newsletter-July 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the Melons Melon e-news for 2024!

Our Melons Australia team was prominent at the End Food Waste Symposium in Melbourne last week, where we showcased the industry's brilliant steps in developing our Melons Waste Reduction Action Plan. We have numerous follow-ups and are hopeful for some exciting innovations and announcements in the coming months, so stay tuned!

I've been actively working on the end-of-financial-year reporting requirements and planning our AGM for late September, stay tuned for AGM announcement and documents which will be emailed out in the coming week. We are also gearing up for our final roadshow of the second round, which we plan to deliver in partnership with the berry and vegetable industries in Bundaberg on Tuesday, September 17th. More information can be found later in this newsletter.

In addition, we are heavily focused on the planning and arrangements for our upcoming Melons Study Tour to the US. Our travellers will depart next Thursday, August 8th, 2024. We look forward to bringing you live updates and extensive insights on innovations within the US melon industry and their potential application in Australia. We are also excited to share our knowledge and insights and foster closer collaboration with our US colleagues. Follow us on social media to stay up to date.

Our team are also working on a supportive submission to the Australian Government’s Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024. This will provide reformed support for grower donations of seconds and unmarketable but edible fruit. You can find out more or make a submission here: Tax Laws Amendment (Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations) Bill 2024 – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

Please reach out to me, Johnathon Davey, Chief Executive Officer, Melons Australia, should you need to discuss anything. Please contact me by email HERE or call me at +61 407 032 023.

Retail Monitoring Feedback Now Available for Individual Growers

The melon quality project team is conducting fortnightly monitoring of randomly selected melons at wholesale markets and various stores in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Results are updated within a day on the Melons Australia website.

In addition, the team can now create confidential reports for individual growers, detailing the condition of their melons based on market monitoring. These reports provide feedback on maturity, skin, and flesh condition, serving as a quality assurance tool. Reports are only sent to growers whose melons are sampled and traceable back to them, typically possible in wholesale markets but not retail stores. Growers interested in receiving these reports should email Mark Loeffen at mark.loeffen@delytics.com

Find out more here

The Annual Nielsen Update on Melons is Here!

The annual Nielsen update on Melons for the year ending 16.06.24 is now available.

The report highlights some incredible improvements for melons, some of the key findings include;

You can learn more and access additional research data on Hort Innovation's newly launched platform, HortIQ. HortIQ offers consumer and customer data and insights on Australian horticulture. It was developed to be a one-stop shop for powerful consumer insights designed to drive growth. Click one of the links below to explore further.

Retail volume sales of Melons increased almost 20% on the prior year, against volume growth of 2.4% in Fruit over the same period. This was driven by Watermelons, volumes up 29.6% on the prior year.
Household purchasing peaked over December and January – 29.8% of households buying in the 4 weeks to 28th Jan 24 – ahead of the same time year ago.
59.7% of household purchased Melons over the most recent year – ahead of the prior year.

Comprehensive Melon Review

Comprehensive Watermelon Review

Cucurbit Pest and Disease Field Identification Guide

Introducing our new Cucurbit Pest and Disease Field Identification Guide!

This compact field companion is designed to aid in the identification of beneficial insects, along with pests, diseases, and disorders that impact melons and other cucurbits including both established and high priority exotic pests and diseases. If you would like to

receive a hard copy please fill out this form HERE
download the Ute guide click HERE

Soil management in the tropics: New melon demo site in Mataranka, NT`

Soil Wealth ICP have a new melon demo site in Mataranka, NT.

Farming in tropical climates presents a unique set of challenges, especially when dealing with sandy soils. These soils, likened to an open hydroponic system due to the water and nutrient management strategies they require, pose significant challenges for growers.

A melon farm in the Northern Territory is exploring sustainable solutions to improve soil structure, and water and nutrient management in their melon crops through an innovative partnership with the Soil Wealth ICP project.

The Northern Territory demonstration site will examine the use of compost and cover crops to increase soil organic matter (SOM) and improve soil structure, with the aim of improving the efficiency of water and nutrient management.

