Honey bee loss survey results; prevented planting

Washington Ag Today May 25, 2011 The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Apiary Inspectors of America have reported the findings of their annual survey of losses from managed honey bee colonies. For the winter of 2010-11;

Pettis: “About a 30% loss due to all causes last year.”

That is Dr. Jeff Pettis, research leader USDA’s Bee Lab in Beltsville, Maryland reporting on the survey of bee keepers nationwide. That is down from the previous year when losses were 34 percent. Since 2006-07 the bee losses have ranged from 29 to 36 percent.

The big losses continue despite efforts to give better nutrition and care to bees. Dr. Pettis says these losses are not all related to what is being called colony collapse disorder. That is when beekeepers find no dead bees in the colony, it is just abandoned.

Pettis: “The proportion of beekeepers who have been reporting that has actually decreased slightly in the last few years but it still makes up enough of a proportion that it is impacting the beekeepers.”

About a third of beekeepers who lost some of their colonies did report no dead bees found.

Final spring planting dates for many crops in eastern Washington for federal crop insurance purposes have passed or are fast approaching. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency reminds producers that they may plant an insured crop during the 25 day late planting period with a reduction in the production guarantee of one percent a day for each day planting is delayed after the final planting date. They can also leave acreage idle and get a full prevented playing payment. Growers are urged to contact their crop insurance agent for assistance.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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