but some hives must do better for the average.
Thanks your sayings!
You have too pastures and not many competitors nearby?
Yard has allways it's differencies. It is vain effort to try that they all are good. Still I try every year. My experience is that when I have the best hive, the average is half of the best.
Figures may be the best 360 lbs, average 160, the worst 80 lbs.
Some hives' build up comes later and some are a month ahead others. That makes a big diffrence in yield.
When some hives are weak, I unite them for main flow. They forage as well as good ones.
When it is very heavy nectar flow, big hives are superion to handle big yields: carry, dry up, store and arrange room for brood.
If laying area is short, they start to think swarming.
When you drive stong hive tactics, you must have a stock which is not eager to swarm.
The main key is however good queens. It is hard job to keep them good, but interesting.