R & D Plan for the Honeybee Program

Transcription

1 R & D Plan for the Honeybee Program

2 2002 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation All rights reserved. ISBN X ISSN R & D Plan for the Honeybee Program Publication No. 02/081 This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction contact the Publications Manager on phone RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: Fax: rirdc@rirdc.gov.au Web: Published in July 2002 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Union Offset Printing.

3 Foreword The research Five Year Plan is prepared in consultation with industry to provide the research direction necessary for current best practice and preparation for future development. For maximum impact the approved plan needs to be conveyed widely amongst apiarists, honey packers, the research, regulatory and extension communities. Honeybee research has been developed progressively over a number of years. Each of the five year plans, , , have changed to address the research priorities of the day and have needed change within the life of the plan. This plan, , continues to support major issues identified by the previous plans whilst moving further into market related issues and industry diversification to optimise returns from an increasingly efficient production base. The Honeybee R&D Committee (HBRDC) recognises that, along with the peak industry body (currently the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council), it serves an important role in giving the industry a unifying national voice on a wide range of R & D topics which affect the viability of commercial beekeepers. HBRDC supports the government s view that research, relevant to the industry s needs represents a sound investment by both industry and the taxpayer in producing economic and social benefits for beekeepers and the community at large. The plan was widely circulated to industry for comment prior to submission to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Board and will be reviewed annually in the light of current events. If necessary it will be modified to maintain current and future relevance and as such provides a useful guide for research applicants from both researchers and private consultants. The plan also provides a base from which the industry should be progressively developing future direction by taking appropriate advance measures to facilitate a smooth transition through research and extension. Peter Core Managing Director, Keith McIlvride Chair, Honeybee Research and Development iii

4 Contents Foreword Contents iii iv 1. Mission Statement 1 2. Industry Background 2 3. Background to Research Objectives Honey Bee Production Resources Pollination Off Farm Communication and Extension The R&D Plan 12 Objective 1: Production 13 Objective 2: Resources 14 Objective 3: Pollination 15 Objective 4: Off Farm 16 Objective 5: Communication and Extension 17 iv

5 1. Mission Statement The Honeybee Research and Development Program will support innovative and focussed research and development projects, which will contribute to the productivity, sustainability and profitability of the Australian beekeeping industry. 1

6 2. Industry Background Australian honey has a reputation in the world market as being a premium quality product. It is produced over a large geographical area from a wide variety of flowering plants which, because of fluctuating rainfall patterns and the extended budding cycles of much of the honey producing flora, tend to flower spasmodically. Seventy to eighty per cent of honey produced is from native flora, especially eucalypts growing on public, crown leasehold and freehold land. This flora is of a diverse nature - growing as heathland and mallee eucalypts on coastal plains and in semi arid regions of Australia, through medium rainfall to sub alpine regions and rainforests of Tasmania, northern New South Wales and Queensland. Australia produces around 30,000 tonnes of honey per year with an estimated gross value of production of around $51 million. Domestic consumption is approximately 15,000 tonnes per year and the remainder is exported in prepack and bulk form, making Australia the world s fourth largest exporter of honey. Although there are no regularly collected statistics the honey industry has recently estimated that the gross value of production, including queen and package bees, beeswax, pollen and pollination would be around $65 million. In addition, the value of pollination to the Australian economy has been estimated at between $604 million and $1.2 billion. There are approximately 1500 commercial apiarists in Australia and many thousand part-time and hobbyist apiarists. Recent estimates suggest that there are currently about 20,000 full-time, part-time and hobbyists. The main production period is from October to March. All honey is colour classified according to international classification and although prices have generally increased as the colour decreased from dark amber through to white, there is a move towards a more extensive grading system that also evaluates presentation, moisture, taste and freedom from contamination. 2

7 3. Background to Research Objectives Detailed discussions at industry meetings and conferences concluded that the R&D objectives, which have been used in past plans, were still the most appropriate for the industry. These are: i. Honeybee production, including bee husbandry and management, diseases and pests, nutrition, genetic improvement and income diversity. ii. Resources iii. Pollination iv. Off-farm development v. Communication and extension Each area was reviewed during these meetings and the following summarise the important issues that were considered. 3.1 Honey Bee Production Bee husbandry and management Beekeepers continue to struggle to be profitable. Some areas in the Eastern States are heading for their fourth dry year. Prices paid for honey have not kept pace with production costs overall. Some producers due to the low Australian dollar have successfully exported honey. This however is likely to be only for the medium term as it is most likely the dollar will become stronger. As a result apiarists will need to improve their beekeeping practices to maintain their economic viability. Changes to beekeeping practices have also occurred because of the trend towards better quality assurance. Producing a cleaner better product is also putting a financial strain on the industry. In recent years the widespread use of antibiotics in the control of European foulbrood (EFB) which occurs in all states except Western Australia, has resulted in a potential residue problem. This has caused major concern with many beekeepers changing their management practices. There is also strong 3

