pollinators

A proposed “Pollinator Paradise” license plate appears well on its way to becoming reality, thanks to the efforts of Oregon State University.  The proposal has created a lot of buzz across the state, as pre-sale vouchers are flying off shelves; and the “Pollinator Paradise'' plate could soon be available at a DMV near you.  OSU Associate Professor o...

For the first time since 2017, the USDA has tracked the business of pollinators.   In 2022, paid pollinated acres increased by 5.4% for cherries, but decreased for apple (10.3%), peaches (48.3%) and pears (3.4%).  The price per acre increased 35.6% for apples ...

The USDA granted a conditional license for a vaccine to protect the country’s honeybees from foulbrood disease.  Earth.com said the bacterial infection weakens and kills honeybee colonies and has no treatment.  The vaccine was developed by Dalan Animal Health and brings hope for a weapon against a disease that regularly ravages colonies that are highly important to food pollination.   In parts of

In December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched the Center for Pollinator Conservation, to address the decline of pollinator populations.  Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley also recently secured funding for western Monarch Butterfly conservation.   “...

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is spending nearly $560,000 on efforts to improve habitats for the Monarch Butterfly in Oregon and California.    “Protecting monarch butterflies is an urgent issue that requires sustainable solutions,” said Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, who secured additional western monarch conservation funding as Chairman of the Interior, Environment & Related Agenci

According to the USDA, during the first three months of the year, bee keepers nationwide lost about 12% of the colonies, and another 10% during the 2nd quarter.  Those losses aren't as bad as the drop we saw during the first half of 2021. ...

BASF Agricultural Solutions North America will donate $50,000 to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund's Seed A Legacy pollinator habitat program.  The donation is part of BASF's annual Living Acres #MonarchChallenge initiative. The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund will use BASF's donation to expand its Seed A Legacy pollinator habitat program with the goal of restoring high-quality pollinator habitat

With pollinator numbers dropping around the United States, some homeowners will leave dandelions in their yard saying they’re trying to help the honeybees with a source of food. While their intentions may be good, the Washington state Department of Agriculture said dandelions are not the best for bees. ...

The winter-like stormed that rolled across the Pacific Northwest Sunday and Monday not only brought unseasonably cold temperatures to the area, but extremely late season snow as well. Snow totals varied from a few inches on the Palouse, to 3”-8” in the Hood River area and as much as 12” around Medford. What impa ...

Earlier this week, the USDA announced a strengthened commitment to advancing research and priorities that support pollinator health. The Department of Ag is soliciting nominations for members to serve on its newly formed USDA National Pollinator Subcommittee The subcommittee is part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board ...