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Cotton Australia is the peak body servicing growers in NSW and Queensland. During the year Cotton Australia merged with the Australian Cotton Grower’s Research association (ACGRA), which was formerly a partner of the CRC. Cotton Australia has been declared by the Federal Minister for Agriculture to be the representative organisation in the cotton industry to the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC). In this role, Cotton Australia advises both the Cotton CRC and CRDC on cotton grower priorities in research, development and extension areas, and lobbies research issues on behalf of cotton growers. Cotton Australia participates directly in two projects of the Cotton CRC but advises on many more. The Cotton CRC works with Cotton Australia to develop and implement the Best Management Practices (BMP) program, which is the industry’s commitment to the world’s best practice in cotton production. BMP is a voluntary farm management system that provides self-assessment mechanisms, practical tools and auditing processes to ensure thatcotton is produced with best practice across a range of focus areas.
Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) is the industry’s largest supplier of cottonseed, from improved varieties bred in Australia. CSD works closely with CSIRO Division of Plant Industry to have available the best possible varietal performance in conventional material and the transgenic market, combining the attributes of the conventional varieties with the best possible biotechnology performance. CSD is currently involved in one project within the Cotton CRC.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is now part of Industry & Investment NSW, which acts in partnership with industry and other public sector organisations to foster profitable and sustainable development of primary industries in New South Wales. With a primary industries staff of 3,500 based at over 130 locations across the state, the primary industries division delivers a wide range of services to primary industries and rural communities. The partnership between the Cotton CRC and Industry & Investment NSW is crucial as it provides the support needed to extend research and promote adoption within the Australian cotton industry. The Cotton CRC is headquartered at the Australian Cotton Research Institute at Myall Vale, near Narrabri, which is operated by Innovation and Industries NSW. Staff from that department are currently involved in 36 research and adoption projects within the Cotton CRC.
The University of New England (UNE) is one of Australia’s leading regional universities, and a major provider of distance education, serving over 17,000 students globally. Based in Armidale, NSW, UNE is the closest university to major cotton growing regions. UNE researchers and students are involved in 22 research projects across all research programs. The Cotton CRC Cotton Production Course is facilitated by UNE.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW), established in 1949, has expanded rapidly and now has close to 40,000 students. The University offers more than 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs. Cotton CRC works with the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science and the Water Research Laboratory. UNSW researchers are involved in four projects with the Cotton CRC, primarily in The Catchment program.
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CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is Australia’s national science agency. CSIRO brings expertise and infrastructure through its Plant Industry (PI), Entomology, Material Science and Engineering (MSE), Land and Water, and Sustainable Ecosystems divisions. CSIRO researchers are involved in 33 research projects across all research programs of the Cotton CRC.
The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) is a partnership between the Australian cotton industry and the Australian people, through the Australian Government. CRDC, acting on the advice of Cotton Australia,invests in and manages a portfolio of research, development and extension projects that seek to enhance the ecological, social and economic values associated with cotton production systems. CRDC is a significant investor in, and the largest commercial partner of, the Cotton CRC, currently investing in 43 research and adoption projects across all programs.
The new Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) includes the former Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. It promotes profitable primary industries for Queensland by providing expertise and support to assist the State’s food and fibre industries to increase productivity, improve sustainability, grow markets and adapt to change. The partnership with the Cotton CRC is crucial, as it provides the support needed to extend research and promote adoption within the Australian cotton industry. Staff from DEEDI are involved in 12 research projects the Cotton CRC, in The Farm and The Adoption programs.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (AWA) assists that State’s Agriculture, Food and Fibre sectors to be sustainable and profitable, with a clear focus on exportled growth. The department enhances the international competitiveness of the State’s agribusiness by working with them to meet the increasingly demanding standards for safety and quality of food and fibre products produced in a sustainable way. The Cotton CRC currently has one project with staff of AWA, centred on the Ord River region of Western Australia.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a dynamic and cosmopolitan university that marks the gateway to Sydney. In 2008, UTS celebrated its twenty year anniversary. The Cotton CRC currently has two research projects with UTS, both within The Catchment program
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