8 evidence emerging that the level of American foulbrood (AFB) is increasing due to the masking effect from the use of antibiotics for EFB. The industry is becoming more aware of the need to diversify into other areas such as, pollination, package bees and queen bee production. The key to successful beekeeping is effective management. However, the degree of success varies significantly, as there is a wide range in the yield per hive which apiarists achieve within the same area. As outlined in a previous Five-Year Plan, one means HBRDC used to promote more efficient beekeeping practices was to record and disseminate good beekeeping practices of successful apiarists. A small team collected data on a State by State basis and focused on the documentation of beekeeping practices, which broadly outlined how successful apiarists operate. This was undertaken to ensure that such information was not lost, as it previously had not been recorded. The program was originally completed in 1996 and reports are available for all states. The State reports include information on bee hive management for honey production and pollination services, nutrition, queen bees, diseases and pests, equipment, harvesting honey and beeswax marketing and the resource base. The present HBRDC considers this past information to be so valuable it has commissioned its updating as a national collection of best beekeeping practices. This will be available by late To improve the efficiency of beekeeping operations, it is important that apiarists are quickly made aware of new management techniques as they are developed. HBRDC will continue to disseminate such information as the opportunity arises. Diseases and pests Diseases and pests continue to have a major impact on production and the profitability of beekeeping operations. In 1993 Chalkbrood was confirmed in Queensland and since that time has spread to all parts of Australia. HBRDC recently funded a project to undertake a review of chalkbrood research. No successful treatment for the control of chalkbrood was identified. HBRDC is currently funding a project, which will look at the possibility of producing a biological control. It has been reported overseas that some 4

9 strains of bees are resistant to chalkbrood but the actual responsible factor has not been established. Considerable progress has been made in the control of American foulbrood (AFB). The adoption by most States of the bulk honey test for AFB spores and traceback of positive samples to the hives of origin has identified many cases of AFB. As mentioned earlier the use of antibiotics for the control of EFB is leading to the masking and therefore probable increases in AFB levels. HBRDC is researching the possibilities of reducing the need for antibiotics by using better nutrition together with naturally occurring inhibitors. Major threats to beekeeping in Australia are the introduction of exotic mites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps clareae. Both these mites occur in our near northern neighbours and recently New Zealand, and all attempts should be made to prevent their spread to mainland Australia. HBRDC has supported work to study, isolate and apply a pheromone, which is now used to attract Apis cerana (the Asian honeybee) which is the natural host for Varroa destructor. Nutrition There is now a greater realisation by apiarists of the benefits of providing good nutrition to bees. In the previous Five Year Plan, nutrition was recognised as being an area where further research could be of great benefit to apiarists. The strategies proposed were to determine the role of nutrition in disease control and in the effective function of the hive and to support the development of feed supplements. HBRDC has supported work in this area in recent years, funding a project to determine the amino acid profiles and crude protein of pollen in New South Wales. This project has proved beneficial to those apiarists working the flora targeted in this project. HBRDC continues to fund such work. The palatability and nutritional value of six commonly available non floral feedstuffs to honeybees was another timely Committee funded project which identified the best options for feeding bees. The industry during workshops and discussions considered that further work in this area would benefit apiarists. Genetic Improvement The two Council funded bee breeding programs (Eastern Bee Breeding Program and Western Australian Bee Breeding Program) were phased out as they had passed through their developmental stage. 5

