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S.D. Honey Beehive Losses Add Up to Millions
South Dakota Ag Connection - 05/25/2016

Honey beehive losses are up in the state according to a 2015-2016 survey conducted by the Bee Informed Partnership who recently released the preliminary results of their annual honey bee management survey. This is a national survey of beekeepers.

Overall, the total reported annual honey beehive losses for 2015-2016 was 44.1 percent, which is higher than the 40.6 percent losses reported in 2014-2015.

Summer hive losses were equal to winter hive losses with both at 28.1 percent.

"Hive losses continue to be attributed to factors including high loss of queen bees, extreme weather, hive parasites, pathogens, pesticide use, and poor bee nutrition caused by changing land use patterns," said Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education & Urban Entomology Field Specialist.

Bachmann explained that the varroa mite, a honey bee parasite, is of particular concern. "In addition to weakening adult bees by feeding directly on them, varroa mites also vector viruses including Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus which can kill an infected bee in days," Bachmann said.

In 2015, South Dakota was second in the nation in honey production, behind only North Dakota. South Dakota honey producers reported collecting over 19 million pounds of honey (valued at more than $34 million) from over 290,000 colonies.

"Assuming the total summer loss for 2015, South Dakota honey producers lost approximately $8-10 million due to the decreased honey bee populations and associated honey production," Bachmann said.


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