Passion for Food: Oklahoma heat wave took a toll on honey production

Honey production is down — way down.

Beekeepers across Oklahoma will tell you it has been a difficult year for bees: First the frigid subzero winter followed by almost unbearable heat and drought.

The USDA National Honey Report from Aug. 15 describes Oklahoma's honey production: “Pollen and nectar sources in Oklahoma were very limited due to extreme heat across the state.”

Bees must consume what they've produced to survive, leaving little honey for the rest of us.