Industry summary
Australian Propolis Project: Validating a collection method
The Australian Propolis Project was initiated following the release of a comprehensive 2019 report, Australian propolis market and production potential, by Michael Clarke. The report highlighted that more than $20 million worth of supplements containing propolis were sold in Australia each year. Australian beekeepers could potentially benefit by supplying this market with a competitive advantage, stemming from our unique environment and some of the healthiest bee populations on the planet.
From late 2019 to 2021, Hive & Wellness Australia, in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast, undertook research to qualify the potency of Australian propolis. This research investigated the levels of antioxidants and phenolics, and total resin yield. The results indicated select Australian propolis types have health properties that rival existing internationally sourced, market-leading propolis. Additionally, 40% of Australian samples, sourced nationally, demonstrated highly active and unique compounds.
These impressive results reinforced the opportunity for an Australian propolis industry and Hive & Wellness Australia secured further funding to progress industry development. During 2022, processing methods and potential formats for commercial sale were explored, followed by preliminary investigations into internationally used propolis production devices.
The most recent research, which has concluded in 2023, attempted to validate a collection method based on devices and processes used in Brazil. Adapting this method slightly, the project team aimed to increase the quality and volume of propolis without impeding bee welfare or honey production, all while meeting Australian biosecurity standards. In Brazil, devices use clear plastic tape, which is not compliant in Australia due to the potential for it to break and leave hives exposed. As such, the project team used a clear, solid food-grade Perspex material to ensure no biosecurity risks.
The bees did not respond to the Perspex, which resulted in an unsuccessful trial. However, the outcomes of the exercise improved understanding of the next steps required to increase Australian propolis production and create a supplementary revenue stream for Australian beekeepers in the future.
Getting smarter with biosecurity
... more efficiently than ever, and across remote areas and different environments.For the honeybee industry, remote hive monitoring technologies like Hivemind and ApisProtect use in-hive sensors to detect deteriorating conditions from pests or diseases. And in the tea tree industry Taranis and Regrow...
Small hive beetle biology providing control options
Testing novel RNAi solutions for sustainable Varroa mite management
Testing novel RNAi solutions for sustainable Varroa mite management
Investigate the value added potential of the prebiotic components of Aust honeys
AgriFutures Australia Annual Operational Plan 2022-2023
As we embark on our next five-year journey, we do so with a renewed vigour, excitement, and anticipation of what lies ahead. We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering against our vision to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities.
In doing so, we’ll be guided by the AgriFutures Australia 16:5:5 Roadmap set out in our new Research and Innovation Strategic Plan 2022-2027. It features a set of priorities centred around our three important audiences – our levied industries, emerging industries and other stakeholders.
The delivery of this Annual Operational Plan 2022-2023 will mark the first step in an exciting trajectory for our stakeholders as we collectively embark on a new phase in Australian agriculture.
There are many examples from across our key audiences that showcase the appetite for driving value through RD&E programs.
Our rice industry is world leading. Their vision and commitment to research and development has enabled us to establish Rice Breeding Australia Ltd, an incorporated entity between Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia, SunRice and AgriFutures Australia. This new entity will embed a commercial focus and introduce state-of-the-art breeding technologies to accelerate the development of new varieties with increased water productivity and cold tolerance.
In another example, AgriFutures Australia together with Lucerne Australia has invested in preliminary research to investigate potential evolutionary resistance of bluegreen aphid populations to commonly used insecticides within the pasture seeds industry. This research was developed as a direct result of grower concerns.
Meanwhile the Australian honey bee industry has marked a significant milestone in 2022, with six decades of contribution by Australia’s commercial beekeepers to their industry’s RD&E through the honey bee levy. To mark this occasion, AgriFutures Australia developed and released 'Bee Informed', a celebration of 60 years of honey bee research in Australia, documenting the journey this vibrant industry has been on.
Emerging into the future, industrial hemp is experiencing strong growth, with new technologies improving production and a range of value-added products being developed. The development of the Australian Industrial Hemp Strategic RD&E Plan 2022-2027 is a critical step on the path to ensuring the establishment of this high-potential emerging industry.
AgriFutures evokeAG. continues to connect the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific to the world. The formation of the AgriFutures evokeAG. Startup Network, which runs parallel to our annual event, offers a digital platform where farmers share their experiences, startups pitch their potential, scientists showcase their discoveries, global business leaders share their insights and industry experts debate their opinions.
One year on from the launch of AgriFutures growAG., a first-of-its-kind innovation gateway, the program has delivered on what it set out to achieve. Agrifood tech communities from Australia and around the globe have embraced the digital platform with more than 58,000 plus users from across 170 countries visiting growag.com since its launch. Over the coming years we’re eager to consolidate growth, not only with the 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) but with other partners to see the information being shared and the connections being made leading to on-farm benefits.
