Picking contractors are most concerned about the financial viability and security of their business and the aging status and declining value of their machinery Movement of machinery is a major concern for picking contractors. Standardised and simplified Road Transport requirements need to be prepared and available for contractors.

These is little focus on the impact of fibre quality during picking as both growers

and contractors assumed the impact is minimal and/or they are doing their best to

minimise degradation. All overview of fibre quality needs to be given at an ACPA

meeting and fibre quality guidelines needs to be disseminated.

Introduction The business of cotton picking is an intensive and arguably a high-risk/low profitability exercise. his an industry where over half of the stakeholders have been in the business for over 15 years and as a result run very efficient and finely-tuned operations. Of these businesses, the majority entered the industry as they saw picking cotton as a profitable venture and in some cases, an opportunity for self-employment or a supplementary income that complemented other business interests. Despite the length of time in the industry, majority of operators are only continuing as their machinery has no trade in or sale value and their long term future in the industry is non-existent.

There is frustration in the industry due to the lack of profitability and security and the

decreasing value of machinery. Furthermore, staff, occupational health and safety (OH&S) and moving machinery between jobs provides added stress and complications. Added to this is the reduced picking window due to agronomic advancements and the lack of physical time to make money.

This report outlines the current status of the industry with reference to the operation in general, staff and OH&S, machinery maintenance and transport, and fibre quality.