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USDA paused survey in July

September 19, 2019

1 Min Read
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USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will resume the collection of data for the annual Honey Bee Colonies report with an Oct. 1 reference date.

USDA paused the collection of data for the annual report in July, citing “available fiscal and program resources” for the decision.

The survey results, which include quarterly data on honey bee colony numbers and death loss, will be released in the August 2020 Honey Bee Colonies report.

This report allows USDA, researchers, beekeepers, and other interested parties to compare quarterly losses, additions, and movements and to analyze the data on a state-by-state basis.

The latest report on Honey Bee Colonies was released Aug. 1, 2019. Among the findings:

  • Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in the United States on Jan. 1, 2019, totaled 2.67 million colonies, up 1% from Jan. 1, 2018.

  • Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2019, was 408,000, or 15%.

  • Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during all quarters of 2018.

  • Colonies lost from Colony Collapse Disorder symptoms was down 26% for operations with 5 or more colonies.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

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