Thank you to all SBKA members who completed our annual end-of-season survey. 

The findings reveal that on average members have more colonies at the end of the season than at the beginning and most enjoyed an excellent harvest.

​Summary:  On average a member has five colonies going into winter (one more than in the Spring), harvested up to 50 lbs per productive colony and 175 lbs in total.

Based on the findings provided by the 222 members who completed the online questionnaire, the total membership harvested more than 60 tonnes or 134,000 lbs from nearly 4,250 colonies.

• Sixty per cent of respondents said the harvest was greater than 2018 and 44 per cent said it was more than average.
• Forty-six per cent of members reported more swarms than last year, 25 per cent more wax moth and 20 per cent more absconding queens. 
• Only six per cent of members migrate their colonies for pollination and/or heather.

For a detailed breakdown of responses to each question, take a look at the January newsletter.

Wishing all SBKA members and all beekeepers the happiest of happy new years! Here's hoping that the roaring twenties ushers in a decade of rewarding beekeeping with healthy and happy bees!
​Anne Pike, Chairman SBKA