Ag News: California Beehive Thefts and Ocean Shipping Reform Act

**California farmers and their beekeepers are dealing with a troublesome phenomenon: bee thefts.

The trend of beehive theft from orchards seems to resurface every year at pollination time for almond crops.

One California beekeeper reported that 384 hives were stolen in Mendocino County.

The hives were valued at $150,000 and could have generated $80,000 in rental income.

Authorities are investigating multiple theft so far.

**The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association heard domestic and international leaders who spoke during the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Undersecretary Robert Bonnie, and British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce expressed optimism about the future of the cattle and beef industries.

Vilsack committed to addressing challenges that producers are facing regarding the supply chain, processing capacity, and drought.

Pierce shared her optimism in strengthening the relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. ### through continuing negotiations to reach a free trade agreement.

**The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was introduced in the Senate last week.

Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar and South Dakota Republican John Thune introduced the Act in response to the House version passed by a wide bipartisan vote in December.

Farm groups and other industry stakeholders are complaining that ships coming to the West Coast from Asia are going back to China and other Asian nations empty.