On Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:04:31 -0500, Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> I realize that sucrose is somewhat better >> for overwintering, but it is worth that price difference? >I am surprised many beeks choose to buy the higher priced syrup but today >bee nutrition is a high priority. Hard data and research would be nice. >I think HFCS has more spec issues than sucrose. That about sums it up. Good HFCS is close to sucrose as a feed for wintering. The problem is that there are a number of suppliers and it is not always easy to know the source a supplier offers, and it may even change from day to day. I wrote recently to Dr. Rob Currie who did some looking into the fiasco years back in Western Canada when some off-spec syrup got sold to beekeepers and killed far too many colonies to comfortably think about. On 13/09/2010 11:08 AM, allen wrote: > Hi, > > I hear the sugar syrup is not available for the next ten days and we > are wondering if it will be after that. > > Tony Lalonde has been feeding HFCS for years and says he has no > problems. He also sells HFCS as well as sucrose syrup. > > I seem to recall you did some work showing slightly shorter lifespan > for caged bees fed HFCS. > > What is the latest on that? Do you have any links to that work? He said: Although there can be slight differences in bee performance the two types of syrup (see Erickson J. Econ. Ent. I think) the short answer is that HFCS is fine as a winter feed source so long as it is high quality and fresh (you are right about the comparison to sucrose) . We used it regulary as that is what the Co-op sold. We now use sucrose (because that is what the Co-op sells). Hope that helps. Rob Me again: > Thanks. That answers the question. I trust I can quote you? Hi Allen: You can quote me for what it is worth!! Rob I suppose someone could write or phone Dianna, since I understand she did some work on this question. I don't know if Tucson has gone on the record as to what they found or if they named brands or discussed specs. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm