We bridge the gap between researchers and beekeepers through expert technical beekeeping services and scientific consultation.
Our Projects
Risk of deformed wing virus (DWV) transmission with imported honeybee semen
August 2024-present
Agrifutures Australia
The objective of this project is to determine the degree of DWV transmission to queens and her offspring when artificially inseminated with DWV-infected semen.
Investigating commercially viable, locally adapted honey bee breeding practices in Europe with a focus on Pollination and Varroa resistance for application in Australia
August 2022
The goal of the study mission is to learn how to breed honey bees for Varroa resistance whilst maintaining selective pressure on commercially important traits like honey production and pollination efficacy.
Development and implementation of protocols to enable importation of improved honey bee genetics to Australia
2022
Hort Innovation
This project aimed to assess the importation protocols and procedures for both queens and semen to successfully introduce honey bee genetics selected for resistance to the Varroa mite. Establishing Varroa mite resistance in Australia’s honey bee population can help prepare for a future invasion of this pest and minimise its impact on pollination services for horticulture.
Investigation of Varroa resistance honey bee breeding programs in the United States for application in Australia
International Specialised Skills Institute Agribusiness fellowship
July 2020
The goal of this Fellowship was to meet the people, programs, and bees that have broken through the devastating chemical cycle to strike a balanced relationship. This report details learnings from interviews with key people from operations and organisations in the United States that have been engaged with selecting Varroa resistant traits in honey bees for at least five years.
Selection and development of hygienic honey bee lines
Agrifutures Australia
May 2020
This project investigated the relationship between honey bees and the most economically significant pathogen affecting the Australia honey bee industry, Ascosphaera apis, the fungus responsible for chalkbrood disease. Genetic variation of A. apis in Australia was described in a global context, as well as the process of selecting and breeding for hygienic behaviour, a social immune response of honey bees known to confer resistance to chalkbrood.