Melon E-News September 2023


In this issue:

Melons Australia's Executive Officer Update


Welcome to the latest edition of the Melons Australia ENews! Read more about our upcoming roadshows, meet the new 2023 Melons Australia Board, learn about important biosecurity updates including on Varroa mite, upcoming events - and much more!

This month has proved a busy one for the Melons Australia team, involving extensive travel both domestically and internationally. We teamed up with AUSVEG at the 2023 Asia Fruit Logistica trade show in Hong Kong, which proved to be a resounding success. We continue to proudly represent the Australian melon industry on the global stage!

Varroa mite response advocacy

Melons Australia has been working hard with affected parties, Federal and State Governments and the honey bee industry on the progression of the Varroa mite response, which unfortunately is now in the transition to management phase with eradication efforts unsuccessful. We provide a more detailed update in our article below and will continue to update industry on the transition to management over the coming weeks/months.

Melons Australia Road Shows are back!

Exciting news on the back of our successsful Road Show events held throughout 2022/2023! We are on the verge of finalising and announcing the venue details of our upcoming South Australian, Mildura, Griffith and North Queensland Road Shows kicking off in the final week of October 2023. More information on their locations and dates are provided in the article below, and these will be broadcast in greater detail as we begin to lock in speakers, venues, etc. STAY TUNED!

AGM Update

The Melons Australia 2023 Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 14th September 2023. We were delighted with the number of people attending and warmly welcome returning and newly appointed members to our Board. More information about the AGM is provided in our article below.

Melon Quality Improvement Project Webinar great success!

On Monday 11th September 2023 we held our Melon Quality Improvement Project webinar that proved to be an extremely successful event. Wethank those across industry who attended.

Building on this event, a Stakeholder Strategic Workshop is being held this Friday 6 October 2023 in Brisbane. We at Melons Australia and Delytics look forward to communicating to industry the outcomes and implementation plan following the workshop.

Melons Australia in the media

During September we maintained a strong media presence regarding the media hype of ‘high watermelon prices’ (read a 9News example here) to ensure an industry voice on the matter was consistent and heard.

Upcoming events with Melons Australia attendance

Melons Australia will be participating in the following events through October 2023. If you are also attending any of these events please reach out - we’d love to see you there!
  • Fair Farms conference – Friday 20th October 2023, in Melbourne (I will soon be announced as a speaker at this event).

Thank you for your continued support and please reach out to me or our team should you require any assistance or support in your day-to-day operations. Contact me - Melons Australia Executive Officer, Johnathon Davey via email here or give me a call on 0407 032 023.

Best regards, Johnathon Davey

Melons Australia AGM Wrap-Up


Melons Australia's AGM was conducted via videoconference on September 14th, 2023. We had a strong turnout and thank all of our attending members. During the meeting, we discussed the successes of Melons Australia in 2022-23 and the significant benefit to our industry of a strong and effective peak body.

Members approved the Audited 2022-23 financial statements and elected the Board for the 2023-24 year.

We are very pleased to announce the new 2023-2024 Melons Australia Board:

• Paul McLaughlin (Chair) - reappointed

• Terry O’Leary (Treasurer/Secretary) - reappointed

• Matt Ryan - reappointed

• Shaun Jackson (new appointment)

• Anthony Joseph - reappointed

• Luca D’Arsie (new appointment)

• Sam Clayfield – reappointed

• Leith Plevey – reappointed

• Damien Odgers – reappointed

• Doug Smith (new appointment)

For any further enquiries please email Johnathon Davey, Executive Officer Melons Australia.

Melons Australia Road Shows Round 2 (2023/24)


An exciting update following the success of our 2022/2023 Road Show events! Get ready for an encore as we're gearing up to hit the road once more with another exciting round of Road Show events. Starting later this month, we'll be making stops in Barmera, SA, Mildura, Griffith, Bowen, and Ayr. While we have the tentative dates outlined below, please bear in mind that these dates remain tentative until we've locked in all our speakers and venues.

It's going to be another incredible journey, and we can't wait to share it with you! Save the tentative dates in your calendar at a location closest to you!

• Barmera, SA - Monday 30 October

• Mildura, VIC - Tuesday 31 October

• Griffith, NSW - Thursday 2 November

• Bowen, QLD - Monday 13 November

• Ayr, QLD - Tuesday 14 November

Stay tuned for more information as we get ready to hit the road!

The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection Project is underway.


Building on its previous success, Phase 3 of the Soil Wealth ICP project has expanded to include the Australian melon industry. Read more about the melons project on the Soil Wealth ICP website and on Melon News Vol. 1, June 2023 p. 19.

Growers’ involvement in the project

The involvement of melon growers is essential to the project. Grower inputs and collaboration are fundamental to achieving project outcomes and, ultimately, for it to successfully meet industry needs.

If you are a melon grower and you are interested in hosting a demonstration site on your farm, or you are trying to implement new practices and need support, we want to hear from you.

Resource development

As a first step, the Soil Wealth ICP team are developing a ute guide for pest, disease and disorder identification in cucurbits. Melon growers are invited to contribute to the development of this resource. Tell us what you want to see in this publication, including the information you find most useful when identifying pests, diseases and disorders in crops and after harvest.

