bee health

USDA Reports Encouraging Honeybee Numbers
USDA Reports Encouraging Honeybee Numbers
USDA Reports Encouraging Honeybee Numbers
The USDA released its report on honeybee colonies earlier this week, and the number were encouraging when it comes to the total number of colonies as well as colony losses. "The January one honeybee colonies is up 2%." That's compared to January 1st of 2020 at just over 2 ...
WSU Beekeepers Team Up To Study Colony Health
WSU Beekeepers Team Up To Study Colony Health
WSU Beekeepers Team Up To Study Colony Health
In an effort to better understand colony health, Washington State University scientists have partnered with beekeepers this spring to inspect honey bees and hives. Postdoctoral researche​r, Rae Olsson, said all of the bees tracked for the project are part of a large or small commercial operations and all of them are migratory in some way, meaning the beekeepers move the bees all around the countr
UC Davis Researchers Look At Impact Pesticides Loss Of Flowers Has On Bees
UC Davis Researchers Look At Impact Pesticides Loss Of Flowers Has On Bees
UC Davis Researchers Look At Impact Pesticides Loss Of Flowers Has On Bees
Researchers at University of California Davis found the combined threats of pesticides and loss of flowering plants led to a 57% drop in blue orchard bee reproduction, as well as few female offspring. UC Davis graduate student, Clara Stuligross, said usually stressors for bees are studied independently, but in this specific case, it was important to understand how stressors interact and work toge
Washington Awarded $4.6M Specialty Crop Programs
Washington Awarded $4.6M Specialty Crop Programs
Washington Awarded $4.6M Specialty Crop Programs
The Washington state Department of Agriculture announced late last week that 25 projects across the state will share in $4.6 million in 2018 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds.  And the projects vary as much as the state’s Ag industry.   P...
Bayer Working With Young Beekeepers To Promote Pollinator Health
Bayer Working With Young Beekeepers To Promote Pollinator Health
Bayer Working With Young Beekeepers To Promote Pollinator Health
Young beekeepers have a little extra time to apply for an award by Bayer that recognizes their work.  The Young Beekeeper Award recognizes youth who are working in their community supporting honey bee focused initiatives. This year, three prizes will be awarded to the next generation of beekeepers.  ...
Dropping Bee Colony Numbers Concerns OSU Professor
Dropping Bee Colony Numbers Concerns OSU Professor
Dropping Bee Colony Numbers Concerns OSU Professor
Both bees and beekeepers are feeling the sting, as a new federal survey confirms that keepers lost 28% of their colonies last winter, after losses of 22% a year earlier.  The USDA survey results are in keeping with a larger trend that started a decade ago, when bee numbers began to fall dramatically.  De...
Pollinator Health Task Force Looking to State Managed Plans
Pollinator Health Task Force Looking to State Managed Plans
Pollinator Health Task Force Looking to State Managed Plans
The EPA and USDA are co-leaders on a Presidential Task Force looking at pollinator health.   EPA Ag Liaison Ron Carleton says they need to find that delicate balance and, “Work out some kind of arrangement, some sort of process where we can promote pollinator health yet at the same time insure that producers have the products that they need to produce to control pests and invasive species.”   That