NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS Page 3 December 9, 1997
COLONY, HONEY PLANT & MARKET CONDITIONS DURING NOVEMBER
CALIFORNIA
Unsettled weather was reported the first of November. Widespread
precipitation was frequent and for the seven days ending November 16th,
rainfall totaled 3.33 " in Santa Rosa, 1.71 " in Sacramento and nearly
I" in Los Angeles. The rains turned to snow as the weather systems
moved east dropping 6-8" near Mt. Shasta. Temperatures ranged from
near to slightly below normal. On the 26th, a fierce Pacific storm
hit the state again bringing precipitation and winds gusting to 50 mph
near Santa Barbara. Weekly precipitation reached 4.93 " in the Sierra
Nevada foothills and 4.73" in the Bay Area. Snow accumulated across
higher elevations. At the end of October, California's 155 reservoir
water supply system held about 7.1 trillion gallons (21.8 million acre
feet) of water, 105% of the long-term average and 58% of capacity.
November precipitation was above normal across most of the State.
San Francisco - the monthly rainfall of 6.97" was 268% of normal,
their IOth highest November total in the past 149 years. The bees are
reported to be in good condition as the winter months approach. Most
of the losses appear to occurring in colonies brought into the state by
hobbyists that were not treating for mites on a regular basis.
Commercial beekeepers expect to keep busy all winter, adding
supplemental feed and checking for mites. Most colonies are setting
near the foothills or on top of levees near farm land. California held
their state convention during November and many producers were unhappy
with the lower honey prices. Despite low prices, most packers reported
they are receiving offers of more honey than they can use even with retail
sales and orders for gift packs seasonally strong. Because high prices
last year forced some commercial users, such as bakeries, to cut back or
eliminate honey from their products, packers are finding they do not
need nearly as much honey to cover their contracts. Other producers
that had been holding their 1997 crop p are worried the price could drop
even lower so they are anxious to sell now.
COLORADO***
Beekeepers around the state have generally completed the fall treatment
for the Varroa and Tracheal mite, and are currently feeding the bees
that were kept in state. Most of the migratory beekeepers have
completed moving the colonies out of state for the winter months.
Colonies are reported to be only in fair condition at time. Weather
during the month of November was seasonal with winter storms affecting
mostly the northern mountains of the state. Temperatures ranged from 45-55
degrees for the daytime highs to the lower 20s during the nights for the
Denver area. Parts of Southern Colorado received from 20 to 40 inches
of snow during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from a major snowstorm
that hit the area.
GEORGIA * * *
Colonies around the state were generally in good condition. There was
very little activity occurring in the state during November with the
exception of supplemental feeding of colonies. Beekeepers were
inspecting colonies for light stores and feeding where necessary.
There was very little additional activity occ urring. Beekeepers were
cleaning up bee yards and were involved in equipment maintenance.
IDAHO & UTAH & NEVADA * * *
November was mild and warmer than normal. Several storms in most areas
have brought good moisture, especially to the higher mountain areas
improving the early outlook for next growing season's ground moisture.
Larger migratory beekeepers were busy during the month making
preparations for moving hives to California. Others were preparing for
winter and gathering their hives in yards.
NATIONAL HONEY NARKET NEWS Page 4 December 9, 1997
ILLINOIS * * *
Beekeepers had reported very little activity as wrapping was completed.
Mite treatment strips were added, and migrant bees had been moved to
southern states for overwintering. Honey bees were reported in good
condition as the fall flow had been mainly late aster. Most of the
month was cloudy in northern sections, while southern and central areas
had rain and rain/snow mix for several days. Wholesale movement had been
reported slow, while retail sales was rated fair to good.
INDIANA * * *
Wholesale and retail honey movement had been reported only fair. Beekeepers
had been attending information meetings throughout the State. New
beekeeping interest had the most impact on meeting attendance.
Temperatures were generally seasonal with highs in the 40's and low's in
the 30's. Most of the state had reported the 17th the coldest overnight
temperatures with reading ranging from 15 south and 17-19 degrees
north. Most had received snowfall from I" to 4" generally scattered
from area to area. Areas in Northern and Southern Indiana received
spotty amounts with the northeast receiving the largest amount. Most
beekeepers had reported a better than expected late fall flow. Hives
had been expected to require supplemental feeding. However, aster flow
had been extended due to late frosts.
MISSISSIPPI * * *
Colonies around the state were generally in good condition. There was very
little activity occurring around the state in November. There were some
reports of supplemental feeding in colonies with light stores.
Beekeepers were also closely inspecting colonies for mite infestations,
cleaning up bee yards and involved in equipment maintenance.
MISSOURI & IOWA * * *
Temperatures were slightly below average, but show wide swings from week to
week as fronts moved through the Midwest. Precipitation was near
normal. Beekeepers finished honey extraction, feeding, and treating
for mites. Most seasonal beekeepers that move South for the winter have
moved. The other beekeepers will move hives in December or wait until
early spring to move hives to East Texas for early pollen & nectar
flows to build up bee populations. Bees are in generally good
condition with good food reserves to start the winter. An informal
survey of beekeepers at the Iowa annual meeting, Beekeepers reported yields
per colony of about 60 lbs. in the east; 80 to 130 lbs. in West and 80
to 140 lbs. in the central part of the state. This is considered a
good crop. Official yield estimate of average yields will be issued
when the Agricultural Statistics Service completes the formal survey.