To get involved in the project or if you have any suggestions for the guide please contact: Umberto Calvo, AHR on 0448 189 847 or email here.

Register Now for the AICD Foundations of Directorship Course


Melon growers are invited and encouraged to apply for one of the training and development programs being offered by Melons Australia and subsidised by the Hort Innovation Melon Levy.

There are seven different courses available as part of the program but in this edition of the enews we are promoting the AICD Foundations of Directorship Course.

The Foundations of Directorship course offers a three-day program spread across a 4-week period and provides aspiring directors with a comprehensive overview of the main components of directorship (Governance, Finance and Strategy/Risk).

Financial Support is Available!

For levy paying growers this course is almost fully funded by the Melon levy aside from a small nominal fee of $400.

If you are a non levy paying member of the industry, as long as you have support from industry the cost will be 50% of the advertised price plus transport and accommodation costs.

More information is available:

Melon Quality Project Webinar


Were you able to join our Melon Quality Improvement project webinar recently? If not, we recorded the webinar so you can view in your own time by clicking here.

Wholesalers, retailers, seed breeders, growers and several other industries representatives joined the webinar so there was healthy discussion around this project.

We've made a note of the discussions held during the webinar and you can access these by heading to our website (click here) and login to your user account. Read what industry is saying about this project and provide your thoughts to the discussion.

HortCarbon Info web-tool


Are you aware of the new HortCarbon Info web-tool? This accurate tool lets a grower quickly and easily work out and measure their Greenhouse Gas on-farm footprint!

The Queensland Government tool is confidential and easy to use. To retain the information, simply print or save inputs and results as a print PDF on your own computer - once you disconnect from the website all data is lost ensuring your data is protected.

Updates to the New Zealand Export Plan


Due to new Import Health Standards by New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) changes have been made to the Export Plan for Fresh Produce from Australia to New Zealand (Export Plan).

Relevant revised changes to the Export Plan include:

• Irradiation as a treatment option for avocado, butternut, cucumber, pear, pumpkin, squash and watermelon.

• Approval for in-field packing for watermelons.

For more information go to 2023-59: Horticulture – Updates to the New Zealand Export Plan - DAFF.

Melon Owner Reimbursement Cost Framework Explained


In the case of an exotic pest incursion, a response plan is implemented to eradicate or prevent the spread of thatemergency plant pest. If it is a pest that directly impacts melon production thismay require a melon property to be quarantined, certain crops to be destroyed or a grower to undertake actions that are additional to their normal production practices (such as control measures or a forced fallow). Implementing these requirements often results in additional costs or potential losses to impacted individuals.

Owner reimbursement costs (ORC) is a type of payment made under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) to an individual to reimburse them for specific defined costs or losses incurred following the implementation of aresponse plan. In order to define how that reimbursement is to be calculated an ORC framework is required while the provisions of the EPPRD defines what comprises an ORC payment, who may receive a payment, howcost sharing is applied, and the general valuation and payment processes undertaken.

This is important for the melon industry as it better prepares us for a response to emergency plant pests that could devastate our cropping sector. Click here to see a copy of the Melon ORC framework. 

For more information contact Joanna Embry, Melons Australia Biosecurity Officer. 

Biosecurity Protection Levy - Have your Say!


The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has opened consultation to help shape the way the new biosecurity protection levy will be applied.

In the 2023–24 Budget, the government committed $1.03 billion over the next four years, and $267 million per year after that, for biosecurity funding. As part of the next stages of these sustainable funding reforms, the government announced a new biosecurity protection levy that would start from 1 July 2024 and is intended to collect around $50 million per year. This levy is intended as a mechanism for producers, as major beneficiaries of biosecurity controls, to contribute to this long-term commitment.

Melons Australia encourages stakeholders with an interest in the biosecurity protection levy to register now to have your say on sustainably funded biosecurity. Visit the biosecurity protection levy consultation website for more information on how to register and to have your say by 13 October 2023.

A Grower’s Guide to Pest Reporting and Responses


Pests can have a serious impact on crops and farming practices. By playing your part and reporting anything unusual, you can help reduce the likelihood that new pests are here to stay.

As a grower, your livelihood depends on healthy and viable production systems. The use of biosecurity practices is a key component of achieving this. The Pest Reporting and Responses course highlights how to report plant pests in Australia and what might happen in response to a plant pest detection.

Plant Health Australia have created free online e-learning. In this course you will learn about:

• the arrangements that Australia must manage for plant biosecurity emergency responses

• how the arrangements are put into action

• the benefits of biosecurity

• implementing biosecurity practices

• the importance of reporting a new or unusual pest or symptom of a disease, and

• how to make a report.

To access this biosecurity online training (BOLT) or to register an account click here. For a full set instructions on how to enrol in BOLT click here.

Varroa mite Management Update


It is with disappointment that we pass on news regarding the status and ongoing management of the response to the Varroa mite incursion from June 2022. A direct email was circulated 20/9 to members about this news and our response.

