Notes on honey production

Recently, Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota produced almost half the US production and harbored almost one third of US colonies in summer. 

MT, MN, ND, SD
Total colonies most recent year: 1,040,000
Honey production: 77,269,000 pounds
Average per colony: 74#

Entire USA
Total colonies, most recent year: 2,775,000
Honey production: 161,882,000 pounds
Average: 58#

¶

In 1987 the figures were quite different, there were somewhat fewer colonies in the top four but the average yield was much higher.

MT, MN, ND, SD
Total colonies: 815,000
Honey production: 93,000,000
Average: 111#

Entire USA
Total colonies: 3,316,000
Honey production: 235,436,000
Average: 71#

¶

Whether this is due to overstocking, climate issues, or land use change …?

PLB

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