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USDA To Spend $3M To Help Honeybees

Beekeeper Terry Street of Kingsley finds his hives aren't full of honey as they would typically be at this time of year.
Candice Ludlow
/
IPR News
Beekeeper Terry Street of Kingsley finds his hives aren't full of honey as they would typically be at this time of year.

The federal government will spend $3 million dollars to help improve the health of honeybees.

Honeybees have been suddenly disappearing or dying in the last several years, known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Habitat loss and pesticide use have contributed to the declining population.
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering interested farmers and ranchers assistance to implement cover crops that honeybees feed on, like alfalfa and clover.

The new program targets five Midwestern states, including Michigan. That's because 65 percent of commercial honeybees in the country use the region as a resting ground in the summer months. 

Brian Buehler with the Agriculture Department in East Lansing says a program goal is for healthy honeybees, but there are other benefits to farmers as well. 

"An eligible practice might be a hedge row, so that’s going to help control erosion and things like that, in addition to helping honeybees," he says.

He says money can also be used for things like pest management.

"Instead of using a broad-spectrum herbicide, maybe they’ll use one that will have less of an impact on plants that the honeybees need."

The practices are aimed at diversifying the habitat and food supply for bees and other wildlife.

Some Michigan beekeepers are worried this winter they will see their biggest losses.