Bob said,

> With honey prices up replacing comb might be a excellent investment for
the
beekeeper.

Mike said:
Wouldn't replacing the wax combs be rather more economical when honey prices
are down?  Then you would be using low priced honey to convert into wax
instead of high priced honey.

Complicated question and not one answer fits all situations. The obvious
answer to Mike's question would be yes but:

Beekeepers in the Peace River district of Canada and the best honey
producing areas of the U.S. (North Dakota)draw most comb on honey flows.

The bees seem to do their best work when populations are at yearly height
and flows are intense.

Temperature is a big factor in getting comb drawn. Comb drawn in early
spring with syrup always seems to be a problem. As temps warm up the comb
drawing gets better.

Syrup is without a doubt cheaper than honey today so getting comb drawn on
syrup makes sense but   trips to feed bees needs to be figured in and with
plastic at times the bees  simply plug the brood area and the bees make
queen cells and swarm ( mainly a problem with beekeepers running many
hives). When you check your bees you find the hive has swarmed and the super
of plastic foundation has not been touched.

generally speaking I agree with Mike but many beekeepers see drawing comb on
a strong honey flow the best way to get the *best* brood comb.

 With plastic many beekeepers report problems  with comb  drawn in early
spring (cold nights) with syrup. You get drawn comb but not perfect comb all
the time.like you will when drawn in a strong honey flow.

Supers are important to the beekeeper to catch a honey flow BUT your drawn
brood comb is maybe of greater importance.

Poorly drawn comb problems are  forever as bees are not interested in
tearing down drone comb and  transition comb and replacing with nice worker
cells. If they did then reducing to 4.9mm foundation would be easy.

I believe I have covered the pros and cons of the issue. Comb drawn on syrup
or on a honey flow
both work with pros and cons. The high price being paid for honey today is
certainly a factor to consider if beekeeping on a larger scale.

Bob

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