The Australian cotton industry is internationally recognised as innovative, dynamic and hugely successful. This has in part been attributable to the willingness of the industry to invest in world-­‐class research and

rapidly adopt this emerging science and technologies.

The environment in which the industry operates at he farm, industry and international scale is rapidly changing however. Increased volatility in production, prices and climate along with rising input costs, general shortages

of skilled staff, cotton’s declining share of the global fibre market, greater consumer awareness and rapidly emerging technologies all suggest the future for the industry is going to

be increasing complex, uncertain and volatile.

The challenge for the industry is to continue adapting to these changes and remain profitable, sustainable and competitive in the future.

The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) on behalf of the Australian cotton industry and a key aspect of the 2013-­‐ 2018 Strategic Plan is to invest in areas that ambitiously seek to transform the industry to be profitable, sustainable and competitive in 20 years time and beyond. This is a bold goal given that the future is unpredictable and the challenge for CRDC is how and where to focus these investments. CRDC’s three themes (Profitable Futures, Sustainable Futures and Competitive Futures) provide a clear framework through which CRDC can invest in long term innovations to address its goal. However, the scope of research in which CRDC could invest in order to position the industry to be profitable, sustainable and competitive in the futureis currently very broad. To narrow this focus a Futures Forum was held in Brisbane on 9 and 10 December 2013 to narrow and identify the areas of priority and possibility for the industry.

This report follows on from the initial ‘Cotton Futures Forum’ Report prepared in April 2014 and provides CRDC with:

• feedback from delegates invited to attend the forum.

• an outline of an innovation investment framework.

• recommendations on the next steps in implementing the Futures Themes