Melons Australia's CEO Update


The Melons Australia Board circulated a key industry survey to growers on Monday 16th February, seeking your insights on the priorities and needs of melon growers across the country. Your feedback will directly inform our strategic focus and advocacy efforts on behalf of industry. If you haven’t yet participated, we strongly encourage you to complete the survey via SurveyMonkey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MGRM2N7. Responses close on Tuesday 3rd March 2026, and it is critical that we receive strong grower participation to ensure the outcomes truly reflect industry priorities.

We are delighted to announce that the 2026 Australian Melon Conference will be held across Ayr and Townsville from 7–9 October 2026. Planning is well underway, with the program and event details currently being fine-tuned. We look forward to sharing further announcements soon, including ticket release dates in the near future.

As outlined in recent eNews editions, Melons Australia is continuing to work closely with food safety experts to develop improved shelf-life handling solutions for cut watermelons. This important work aims to strengthen food safety confidence and reduce waste across the supply chain. We look forward to sharing outcomes with industry as soon as they become available.

Melons Australia is also currently preparing draft submissions on behalf of industry to the Australian Government’s Export Cost Recovery Impact Statement — which proposes increased cost recovery from the horticulture sector and closes for comment on Friday 20 March — and the Horticulture Code of Conduct Review, closing Friday 6 March. If you have feedback you would like included in the industry submissions, please forward your input at your earliest convenience. Further information is available via the review links below: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/fees/export-cost-recovery-reform-sust-trade-funding

As always, if there is anything that the Melons Australia team can support or assist you with please feel free to reach out.

Johnathon Davey CEO

E: ceo@melonsaustralia.org.au

P: +61 407 032 023

www.melonsaustralia.org.au

R&D Tax Incentive Application


Melons Australia is pleased to advise levy-paying growers that Hort Innovation has successfully obtained Research Service Provider (RSP) registration from AusIndustry for FY25. This means eligible research and development (R&D) projects funded through the R&D levy may be able to be claimed as a tax offset under the R&D Tax Incentive. To support growers with their applications, a suite of Hort Innovation-developed resources is now available, including project description summaries outlining key information required for submission and the percentage of eligible R&D activity that may be applied to levy contributions for the financial year.

Eligibility for the R&D Tax Incentive is determined under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, which has a narrower definition of R&D than the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Act 2024, meaning not all activities will qualify. Applications for FY25 must be lodged with AusIndustry by 30 April 2026. The available resources include an information guide, FY2024/25 RSP project descriptions (covering melon-specific R&D initiatives), and R&D Tax Incentive rate details, including the applicable core and supporting activity splits. Growers are encouraged to seek independent professional advice to assess their individual circumstances and refer to the full webpage for complete and up-to-date information.

A Chance To Win $5,000 With Choice Energy


Melons Australia Energy partner, Choice Energy, is giving one small business the chance to win $5,000.

As energy market experts, we know businesses across Australia are feeling the crunch, with energy bills constantly rising. We’d like to pay it forward by helping a small business with a $5K boost!

You could win $5K for your business by simply sending through a copy of your bill*. Real support for real businesses.

To enter the draw to win $5,000, submit a copy of your energy bill to alex.townsend@choiceenergy.com.au or upload it here adding the code Melon$5K in the message for a free energy assessment. Once we’ve reviewed your current rates, $5,000 could be yours!

*Terms and conditions apply. ABN required to be eligible

*Only businesses that switch their plan with Choice Energy go into the draw

Offer ends 31st March 2026

Gummy stem blight and anthracnose in melons - what are your risk factors?


Melon crops can be very susceptible to the diseases gummy stem blight and anthracnose but when is this likely and why?

The high-risk windows for development of these diseases are weather patterns that promote free water. High humidity accompanying rainfall, heavy dews or fog will result in long periods of vine wetness. Infection by both gummy stem blight and anthracnose are favoured by these conditions. This is largely temperature independent but more likely with warmer conditions. Free water for about an hour is enough for infection to occur with gummy stem blight and disease severity increases with continued vine wetness. For anthracnose, maximum disease development occurs after 16 h of wetness. It is therefore useful to manage both diseases together.

Old melon crop debris is a high-risk source of these diseases for younger plantings. Both diseases are spread in aerosols and with water. Young seedlings are at high risk from these diseases if planting into or next to old melon crop debris. Agreco Australia field trial work has shown very high mortality of seedlings to these diseases when planted into old plastic, especially with crop debris on the surface. By contrast, seedlings planted into new plastic with no debris had very high survival rates.

For further information a factsheet on gummy stem blight is available on the Melons Australia website HERE.

Rockmelon seedlings about two weeks after planting into new plastic with no old crop debris.

