Bee keepers are blaming colony losses on climate change

For more than a decade, bee keepers have had a hard time keeping colonies alive, and it is a problem they say is still happening, and they blame it largely on climate change.

“We know that that’s affecting them because it’s affecting when flowers are blooming because they’re flowering too early, they’re flowering too late, and it doesn’t match when the bees need that energy. So we’re trying to come up with alternative forage that farmers can plant, that beekeepers can plant, that will help sort of compensate for that difference,” said Lanie Bilodeau, Research Leader at the USDA Bee Laboratory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

during the 1980s, a 10 percent colony loss was considered normal. However, since then, keepers have reported as much as half their hives either dying or disappearing.

Related Stories
University of Illinois’ Dr. Matthew Wheeler discusses developing insulin-producing dairy cows and the potential of livestock biotechnology to address future healthcare challenges.
Illinois Pork Producers Association’s Jennifer Tirey recaps the World Pork Expo, key issues facing pork producers, and efforts to restore pork options in Chicago Public Schools.
OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh discusses a new bipartisan surface transportation bill, industry efforts to address regulatory concerns, investments in truck parking and freight infrastructure, and the outlook for transportation policy.
USDA confirmed the latest cases involve a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County
Texas Tech’s Dr. Jennifer Koziol discusses the latest New World screwworm cases in Texas, ongoing response efforts, and how livestock biosecurity can prevent the pest’s spread.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Fred Seamon with CME Group joins us to discuss the latest Ag Economy Barometer and the key economic pressures shaping producer sentiment in May.
The FAO report continues to serve as a key benchmark for global food market conditions, offering insight into how shifting supply and demand dynamics are impacting food systems worldwide.
President Trump’s appearance in Wisconsin coincides with National Dairy Month, placing additional attention on one of the nation’s leading dairy-producing states.