Beekeepers can participate in a survey to help determine the annual level of colony loss.
The Bee Informed Partnership conducts an annual Winter Loss Survey for beekeepers on, or near, April 1st. To participate in the survey, sign up to be notified by email here.
This data has been collected since the Apiary Inspectors of America winter loss survey of 2006-2007. See documents below for previous year's results.
Losses 2006-2007, published in the American Bee Journal
Losses 2007-2008, published in PlosOne
Losses 2008-2009, published in the Journal of Apicultural Research
Losses 2009-2010, published in the Journal of Apicultural Research
Losses 2010-2011 preliminary results
Losses 2010-2011, published in the Journal of Apicultural Research
The Bee Informed Partnership conducts an annual Winter Loss Survey for beekeepers on, or near, April 1st. To participate in the survey, go to this link.
Preliminary Results: Honey Bee Colony Losses in the U.S., Winter 2011-2012.
Press Release...
"Survey by USDA and Collaborators Reports Fewer Winter Honey Bee Losses
By Kim Kaplan
May 31, 2012
WASHINGTON—Total losses of managed honey bee colonies from all causes were 21.9 percent nationwide for the 2011/2012 winter, according to the annual survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Bee Informed Partnership and the Apiary Inspectors of America.
This represents a substantial drop in mortality compared to the previous five years..."
Full story at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120531.htm
Bee Informed Partnership