Ag Headlines for Monday, December 28, 2015

Chipotle Making Changes After E. Coli Outbreaks

Following dozens of illnesses attributed to E. coli, Chipotle has vowed to make changes in its supply chain. Founder Steve Ells vowed Chipotle will ramp up safety measures at the company’s nearly 2,000 locations. The company will likely rely less on local supplies that can’t comply with sophisticated testing and also prepare ingredients such as cilantro and lettuce in a central kitchen before shipping it to local restaurants. “In Other words,” wrote the Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Ells promises to bring his restaurants into the 20th century.” The newspaper notes that Chipotle’s marketing campaign was built around degrading agriculture, yet the campaign couldn’t exist without efficient agriculture. A cult-like following has gone so far as to publish a fabricated news story on a self-proclaimed “alternative news” website, claiming biotech companies, such as Monsanto, were attacking Chipotle by planting E. coli in Chipotle’s supply chain. The Wall Street Journal also reported that perhaps Chipotle’s anti-agriculture campaign may be no longer, pointing out that the company’s stock dropped below $500 for the first time in over a year just last week, and down 25 percent this year.

USDA to Survey Honey Bee Colony Health, Impact on Agriculture

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reaching out to beekeepers and farmers across the nation this month and next to gather information on the number and health of honey bee colonies, honey production and stocks, and the cost to farmers of pollination services. USDA says the surveys will be used to develop baseline data and additional goal metrics for winter, summer, and total annual colony loss in support of the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. Among its goals, the Strategy aims to reduce honey bee colony losses during winter to no more than 15% within 10 years. Beekeepers should expect to receive two surveys from NASS. They will receive the existing Bee and Honey Inquiry, which surveys beekeepers about honey production, price, and stocks, but not colony health. Beekeepers will also receive a new survey from NASS, which the agency will use to publish state-level estimates on key topics, including number of colonies, colonies lost, colonies added, and colonies affected by certain stressors.

NAFB News