Peter Verwey started work with the Cotton CRC back in mid November 2009 as the new Cotton Catchment Officer, continuing the work done by Kate Lightfoot. This position is a partnership with funding coming from both the Namoi CMA and Cotton CRC. Peter is working with Namoi cotton growers to develop and deliver the resources that growers require to successfully implement natural resource management activities. This includes working closely with the grower associations, developing property plans, assisting with monitoring groundwater quality, and providing technical advice in natural resource management and the industry best practices through face to face meetings and grower workshops. The position works as a means of communicating the research outcomes of the Cotton CRC to the grower community and also helping growers partner with the CMA through their Incentive Programs.
Another newcomer to the Namoi, Peter has worked all over the place, including: the Lower Murray Darling as Waterwatch Coordinator; Townsville as Regional Water Quality Officer for the Burdekin Dry Tropics; and Rockhampton with salinity research and coastal research positions. This is not his first visit to the Namoi or to cotton farming, many years ago he did a few seasons of chipping, and has worked two ginning seasons as well.
Program Delivery
The main outcome of this program is to achieve an increase in the number of growers integrating NRM into their irrigated cotton farming systems and a general improvement in the NRM skills and knowledge of growers in the Namoi.
Activities will include:
- Regular monitoring by growers of groundwater water quality.
- Development of up to date property plans.
- Increased awareness and management of riparian areas on farms.
- Growers partnering with the Namoi CMA through their incentive programs.
- Closely working with the cotton grower associations.
Peter is based at the Cotton CRC office at ACRI on Wee Waa Rd. He can be reached by:
phone on 02 6799 2476 or 0408 972 516,
and email on peter.verwey@cottoncrc.org.au .
