing soil disturbance helps protect the underground nests of native bees and improves long-term soil health.
Stay Informed
Partnering with pollinator-friendly certification programs or agricultural extensions can help you stay updated on best practices.
As seed companies and ag professionals, we are uniquely positioned to protect these vital contributors. Even small changes can have a big impact.
Let’s Grow a Future That Supports Pollinators and Your Business
Pollinators are essential to agriculture, just like clear communication is essential to your brand. At Ag Printers, we’re here to help you share your story with compliant, high-quality marketing materials that reflect your values and support the ag community from the ground up. Get in touch with Ag Printers today.
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