Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 34
. A pollen-moisture meter
Cleaning pollen
When it has been dried to its
optimum, the pollen should be
cleaned of all debris. The amount of
debris in the pollen is a reflection of
the pollen trap's efficiency. Pollen is
usually cleaned using a series of sieves
of different calibers or by passing it
through a series of differently sized
screens. The dust is collected in a box
below the lowest screen.
Post-harvest storage
Pollen should be packaged in clean, airtight containers immediately after drying and
cleaning. If it is allowed to stand in the open air for any period of time, it will absorb
moisture and subsequently deteriorate or go mouldy.
Pollen for human consumption should be sold (or used) as soon as possible to ensure
its freshness. If it is going to be fed to the bees, it should be used within 12 months.
Extracting beeswax
Beeswax is essentially a side-product of beekeeping, although one that can provide a
useful - if sporadic - income. Because of the following, beeswax is an ideal product:
