Monitoring Bees & Supporting Biodiesel

Monitoring Bees & Supporting Biodiesel

Monitoring Bees & Supporting Biodiesel plus Responding to Surveys. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell was one of six U.S. senators that took part in a press conference on Wednesday to help support the biodiesel industry. Cantwell talks about companies like those in Washington State that produce biodiesel.

CANTWELL: They produce enough biodiesel with all the other biodiesel companies like them in our state, they could replace 3% of the diesel we use in the state with these products that are grown from our region. So we want to continue to see these companies grow but they face two challenges. One: the Renewable Fuels Standard and two: the Biodiesel Tax Credit.

CropLife America is commending the USDA for the release of their annual survey prepared in collaboration with the Bee Informed Partnership and the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA), which reports a marked decrease in bee colony losses compared to previous years.  Survey results show that 23.2 percent of managed honeybee colonies in the U.S. were lost, compared to 30.5 percent losses reported for the 2012/2013 winter. Over an eight-year period, the average total of colony losses reported is 29.6 percent.

Even though the latest Census of Ag has been released USDA says that farmers are less prone to respond to statistical surveys. Gary Crawford has more.

(USDA Report)

Thanks Gary. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.

Previous ReportRaw Milk Warning & School Lunch Changes
Next ReportUSDA Weapons Request & Tight Beef Supplies