Demand was good for bulk honey, but not as good as 1996. Prices for bulk
honey are lower this season. Packers delivered Thanksgiving orders and
have started packing early orders of gift pack honey for Christmas.
MONTANA
Temperatures were cool during November with some regions recording lows
several degrees below normal. Only a little snow was received in the
valleys which quickly melted. The most significant snow accumulated in
the Rockies. Gusty winds were also reported towards the end of the
month. Most of the Montana bees have either been sold to beekeepers in
warmer areas of the U.S. or were taken to California holding yards.
Some local beekeepers kept busy making and shipping holiday gift packs.
Movement of this year's honey crop has been fairly good but some
producers were having trouble finding a packer to buy their crop and
they don't like prices being offered.
NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS Page 5 December 9, 1997
FLORIDA * * *
Temperatures and moisture levels were about normal for the month.
Bees were feeding on very light supplies of Spanish needle, pursley,
goldenrod and loquat. Activity is very slow in Florida at this time of
year. Beekeepers are still trying to find a treatment for Varroa Mite.
Bees that are not affected by the mites are in good condition. Demand
for Florida honey was moderate at steady prices.
NEW YORK * * *
Weather conditions across the state were cooler. Daytime temperatures were
between the mid-thirties to the upper-40's. On the 14th, daily record
snowfall totals were reported in Rochester which received 10.6",
Syracuse reported 10.3" and Buffalo had 9,.5'. The only other time that
Rochester had an 8" accumulation earlier in the season was in 1953.
Storm-total snowfall reached 14" in central New York. Beekeepers
reported that colonies are in good condition and the populations have
leveled out. Demand for honey was moderate, prices remained steady.
NORTH CAROLINA * * *
Honey has been moving well at the retail level due to the Thanksgiving and
upcoming Christmas holidays. This is especially true of the sourwood
honey that is produced in the western part of the state. Colony
conditions vary across the state, but are generally in pretty good
shape. Moisture levels have also been variable, but overall are still
adequate as we enter the winter months.
OREGON * * *
Several storms moved across the state during November bringing
occasional heavy rains and snow to the Cascade Mountains. A
particularly strong storm on the 23rd brought more than 2" of rain to
the coast and 4-8" of snow to the mountains. Gusty winds accompanied
the storm. Daytime highs have been normal to slightly above normal.
The bees remained in winter holding yards and it is reported to be in
good condition. Little feeding was necessary as enough supplemental
feed or honey was left in the hives during extraction in the fall. Mite
treatments were also done before winter. There were still problems in
some areas with losses from yellow jackets. Beekeepers tried setting
out traps but the yellow jackets always went to the honey first. They
plan to try and control the problem earlier next year in the spring
before the honey flow.
WISCONSIN
Winter like conditions returned to the state with some snowfall and ponds
freezing over. Very little activity was reported by beekeepers and State
officials. The 1997 State fall survey focused on Varroa Mite and
American Foul Brood. One hundred seventy colonies from around the
State had been checked. The inspection of brood comb and ether roll
tests revealed brood had been killed by Varroa Jacobsoni, Chalkbrood and
American Foul Brood. The Varroa mite population appears high this year
with test samples of 250 mites on I00 bees. This compares to 1996 test
samples of 6 mites on I00 bees. American Foul Brood had been found in
1% of test samples checked. Chalkbrood had been found in 12% of
colonies checked. Honey sales have been good due to holiday baking.
NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS Page 6 December 9, 1997
WASHINGTON * * *
Weather conditions during November were fairly mild and wet. Early in the
month, daily-record warmth covered Western Washington. Seattle reached
64 degrees and Olympia hit 62 degrees, their first of three daily
records. The warm conditions continued through the end of the month
along with occasional heavy rains that caused localized flooding in
several counties across the state. Enough snow fell in the Cascades to
open ski areas Thanksgiving weekend but the only other area of the
state to see any snow was along the Idaho border. The unseasonably warm
weather in Western Washington kept some plants blooming throughout the
month. When the rain subsided, the bees were able to taking cleansing
flights and were seen still bringing in pollen. Most of the bees in
Central and Eastern Washington were taken to California holding yards
during November. Hauling was much easier than last year when huge
amounts of snow already covered the region. Some beekeepers are
reporting losses as high as 30% in colonies brought back from North
and South Dakota. Tracheal mites are the most likely cause. The
colonies couldn't be treated last spring as they usually are because
beekeepers were too busy cleaning up the mess from the losses from
California floods. Producers waited until the bees were in California
to clean out the dead bees, combine smaller colonies and add treatments.
Supplemental feed was also added when necessary. Some beekeepers that
lost bees in the California floods last year have decided to keep their
colonies in local holding yards until next year. The Washington State
Beekeepers Assn. Held their annual convention in Yakima the beginning
of November. The Association is still working with State officials on
beekeeping legislation. They have proposed one vote per beekeeper
rather than the number of votes based on how many colonies you register.
The State has proposed provisions that would virtually eliminate
hobbyist and the Assn. is not in favor of that.
*Above compiled by and from the:
NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
Fruit and Vegetable Division
2015 South 1st Street, Room 4
Yakima, WA 98903
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