For Wisconsin beekeepers, a question: To migrate, or not?

MADISON — Nathan Clarke’s bees spend their time scattered around the Madison area. That’s great in spring and summer, not so great in winter.

Doug Hauke’s bees, like snowbirds, are in Central Wisconsin now but winter in California, Texas and other warmer climes.

Loading up semi trailers with buzzing hives headed to points south doesn’t just protect bees increasingly weakened by disease and pestilence from harsh weather. The pollination service also brings a separate revenue stream that can equal or outpace what a beekeeper makes from honey....

....While the country has several multimillion dollar beekeeping operations, Hauke said, none is in Wisconsin — a state once one of the nation’s top honey producers....