Montana Beekeepers Among Those Experiencing Devastating Losses

Honey, without a doubt. But it goes much deeper than that, and colony keepers are in crisis mode.

The Northern Ag News Network tells us that a nationwide survey of beekeepers has revealed catastrophic honey bee colony losses across the United States, with commercial operations reporting an average loss of 62% between June 2024 and February 2025. These alarming losses could significantly impact U.S. agriculture, particularly crop pollination for almonds, fruits, vegetables, and other essential food sources.

Proect Apis m is a leading research organization that interfaces research, honey bees and agriculture. Reports began pouring in last month of severe colony losses from beekeepers across the country, due to Colony Collapse Disorder. That is according to spokesperson Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Apis m, which quickly mobilized to launch a survey. The goal was to assess the scope and severity of the losses, gather critical management data, and help guide research efforts to determine potential causes.

A Project Apis m board chairman was quoted as saying, “Initial survey results of colony losses suggest that commercial beekeepers may have lost in excess of 60% of their bees. The scale of these losses is completely unsustainable.

“Honey bees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating the crops that feed our nation. If we continue to see losses at this rate, we simply won’t be able to sustain current food production. The industry must look inward and outward for solutions to chronic bee health failure.”

The survey gathered data from 702 beekeepers, covering colony losses, management practices, and potential contributing factors. It is estimated that those 702 survey participants account for over 1.835 million colonies, approximately 68% of the nation’s bees.

Findings from the survey indicate:

Hobbyist beekeepers (1-49 colonies) lost an average of 50% of their colonies. Sideliner operations (50-500 colonies) lost an average of 54% of their colonies. Commercial beekeepers (more than 500 colonies) lost an average of 62%—a reversal of typical trends, where commercial beekeepers generally experience lower losses due to their scale and resources.

This scale of loss could have significant repercussions for pollination businesses and the security of pollination-dependent crops, leading to increasing costs and threatening food security.

We wish them well in their mission to stave off Colony Collapse Disorder.