On September 19, 2023, the National Management Group (NMG), of which Melons Australia represents our industry on, confirmed that eradicating the varroa mite is not feasible based on technical grounds, following advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP).

The response is now entering the transition to a management phase. The NMG acknowledged the significant and sustained efforts of the NSW Government and impacted industry representatives since June 2022 in guiding response activities. We can confirm our team has worked tirelessly to represent the melon industry's interests during the response.

While a revised plan (including transition to management activities) is being developed by the CCEPP, to be agreed to by the NMG, NSW will operate under an interim strategy to limit the varroa mite's impact and slow the spread.

For the latest updates and information on the interim arrangements and the Varroa incursion in general, please remember to visit the NSW Government website: Varroa mite emergency response (nsw.gov.au)

We will keep our members updated as information becomes available on the management plan's progress. Melons Australia, as members of the CCEPP and the NMG, will actively participate in forming the next stage of the management plan, ensuring the melon industry's interests are well-represented.

For any further enquiries please contact the Melons Australia Executive Officer Johnathon Davey by email here.

Farmsafe Australia survey


Farmsafe Australia is looking for participants for a confidential 10-minute online survey about existing and potential Farmsafe Australia initiatives closing October 6.

>> Click here to take the survey!

The purpose of the survey is to obtain stakeholder feedback to gain insight into the current impact, opportunities, and future requirements of farm safety in Australia. All responses are appreciated.

Fair Farms – Fair and Ethical Sourcing Conference


Join industry experts, growers, workplace relations specialists and peak industry bodies as they come together in one place to discuss ethical sourcing within Australian horticulture.

When: Friday 20 October, 2023

Where: Cargo Hall, Southbank, Melbourne 

A range of speakers will present, including Melons Australia’s Johnathon Davey, followed by the Gala Dinner. Hosted by Fair Farms, the conference will cover:
  • New trends in the ESG space that may impact you
  • How the Modern Slavery Act directly impacts your business
  • Fair Work Ombudsman updates
  • Social Compliance through the lens of your peak industry
  • Sustainability Trends in Australia

Learn more or Register here.

The National Farmers’ Federation National Conference


The National Farmers’ Federation National Conference program is locked in, bringing together some of Australia and the world’s most eminent thought leaders in Canberra on October 26-27.

This year’s theme ‘Australia to the World’ will look at Australia’s role in feeding the world, its trading relationships, and global leadership in sustainability and innovation.

More information and registration click here.

Freshcare Australian Assurance Summit 2023


Freshcare extends a warm invitation to you and your team, to the inaugural Australian Assurance Summit, 14th – 15th November at the William Inglis Hotel, Warwick Farm, Sydney.

As a valued Member Organisation of Freshcare, Melons Australia provides a vital link and conduit for communications between Freshcare and Melons Australia’s members.

The Summit focuses on Assurance = sustainability, safe futures, certification and supporting growers. Participating fosters Freshcare-industry-business collaboration for a sustainable fresh produce future.

Explore Early Bird tickets, sponsorship packages for Freshcare partners. Act now, Early Bird ending soon.

Questions? Email event organisers by clicking here or phone Sallie Don at 0408 007 305.

Western Australian Horticulture Update 2023


The biennial Western Australian Horticulture Update (WAHU) event is back again, bringing all areas of horticulture together to grow connections and build knowledge on the changing landscape of horticultural production.

When: Tuesday 31 October - Wednesday 1 November 2023

Where: Ascot Racecourse, 71 Grandstand Road, Ascot

What: Two-day industry expo dedicated to innovative technology in horticulture.

Early bird tickets on sale now! Learn more here.

Gatton AgTech Showcase


Join the QDAF team for a showcase of the latest innovations in field robotics, sensors, drones, protected cropping, postharvest, cover cropping and strip tillage, and more.

When: 1 November, 10:00am-5:00pm

Where: Gatton Smart Farm, Queensland

What: This event will showcase innovations in field robotics, sensors, drones, protected cropping, post-harvest, cover cropping, strip-tillage and more.

Learn more here.

AgriFutures Australia 2024 Industry Innovation Tour


Following a preliminary call for industry nominations, AgriFutures Australia now invites growers and producers from our levied and emerging industries to apply to be selected for the 2024 Industry Innovation Tour to Perth, WA.

When: Sunday, 18 February to Thursday, 22 February 2024

Where: Perth, WA

What: Opportunity for Australian growers and producers to be immersed in the best of Perth's agrifood technology and participate in a curated program catering to the group’s interests.

The Tour includes a complimentary two-day ticket to evokeAG 2024, visits to world-class tech and innovation facilities, an agritech and innovation workshop and a range of networking events.
  • Applications close: 5.00pm Wednesday, 4 October 2023
  • Assessment period: Thursday, 5 October 2023 - Monday, 16 October 2023
  • Successful applicants notified: Tuesday, 17 October 2023 - Monday, 23 October 2023

Be quick - positions are strictly limited.

Learn more and apply here.


Contact:

Melons Australia

E: execofficer@melonsaustralia.org.au

Copyright © 2023 Melons Australia

All rights reserved.

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