Chatting with Macquarie growers

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Stress prior to defoliation (70% open or 4 Nodes above Cracked Boll (NACB)) can cause a reduction in yield and fibre quality.

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Media Release 28th August, 2007

Chatting with Macquarie Cotton Growers

Guy Roth, Chief Executive Officer of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC addressed the Macquarie Cotton Growers AGM last week, providing an overview of the role it plays within the Australian Cotton industry.

Mr. Roth outlined the five program areas of research and development of the Cotton CRC - The Farm, The Catchment, The Communities, The Product and its Adoption. and that its total investment of $12 million into research & development over the next twelve months, much of which was in partnership with CRDC.

Mr Roth discussed some new projects including a farming systems scientist, greater emphasis on crop nutrition, irrigated grains in cotton systems, a Bollgard thresholds, new research on evaporation from storages, birds on cotton farms, climate change, and fibre quality research and training.

While all the new projects will have beneficial outcomes for the entire cotton industry, several have a specific Macquarie valley focus

The appointment of Sally Morgan the cotton regional extension officer has already taken place, which is funded by CRDC. Sally will be working closely with growers and rest of the cotton industry personnel to regionally address emerging issues and industry challenges.

The establishment of a new project on lime and gypsum application to soils, a snake oils and organic amendments soils project, a pest management ecology project, a groundwater knowledge review and a socio economic case study of the Macquarie Valley Cotton Industry are all new projects underway in the region.

The AGM also heard Bruce Finney, Executive Director of the CRDC, outline key changes and trends in the Australian cotton industry’s operating environment and how the Cotton Research & Development Corporation (CRDC) was considering its response to these challenges and opportunities in framing its new R&D Plan.

“We need to build on the excellent research platform of productivity gains and improvements in environmental performance to create a preferred future for our industry. It’s quite apparent that doing the same but better won’t cut the mustard. Just as research has assisted growers onfarm there are equally signals that R&D could support innovations in differentiating the textile quality of our product, ongoing improvement in ginning, classing and marketing of the Australian cotton crop for the benefit of all participants in our supply chain.” Said Mr Finney.

Mr Finney also highlighted the imperative for building the capacity of people in our industry whether they are growers, industry representatives or researchers. CRDC will be actively developing and broadly consulting on its new strategic R&D Plan ahead of its implementation in July next year.

Further information on all projects can be found on the new Cotton Catchment Communities CRC website www.cotton.crc.org.au