Principal Researchers: Dr M. Bange, Ms. S Deutscher, Mr D. Linsley, Mr S. Johnston, Mr. D. Richards, Ms. L. Thakur, Ms L. Clancy

Cotton growers continue to face increasing pressure to manage resources more cost effectively and to be more accountable for the impact their decisions have on the surrounding environment. In addition to this there are significant changes in technology such as new transgenics (Bollgard II and Roundup Flex) and an increasing need to improve fibre quality and water use efficiency. There was a dedicated commitment by research organisations in the industry (CSIRO, CRDC and Cotton CRC) to develop tools and techniques for decision making from the best information available from research to help all sectors of the industry to meet crop production, social and environmental imperatives. The CSIRO Cotton Management Support Systems team based in Narrabri has evolved to meet these challenges. The team’s mission is to develop, validate and deliver to the cotton industry up-to-date and scientifically grounded decision tools and extension information packages that are accepted as the benchmark for improving the profitability and sustainability of cotton production.

This two year project combined two projects previously supported by the CRDC and one by the Cotton CRC that contributed to the development of decision tools for the cotton industry. This project alone was the principle project that supported the cotton industry’s investment in decision support development. Successful achievements included:

• Delivery of an operational plan for decision support development.

• Prototypes of CottonLOGIC and EntomoLOGIC were developed to meet future needs of the industry.

• HydroLOGIC was upgraded to provide greater reporting flexibility.

• NutriLOGIC was enhanced to included a greater range of nutrients and improve useability.

• A diapause and moth emergence calculator was developed.

• The Crop Development Tool was upgraded to include vegetative growth rate for assisting with growth regulant decisions. Its useability was also improved.

• A water quality calculator to estimate the impacts of water quality on crop growth was delivered.

• ‘CottBASE’ a database of pre-run simulations of the OZCOT model was developed.

• Members of this project team assisted in developing the technical specifications of the new Cotton Catchment Communities CRC’s website.

• An industry advisory committee was facilitated.

• Training and support for the decision tools was provided.

• Web statistics showed significant adoption and use of these tools during the course of the cotton season.