Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in South Dakota as of January 1, 2021 totaled 28,000 according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in South Dakota on April 1, 2021 was 16,500. During 2020, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 20,000, 9,500, 230,000, and 197,000, respectively.
Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 450 colonies or 1% lost. During April-June 2021, 6,500 colonies or 3% of colonies were lost. The quarter of July-September 2020, at 66,000 or 28%, showed the
highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter during 2020. The quarter of January-March 2020 had a loss of 1,200 colonies or 6%, the lowest number of honey bee colonies lost in 2020.
Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2021 quarter was 39,000. The quarter of July-September 2020, added 30,000 colonies, the highest
number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2020. The quarter of January-March 2020, at 20, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added during 2020.
Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of April-June 2021 was 19,000. During April-June 2020, 14,500 colonies were renovated, the highest number of colonies renovated during 2020. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated for any quarter, at 0, occurred during January-March 2020. 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 of the quarters in 2020. The quarter of July-September 2020 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites in 2020, at 87%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January-March 2021, and April-June 2021 were 8.6% and 51.8%, respectively.
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