The USDA report on bee movement adds an additional dimension to beekeeping and survival as more animal health pros are engaged in bee health initiatives. Similar to food animals, bees experiences stress during transportation and more risks as they are deployed in monocultures. Honeybees fall into veterinarians’ purview because of the VFD rule and changes in FDA policy on medically important antimicrobials.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, June 2021. Report summary, Link. Full report, Link. To provide pollination services and produce honey, many beekeepers transport their colonies around the country during the year. This travel is driven by the provision of pollination services, the search for forage to produce honey, and the need to enhance colony survival and growth. These movements highlight the link between the production of pollinated nuts, fruits, vegetables, and seeds and access to the rich forage resources of the Northern Great Plains, including CRP acreage.
Also see: Keeping bees healthy, Tufts Now, June 2021. Link.
Also see: Q & A: Using medically important antimicrobials in bees, FDA, February 11, 2021. Link.
Also see: Honeybees as pollinators, their habitats and products, University of Missouri Extension, September 2018. Link.
The best thing stewards can do for the insect pollinator health crisis is to increase floral resources.”
Also see: Bee friendly plants for your garden, BeeKeepClub. Link.
OFFER: Native plants for pollinators, Quail Forever. Link. The same plants bees and butterflies rely on are the same insect producing forbs and flowers that help pheasant and quail broods thrive.