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20 SEEDWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER 2015 We have been doing a lot of work during the past couple of years to try to bring together different aspects of the federal government with private sector industry and land-grant universi- ties to develop best management practices related to treated seed Keigwin says. In addition the agency works to identify the current state of tech- nology in seed coatings. We are looking at what tech- nology is available and what new technology has advanced to the commercial market place Keigwin says noting that this helps them identify the best possible practices to reduce exposure to pollinators. For example he says a new lubricant that can be added to the planting hopper has become available and initial studies show it reduces dust thus reducing pesti- cide exposure. EPA is also working with equip- ment manufacturers internationally to develop new standards in equip- ment to reduce dust emissions. Keigwin says the EPA in its registration review is looking at seed treatments to determine what changes might be necessary. While we havent completed the risk assessment we are looking at some of these new technolo- gies to reduce exposure and the benefits to growers in using this technology he explains. Jane DeMarchi American Seed Trade Association vice president of government affairs says while we dont know exactly what the national pollinator strategy means for the seed industry there is potential for some positive oppor- tunities as far as programs put in place to increase pollinator habitat. The strategy has many moving parts with many federal agencies involved. In addition there are opportunities for the private sector when it comes to pollinator friendly seed mixes she says. As research information is sub- mitted to EPA like many compa- nies ASTA is waiting to see what Managed Honeybee Colony Losses in the U.S. This chart summarizes the total overwinter colony loss each winter from Oct. 1 to April 1 of managed honeybee colonies in the United States. The red bar is the average percentage of acceptable loss and the orange bar represents the percentage of actual loss. Source Bee Informed Partnership 2014. PercentTotalColonyWinterLoss 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 All U.S. Bee Colonies v. Honey Producing Colonies The total number of honeybee colonies on farms Dec. 31 unless noted has doubled since the 1970s according to USDA. Its important to note that beekeepers who did not meet USDAs definition of a farm are not included any place from which 1000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold. Meanwhile honey producing colonies on farms has steadily decreased since it was first tracked in the 1980s. For data collected on honey producing colonies a Only producers with five-plus colonies were surveyed b Colonies that produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state c Honey can be taken from colonies which did not survive the entire year. Source USDA. 4500000 4000000 3500000 3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 Colonies NumberofColonies HoneyProducingColonies 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 June1 April15 Jan.1 April1 April1 April1