USDA to measure bee colony loss

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be collecting information across the country on bee colony loss in the honey industry. 

The survey will be conducted during the month of October 2024.  They hope to collect information from more than 400 bee producers in the northeast region about their colony inventory and loss.

“The information from these surveys directly impacts our region’s beekeepers and honey producers,” said Kevin Pautler, acting director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. “Beekeepers and producers can use the survey results when making business plans and marketing decisions. Cooperative Extensions use the data to provide needed outreach and education and State Departments and Agencies of Agriculture use the information to set insurance values,” added Pautler.

NASS will contact bee producers who have not responded by mail or online for interviews.  NASS will only be publishing data about the colony; no personal information will be publicized.  

The final publication will be available August 1, 2025. You can find the report here:  www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.