Sarah Hood:This project provided for the engagement of a Consultant, Sarah Hood, to undertake an interim role of the Cotton Industry Development Extension Officerss in the St. George-Dirranbandi irrigation area. Sarah maintained the essential extension activities including the publication of Cotton Tales newsletters, facilitation of the Ballonne Big Day Out field day, regional liaison with researchers, collaboration with the NRM extension and RWUE 2 projects.

A strong partnership was maintained with the regional cotton grower associations at St George and Dirranbandi, the CCA and Cotton Australia. Linkages were maintained with the Maranoa Balonne Catchment management association to share technical information resources and to provide input into regional catchment management plans.

Heliothos egg collections for resistance testing was conducted by a consultant, Jamie Street, as a component of this project. Resistance data was published in Cotton Tales newsletters.

Disease surveys were conducted by the Plant Pathology research team.

This project has demonstrated the successful implementation of a partnership with a private consultant for the delivery of an extension program on a part time basis. Sarah Hood conducted a private consultancy business - itself a Cotton CRC affiliate, with substantial mutual benefit overall.