10 Industry considers that genetic improvement is an important aspect in improving the productivity of the beekeeping industry. Productivity can be achieved through a range of options. One is by selecting stock which has a proven record of honey production. This was the strategy adopted by the Council funded bee breeding programs. Another possible means of increasing productivity, or at least maintaining productivity in a situation where a new disease has emerged, is producing queen bees, which show resistance to this disease. Further investigation of resistant bees and importantly the effect of their resistance on factors such as honey production and temperament is an area that needs to be more fully explored. Income Diversity Australia is not a major producer of apiary products such as pollen, royal jelly, propolis and bee venom. Industry places priority on continuing to explore income diversification to add to its overall value and competitiveness. In recent years package bees and queen bee exports have increased substantially. In 2000 these exports were valued at $5 million and a similar quantity is expected to be exported in Australia has a marketing advantage in this area compared to many other countries because of our freedom from significant mite species that parasitise honeybees. Past Committees have promoted the package bee industry and provided beekeepers with an insight into this diversification by producing a video on package bee production for industry. The new plan will continue to provide support and encourage the development of further diversification options. 3.2 Resources Access to native flora continues to be the biggest single issue facing the industry. Without continued access, the productive capacity of the industry will be severely compromised. In response to this issue and with the assistance of industry, a National Workshop was conducted in 1989 dealing with commercially managed honeybees in the Australian environment. The industry through AHBIC continues to work with governments to develop policies in this crucial area. The resource base is being eroded due to a number of distinct and unrelated causes: Deliberate clearing of forested country for other agricultural purposes. 6

11 Clear felling for pine or other timber production or for wood chipping. Destruction of useful nectar producing plants following uncontrolled burning or through regular controlled burning or other management practices. Control of exotic plants useful to beekeepers by biological or other means. Rural dieback and the absence of adequate regeneration of nectar/pollen trees in rural Australia. Conversion of Crown land to reserves or National Park status combined with an increasing tendency by land managers to exclude beekeepers from servicing traditional apiary sites in areas, which have been reclassified. The R&D program fully recognises the problems posed to beekeepers by the significant loss of nectar and pollen sources. It acknowledges that this problem is likely to be exacerbated by competing demands on these areas and by increasing pressures from the conservation lobby for the exclusion of all exotic flora and fauna including Apis mellifera from reserves and National Parks. All states have formal consultative arrangements in place whereby beekeepers and land managers negotiate over regional issues. Access to most established bee sites on public lands is assured in the short term but the question of future access is leading to uncertainty in regards to industry investments. Projects have been funded and statewide natural resources databases will shortly be completed. The databases will provide information relative to honey productivity, economic value and geographic significance of apiary sites within each state. There is continued expansion of National Parks, Wilderness areas, World Heritage areas and special parks. Industry considers it of utmost importance that decisions relating to access to these areas, which relate to the effects that commercially managed honeybees have in these situations, are based on sound scientific evidence. To this end, a previous Council funded a project in Ngarkat Conservation Park in South Australia in order to establish what, if any, effects commercially managed honeybees have on the flora and fauna of banksia heathland. Results indicated that the effect of commercially managed honeybees in this area is negligible. The R&D program should continue to support work, which will provide a scientific basis for resource access decisions. 7

12 It is noted that State Governments will review the Regional Forest Agreements in about five years so it is important that R&D is undertaken which provides a solid scientific basis for future decision-making in this area. 3.3 Pollination Strong, healthy hives are required for effective paid pollination. Research carried out in the nutrition and disease fields has direct application in management of beehives in both the honey production and pollination sectors of the industry. Previously industry considered there were sufficient hives available in Australia to cope with future paid pollination. Industry considers this still to be the case but if the honeybee mites, Varroa destructor, or Asian mite, Tropilaelaps clareae, becomes established in Australia there will not be sufficient hives to carry out the required pollination. Experience in USA, suggests that if mites become established, there will be a loss of feral hives as well as managed honeybee colonies. This loss will have a dramatic effect on the pollination of crops which need (insects) honeybees for effective fruit set. At present there is a high reliance by certain growers on incidental pollination by feral colonies while others use managed hives placed in an area for honey production. Through the previous Five-Year Plan, HBRDC produced a CD of all pollination research results currently available and this will be of major benefit to the grower as well as the beekeeper. This five-year plan ensures that this CD will be updated on a regular basis. HBRDC will continue to encourage cooperative research with other R & D Corporations and research organisations to maximise the benefits from the results of any research into pollination. Pollination Associations in all states are increasing their information dissemination activities via field days and newsletters. These Associations of beekeepers, growers and seed companies provide the basis for good communication between the various players and are the logical point of contact on pollination issues for HBRDC. Pesticides have a significant effect on commercially managed honeybees, particularly in pollination situations. There has been excellent progress in 8

