Bee theft is on the rise after beekeepers faced their highest nationwide losses in fourteen years.
Data from last year shows beekeepers are believed to have lost over 50% of their managed bee colonies.
The drop in numbers had led to some concern with demand for bees starting to peak in California’s almond-growing regions. Millions of bees are required to pollinate the trees which are mostly located in the San Joaquin Valley.
Last year, an estimated 3,600 hives were stolen in the area and that trend is expected to grow this year.
The California State Beekeepers Association has even launched a new theft prevention program, using air tags, marked bee boxes, and cameras.
Related Stories
New grocery models are being explored as communities look for ways to keep local food access available.
September placements totaled 1.777 million head, down 12 percent from the previous year and the lowest September total since the series began in 1996.
The projected $55.4 billion would surpass the previous government payment record set in 2020.
One Rapides Parish farmer is spending hours irrigating only a fraction of his wheat fields.
