Is New Jersey losing honeybees? Survey underway in Northeast U.S.

Honeybee colonies in New Jersey and neighboring states are the main focus of a quarterly survey by the federal authorities.

Throughout September and October, a colony-loss survey shall be carried out within the northeastern area of the nation, by the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Nationwide Agricultural Statistics Service.

“The data from these surveys straight impacts our area’s beekeepers and honey producers,” mentioned King Whetstone, director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Subject Workplace. “Beekeepers and producers can use the survey outcomes when making enterprise plans and advertising and marketing selections.”

In accordance with the USDA, the rely of honeybee colonies at operations with 5 or extra colonies was down 1% nationwide in January 2022, in comparison with January 2021.

Numbers have dropped over time in New Jersey, however not drastically, in keeping with David Elkner, president of the New Jersey State Beekeepers Affiliation.

“The numbers are just about secure. They ebb and move in the course of the course of the yr,” Elkner mentioned.

When winter hits, for instance, particular person beekeepers can expertise 30% colony loss.

“Good beekeepers could make these numbers up actual fast,” he mentioned.

In accordance with the latest knowledge accessible, New Jersey beekeepers misplaced 140 of their colonies in spring of 2022, however over the identical interval, 2,600 colonies have been added.

There are millions of beekeepers within the Backyard State, in keeping with Elkner. Most do it as a passion.

To collect nameless outcomes, NASS asks contributors to solutions quite a lot of questions on their bee colonies. Those that don’t reply are contacted on-line or by mail, to conduct phone interviews.

Outcomes of the quarterly surveys are printed yearly right here. The subsequent publication shall be accessible on Aug. 1, 2023.

Dino Flammia is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You’ll be able to attain him at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com

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