Sandra Williams and Stacey Vogel worked in collaboration with industry’s leading researchers to author the field guide ‘Pests and Beneficials in Australian Cotton Landscapes’.
The guide, which has been about five months in development, has been a team effort led by Sandra Williams, CSIRO Plant Industry / Experimental Scientist. Its production has involved many staff from Cotton CRC participants, including CSIRO, NSW DPI, QDEEDI, UNE, CRDC, Namoi Catchment Authority, Crop Consultants Australia, Cotton Growers Services, Greenmount Press and Monsanto.\As the first update on the subject since 1996, the new field guide is regarded as being highly innovative on two fronts. Firstly in providing information on high risk exotic pests and their identification and secondly for its comprehensive coverage on beneficials and their environments.
Of particular significance is the inclusion of a section on ‘Sustainable Cotton Landscapes’ which outline six key principles that can be used to make a cotton farm, and the general landscape more conducive to the conservation and use of beneficial species that will help control key pests. Co-editor Stacey Vogel, Catchment Officer – Namoi CMA led development of this section of the guide. This section outlines some simple steps, derived from catchment research, to improve natural areas on the farm to increase the numbers of natural predators and increase the effectiveness of IPM.
Congratulations on bringing this impressive publication together Sandra and Stacey, and a big thankyou also to all those that contributed knowledge, editing or images or organised the funding.
See and order Cotton Insect Pest and Beneficial Guide
