Bees are buzzing

Honeybees have made a big comeback since the colony collapse crisis of the early 2000s. Now, these tiny creatures are the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country.

In Texas, the number of colonies grew 59.9% in five years, from 5,591 in 2017 to 8,939 in 2022, per data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Why it matters: The high hive losses a couple of decades ago led to fears that the domesticated western honeybee, a key part of the world's food system, was headed for widespread population collapse from pesticides, climate change and invasive mites.

Zoom in: A dozen years ago, Texas lawmakers approved tax breaks for keeping bees on at least five acres.