Our successful national Producer Technology Uptake Program (PTUP) will continue to be delivered. It supports the adoption of technology on farms, targeting producers to overcome any barriers to adoption. The program sees AgriFutures Australia partner with successful groups to support the roll-out of activities spanning a 12-month period and leverages learnings across groups and ensures there’s peer-to-peer learning.
Addressing the requirements of a changing agricultural industry, attracting and retaining a future ready workforce and building the capacity of the people leading Australia’s rural industries will be critical. This activity will require whole of industry engagement and energy to ensure that we are setting our people and industries up for long-term prosperity. We have established the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant which will run separately but complementary to the renowned AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards. Seven Australian women each year will be granted a learning and development bursary of up to $7,000 for professional development to enable them to bring their idea, cause or vision to life.
There’s so much to look forward to. We acknowledge that the road ahead will not be free from setbacks, but we look forward to working side-by-side with our levied industries, emerging industries, and other stakeholders, to deliver against our collaboratively designed Plan.
- John Harvey, Managing Director, AgriFutures Australia
Book
Regional Economic Multiplier Impacts Potential Pollinator Deficits across Crops
Media release
Four new Board Directors welcomed to AgriFutures Australia
The four new AgriFutures Board Director appointments that took effect on Sunday, 1 October 2023 are Prof. Colin (Andrew) Campbell, Emeritus Prof. Julie Cotter, Dr Harjeet Khanna and Mr Matthew Macfarlane.
News story
Selecting for hygienic behaviour traits
Plan Bee is helping beekeepers learn new skills for selecting traits of importance to their breeding objectives, including higher levels of hygienic behaviour.
Industry Development Grant – Travis Beddoe
Industry summary
Project Summary: Verifying the origin of Australian honeys by analysis of their pollen content
Opportunities for innovative research: AgriFutures Pasture Seed Program Open Call
Innovative industry-driven research submissions are the focus of the AgriFutures’ Pasture Seeds Program Open Call.
Transmission of deformed wing virus (DWV) through imported semen
Industry summary
4G hive load scale designed for commercial apiarists
Australia’s 1,800 commercial beekeepers travel vast distances to produce 20,000 tonnes of honey and pollinate 35 agricultural crops annually. With increasing input costs being countered by decreasing technology costs, a simple solution can be to monitor hives remotely. How to monitor hives with technology is a developing space, and understanding beekeepers’ needs is an important aspect overlooked by some tech developers.
Monitoring hives in a simple and cost-effective way without data ‘noise’ will allow beekeepers to understand how hives are performing without having to travel long distances to check on them. A variety of metrics can be used when monitoring hives, but only hive weight will inform beekeepers when the hive is ready to harvest. Hive weight can also be used to understand whether a hive is performing poorly, sick or empty.
This project, part of a Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) degree, developed a 4G hive load scale for commercial apiarists. The project included prototyping, manufacturing samples, user interface development for an app and an extensive design process to ensure the product delivers what apiarists require.
While there are other products in the market that enable hive monitoring, their developers lack understanding of what apiarists need. They are expensive, hard to use and have large reoccurring costs. This project used off-the-shelf technology that is relatively affordable to create a durable, ergonomic and effective product that meets the needs of industry.
Darcy MacCartie
I’m Darcy MacCartie and I grew up in Darwin and moved to a property in the Adelaide hills when I was 10. I gained my passion for agriculture from visiting neighbouring properties and friends’ places in the Adelaide Hills. After high school I went travelling around Australia and overseas, including working as a tour guide...
Consumers to the front as R&D leads the way for Australia’s rural industries
Agricultural research, development and extension (RD&E) is going from strength to strength as Australian rural industries are investing more in understanding and meeting the needs of their consumers and delivering research outcomes that have a real impact. By Michael Beer, General Manager, Research and Innovation, AgriFutures Australia
Book
Introduction and Performance of Queen Bees – Introductory Apiary Status and Post Introduction Results
Media release
AgriFutures opens new grants to build skills and strengthen the future workforce
AgriFutures Australia has opened applications for its new People and Capability Program, investing up to $200,000 to help our Levied and Emerging industries address critical workforce shortages and build the skills needed for long-term productivity.
Thoroughbred horse veterinarians and researchers wanted: Applications now open for AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel
This exciting opportunity is open to equine racing veterinarians, and/or researchers who have an interest in contributing to the profitability and sustainability of the thoroughbred horse industry. Researchers with experience in thoroughbred horses, who are not actively engaged in AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program funded research are encouraged to apply.
