Wettest summer causes record-low honey yield
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Printable
EmailKent beekeepers reported a record-low harvest today, blaming last summer's extremely wet weather.
The county's average honey yield was 19lb - the same as south-east England's average but just three-fifths of 2011's crop.
National Bee Unit regional inspector Alan Byham said he was waiting for figures from other regions but the south-east average was "an all-time low and the worst average that I have ever recorded.
"The year began well in March with warm, dry weather.
"Colonies started well, expanding quickly, and the season looked promising.
"However, the weather then turned to rain that didn't seem to stop for nearly three months.
"During this period colonies quickly ran out of food stores and often pollen stores, which led to colonies shrinking."
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