May 2, 2013
Contact:
Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030
The National Cotton Council (NCC) is aware that the scientific community is in agreement that there are multiple factors involved with bee health decline and more study is necessary to determine which of these factors are the most important.
The list of factors (in no particular order) include: parasites, pathogens, and diseases; bee genetics, including lack of genetic diversity; diet and nutrition; bee management issues, including transportation stress from migratory beekeeping, overcrowding, feeding practices, and chemicals used by beekeepers to control mites; habitat loss and other environmental stressors, including loss of forage area; pesticides including acute and cumulative exposure; and potential cumulative and interactive effects of each of these factors.
Although cotton is a self-pollinating crop that does not require bees for pollination, some beekeepers do request permission to place their hives on cotton producer's property next to row crops, including cotton.
The NCC has been and continues to be engaged in issues surrounding bee health, and it continues to seek improved crop production techniques that protect crop yield and enhance environmental outcome.
Related News
USDA Announces March Prospective Plantings USDA’s March Prospective Plantings Report indicates U.S. producers intend to plant 10.7 million cotton acres in 2024. NCC Expresses Disappointment with Dicamba Ruling The NCC is extremely disappointed in a ruling by the Arizona Federal court that vacates the label for over-the-top use of dicamba products for the 2024 crop. USDA December Production Report In its December crop report, USDA estimated a 2023-24 U.S. crop of 12.78 million bales.
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