Search Results for: Honeybee
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Pollination for seed production
Did you know pollination plays a critical role in the production of seeds?Progressing implementation of genetic selection in Australian honey bees
The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is one of the most important insects in Australia because it produces honey and provides pollination services. Pollination alone is worth more than $14 billion to the Australian economy and requires about 530,000 hives each year. The declining terms of trade and the increasing requirement of pollination services indicate the honey bee industry is ready for a significant change. Genetic improvement has provided this step-change for animal industries over the past 50 years. Now is the time for the honey bee industry to consider how genetic improvement could be harnessed to meet pollination needs in the future. Genetic improvement involves using a number of methods, including genomic tools, to drive improvement in honey bee traits important to producers, such as honey production, temperament, disease resistance and pollination services. Seeking genetic improvement of hives can increase the viability of honey production, increase industry resilience in times of change, and increase pollination efficiency and effectiveness. However, developing and implementing a genetic improvement plan for any industry takes significant research and investment. This research continues work previously undertaken in the AgriFutures Australia project Genetic Evaluation of Australian Honey Bees using BLUP procedures to understand and develop a genetic improvement plan for the honey bee industry. The project demonstrates that establishing estimated breeding values for queens around honey production and other scored traits can be achieved at any scale. The project delivered DNA sampling protocols for genomic identification and understanding of genetic relationships. A number of scenarios were developed within this research for consideration by the honey bee industry on how a genetic improvement program could be implemented and what the costs associated with this implementation would be.From bee keeping to pasta making: Claire Moore is turning her family business upside down
... on a honeybee genome project so fingers crossed.”Cracking egg sales during Covid-19In 2017, Claire’s farming family expanded to include pastured egg business, The Good Life Farm Co, and the farm now runs 1,200 free-ranging hens. The Good Life was lucky enough to be the first farm in Victoria to obtain...
Fact sheet
The extraordinary honey bee and its impact on the food we eat
The humble honey bee is responsible for much more than the honey drizzled on our crumpets or porridge. From almonds to avocados to macadamias, honey bees are vital for the pollination and production of many of our favourite foods. Honey bees also contribute to the meat we eat with some livestock feed crops dependent on pollination. One third of Australian food that ends up on our plate is dependent on honey bee pollination. This snapshot highlights the importance of our honey bees and provides a breakdown on the produce that relies on honey bees for the pollination of crops.News story
Combing through genetics delivers tools to keep bees busy
Australian researchers are delving into the secret life of bees in a quest to breed more resilient, productive and happy honey-makers. The nation’s first comprehensive honey bee genetic improvement program, Plan Bee, has delivered genetic tools to secure the future of beekeepers. With pollination supporting more than $12 billion in agricultural production in Australia annually, it’s also a sweet development for over 60 Australian pollination-reliant crops, such as almonds, canola and zucchini.Report
Plan Bee Breeding Manual: Second edition
Many livestock industries have been revolutionised by modern animal breeding techniques, however the Australian beekeeping industry has been slower to adopt. Traditionally, bee breeding in Australia has involved keeping lines of bees, with breeders replacing the mother queen with her best daughter as required. Honey bees are of critical importance to Australian agriculture, however new and emerging challenges and threats have necessitated greater focus on implementing modern animal breeding in the industry. Modern breeding uses standardised selection criteria such that animals owned by different breeders, or that are in different environments, can have their performance compared. Quantifying the genetic merit of individuals and using the best performers to breed the next generation can dramatically increase production and reproductive traits. The potential for modern animal breeding to transform Australia’s honey bee industry was the impetus for the national honey bee genetic improvement program, known as Plan Bee, a collaborative research program involving researchers, beekeepers, industry bodies, government and key stakeholders. From 2020 to 2024, Plan Bee focused on identifying and selecting traits of importance to beekeepers and horticulture and broadacre cropping, developing a national database to assist beekeepers with choosing breeding stock according to key traits. This Plan Bee Breeding Manual: Second edition has been developed to help beekeepers and breeders implement modern breeding in their enterprises and improve the genetics of Australia’s honey bee population. The manual outlines the principles of modern breeding; provides guidance on recording performance data using a standardised national approach and submitting that data to the Plan Bee database; and contains easy-to-use recording sheets and checklists. A trait dictionary has been included to remove ambiguity when recording data. Through engaging in the national genetic improvement effort, beekeepers and breeders can ensure the health and productivity of future generations of honey bees, and assure the viability of the industry amid an increasingly challenging operating environment. The impacts of a successful genetic improvement program are also experienced by the growers of horticultural and broadacre crops reliant on honey bees for pollination.News story
Understanding long-term impacts of fire on floras that feed bees
Understanding how important food species for honey bees respond after a fire could help authorities plan prescribed burn timeframes.Media release
Australian agrifood industry set to benefit from extension of honey bee genetic program
Australia will continue to be home to a national honey bee genetic improvement program until at least April 2024, with Plan Bee announcing it has been extended for another year.News story
Thermal cameras take beekeepers to the heart of the hive
Thermal imaging technology is revolutionising beekeeping, offering beekeepers a non-invasive method to monitor colony health and productivity.Australian first review of Large African Hive Beetle pest risk
Species of Large African Hive Beetle have the potential to become invasive and highly damaging to the worldwide beekeeping industry, according to Australian researchers.News story
The rural women blazing new trails in education for Australia’s agricultural future
... Queensland.Over the past five years, inspired by her father’s legacy as a South African beekeeper, Pooley’s journey has evolved into a mission to educate young minds about the indispensable role of honeybees in our ecosystem.“My earliest memory of being involved with bees was when I was five years old...