13 the field of integrated pest management and this has led to fewer cases of pesticide poisoning. However, beekeepers need to be aware of the effects of chemicals on honeybees so that cooperative management strategies can be developed. The value of the Apiculture industry is often only quoted in the value of honey and beeswax produced. A study several years ago found the economic value of honeybee pollination in Australia at between $604 million and $1.2 billion. Governments are accepting these values and they are being updated by the R&D program at the present time. 3.4 Off Farm In earlier Five Year Plans, Councils placed considerable emphasis on production issues. Following improvements in yields, more emphasis was placed on post production research in order to market honey and other hive products efficiently and profitably. This plan like the last one supports the increasing emphasis on off farm and expanding the sector by encouraging development of all apicultural products. The possible needs of postproduction research should encompass economic and management factors affecting marketing efficiency. Improved methods of extraction, storage and transport of honey in bulk by beekeepers are needed to maximise retention of product quality and minimise the possibility of contamination. Although extraction of honey comes under on farm issues, quality assurance includes the extracting process and travels right through the chain until the honey is in the hands of the consumer. The current methods of extraction, storage and transport have been utilised for many years and have become more efficient. An objective analysis into their cost effectiveness, workplace safety and efficiency in today s production environment would identify procedures that require refinements to improve today s system as well as directing research to prepare for tomorrow s workplace. Utilisation of apiary products, particularly honey in the domestic market, needs to be broadened to reduce reliance on present uses. 9

14 Current research in the bread making area indicates a high probability that honey could be used to modify long shelf life techniques. This finding and its parallel application on other baking products illustrate the potential for an expansion of market related research in the food, nutrition and health areas. Non honey apiary products such as pollen, royal jelly, propolis and bee venom are utilised overseas. However research which could develop/identify procedures that could assist the Australian industry to actively participate is required. Recent developments, for example, through products such as Medihoney have shown that honey has significant potential therapeutical uses. There is scope to develop this area further as well as closer investigation of the other health attributes of honey. 3.5 Communication and Extension The Honey Research Council (pre 1990), Honeybee Research and Development Council (HBRDC, ) and the Honey Bee Research and Development Committee (HBRDC ) under the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, developed effective linkages with industry, the research community, relevant community groups and Government departments. Such linkages are important for the efficient management of honeybee research - defining objectives, developing priorities, evaluation of results and application of research findings. The plan has been developed in consultation with the industry and provides researchers, apiary officers and beekeepers with a clear outline of the major issues affecting the efficiency and profitability of the honeybee industry from the resource base and production through to marketing of apiary products. It identifies strategies to address these major issues. To maximise research awareness and apiarist utilisation of funded research, HBRDC published a Research Report , which provided a summary of projects funded since the statutory research levy. HBRDC has continued publishing reports with :- Research Report Research Report 1998 Research Report 1999 Research Report 2000 Research Report

15 In addition to the annual research report the industry will continue to receive the recently revamped R&D Update, a newsletter providing information on the program s activities, current final reports, papers and research highlights. In August 2000 HBRDC published a CD which contained a comprehensive Pollination manual prepared by Russell Goodman Vic Ag. In May 2001 HBRDC produced and published a CD, which contains summaries of all honeybee research since Also on this CD are a number of project final reports. This CD will be updated yearly and the updated version will be released around May in time for the State Conferences. These CD s compliment the honeybee section of the RIRDC web site, which will continue to be developed and enhanced. HBRDC has and will continue to report to Peak and State Associations. Where possible a member or the Chairperson will address the Annual State Conferences and the Chairperson will report to the peak industry body, currently the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council. This provides the industry with an additional opportunity for input as well as face to face discussion and questioning of research activities. HBRDC s communication strategy is not confined to the honeybee industry. Particular attention is given to liaison with relevant research organisations and institutions and associated industries which benefit from honeybee activities such as hybrid seed producers and horticultural industries that require pollination services. Past Councils and committees have very effectively utilised workshops to encourage broad industry involvement in planning research direction and strategies. The workshop approach will continue to be utilised to fine tune current strategies and to develop policy initiatives in emerging areas as the industry continues to diversify. To encourage younger apiarists to be active in industry associations, sponsorship of participants in Leadership training commenced in 1995 and will be continued under this plan. 11

