It’s fast getting to that time of year again, when hives are being opened for the first time coming out of winter – a winter featuring New Zealand’s warmest June on record. Many beekeeping tasks await in the next few months, but prime among them is ensuring the queen at the heart of each colony is fit to perform.

If you’re procrastinating or tired from a busy season, you may need to act fast, warns Andrew Stratford in this month's Management Matters..