[Ryan Williamson]

I just came across an attractive price for a 2200lb tote of sugar. Come to find out it is organic which normally I would prefer but for the bees I worry about the higher ash content giving them the runs. The sugar brand is Itaja and I think it is the same as this product:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0086VWAYO?pc_redir=1401384354&robot_redir=1

Any one have experience using organic sugar?

Thanks
Ryan

 

[Needo]

I thought I read somewhere that organic sugar is not advised because of the higher molasses content.

 

[mathesonequip]

use only pure white refined sugar.

 

[Vance G]

Sugar prices are/have crashed. What you see as an attractive price may be the new normal. The beet farmers up here are being told that there may be no lucrative contracts to guarantee the price and market for what they produce. This may mean way less sugar in the long run. Enjoy it while you can since the price of honey seems to be delinked from sugar prices.

 

[cryptobrian]

It is most likely not fully refined. Most (all that I've seen so far) organic sugars are not, and that is what you are trying to avoid. Doesn't matter if it is organic or not, you want to avoid molasses. Nearly all beet sugars grown are now GMO, so organic sugars are all from cane sugar. And the final clarification of cane sugar is a non-organic chemical process. Thus, as far as I've been able to find, all organic sugars have some amount of molasses.

 

[Vance G]

I feed beet sugar spring and fall and notice no ill effects. It is cheaper than cane sugar here.

 

[The Redneck Hippie]

I posted this question here a while back and got some excellent information on why it's not good for bees. http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?296779-Organic-sugar-okay-to-feed

 

[Vance G]

Mine seem to do fine.

 

[Ryan Williamson]

12 cents a pound is what I was quoted which is far less than I can get typical refined sugar for. The temptation for cutting feed cost is high but I don't want to hurt the bees just to save dollars. One thought would be to feed it in the warm months only so they could have cleansing flights.