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International Visitors Touch Down in Narrabri
09/01/2008

Narrabri may be considered a “remote” destination, yet many locals would be surprised at the number of international visitors that pass through.

Narrabri’s Australian Cotton Research Institute (ACRI) is considered high on the list for scientific and agricultural excellence, attracting researches from around the globe.

Most recently the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC and CSIRO hosted two researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Texas, USA.

Dr John Adamczyk was returning to Narrabri for the third time, while Dr. James Mahan was touching down in Australia for the first.

Both scientists were visiting ACRI to spent time with local researchers and learn more about current research being undertaken.

Dr John Adamczyk said he always enjoys returning to Narrabri as it reminds him of a small Texan town with a strong sense of community.

“Many of the challenges facing Australian researchers and cotton producers are the same as in the US, which is why I was so interested in visiting Australian researchers” he said.

“In fact the purpose of this visit was to collaborate in research to understand if Helicoverpa (Heliothis) larve that are sometimes found in the pest resistant Bollgard II® cottons actually cause yield loss and, if so, what is the threshold number where supplementary control is needed.”

Dr Adamczyk said he was looking forward to working with University of New England PhD student Baoqain Lu to establish guidelines and recommendations for cotton growers in Australia, and that these findings will also be of value in the USA.

“I’ve also really enjoying sharing ideas with Bao’s academic supervisors, Dr Sharon Downes, Dr Lewis Wilson (CSIRO) and Prof Peter Gregg (UNE)”.

“Providing cotton growers in Australia and the US with information about how to best manage Bollgard II® will lead to economic benefits and increases to the overall profitability of their farming systems”

Plant Physiologist, Dr. James Mahan’s research in the US is primarily focused on plant water use and irrigation management, topics that are currently highly relevant to Australian cotton growers and researchers. His visit is of special value to University of Sydney PhD student Warren Conaty, whose research project investigating new irrigation scheduling techniques is just beginning.

“Not only did my visit to Narrabri allow me to see first hand the irrigation techniques used in Australia but also to experience the ‘real’ rural Australia lifestyle,”, said Dr Mahan.

Dr Mahan used this visit to bring new irrigation equipment from the USA to be trialled under Australian Cotton growing conditions.

If successful it could lead to low cost, simple and production friendly irrigation practices, and ultimately increase water savings said Dr Mahan.

The Texan researchers said they really enjoyed their time in Narrabri, visiting the beautiful Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park, The Cotton Exhibition Centre and, of course, the Outback Shack was a highlight.