>The problems I have with feeding, particularly summer feeding after
harvest is that it stimulates brood rearing at the wrong times of the year
for treatment free beekeeping to be succesful.

Don, you raise a good point--especially for those keeping feral, Russian,
or Carniolan stock, all of which tend to shut down the broodnest during
lack of flow.

We must keep in mind the difference between stimulative feeding, and the
feeding of heavy syrup to put on stores, either due to dearth, or the
harvesting of honey beyond surplus.  I believe that Allen is speaking of
feeding to put on weight.  Quickly and without intent to stimulate.

However, stimulative feeding in late summer may also have benefits.  I find
that in the dry Calif foothills, that my colonies maintain their health
much better after the main flow if I either move them better pasture or I
supplement to some degree with syrup and pollen sub (referring mainly to
Italian stock; Russians not so much).

Part of this seems to be due to slowing the sudden contraction of the
broodnest after the flow, which results in a sudden concentrating of the
mites onto less brood, with negative results.  I find that by maintaining
some small degree of broodrearing, that the Italian types go into fall and
winter in much better condition.

The above is more important to me than to someone who does not depend upon
almond pollination income for their livelihood.  There is no one brush with
which we can paint bee management advice.  I am interested in hearing what
beekeepers in various areas find that works for them.
--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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