Virus leading Western Aus melon farmers to increase biosecurity
While she said that her farms biosecurity and disease mitigation practices and procedurs were already thorough the news that Green Mottle Mosaic Virus was found in WA led her to increase it even further. Since the initial discovery in Geraldton in July 2016 a number of locations around the state have tested positive to the cucurbit wasting disease. Their farm uses a bleach solution which they use to stop the spread of the disease to the farm.
"They spray down the tyres of the vehicles and then take them back to the beginning of the patch, the employees get sprayed down their legs and the truck that takes the melons in gets sprayed down, so everything gets sprayed down," she said.
She said her main concern was the disease being spread by dirt and plant sap, however spread from bees, birds and pests was also a possibility.
While the virus is causing extra problems for farmers she reported that the season was still good and the price remained strong. She reported around a $22 tray for melons.
soruce: abc.net.au
