U.S. Beekeeping Survey Releases Annual Colony Loss Estimates
National survey (Auburn / OSU / Apiary Inspectors) puts April 2025–April 2026 colony losses at 39.9% — down from two record years, but still high for backyard and commercial keepers.
Bee News
Stories we follow about honey bees, hive health, and the honey trade — curated from public sources such as American Bee Journal, Bee Culture, USDA, Auburn, and Texas A&M AgriLife.
Honey bee colony losses stabilize following record highs, yet pressures persist
Auburn-led U.S. Beekeeping Survey explains the 39.9% loss year, why backyard losses ran higher than commercial, and where parasites and forage still squeeze operations.
Found in Translation
Bee Culture roundup of recent research — including USDA-ARS work on “hangry” bees when pollen is scarce, and how nutrition can shape colony defensiveness.
Saving the queen: Scientists study bee reproduction to strengthen colonies
Texas A&M AgriLife’s USDA-funded SWARM project looks at queen and drone reproductive health — with outreach planned for Texas beekeepers.
Crop and Market — April 2026
Regional crop and market notes: winter outcomes, spring buildup, local retail demand for honey, and pressure from cheap imports on wholesale prices.
Texas beekeepers navigate a mixed honey harvest
USDA figures show Texas commercial honey down sharply in 2025, while many small-scale Texas keepers reported steadier yields after timely rains and wildflower blooms.
USDA report shows higher honey value, but industry struggles continue
Coverage of the USDA honey report: production and yield down in 2025, prices up, while fuel, labor, drought, and imports keep pressure on beekeepers.
USDA Researchers Find Viruses from Miticide-Resistant Parasitic Mites Are Cause of Recent Honey Bee Colony Collapses
ARS Bee Research Lab links recent commercial collapses to high levels of deformed wing and acute bee paralysis viruses spread by amitraz-resistant Varroa mites.
These links go to the original publishers. We may refresh this list about weekly as new reputable coverage appears. Wild Bloom Honey does not edit or host the full articles.