Beekeepers closely watch population, productivity

1

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Jeff Anderson, owner of California & Minnesota Honey Farms in Eagle Bend, Minn., said his honey production is about half of what peak production was a decade ago. The source of the decline is unknown. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

2

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — July is a busy time for beekeepers throughout Minnesota. However, honey bees like these found in a bee yard near Eagle Bend, Minn., are producing less honey compared to 10 years ago. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

3

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Kyle Anderson holds a frame in one hand while checking on honey bees in a yard near Eagle Bend, Minn., on Monday, July 11, 2011. The Anderson family has been in the honey and pollination business for decades. Millions of honey bees across the nation have died due to colony collapse disorder, which has no conclusive source. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

4

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Jeff Anderson holds two frames from two different hives to show the difference in bee productivity. The frame on the left features a less consistent pattern with many skipped cells. The center area - in particular - of the frame on the right features a solid pattern with few skipped cells, which is what beekeepers expect and want to see. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

5

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Kyle Anderson unloads hives in a bee yard near Eagle Bend, Minn., on Monday, July 11, 2011. His dad, Jeff Anderson, has 35 years of experience as a beekeeper and is also a member of the National National Honey Bee Advisory Board which provides bee industry input to federal regulators and researchers. The Andersons are checking on their bees more frequently and are dealing with dying hives on a regular basis. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

6

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — July is a busy time for beekeepers throughout Minnesota. However, honey bees residing in these hives found in a bee yard near Eagle Bend, Minn., are producing less honey compared to 10 years ago. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

7

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Peter Hansen finds an unusual seat in a bee yard with colleagues near Eagle Bend, Minn., on Monday, July 11, 2011. Honey bees in Minnesota and across the nation are producing less honey compared to 10 years ago. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

8

rural Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Jeff Anderson, owner of California & Minnesota Honey Farms in Eagle Bend, Minn., gets his smoker going before checking on honey bees in a yard near Eagle Bend, Minn., on Monday, July 11, 2011. The smoke helps calm the bees. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

9

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — Beekeeper Jeff Anderson says each year, he loses about half of his honey bee hives. While scientists think the cause might be a combination of pesticides, parasites and disease, Anderson knows he has fewer bees and less honey each year. (Ann Arbor Miller/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

10

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — A frame from a honey bee hive show a less consistent pattern with many skipped cells. This is not ideal for honey production or indicative of a healthy colony, according to beekeeper Jeff Anderson, who owns California & Minnesota Honey Farms in Eagle Bend, Minn. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo

11

Eagle Bend, MN, USA — A frame from a honey bee hive shows a more consistent pattern with few skipped cells. This is ideal for honey production and indicative of a healthy colony, according to beekeeper Jeff Anderson, who owns California & Minnesota Honey Farms in Eagle Bend, Minn. (MPR Photo/Ann Arbor Miller) link to this photo