Colony Loss Follow-up Cover Letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

OMB No. 0535-0153 Exp. Date 05/31/2023

You should have recently received your questionnaire for the 2020 July Quarterly Colony Loss
Survey. Thank you if you have already responded. If not, there’s still time. We ask you to
complete the survey online at agcounts.usda.gov to minimize the need for additional follow-up. To
protect the health and safety of producers, partners, and employees, NASS has suspended in-person
data collection until further notice.
Results of this survey provide a statistical benchmark on honey bee colony numbers and death loss for
comparison each year. The information will allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beekeepers and any
other interested parties to analyze data on a state-by-state basis, and compare specific quarterly losses,
additions and movements. Your response is very important, especially given this challenging time.
When agricultural stakeholders, local and federal decision-makers, and other data users want to know
how this pandemic affected producers and the agricultural industry, they will continue to look to our data
for their analyses. Your response is protected by federal law (Title 5 Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347)
which keeps your individual identity and answers confidential.
For information about National Agricultural Statistics Service honey bee surveys and reports, visit:
nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Bee_and_Honey
If you have questions or have difficulty completing your survey, please call toll-free 1-888-424-7828.
Sincerely,

Hubert Hamer
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Online reporting is fast and secure. All you need is the 17-digit survey code to begin.
To complete your survey, follow these steps:
1. Go to: agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter your 17-digit Survey Code: <<
3. Complete the survey through the Conclusion section and select Submit Survey

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB number is 0535-0153. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 minutes, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.