>>I'd like to know if anyong using this product has seen a noticable
>>increase in brood rearing that can be atributed to Bee-Pro.  Has anyone
>>studied the contents of the product to see how the proteins compair to
>>real pollens.  Any comments would be appreciated.

>We know some beekeepers who use that specific product for building up large
>populations early to make up splits to take north from Texas. They mix it
>with corn syrup to a somewhat loose consistancy, as it will set up harder,
>like cookie dough. They apply it once a month.
>
>In our operation in Northern Michigan, we start putting on pollen
>"sub"(substitute) in March with snow still on the ground. We open 'em up,
>put on a slab of pollen sub with a hive tool on top of the brood nest. We
>also will put on a bucket of feed if necessary.

<etc...>

The time for making spring patties is fast approaching, so I've been
rooting around in the archives for an hour or so, going over what we have
discussed about pollen supplementation and substitution over the past
decade or so.  I realise that there is really no substitute for real fresh
high quality pollen, but wonder what is new this year on the market or in
peoples' minds.

We have been using yeast and soy and sugar with enough (3%) pollen to
attract bees or the same formula without pollen.   This is is summarised at
http://www.internode.net/honeybee/Misc/Pollen/PollenSup.htm

The supplier we used -- California spray dry has apparently stopped drying
yeast due to energy problems and we have heard that there is a supplier in
Kansas that is as good, but we are also noticing that maybe the price
spread between Bee-Pro and yeast is not what it used to be.  Since we have
to make some changes, anyhow, we are wondering if there are any new
commercial feeds on the market and if we should use a commercial diet
instead of our own mix.

Is Bee-Pro a good substitute?  Is it better than yeast?  Is there a
competitor on the market that is giving Mann Lake a run for its money?


Hope some of the enquiring minds out there -- who need to know -- know, and
share...

allen

http://www.internode.net/honeybee/Diary/