soybean fields--part of honey flow??

[budsbee]

do bees get nectar from soybean flowers ? or any other part of the plant? If so how does the honey taste?

I have about 1200 acres of soybeans near me this year, last year it was corn.
:-D :-D :-D

[Brian D. Bray]

do bees get nectar from soybean flowers ? or any other part of the plant? If so how does the honey taste?

I have about 1200 acres of soybeans near me this year, last year it was corn.
:-D :-D :-D

They will forage soybeans if they have to, they'll get nectar and pollen.  Corn is usally a source of pollen only.

[dpence]

I have read several threads asking about soybeans.  From what I can draw, the new hybrids that most farmers now plant are self pollinating plus they produce little or no nectar.  Some argue its depends on the variety of soybean, and that may well be true.  Look and see what your bees do.  

David

[Ross]

I get very nice medium light honey from soybeans.  It has a very good flavor.

[budsbee]

 thanks for the info.

[asprince]

I put some NUC's on soybeans last summer. They built up nice and survived the winter. Everyone around here planted wheat and corn this year.

Good luck, Steve

[dpence]

I am going to try my own experience.  I happened to mention it to a friend of mine and he is going to let me set some hives in the middle of seventy acres of soybeans.  They should be blooming next month.  Everything is late here cause of the rain.

David

[Fannbee]

Both hybrid cotton and soybeans do not produce alot of nectar.   It depends on what is planted.

[Michael Bush]

>do bees get nectar from soybean flowers ?

Sometimes.

> If so how does the honey taste?

Great.

[qa33010]

   I hear the most about soybeans and cotton honeys.  I don't hear a lot about varietal (wildflower) honey, which is what I have.  I do like all three though. :-D

[dpence]

I ventured out in the soybean field today to see if the girls were working the blooms, and yes they were.  We set two hives there last week, I am curious as to what they produce.  My friend said I could set more hives if I wanted to, so I may set out one of my weaker hives in another soybean field of his to help it get stores for winter.  Just my observation at this point.  Still learning.

David

[Ben Framed]

>do bees get nectar from soybean flowers ?

Sometimes.

> If so how does the honey taste?

Great.

I have a major question Mr Bush. Which times?
 
There are soybeans close to my parents house and I am wondering.
Phillip

[Nock]

I?d like to know as well.

[Sputnik]

There is about 500 acres of soybeans 2000 feet east of my bees. The beans are not yet in bloom. East Tenn. Had a very wet spring, all my garden stuff is late as well.

[Live Oak]

Typically only certain varieties of soybeans produce nectar.  Soybeans are self pollinating and have no natural need to produce nectar.  This year the variety of soybeans that produces nectar according to Pioneer is P46A57BX.  If you work with local farmers in range of your bees to plant this variety of soybeans it could be a win/win situation for your bees and the farmer as studies have shown that soybeans pollinated by honey bees yield increases upto 20%.

[Ben Framed]

Typically only certain varieties of soybeans produce nectar.  Soybeans are self pollinating and have no natural need to produce nectar.  This year the variety of soybeans that produces nectar according to Pioneer is P46A57BX.  If you work with local farmers in range of your bees to plant this variety of soybeans it could be a win/win situation for your bees and the farmer as studies have shown that soybeans pollinated by honey bees yield increases upto 20%.

Very good information Live Oak. Thank you.

There is about 500 acres of soybeans 2000 feet east of my bees. The beans are not yet in bloom. East Tenn. Had a very wet spring, all my garden stuff is late as well.

Sputnik, Maybe your local beans will be the right variety.  I hope this works out for you. Let us know if it helps your honey production. I am interested. Thanks
Phillip