Colony Loss Cover Letter

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

June 22, 2023
Why am I getting this letter?

What should I do next?

You have been selected for the 2023 June Quarterly Colony
Loss survey. Please complete and return the questionnaire at
your earliest convenience. Your participation is important. As
one of only 3,500 beekeepers receiving this survey, your
response is vital to ensure accurate data about your industry
are available.

Complete your survey in one of the following
ways:

If we do not receive your completed questionnaire by June
29, we may contact you for an interview.
Data from this survey will:

Online at agcounts.usda.gov through
the Respondent Portal. Online
reporting is fast and secure. You just
need your unique survey code on the
enclosed form to begin.
By mail or fax. Complete the
questionnaire and mail it back in the
prepaid envelope provided or fax it
to 855-415-3687.

•

Allow beekeepers, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and other interested parties to analyze
data on a state-by-state basis and compare specific
quarterly losses, additions, and movements.

•

Provide a statistical benchmark on honey bee colony numbers and death loss for comparison on an annual and
quarterly basis.

We recommend you respond online through the Respondent Portal at agcounts.usda.gov. On the portal, you can
complete your surveys, track upcoming surveys, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA
agencies, and more.
The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, your responses
will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in identifiable form. The Honey Bee Colonies report will be published
August 1, 2023, on the NASS website at nass.usda.gov.
Thank you for your participation and support of U.S. agriculture. For more information on this survey, visit
www.nass.usda.gov/go/bees. If you have any questions or need assistance completing your questionnaire, please call
888-424-7828.
Sincerely,

Joseph L. Parsons
Chair, Agricultural Statistics Board
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
Enclosure

1400 Independence Ave, SW – Washington, DC 20250
www.nass.usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.