Worst Honeybee Die-off Ever and USDA Invests in Food Assistance
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**Commercial beekeepers discovered their colonies of honeybees in near or total collapse earlier this year, in what some call the worst bee die-off in U.S. history.
Combined with other honeybee die-offs, some beekeepers may have lost 70 to 100% of their colonies.
A recent report by Project Apis m, says the losses are severe and may impact food security through inadequate pollination services.
The report estimates financial losses at over $139 million.
**The USDA will purchase up to $67 million in fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country.
These purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.
Fiscal year to date, USDA has provided more than $600 million in purchases, all of which benefit the charitable feeding network.
**The USDA’s Cattle on Feed Report showed on-feed numbers, placements, and marketings were all down two-to-three percent in May.
U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more totaled 11.4 million head on May 1.
USDA’s Cold Storage Report shows total red meat supplies in freezers were up 5% from the previous month but down 6% from last year.