Oct 06, 2007 - 04:02:19 CDT
The mysterious ailment killing off honeybees across the nation should not cut into North Dakota's honey production this year, but beekeepers in the top honey state are not immune from colony collapse disorder.North Dakota beekeepers typically send their bees to other states such as California during the winter. Randy Stahlecker, of Oakes, said that is when North Dakota bees are disappearing.
"I lost 50 percent last winter," he said. "I sent out two semi-loads (to California), and lost about half of them."
State Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson said Friday that while numerous states have reported bees mysteriously abandoning their hives, there have been only a few, unconfirmed reports of colony collapse disorder in North Dakota. The state is likely to hold on to its top ranking in honey production, he said.
"It looks like North Dakota beekeepers are on their way to another good year," said Johnson, who spoke at a state Beekeepers Association meeting in Minot.
Honey production figures for this year will not be released until next February, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service office in Fargo. Last year, North Dakota was tops in the nation, producing 17 percent of the honey crop.
North Dakota and California typically vie for the honor of top honey state. In North Dakota, production in 2006 fell 23 percent from the previous year. The state held onto its top ranking for the third consecutive year only because production in California plummeted 34 percent.
The North Dakota Agriculture Department is participating in a nationwide survey to find evidence of the possible causes of colony collapse disorder.
State bee inspector Judy Carlson said in a statement that one of the things being tested for in North Dakota is the Israeli acute paralysis virus, which some scientists now believe might be the cause of the disorder that has killed honeybees by the billions. North Dakota samples also will be tested for mites, a fungal disease and pesticides.
Johnson said there are disease the parasite problems in North Dakota, but that "our field inspectors ... reported that the industry is in good shape, heading into the fall."
Stahlecker said he expects North Dakota beekeepers to rebound from the poor year in 2006. "I would say we'll probably be back on top again," he said.
When the season is over, Stahlecker plans to once again send his bees to California. He's hoping for better results this winter. When asked how long he could afford to lose half of his bees on an annual basis, he laughed and said, "not very long."
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