usda

USDA Makes Change to 2023 Notice of Loss Requirements for Two Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Livestock, Pollinators, USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain?notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish?(ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). This move is an effort to streamline assistance to support access to critical 2023 natural disaster recovery assistance. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss within …

Parasite Hijacks Iron in Honey Bees

Dan Pollinators, USDA-ARS

(USDA/ARS) — An Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist has discovered the Nosema ceranae parasite that causes major problems and death in honey bees works by hijacking its host’s iron for itself. Iron is as essential a micronutrient for honey bees as it is for people. Honey bees usually get enough to meet their needs from their flower pollen diet. They use iron …

honey bees

Honeybee Losses Jumped Sharply Higher Last Winter

Dan Industry News Release, Pollinators

Bee colony death numbers are continuing to climb. The Bee Informed Partnership released its latest survey last week, saying U.S. beekeepers lost 40 percent of their colonies last winter. That’s the largest number of overwintering hive losses since the survey began more than a decade ago. The total annual loss in 2018 was estimated to be slightly above average. An …

pollinators

The Buzz: Pollinators are Essential

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Pollinators

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES)— In the spirit of National Pollinator Week, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System salutes pollinators everywhere who are irreplaceable pieces of the puzzle in gardens, cropland and flowerbeds. Bees are more than honey-makers and hive builders. Bees are essential to the most important part of the food chain—pollination. Importance of Pollinators Bees are essential for the pollination of one-third …

pollinators

Georgia NRCS Promoting the ABC’s of Pollinators

Dan Georgia, Pollinators, USDA-NRCS

Many in agriculture have been celebrating National Pollinator Week this week, as the event was designated by the U.S. Senate twelve years ago. Numerous groups like The Honey Bee Health Coalition, Farmers for Monarchs, and the Environmental Defense Fund have been working to expand pollinator awareness through education. But USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is also celebrating …