Melon E-News March 2024


In this issue:

Melons Australia's Executive Officer Update


Welcome to our latest Melon e-newsletter of 2024! And what a phenomenal amount of work has been progressed within our industry over the past four weeks. I hope you enjoy the content presented below.

We kicked off March 2024 by representing the Australian melon industry at FoodEx in Japan, in partnership with AUSVEG under the Hort Innovation multi-industry export project (MT21009). This gave us an excellent opportunity to continue our presence in the Japanese market, reconnecting with current buyers and scoping new interest in Australian melons.

We have continued to work through the various enquiries in the supermarket pricing and competition policies, however our effort has largely been in support of the National Farmers Federation Hort Council. There are currently two open calls for submissions on this matter, the ACCC issues paper can be found by clicking HERE, and the QLD Government’s Inquiry into Supermarket pricing can be found by clicking HERE.

I represented industry as a guest speaker at the Parliamentary Friends of Biosecurity event at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday evening. Hosted by Costa Georgiadis, the event was an excellent opportunity to showcase our proactive approach to Biosecurity to our Federal politicians, including highlighting the extensive funding already provided by the melon and broader horticulture industry to Australia’s Biosecurity system, which was timely as they consider legislation regarding the implementation of a Biosecurity Protection Levy. If you haven’t made yourself aware of this proposal, please do so by clicking HERE. Melons Australia are currently drafting a submission to the Senate Committee, who will be considering this proposed legislation, and we will be opposing its implementation.

We have also been planning and working towards a number of milestones for April and very much looking forward to reconnecting with industry members between 22-29 April 2024 as we undertake our roadshows in Tully, Katherine and Kununurra. 

Need Further information? 

As always, please reach out to me, Johnathon Davey, Executive Officer Melons Australia on Email here or by phone +61 407 032 023 should you need to discuss anything.

Melons Australia 2024 Roadshow events


As our roadshows continue to be a significant benefit to the industry, we are excited to be hitting the road again in April 2024 to continue the delivery of important industry information to our growing regions.

These events are made possible by funding received through the Hort Innovation Melon Fund and are designed to bring the most recent research and development insights to industry in the regions. These are as successful as you (the industry) make them. And to top it all off, food and drinks will be provided.

Any growers in these regions who would like to have our Melons Australia team and expert researchers visit them on farm – please contact Johnathon or Joanna to organise.

Roadshow events in April:
  • Tully, QLD
    • Time: Monday 22nd April, 3pm kickoff
    • Location: Tully Motel 59374 Bruce Hwy, Tully. 
  • Kununurra, WA 
    • Time: Friday 26th April, 3.30pm kickoff 
    • Location: The Kimberley Grande Resort, 20 Victoria Hwy, Kununurra 
  • Katherine, NT 
    • Time: Monday 29th April, 4pm kickoff 
    • Location: Knott's Crossing Savannah Bar & Restaurant, 10 Cameron St, Katherine

For registration for the roadshows or to get more info the please contact Courtney Archer, Melons Australia Communications Officer by email HERE.

2024 Melon Study Tour project to the Americas


Melons Australia continues the detailed planning for our upcoming USA study tour in mid-August 2024. This program is part of a 3-year project VM23000 funded by the Hort Innovation Melon Fund and we look forward to engaging with our partners and growers in delivering these important opportunities. 

At present we are developing a study tour that will include grower and supply chain visits, technology advancements, retail tours and many more stops. If you wish to discuss the itinerary or to present some suggested stops for the tour then please contact Johnathon asap. 

Please contact Johnathon to express your interest to participate as soon as possible by email HERE. 

Keep an eye out over the coming month or so for our formal call for industry participants. 

Melon Quality Improvement Project – Phase 2 Underway


The Quality Improvements in the Melon Supply Chain project (VM23002), funded by the Hort Innovation Melon Fund and led by Delytics, is designed to enhance the consumer appeal of Australian melons by developing minimum quality standards for seedless watermelon, rockmelon, and honeydew. This effort aims to directly address consumer acceptance, aiming to boost demand and sales.

Phase 2 of this project will build on the previous project Delytics led in collaboration with Melons Australia and Rudge Produce Systems, which developed minimum maturity standards for rock melons, watermelon and honeydew.

It was really exciting to officially start the project with the project team in Melbourne recently and plan our progress forward. 

The first on-farm measurements will start in the week after Easter. 

Through these efforts, the project aims to not only improve the quality and consistency of Australian melons but also to support the industry's growth and competitiveness in the market. 

