Hello Peter & All, >North Dakota, with an estimated 382,500 hives, led the country in honey production last year. . Like the Einstein quote the above is not true. In fact North Dakota did not lead the nation in 2005 stats. Fifth I think (from memory). Randy Verhoek of Bismarck said he lost half his 13,000 hives this year Miller said: He believes about a third of collapsing colony disorder is due to poor management by the beekeepers. "They aren't following the new standards for hive husbandry," Miller said. "Things have changed." Does the above mean John Miller thinks a third of his friend Randy V. hives died because of "poor management " and not CCD/drought problems? Also every beekeeper I have spoken with from North Dakota said they had NEVER seen a year in the Dakotas like 2006. John Miller is in North Dakota. Temperatures in the 120F. range. thousands of hives died on locations not close to water. Severe drought and lack of pollen & nectar.. Adee article in Jan. 2007 Bee Culture (pg.34): " honey production wasn't up to standard in 2006" Not much to glean here but a hint of problems. Those I spoke with were quite vocal about the empty drums of honey this year. I do find it interesting how a single beekeeper can be in the same area of drought and related problems and come out unscathed? What was the 2006 season and honey production like for BEE-L members from the Dakotas? Drought problems? Best honey year ever ( or at least average?) Please share your experiences with us. Across the South Dakota border in Nebraska beekeepers saw huge honey crops in the Eastern part of the state. East from the Dakotas saw bumper crops in areas of those states. Bob -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************