JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- It won't be long before those bee hives down south start making their way north into New York State. But it looks like the number coming to Jefferson County will be smaller than normal.

According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, Jefferson County is no longer the top honey producer in New York State.

"That is a coveted thing for anybody," Empire State Honey Producers Association President and Alexandria Bay Bee Keeper Ted Elk said. "Whether it be in sports, whether it's in dairy production or whether it's in beekeeping."

"Being able to say we're the 'Land of Milk and Honey' here in Jefferson County, it gives you a bit of a plug to work with," Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson added. “When you take that away, it hurts."

Jefferson County had been holding that top spot for decades. But the census report shows Herkimer County has taken over, with Jefferson falling all the way to fourth. It went from 500,000 pounds in 2002, to less than 150,000 in 2007.

Fuel prices and keeping bees alive have been big struggles for keepers according to experts, but some keepers are failing to report numbers in a battle of secrecy to keep larger producers away from prime land.

"For the most part, there's a lot of keepers on board," Elk said. "But it's bringing those few that are not on board into the mix."

Now while honey production isn't exactly a make or break industry, accounting for only a couple of million dollars a year, a declining number of bees is a major concern.

"Bees are a huge part of our ecosystem," Matteson added. "They help grow the food that we eat. When there's not as many here, that's a concern for all of agriculture, not just honey production."

Matteson plans to meet with keepers sometime soon to discuss marketing strategies that would get the county what it needs to get back on top.

The next census is scheduled for 2012.