New Graduates from the Melon Leadership and Development Program


We are proud to recognise the accomplishments of our latest graduates from the Melon Industry leadership and development programs. Thivanka Fernando of Rombola Family Farms has successfully completed the Moshie Lean Leaders Program, while Ben Rackemann, a Queensland-based watermelon grower, has concluded his training with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation's TRAIL program. This intensive 7-day program, designed to challenge participants in the natural settings of Canberra's bushlands, has been instrumental in honing leadership skills.

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to both Thivanka and Ben for their achievements.  To watch an interview with Ben about his experiences of the ARLF TRAIL program please click HERE.

Both individuals have expressed that the insights and experiences gained from their respective programs will not only be of personal advantage but will also significantly contribute to the enhancement of their business environments. They strongly endorse these programs to their peers within the industry, highlighting the value and impact of such developmental opportunities.

Thivanka Fernando shared valuable insights with Melons Australia regarding his experience in the Lean Leaders Course, emphasising the importance of customer relationships in business growth. He remarked, “Building strong relationships with customers will improve the business exponentially and through the techniques learnt in this course to do that I can see that it will further assist me to strengthen those relationships”. Similarly, the techniques taught to “improve team building will help in building strong high performing teams to increase productivity”.

The upcoming session of the Lean Leaders Course is scheduled to begin in May and will be conducted online. For further details, click here. 

Ben Rackemann reflected on the significance of the connections formed during the TRAIL program, noting the diversity of the participants' backgrounds yet the commonality of challenges faced in their respective sectors.  He said that he would encourage anyone thinking of applying and participating in the program to do so, because “there were so many things to take out of it: the networking and the personal development to name a few, I think the lasting impacts will be with me and assist me in my journey for a long time to come”. 

To learn how to untap your future leadership potential via the Melon Leadership and Development Program, please go to the Melons Australia news article HERE, or reach out to Joanna Embry by  email HERE.

Melon Grower International Trade Mission Opportunities 2024


Melons Australia is pleased to continue our work with AUSVEG, under the multi-industry export project (MT21009), to support and coordinate grower participation in several international trade exhibitions throughout 2024. Opportunities are offered at the following:
  • FHA F&B: 23 – 26 April 2024, Singapore Expo.
  • AUSVEG Export Fresh Produce Showcase: 3 June 2024, Melbourne, Victoria (pre-Hort Connections).
  • Asia Fruit Logistica: 4 – 6 September 2024, Asia World Expo, Hong Kong.
  • There will also be a Reverse Trade Mission towards the end of May/June 2024 to various growing locations across Australia.

If you would like more information or would like to register your interest to get involved, don't hesitate to contact Johnathon, Melons Australia’s Executive Officer by email HERE.

Applications Now Open - Export of Fresh Cucurbit Species to NZ under the Winter Window Pathway


An Industry Advice Notice (IAN) has recently been released, by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to advise industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses for fresh cucurbit species under the winter window pathway listed in the New Zealand Export Plan. Please click on the link below for more information and links to the necessary application forms.

2024-13: Horticulture Exports Program – Applications for the export of fresh cucurbit species to New Zealand under the winter window pathway Some important dates to note are:
  • Farms and packhouses intending to export under the winter window pathway (1 May to 1 September 2024) must apply for accreditation to the Audit and Assurance Branch by COB Friday 5 April 2024, to be an accredited property under the Export Plan.
  • Online crop monitor training and assessment for cucurbits must be completed annually through the Core Crop Monitoring module on Learnhub by COB Friday 5 April 2024.

Important notes about CGMMV PFPP requirements – Farms 
  • To trade, farms must be accredited as a Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) Pest Free Place of Production (PFPP) by the relevant state authority.  
  • Currently, only Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA) and Northern Territory (NT) have systems approved to manage CGMMV PFPPs. Therefore, only farms in these states can export fresh cucurbit species to New Zealand (NZ). 

If you need assistance with your application for accreditation please contact Joanna Embry, Melons Australia Biosecurity Officer by email HERE.  

New Action Plans to Tackle Fruit & Vegetable Food Waste


In Australia, fruits and vegetables represent the most significantly wasted food categories, with over three million tonnes discarded annually, an amount sufficient to completely fill Melbourne Cricket Ground five times over. In response, Melons Australia is dedicated to advancing our sector's commitment towards halving food waste by 2030, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, and bolstering national efforts towards sustainability.

To specifically address the reduction of fresh produce waste, comprehensive new action plans have been formulated for various horticulture commodities (learn more HERE), including a pioneering strategy for the melon sector. Developed through the collaborative efforts of Melons Australia, small and large-scale growers, Hort Innovation, wholesalers, and retailers, the Melon Industry Food Waste Action Plan is now available for download HERE. Melons Australia urges the entire community to engage with this strategic plan, supporting and participating in future initiatives to make a tangible difference.

