Report: Setting new standards for honey bee nutrition in Australian bee stock
Explore honey bee nutrition research that shows why artificial pollen diets cannot replace natural pollen and how to improve colony health.
HONEY BEE & POLLINATION
AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program RD&E Plan 2026-31
13 pages
Published: 30 Jul 2026
Publication Code: 26-030
Author(s): Maddalena , S.
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The AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program RD&E Plan 2026–31 provides a roadmap for research, development and extension (RD&E) investment across Australia’s honey bee and pollination industries. Industry consultation informed the Plan and helped identify the sector’s most important needs.
The Plan guides investments that improve beekeeper profitability, productivity and resilience. It also aligns with key industry initiatives, including the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council strategic plan, the National Bee Biosecurity Program and state-based strategies.
AgriFutures will strengthen partnerships that support funding, research capability and specialist expertise. These partnerships help maximise the value of industry investments.
The Plan promotes a balanced portfolio that combines smaller projects with larger, long-term initiatives. Smaller projects can deliver quick insights, while larger investments can drive lasting change. Careful prioritisation ensures funding delivers practical outcomes and strong returns for industry.
The Plan also addresses major challenges and emerging opportunities. A key focus is helping the industry respond to the establishment of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in Australia.
Five priority areas guide investment decisions: bee health, resilience and production; new and emerging pests and diseases; agricultural integration and income diversification; floral resources and environmental conditions; and product differentiation and new products.
Clear impact statements and strategies support each priority and provide a framework to measure success during the 2026-31 period.
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