Help from the federal government for Wisconsin beekeepers who lost hives due to "brutal" weather

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin beekeepers who sustained losses due to poor weather can get some help from the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency says the emergency assistance was reauthorized as part of the 2014 Farm Bill.

Wisconsin dropped out of the top 10 honey-producing states in 2014 after brutal fall and winter weather wiped out a significant number of hives. The assistance program will help beekeepers who experienced losses from October 1st, 2013 through September 30th, 2014.

The State Journal says Wisconsin honey production has dropped about 21 percent, placing the state 15th among honey-producing states.