Here in Piedmont South Carolina, the concern with late splits or
supercessions is the availability of drones. Even if our usual summer
drought hasn't stopped drone production, most small beekeepers don't
have enough hives in their area for good mating. Even a larger
beekeeper may be isolated from other drone sources and may have
too-closely related colonies. Where sufficient drones are present they
may dilute genetic characteristics the beekeeper has been trying to
develop (or avoid) by selection or purchase of stock. Poor mating is
one of our main causes for dwindling hives and/or total queen failure.
I expect this is an issue for some other areas as well.
Carolyn in SC
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