> Pollen that has undergone irradiation presumably suffers from the
> above as well.

AFAIK, pollen that has been irradiated properly loses no measurable
nutritional qualities in the process.  IMO it likely loses more in the
*time* it takes to travel to the facility and back than in the irradiation
process, since *time*, and temperature, is the enemy of pollen quality for
bee feed purposes.

> To supply pollen - would it not be best to only use fresh pollen...

Fresh pollen is a major cause of spread of disease.  I learned that the hard
way.  Even if I trapped my own, I would irradiate it before feeding.

And, AFAIK, freezing has no significant negative effect on pollen for bee
feed, but greatly slows pollen's loss of protein and other essential
properties.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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