> I think itshould be clear that one can't get from egg to emerged bee
without putting

> some significant protein into the process.
>

I'll second that, Jim!

I'm currently 4-1/2 months into a large-scale trial of the various pollen
supplements on the market--intentionally run when there was minimal
environmental pollen available.  All 162 colonies were started in early
August as 5-frame nucs, and I'm attempting to build them up through the
fall and winter in time for almond pollination--an "acid test" for the
pollen supps.  I'm running negative (no supplement) and positive (patties
of natural pollen and sugar) controls.

The differences in groups at midwinter is striking!  And due to the
differences in broodrearing as of today (I just returned from the test
yard), I expect the differences to be even more striking come February.
All groups are being fed sugar and syrup for stimulation, but without
adequate protein, a colony simply is unable to sustain broodrearing.
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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