The Australian Cotton Integrated Pest Management grower short course was

conceptualised and developed from a recommendation presented in a commission

report in 1997. This report focused on the adoption of IPM within Australian cotton

industry. The recommendation made from this study identified the need to develop

a package on IPM that could provide practical implementation strategies for

growers. Industry accepted this recommendation and development a “hands on”,

“practical focused”, and ” technical strong” short course. As well as assigning a

designated IPM Coordinator to develop and implement the course.

The IPM grower short course has had a series of coordinators; Mr Greg Kauter, Mr

Bill Dalton and Mr Mark Hickman. Each coordinator established, individual

milestones for the course’s development. Only through the collaborative nature of

the Australian Cotton CRC, and the leadership of Mr Kauter it possible to collate

industry and research documentation regarding IPM. This information focused on

the principles behind IPM management, utilising relevant industry examples of the

modern farming system to establish both grower and industry creditability. Mr

Dalton formulated the short course into a five day course conducted over a cotton

production season. It consisted of a 2 day workshop in winter, 2 field days within

crop and a review meeting post season for reflecting on practice change. This course

format and content achieve a national competency based accreditation mapped to

the unit RUAAG4302CTA at a Certificate IV level. Mr Dalton successful acquired

FarmBi$ funding for the program and was able to conduct in 2001 the 3 industry

pilot programs. Following these successful workshops Mr Hickman held the

position of IPM training coordinator during 2002‐2005. In this period of time Mr

Hickman implemented the pilot suggestions and modified the course to the

emerging transgenic cotton crops. During this time a DVD was commissioned to

NSW Agriculture and overseen by Mr Hickman to capture comments on leading

IPM adopter’s comments within the industry. The DVD is used in the course and

generates strong support from the participants. During the delivery period of this

project Mr Hickman was successful in up grading the level of competency to

Certificate V in agriculture addressing the unit RTE5006A “plan and manage longterm

weed, pest and/or disease control in crops”.

Since 2001, there have been 20 courses completed across 11 of the industries

production valleys. Statistics collected from the course indicated of the total 221

participants that participated (2001 to 2005), shows approximately 70% of

participants are cotton producers, 25 % cotton consultants and 5% industry

representatives. Excluding the 43 participants in 2004‐05 courses, since assessments

had not been completed at the time of compiling this report, indicates 169

participants (2001‐2004) have successful been awarded a statement of attainment

from either Murrumbidgee College of Agriculture or Dalby Agricultural College

relating to the above mentioned qualifications.

In the 2004, a BDA economic analysis of the Australia Cotton CRC stated research

and extension in the area of IPM had an estimated benefit of $315 millions over the

previous 5 year period. This project contributed towards this benefit. Participants

from the course completed a self‐evaluation before the course and at the completion

of the course 6‐9 months after starting. This indicated 72% of participants identified

a practice change in their operation as a result of the course. The main areas of

improvement were identified as increased and improved communication especially

with the consultant. Growers felt they were empowered to enter into dialogue

regarding management decisions suggested by the commercial consultants. Other

growers identified a greater level of importance regarding beneficial insects when

deciding on a management decision. Some growers simply increased the level of

plant monitoring through mapping techniques learnt in the field days to aid in

management decisions.

In conclusion the IPM course has provided two valuable outcomes for the industry.

Firstly, there has been practice change at the farm level. Secondly, the competency based

framework of the course has established a workable model that can be.