One thing missing in the discussion- all pollens are not created equal.

The discussion implies a standard natural pollen while we know that some
pollen is actually deficient for bees. It is the mix of many that
approaches a "standard".

So there will be some artificial pollen that may approach or meet the
standard but is not as good as the best pollens available. Likewise it will
more than match any of the poor-bee-nutritional pollens that bees bring in.
Check the nutritional value of Dandelion pollen yet we rely on Dandelions
for spring buildup.So we are looking for a manufacturer to produce a
perfect pollen that does not exist in nature.

Add that the beekeeper introduced  pollen is a supplement and we are back
into the HFCS/Sugar vs. nectar argument. In both arguments the beekeeper is
giving a supplement, not a main diet. Most all beekeepers I know use it for
earlier spring buildup, not a yearly feed.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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