Crop Consultants Australia Inc (CCA) is the national association

covering agronomists working in the cotton industry throughout

NSW and Queensland. CCA commenced surveying its members

and their clients in 1982 in response to a need for reliable product

usage records (quantities) and forecasts of product requirements

for the following seasons, and to provide key indicators to

chemical manufacturers of usage trends. In previous years, surveys

have been conducted of both CCA consultants and cotton

growers; however, the 2009 survey involved 23 consultants with

questions about themselves and the growers they consult for.

OverwhelmingIy, respondents were independent consultants, with

two employed by resellers. Reports from seasons 08/09 and 09/10 are included in this projects Final Reports.

Survey results for the 2008-2009 season were conducted in May and June 2009. This season was still under

drought conditions, and it should be noted that limited water

would have affected a number of management decisions.

The 2009-2010 season qualitative survey marked the second year in which the survey

was conducted with cotton consultants rather than growers. A total of

34 consultants undertook the 2010 survey - almost 50% more than in

2009 - with questions about themselves as well as their grower clients'.

An estimated total of 182,000 hectares of irrigated and dryland

cotton were grown in the 2009-10 season (source: Cotton Australia,

Australion Cotton Production Forecast March 2010 Post Flood). The 34

consultants in the 2010 survey represented about 74% of the industry

hectares and 312 growers, who represented 38% of all 2009-10

growers (source: Monsanto). The surveyed hectares comprised

approximately 86% irrigated and 14% dryland.