By: Ag. Reporter Mollie Goode
The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) partnered with the University of Maryland and Auburn University to collect data regarding America’s beekeeping industry and found a mass decline in the bee population.
The partnership was formed to provide insight during a time of uncertainty due to the Colony Collapse Disorder. CCD is a phenomenon where a large number of worker bees in a honeybee colony disappear.
The Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) is no longer administering an annual survey, so the universities created a national survey that will help manage honey bee colony losses and beekeeping practices to ensure long-term monitoring of colonies in the United States.
According to a news release from AIA, last year’s survey estimated that 55.1% of beekeepers lost their honey bee colonies, which is the highest loss rate reported since 2010 to 2011.
The universities are encouraging hobbyists to commercial beekeepers to take the survey and help address major industry issues. The survey can be found at apiaryinspectors.org, and closes April 30.