I suspect that the main difference between CCD and the fall of 2004 is  
timing, economics.  In 2004, overall low numbers of bees combined with a  lack of 
communication between the growers and beekeepers created a  shortfall.  At the 
then going price of $35-38 per colony, beekeepers  weren't shipping bees from 
the east coast to CA.
 
When the price tripled, bees started coming to CA from far away.  Last  year, 
Australian bees were added to the mix.  So last year and this, there  were 
many more colonies in CA, buffered the need.
 
CCD has been playing out all year.  Those who had the problem in  spring, 
early summer, maybe even early fall managed to recover.  Just  before Christmas, 
there was a projected surplus of bees in CA.  Best  that I can tell, almonds 
were adequately covered.  As the Feb 14 deadline  neared, there was some 
scrambling, more planes out of Australia, calls to east  coast, Bob H. admitted on 
this forum that he sent last minute bees.
 
I'll be out in a few days to look.  Conversations with folks in CA --  no 
severe shortage, but no surplus either.  There have been some continued  
collapses in the groves; beekeepers are working hard to fill in to make up  any 
shortages.  
 
Overall, in terms of the 2.6 million colonies in the U.S., the losses,  while 
moderate to severe for many beekeepers, putting at least two large  
operations out of business (at least that's what these beekeepers said to us),  are 
still a small portion of the total number of beekeeping operations in the  
country.  
 
As a clarification, the general (state shaded in maps) that we  produce are 
intended as a history of the CCD, where its been, is at,  hopefully where its 
going.  Just because a state is listed does not mean  that there is any 
widespread or current CCD outbreak in that state.   The maps cover the whole of the 
U.S. and a 12 month period.  Shaded states  are places this has been observed 
since last spring.
 
The maps are part of our attempt to determine whether this is contagious,  
and whether factors such as clmiate trigger collapses.
 
Jerry
 
 
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