community in South Dakota
Honey bee forage in Tschetter Colony, South Dakota
Estimated forage here is better than about 70% of sites in South Dakota. Against other South Dakota sites it stands out most in spring (79th percentile) and lowest in fall (8th). Biggest nearby bee crops: soybeans (right here, grown 4 of the last 5 years); corn (right here, grown 3 of the last 5 years); alfalfa (nearest 0.9 mi NE, grown 3 of the last 5 years).
When is the honey flow in Tschetter Colony?
- First forage: Apr 1 (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), dandelion)
- Main flow: Jul 1 to Aug 31, peaking late Jul (soybeans)
- Season ends: Sep 30
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of Tschetter Colony, from what grows within flight range (about 3.7 miles) and when it blooms here. Dates are the model's estimate for a typical year; the spring index for this spot falls on May 7.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), soybeans, dandelion, clovers: white, alsike and red; extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Summer honey (July and August): soybeans, roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Fall honey (September to November): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster), clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion; light amber, likely to set over some months
- Whole season (March to November): soybeans, roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion; extra light amber, likely to set over some months
Nectar-source estimate (plants weighted by how much bees favor them), not a pollen analysis. Full honey estimate.
Bee crops within flight range
- Soybeans: about 1,570 acres in a typical year, nearest 0 mi , blooms late Jun – late Aug (grown 4 of the last 5 years)
- Corn: about 2,960 acres in a typical year, nearest 0 mi SW, blooms early Jul – early Aug (grown 3 of the last 5 years)
From USDA's crop maps for 2021–2025; fields rotate, so a crop counts by how often it was grown. Listing a field says nothing about its owner.
The land and water around Tschetter Colony
Mostly: Corn; Soybeans; Northern & Central Plains Ruderal & Planted Grassland.
Nearest mapped water: creek, wetland or wet meadow 0.15 mi E; pond, lake or river 0.34 mi NE.
How Tschetter Colony ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 89th | 42nd | 92nd | 49th |
| South Dakota | 70th | 79th | 73rd | 8th |
| Northern Glaciated Plains | 22nd | 78th | 33rd | 5th |
Percentiles among 3,000 random land points in each region, scored the same way: land in general, not beekeepers' apiaries.
The national forage map around Tschetter Colony: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Wolf Creek Colony 4 mi · Milltown 7 mi · Olivet 9 mi · Oak Lane Colony 10 mi · Old Elm Spring Colony 10 mi · Menno 11 mi
All towns in South Dakota · National map · How the scoring works
An estimate from public maps (USDA crop maps 2021–2025 averaged, LANDFIRE vegetation), not a survey of the ground. Maps can't see garden plantings, understory density, other beekeepers' hives, or this year's weather. The point is the Census Bureau's published center of Tschetter Colony (43.3683, -97.6933); a yard a mile or two away can differ, so check your own spot. The FEMA flood map was not checked for this page. Benchmark 2026.5, built 2026-10-19. How this works · All sources.