Agricultural News
CropLife America Celebrates National Pollinator Week
Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:59:05 CDT
CropLife America (CLA) is pleased to recognize National Pollinator Week, June 15-21, 2015, and the vital role that pollinators play in supporting agricultural production. Pollinating species such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles support plant life and our ecosystems, and farmers everywhere depend on both native pollinators as well as contract pollination services to promote crop growth. While using crop protection products in a responsible manner and following all label directions, growers can promote pollinator health and increase crop yield.
"Beekeepers, growers, the crop protection industry and other stakeholders can all contribute to the effort to support pollinator health, and the President's Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators is helping to guide and coordinate plans," stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. "For farmers, good stewardship practices include the precise application of pesticides, the careful analysis of pest conditions and recycling pesticide containers in the correct manner. In recent years, we've added important refinements to pollinator stewardship like more focus on the careful use of seed treatment products. Stewardship is always moving ahead. Through these activities, growers can ensure that the pollinators in their areas as well as those brought in through contracts remain healthy and facilitate crop growth."
CLA supports the stewardship of pesticide products to promote the health of native pollinators and contract pollination services. Growers of the top 10 crops utilizing managed pollination in the U.S., including almonds and sunflowers, purchased almost 96 percent of contract pollination services in 2012.1 The top six states with the most registered beekeeping operations that provide pollination services include California, Texas, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana; California alone has 110 such operations. The gross revenue of beekeepers from pollination services in 2012 exceeded $650 million. The proper stewardship of crop protection products helps growers keep contracted pollinators, as well as native pollinators, healthy and productive year after year.
CLA also supports the public television series America's Heartland in hosting broadcast programming and online educational resources that highlight the connection between pollinators and agriculture. Additionally, the association is a member of the Honey Bee Health Coalition, a diverse, multi-stakeholder group focused on improving the health of honey bees and other pollinators, and also strongly supports the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. For more information on crop protection technology stewardship practices, download The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, jointly produced by the American Seed Trade Association and CLA along with several grower organizations. Read more about pollinator health and the crop protection industry on CLA's website by clicking here.
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