In Early July 2013, CRDC released their 2013-2018 Strategic R&D Plan. A key strategy outlined in the plan is “Responsible Landscape Management” with the industry aiming to be recognised for its leadership in environmental performance. Supporting the development and delivery of research outcomes from CRDC past and present strategic plans, is the CottonInfo team, a joint venture between Cotton Australia, Cotton Research and Development Corporation and Cotton Seed Distributors. The CottonInfo Team identified a NRM knowledge gap within the team, this project addreessed that knowledge gap by providing a NRM technical specialist 3 days a week who provided the technical NRM skills and knowledge required to co-ordinate the National Cotton NRM campaign and lead the industries continuous improvements of its best practice recommendations for NRM.

Through this project the latest industry lead NRM research has been synthesised into publications and products that provide growers, consultants and the CottonInfo team with the latest best practice recommendations for natural resource on cotton farms. These include but are not limited to, the revised Natural Assets Module of myBMP, 2014 Cotton Production Manual & the 2015 Cotton Calendar.

Working with the CottonInfo team, partnerships where formed with other industry organisations such as Wincott which has lead to better engagement and knowledge transfer to cotton growers, examples include the “Summertime Fun workshop series” and the 2015 Cotton Calendar.

A key outcome of the project has been the development of the Australian cotton Industries NRM campaign which has a focus on Riverine condition and providing the capacity, resources and tools for growers to manage these areas according to best practice. As part of this campaign the industry will be implementing nationally over the next 3 years a riparian monitoring program which was developed through this project.