The creation of Sector Action Plans, spearheaded by End Food Waste Australia, is instrumental in fostering collaborative efforts to minimise food waste across the supply chain, with initial support from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. The Melon Industry's action plan is the result of a research project conducted by the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, financially supported by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Program, and led by Central Queensland University, incorporating extensive contributions from Melons Australia and other industry stakeholders.

Freshcare Review – Share your Feedback


In 2024, Freshcare will revise its Food Safety & Quality, Environmental, and Wine Industry Sustainability Standards.

We invite melon growers to share feedback before the review. Freshcare, an Australian certification body, is reviewing standards to ensure they meet current and future market, consumer, and environmental needs.  

Your input will shape the review, influence technical changes, and guide future resource and tool investments for our certification programs.

Please provide your feedback by clicking the links below or directly to Johnathon Davey, Melons Australia Executive Officer via email HERE.

Download to provide informed feedback by clicking the links here:

Grower Funding Available for HC24!


Great news for horticulture growers!   You can apply for funding of up to $1,000 to attend Hort Connections 2024, the largest horticulture conference and trade show in the Southern Hemisphere. The funding helps cover accommodation, flights, and attendance costs. 

Apply now to secure your spot, as funding is limited. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to connect with other leading growers and industry suppliers. 

To learn more on this funding and how to access it, please click HERE to the Hortconnections website, or email Alex Lashchuk HERE. 

Here is What You Need to Apply

Each levy-paying business can nominate one grower to receive up to $1,000 to help attend the conference. Please send the necessary documents by email here to Alex Lashchuk to secure funding:
  • A recent copy of your Levy Remittance Advice document or proof of horticulture levy payments,
  • Hort Connections Grower Conference Access pass, Perfection Fresh Breakfast and Hort Connections Gala Dinner ticket receipts,
  • Corporate Traveller flights/accommodation booking confirmation document.

1000 Vietnam workers on Aussie farms this year


The Australian government has just announced the approval of the agriculture visa subclass 403 which allows workers in a range of agriculture sectors and skill levels from certain South-East Asia countries including Vietnam to work in Australia.

According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which oversees the visa subclass 403, workers from the first four countries - Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines – can apply for the visa and get an opportunity to stay in Australia to work for up to four years. 

Under a new MoU between Vietnam and Australia, the two sides will support 1,000 Vietnamese workers to work in the agricultural industry in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in 2024.

Read more HERE. 

New Cucurbit Pest and Disease Guide out Soon


The popular series of Soil Wealth ICP 'Pests, Diseases and Disorders of Cucurbits: A Field Identification Guide' is soon to include Melons and is set for publication in the coming weeks.

This pocket-sized guide includes clear photographs of pests at various stages of their lifecycle, with detailed descriptions of special characteristics to aid identification. The guide also provides information on some pests and diseases that are not currently present in Australia but may represent a future biosecurity threat. 

Descriptions of diseases and disorders include symptoms as they may appear on different parts of the plant or on different cucurbit species.

While the digital version of the guide will be available for download and online consultation in the next few weeks, printed copies will be distributed to growers in the coming months. 

Other activities within the Soil Wealth ICP project focussing on the melon industry include research trials on demonstration sites in collaboration with growers, fact sheets, webinars and other resources and support for growers. 

For more information, or if you are interested in collaborating with the project, please contact: Umberto Calvo, AHR, on 0448 189 847 or email HERE. 

Industry Liaison Officer Training 2024


Plant Health Australia (PHA) is set to conduct Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) training sessions in 2024 at these locations:
  • Northern Territory on 15 May 2024.
  • Victoria and Queensland in late 2024 (Dates to be confirmed).

These sessions aim to train ILOs to act as a critical link between the Incident Management Team and the affected industry, especially during exotic pest incursions in the cropping sector.

Key outcomes to be achieved through this training include
  • aiding decision-making in response centres,
  • advising on industry impacts, and
  • supporting communication and engagement activities.

Melon growers are encouraged to participate to ensure representation in case of incursions affecting melons.

Interested in enrolling or want more info? Contact Joanna Embry by email HERE.

Hort Connections 2024


Hort Connections – Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show – is coming to Melbourne in 2024! 

Hear from world-class experts on a range of topics including transformative research, global innovations, consumption trends and export development. Interact with the largest cohort of industry stakeholders in the horticulture sector. Celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2024. Grow your connections and supply contacts at the largest trade show in Australian and New Zealand horticulture, with exhibitors from more than 200 industry-leading companies showcasing the latest products and services.  

>> Register here!


Contact:

Melons Australia

E: execofficer@melonsaustralia.org.au

Copyright © 2023 Melons Australia

All rights reserved.

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