Honeybees to California Almonds and WOTUS Report Applauded
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.**Bees are arriving at California farms, by the truckloads.
It’s pollination time for California almond growers, and beekeepers are moving some 2.5 million honeybee colonies into California orchards to pollinate 1.3 million acres of almond trees.
About 2 million of the honeybee colonies come from out of state, and 500,000 come from California beekeepers.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has a pre-inspection program for out-of-state bees.
**The Supreme Court hands down a ruling on mandatory COVID vaccines in large workplaces, saying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t have the authority from Congress to impose a vaccine mandate on larger employers.
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives says, the action shows that OSHA needs to consider other alternatives to encourage vaccinations for workers.
The National Grocers Association says the ruling takes some pressure off independent community grocers who already face staffing shortages.
**The EPA’s recent report on its Waters of the U.S rule is getting positive reviews.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Scott Yager says they strongly support the recommendation to develop a clear and limited WOTUS definition and protect key exemptions for common agricultural features.
Among the recommendations are ensuring EPA’s compliance with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent limiting federal jurisdiction.
They also recommend a clear WOTUS definition that’s easily interpreted by farmers and ranchers.