16 4. The R&D Plan Objective 1: Objective 2: Objective 3: Objective 4: Objective 5: Production 1.1 Bee husbandry and management 1.2 Diseases and pests 1.3 Nutrition 1.4 Genetic Improvement 1.5 Income diversity Resources Pollination Off Farm Communications and Extension 12

17 Objective 1: Production Objective: To increase profitability by improving hive husbandry and management practices Strategies (what we will do) Improved bee husbandry and management Reduce the impact of honeybee diseases and pests. Determine the important/essential role of nutrition in disease control and effective functioning of the hive. Encourage the adoption of quality management practices by beekeepers. Investigate options for income diversity Targets (what we want to achieve) Reduction in disease losses. Beekeepers educated in the importance of nutrition for hive health and management. Knowledge on capacity to control the entry of exotic diseases into Australia. Methodology that better evaluates the performance of bees. Increased utilisation of non-honey apiary products. Development and utilisation of non-honey apiary products to diversify income sources. Performance Indicators (how we will measure our achievements) Reduction in production losses caused by diseases. Increased production per hive. Beekeepers who have achieved quality accreditation. Increased diversification within beekeeping enterprises. Increased profitability of beekeepers 13

18 Objective 2: Resources Objective: Maintain honeybee access and research into melliferous resources on both public and freehold land. Fund /support/ provide science based information to support any future changes to Regional Forest Agreements (RFA s) Strategies (what we will do) Develop a State based national database of melliferous floral resources. Determine replacement pollen and nectar sources. Support research that examines the impact of commercially managed honeybees on melliferous resources. Targets (what we want to achieve) All options for RFA s are fully understood, based on scientific knowledge. Resource databases available by the year Performance Indicators (how we will measure our achievements) Maintenance of access to melliferous resources on public lands. Availability of state resources databases. Replacement species for lost resources. Objective basis for RFA replacements. 14

19 Objective 3: Pollination Objective: Encourage agricultural and horticultural crop pollination by honeybees. Strategies (what we will do) Provide information on effective pollination protocols for specific crops Advise growers and respective research Corporations/Councils of the broader benefits of professional pollination and encourage their more active involvement in this area. Targets (what we want to achieve) Increased level of paid honeybee pollination. Increased financial contribution by other organisations to pollination research. Information on the value of pollination of specific crops and the effects of pesticides on honeybees provided to farmers. The various Pollination Associations supported in their efforts to disseminate information. Performance Indicators (how we will measure our achievements) Pollination information disseminated widely for both beekeepers and growers. Acknowledgment of the crucial role of honeybee pollination in crop pollination. Reduced honeybee losses due to pesticides. 15

20 Objective 4: Off Farm Objective: Improve methods of extraction, storage and transport of honey and increase the use of honey in the food industry and for medical and therapeutic uses. Strategies (what we will do) Improve the storage, handling and transport of bulk honey Study technologies and procedures in storage and handling that ensure the quality and purity of honey. Determine nutritional values of honey, especially sugar levels and other properties. Determine the potential therapeutical properties and uses of honey. Targets (what we want to achieve) Accurate data on influence of product collection, bulk handling, storage and processing on product quality and purity. Increased honey utilisation in manufacturing Increased understanding of the nutritional potential of honey. Increased understanding of the therapeutical potential of honey. Performance Indicators (how we will measure our achievements) Data on effect of collection, bulk handling, storage and processing on honey quality and purity available. Increased per capita consumption of honey in Australia. 16

21 Objective 5: Communication and Extension Objective: Improve the communication between the R & D program, the honey industry and associated industries. Strategies (what we will do) Consult with the honey industry, the research community and other relevant bodies to identify the needs and problems of the industry. Upgrade R&D strategies in the light of that consultation and monitor and review its research program. Fund work that is aimed at ensuring that other industries and the community in general are made aware of the benefits, which flow from the industry. Encourage researchers to advise industry through industry journals and State Associations of significant developments in funded research projects to ensure full adoption of the results. Targets (what we want to achieve) Program development in consultation with industry. Increase in collaborative apiarist/researcher projects. Ready availability of research findings in plain English. Timely provision of progress and annual reports to industry. Increased apiarists participation in industry extension and management. Greater publication of research results in peer reviewed professional journals. Performance Indicators (how we will measure our achievements) Level of research uptake by industry. Level of apiarist involvement in research projects. Number of researcher conference addresses and scientific and industry publications. Number of joint industry projects. Level of industry utilisation of leadership participants. Industry response to annual research reports. 17