Find out more here

A Produce Marketplace in the Palm of Your Hand

Refresh Food is a B2B marketplace in the palm of your hand. Expand your network with access to qualified buyers across Australia. Sell or donate any variety of produce, regardless of specs and grades. By dealing directly, you ensure you get the best price whilst helping to reduce food waste and food insecurity.

Connect with Fresh Foods growing network by downloading the app.

A permit for Prothioconazole in Watermelon for Fusarium Wilt has recently been renewed

Applicant name: AUSTRALIAN MELON ASSOCIATION INC.

Permit number: 95121

Permit name: Prothioconazole / Watermelon / Fusarium Wilt

Dates: THIS PERMIT IS IN FORCE FROM 16 JULY 2024 TO 31 JULY 2026

You can also view the permit document online HERE

Read The Latest Melon News

Our mid-year Melon News magazine (Edition 1 2024) is now available!

This special edition is packed with updates on our R&D achievements from the past six months, plus some interesting articles featuring people you might know in the Melon industry.

Download now by clicking HERE

Women in Horticulture Scholarships

Women & Leadership Australia has announced new partial scholarships to enable more women to access world-class leadership and workplace skill development programs. By combining cutting-edge leadership theory with practical application, and a flexible part-time delivery, Women & Leadership Australia offers a learning experience designed to fit into your busy schedule. They have four programs to suit women in non-leadership roles all the way up to senior executives.

To learn more visit: www.wla.edu.au/industry/horticulture

As well as the scholarships offered by Women and Leadership there is also the potential opportunity for Melons Australia to further support your application through our Melon Industry leadership program so if you are interested in the Women and Leadership scholarship opportunities please also contact Joanna Embry (biosecurity@melonsaustralia.org.au) to discuss how we can support you.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity! Applications close Friday 6 September 2024 so please call us before then.

The Australian Farmer Journal

The Australian Farmer has just launched their digital journal! It's packed with the latest news and trends vital to farmers, along with product reviews and contributions from fellow farmers.

This edition is extensive, but we believe it contains some valuable articles for Australian melon growers.

Designed in collaboration with Australia’s farming peak bodies and associations.

You can read the journal HERE

Hort Innovation's $500 Million Investment in Horticulture

Hort Innovation has announced an ambitious plan to invest an additional $500 million in research and development over the next decade to bolster Australia’s $16.3 billion horticulture industry. The new Frontiers program will complement the existing levy-funded portfolio and attract new investors and transformative innovations to seize significant opportunities and develop solutions for growers.

Frontiers will focus on five key themes: Healthy living, Adaptation and resilience, Market growth and security, Disruptive technologies, and Capability building.

The program offers four dynamic investment pathways—Innovation partnerships, Australian-grown innovation, Incubate and accelerate, and the Hort Innovation Venture Fund—each designed to propel the industry forward and transform Australian horticulture.

To learn more and get involved, contact Hort Innovation’s Head of Investment, Growth and Commercial, Jesse Reader on 0413 777 501, or subscribe by clicking HERE to Frontiers email communications for the latest updates.

Asia Fruit Logistica 2024 - Applications now open!

Melons Australia, through our industries involvement in the AUSVEG led multi-industry export development program, is delighted to inform melon levy payers that the program has secured an exhibitor space at Asia Fruit Logistica and melon grower-exporters are invited to apply for this great opportunity to showcase your products to potential buyers through the entire Asian region.

Event details:

When: Mon 2 Sept - Sat 6 Sept 2024
Cost: co-contribution of $2,500 per person.

Please express your interest in attending this event by contacting Johnathon Davey, CEO Melons Australia by email HERE or phone +61 407 032 023. Registrations for growers close next week, so get in quick!

All positions on international trade missions funded by Hort Innovation through the Multi-Industry Export Program (MT21009) are restricted to businesses that pay the national Vegetable, Onion and Melon levies.

