Kansas Ag Connection - Kansas Honey Bee Colonies Total 7,500

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Kansas Honey Bee Colonies Total 7,500
Kansas Ag Connection - 08/04/2020

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in Kansas as of January 1, 2020 totaled 4,500 according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in Kansas on April 1, 2020 was 7,500.

During 2019, honey bee colonies on January 1, July 1, and October 1 were 4,500, 7,500, and 4,800, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of January-March 2020, was 750 colonies or 11% lost. During the quarter of April-June 2020, 440 colonies or 6% of colonies were lost. The 2019 July-September quarter showed the highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter in 2019, at 1,900, or 25%. The quarter in 2019 with the lowest number of colonies lost was October-December, with 650 colonies lost, or 13%.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of January-March 2020, was 1,200 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2020 quarter was 1,800. The quarter of January-March 2019, added 370 colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2019. The quarters of July-September and October-December 2019, both at 190 added, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2019.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of January-March 2020, was 130 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter on April-June 2020 was 1,800. During October-December 2019, 460 colonies were renovated, the highest number of colonies renovated during 2019. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated for any quarter in 2019, at 110, occurred during January-March 2019. Renovated colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nuc or package.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during all quarters of 2019. The quarter of January-March 2019 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites in 2019, at 86.9%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January-March 2020, and April-June 2020 were 13.3% and 68.4%, respectively.

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