Idaho’s Honey Production Dropped

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The United States Department of Agriculture says honey production has dropped 2 percent in Idaho despite an increase of 9,000 honey bee colonies in the state. Idaho Falls beekeeper Wayne Jones tells KIFI-TV that cool, wet weather last spring killed a lot of blossoms leading to fewer flowers for bees to visit. He says colony collapse disorder could also be a factor. Jones says the reason Idaho might appear to have an increase in honey bee colonies is because more beekeepers are registering with the state. Experts say honey bees pollinate 80 percent of the insect-pollinated plants.