Invitation to Participate in the National Fall Armyworm Survey

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries invites growers and agronomists from across Australia to participate in a survey as part of the Hort Innovation funded project “National fall armyworm innovation system for the Australian vegetable industry (VG22006)”.

This survey aims to gather insights on how you are currently managing Fall Armyworm (FAW) in your crops or preparing for its potential arrival in future seasons.

Your participation will provide valuable information to help guide extension and research efforts to develop sustainable FAW management strategies for the Australian vegetable industry.

The Fall Armyworm (FAW) Engagement Hub is regularly updated to ensure you have access to the most current information and resources on FAW RD&E. Recently launched is a new tab in the eHub, where you can visualise the Bowen (North Queensland) FAW moth catches from pheromone traps on the sidebar with a slider tool. The tab provides regular updates on the pheromone trap catches from Bowen (North Queensland). A similar slider for other regions will be added in the near future.

To get updates on new information added to this page, we would like to encourage you to register on the eHub and 'follow' the Fall Armyworm project.

Complete the survey here

Multi Pest Info Session

Hear about the latest research and management of key pests including fruitfly, Fall Armyworm and Guava Root Knot Nematode (GRKN) and participate in an open forum followed by networking, snacks and refreshments.

The afternoon promises to be very informative and worthwhile including Fruitfly and Fall Armyworm monitoring and Management with Industry experts from AgNOVA and Rapid AIM as well as an international expert to discuss GRKN research on biology and management. Hear about the latest research and management of key pests and participate in an open forum followed by networking, snacks and refreshments.

Date: Thursday 22nd August 2024

Time: 2pm – 5pm

Venue: QDAF Research Station, 49 Ashfield Road, Kalkie QLD 4670

Register here

Negotiation Tactics Masterclass

Free Negotiation Tactics masterclass held throughout Australia.

QFVG is holding a series of masterclasses focused on boosting your business skills. Gain confidence to speak up and negotiate effectively with customers and suppliers, maximizing your bottom line.

Perfect for growers, sales teams, or anyone wanting to sharpen their negotiation prowess. Learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain invaluable insights to thrive in retail.

Click here for more information and to register

Australian Biosecurity Symposium

Get ready for the return of the Australian Biosecurity Symposium! 🍉 🍈

This year’s event is taking place from August 27th to 29th, 2024, at the Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast. With Costa Georgiadis as MC and keynote presentations from speakers like Adam Ferrier.

Date: 27-29 August 2024
Location: Sea World Resort

Click here to check out the full program and to register

Soil Wealth ICP Webinar: Fusarium wilt of melons

Join the Soil Wealth ICP team for a webinar with Dr Len Tesoriero (Crop Doc Consulting) to explore Fusarium wilts in melons and their management options.

Fusarium is one of the most damaging pathogens in melons. This webinar will delve into various aspects of the disease, from its life cycle, to how it spreads, its pathogenicity, and management options.

Dr Tesoriero’s 30-minute webinar will be followed by an extensive Q&A session.

Date: Wednesday 4 September 2024

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm AEST

Click here to register

Melon Australia Final Roadshow

Save the date!

Our biggest Roadshow yet! In partnership with Berries Aus, Bundaberg Fruit and Veg Growers, QFVG, Ausveg, Hort Innovation, and the NFF Hort Council.

The Roadshow will take place in Bundaberg on September 17th, bringing together fruit and vegetable growers to discuss topics that impact us all. The day will begin with a field trial/discussion at Agreco Research farm from 2pm, including disease management trials relevant to melon, cucurbit vegetable and strawberry growers, followed by R&D project presentations and networking opportunities with dinner and refreshments starting at 4 PM.

Click here to register

DPIRD Carnarvon Research Station Melon & Watermelon Field Day ‘24

Join Bayer at Carnarvon Research Station for a grower field day. More information to come over the following weeks.

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (afternoon)

Venue: Carnarvon Research Station

More information to come!

Langauge

Select Language