As I sit down to write this update at 20:16 local time, the thermometer reads 23.1°C. Here in Australia, we're experiencing quite a dry season, with minimal rainfall thus far. To add to the equation, daytime temperatures are steadily climbing and approaching the scorching 45°C mark. It's a testament to the challenging conditions that we, as beekeepers, must navigate.

Despite the adversities posed by the weather, our focus remains on queen rearing, and the queen cells are now reaching the peak of their readiness. We're working diligently with nearly daily grafting sessions, a crucial aspect of our beekeeping activities during this season. Grafting involves the careful selection and transfer of young larvae into specially prepared queen cups. This process plays a pivotal role in the development of high-quality queen bees.

Our apiary is abuzz with activity, as we're constantly engaged in capturing queens for the next cycle of queen cell production. Ensuring that we have a robust and well-mated stock of queens is essential for maintaining the vitality of our colonies and the success of our breeding program.

Queen rearing is a delicate and intricate process, and our commitment to its success is unwavering. It involves not only grafting but also precise timing, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of bee behaviour and biology. Our efforts aim to produce queens that possess desirable traits such as high egg-laying capacity, resistance to diseases, and gentle temperament.

As the temperatures continue to rise and the dry season persists, our challenge lies in providing the ideal conditions for these young queens to mate successfully. This includes ensuring an ample supply of drones, the male bees required for queen mating. The success of queen rearing is not only dependent on the queens themselves but also on the availability of well-mated drones in the area.

In the coming weeks, we'll be closely monitoring the development of the queen cells, their emergence, and their mating flights. It's a critical phase in the beekeeping calendar, and our team is dedicated to the welfare and productivity of our colonies.

While the Australian climate presents its own unique set of challenges for queen rearing, our commitment to producing strong, healthy, and productive queens remains resolute. We look forward to updating you on the progress of our queen rearing journey and the results of our efforts in the weeks to come.