Farm Doc Daily/University of Illinois

• Allison Altschuler, Brittney Goodrich, and Joe Janzen
• Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics
• University of Illinois

Despite persistent honey bee colony health issues and widespread attention on colony losses in the U.S., colony inventories have remained relatively stable. Using USDA data, this article shows U.S. beekeepers have consistently replaced and renovated colonies so that rebuilding activity often met or exceeded reported losses. Beekeepers support colony health by purchasing inputs such as pest and disease treatments and supplemental feed. These costs highlight the economic burden associated with maintaining colony health and sustaining honey bee populations for honey production and pollination services of U.S. specialty crops. Recent evidence of historically high losses suggests that this system may be under increasing strain.