Geography and precipitation have impacted honey production in the Upper Cumberland this year despite a positive trend nationwide.
Beekeeper Ken Beck said his hives in Warren County have seen a decrease in production, and other area beekeepers said they have only produced a 50 percent crop this year. Beck said the rain patterns may be to blame for the drop off.
“If it starts raining when something is coming into bloom and the bees can’t fly, then they don’t get it,” Beck said. “Some plants, they put out a lot of nectar. And if it’s raining on it when they’re putting out the nectar, the nectar can be washed away from the plant. For whatever reason, because of these weather patterns this year, production and what they brought in was greatly produced.”
Beck said the flow ended a couple weeks early this year with the rainfall. Usually, production lasts through mid June, but in Warren County, Beck said production ceased in late May.
Tracy Melton with TLC Apiary in Crossville said the honey season starts later in his hives than in areas further west. Melton said production has improved over the last few weeks.
“If it’s too wet, [bees] can’t get out and forge on the flowers that they need to,” Melton said. “And they eat up the resources that they’re storing. And then when it’s too dry, the flowers aren’t producing the nectar. So we’ve got to have that right perfect temperature. There in July, the perfect temperature came about.”
Melton said beehives typically produce up to 150 pounds of honey each year. He said it is important to control pests and disease in the hive to ensure bees keep coming back.
Beck said production can be measured by good observation. In addition to looking at his hives every day, he said he looks at how hard the bees are flying.
“If [bees are] out flying hard, coming and going, then you know they’re bringing in a good supply of nectar,” Beck said.
Beck said beekeepers can inspect the bees’ boxes to see how much honey is being brought in. He said additional boxes may be needed in years production is high.
Beck said honey production is a good thing for everyone involved. If there is more honey, it is a sign more plants are being pollenated. In addition, Beck said there is a demand for more natural honey.
Melton said natural honey is not pasteurized like the honey sold in grocery stores.
“When they pasteurize it, they heat it above a 110 degree temperature, which actually kills all of the health benefits people are out there looking for,” Melton said. “With them helping with allergies and colds and things like that.”
Melton said this is why local beekeepers charge more for honey than their commercial counterparts. Melton said people can do their part in helping with the honey supply by planting flowers that attract bees. He said people should be mindful that bees need flowers to produce, and flowers help the bees stay alive.
