The Cost of Pollination Survey collected information on acres paid to be pollinated, honeybee colonies used and dollars spent for pollinating a variety of different crops. The survey was conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The total value for pollination of all crops in the 17-state census region, which includes Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, was $18.5 million in 2016, down 2% from a year ago, according to Marlo Johnson, NASS director for the Great Lakes Region. 

“Nationally, just under 20,000 farms and ranches with at least 1 acre of a crop determined to be potentially pollinated by honeybees were contacted this fall to help with this unique project,” says Johnson.  

NASS released the results of the Cost of Pollination Survey on Dec. 22, with statistics published for seven census regions. Region 1 includes Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, as well as Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin. Highlights from the report include:

• Blueberries had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 1 in 2016. The price per colony for blueberries was the highest for all crops specified, though it decreased 7% to $88.20 per colony in 2016. The price per acre decreased 12% to $147 per acre. The total value of pollination for blueberries in Region 1 for 2016 was $5.73 million.

• Apple orchards accounted for the highest number of paid pollinated acres in Region 1, with 83,400 total acres. The price per colony for apples increased to $69.90 per colony in 2016. The price per acre increased 17% to $33 per acre. The total value of pollination for apples in Region 1 for 2016 was $3.22 million. 

• Cucumbers had the highest total value of pollination for vegetable crops reported during 2016 in Region 1, with a price of $29.40 per acre and a total value of pollination at $941,000. 

For additional survey results, visit NASS online and search for “Cost of pollination”, or visit the Quick Stats database.

Source: USDA