Industry-focused Advisory Panel shapes honey bee and pollination research investments

About the AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Program

The AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) to support a productive, sustainable and profitable Australian beekeeping industry. Investment is guided by five priority areas outlined in the Honey Bee & Pollination Program’s RD&E Plan 2026-31:

1. Bee health, resilience and production
2. New and emerging pests and diseases
3. Agricultural integration and income diversification
4. Floral resources and environmental conditions
5. Product differentiation and new products.

These priorities reflect the evolving needs of the industry, addressing ongoing challenges such as varroa mite (Varroa destructor) while supporting innovation, resilience and long-term industry growth.

Your Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel

Meet the Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel, bringing beekeeper insights, industry expertise and fresh ideas to the research table.

The AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel plays an important role in ensuring RD&E investments reflect industry needs, challenges and opportunities and deliver meaningful outcomes for Australian beekeepers. Panel members draw on their networks, practical experience and technical expertise to:

• Guide research investment: Identify industry issues and RD&E priorities, provide recommendations to AgriFutures on research proposals and investments and ensure alignment with the RD&E Plan to provide value for levy payers.
• Share industry insights: Ensure diverse industry perspectives inform RD&E decisions.
• Support research adoption and impact: Increase awareness of research findings and encourage the uptake and commercialisation of outcomes that deliver practical benefits for industry.

Meet the people behind the panel

The Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel members bring together a diverse mix of practical industry knowledge, research expertise and perspectives. Their experience spans across the supply chain, from honey bee breeding and genetics to biosecurity, market development, product integrity and food security.

Selected through a public, skills-based recruitment process, the Panel provides a valuable connection point, helping ensure RD&E investments remain relevant, responsive and focused on building a productive, resilient and profitable Australian beekeeping industry. Along with the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program Manager Luke Evans, the current Panel members are:

Professor Ben Oldroyd (Chair)

University of Sydney professor and leading honey bee geneticist with over 40 years of experience in bee breeding, behaviour and ecology.

Millie Enbom-Goad

Third-generation beekeeper and co-owner of Enbom Honeys, specialising in honey production, commercial pollination and industry-focused research.

Professor Andrew Barron

Macquarie University neuroscientist specialising in honey bee health, behaviour, cognition and social biology.

Keegan Blignaut

Commercial beekeeper with international experience in large-scale apiary operations, business growth and sustainable practices.

Dr Ben McKee

Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Hive & Wellness Australia, with extensive experience in honey marketing, industry leadership and bee health.

Keely McDonald

Professional beekeeper and queen breeder at Castlemaine Honey, combining commercial beekeeping expertise with a scientific research background.

Murray Arkadieff

Second-generation commercial beekeeper with experience in honey production, pollination services, finance and corporate sales, alongside industry leadership.

Dr Onyeka Nzie (Observer – Hort Innovation)

Hort Innovation R&D Manager specialising in crop pollination, pest management and horticultural sustainability.

Find out more about our Advisory Panel’s expertise

Have a research idea? We want to hear from you!

Many of the best research ideas come directly from beekeepers, as they are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Whether it’s an emerging issue, a practical challenge or an idea for innovation, industry input is always welcome – there is no need to wait for formal consultation to have your say.

Research is often most valuable when it is co-designed and developed, ensuring projects address real-world challenges and deliver practical outcomes. Beekeepers and industry members are encouraged to share their ideas through their state beekeeping association, the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), or directly with the Honey Bee Program at AgriFutures Australia (see contact details below).

We consult widely, listen carefully and co-design research priorities wherever possible, ensuring project insights are shared and used to deliver tangible benefits to beekeepers and industry.

Find out more

Have an issue, challenge or research idea for the Honey Bee & Pollination Program to consider? Get in touch with the Honey Bee & Pollination Program team or raise it through AHBIC.

Program Manager

Luke Evans  Manager, Animal Industries – Honey Bee & Pollination Program

02 6923 6900

Program information