Old plastic with high amounts of old crop debris.

On‑Farm Maturity Measurement Support Available


Recent project data shows that half of all growers are now meeting the industry’s minimum maturity standards, with encouraging improvements across all melon types. The project team is now turning their attention to supporting growers who are not yet meeting the standards or want to improve their results.

A key focus is helping ensure growers have access to the tools and confidence needed to measure maturity on‑farm. Several growers have mentioned that they either don’t have a Brix meter or aren’t fully comfortable using one. Because Brix is a fundamental indicator of melon maturity, having a reliable way to measure it can make day‑to‑day decision‑making much easier and help ensure fruit is at the right maturity before it leaves the farm.

The sampling and measurement protocol developed by this project is built around using a Brix meter.

Growers are invited to contact the project team if they have any questions about how to use a Brix meter or want to know where to get one. Email: mark.loeffen@delytics.com

Lunch with Leaders


Lunch with Leaders is a relaxed, monthly online program where leaders from across Australia come together to share stories, challenges, and lessons from their own leadership journeys. It is funded and organised through the North Australian Biosecurity Strategy (NABS) and each session features a local, regional, or national leader talking about the hurdles they’ve faced, how they tackled them, and the insights you can use in your own leadership. Sometimes, sessions focus on a specific topic or issue designed to help participants learn new skills, grow, and develop as leaders. The sessions are open to anyone who’s curious about leadership — whether you’re just starting out or already leading a team. They’re a great way to pick up practical tips, get inspired, connect with others, and realise that no one has to navigate leadership alone.

Just a few who you can tune into include: Dante St James (Trainer of digital skills and Artificial Intelligence Adoption); Christina Matthews (Former Australian Cricketer); Kendra Frew (Employment Law Specialist); Lloyd Klumpp (former Inspector General of Biosecurity) and Kristy O’Brien (Accomplished documentary producer from ABC).

2024/25 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook


The 2024/25 Hort Innovation Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook is now available.

The report provides insights into overall melon consumption, with detailed breakdowns for watermelons and muskmelons.

You can view the Melon Specific Statistics HERE.

To view the full report click HERE.

Melons Australia Conference 2026


We’re thrilled to bring you the Melons Australia Conference 2026, happening 7-9 October 2026 in Townsville, Queensland!

We have chosen Townsville as the location to host our melon conference, with a field day in Ayr (just 80-90 km south in the Burdekin region). As the gateway to North Queensland—one of Australia’s leading melon production areas for rockmelons, watermelons, honeydews, and specialty varieties—Townsville provides direct access to active growing operations. This allows delegates to combine valuable conference sessions on research, innovation, marketing, and trends with practical, hands-on experiences such as variety trials and farm demonstrations in Ayr

Our three-day event will include
  • An engaging field day showcasing new melon varities
  • 1 day R&D and workshop session
  • A memorable Gala Dinner to celebrate successes and make valuable connections
  • Finishing with a half day conference
 

Further information and early bird tickets coming soon!

Foodex Japan


As the premier food and beverage exhibition in Japan, FOODEX JAPAN continues to set new standards in the industry.
The 50th anniversary edition have concluded, but the impact of this monumental event will resonate for months to come. Business deals are taking shape, new agreements are propelling industry advancements, innovations are being embraced, and hundreds of thousands of new products are making their way onto Asian Market.


The four-day event reaffirmed FOODEX JAPAN's status as the ultimate platform for business, trade, networking, and innovation, attracting industry leaders and professionals from across the globe.

Start Date: 10/03/2026

End Date: 13/03/2026

Location: Tokyo Big Sight

FHA-Food & Hospitality Asia


FHA 2026 is where Asia’s F&B and hospitality industry meets — and where brands like yours get discovered. With over80,000 attendees expected and 2,750+ exhibitors on the floor, standing out starts with securing your space early.

From fresh produce and fine food to hospitality technology and sustainable solutions, FHA 2026 covers the full spectrum of the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Explore key segments including convenience food, halal, seafood, wine & spirits, speciality coffee & tea, and more – your hub to the latest trends and innovations.

Start Date: 21/04/2026

End Date: 24/04/2026

Location: Singapore Exhibition Centre

Hort Connections 2026


In 2026, the entire fresh produce industry will converge at the Adelaide Convention Centre from Monday 1st June to Thursday 4th June. Through the trade show, attendees will gain exclusive access to the latest products, services, and technologies driving the horticulture industry forward.

Start Date: 01/06/2026

End Date: 04/06/2026

Location: Adelaide Convention Centre


Contact:

Melons Australia

E: ceo@melonsaustralia.org.au

Copyright © 2026 Melons Australia

All rights reserved.

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