The 2020-21 CRDC Researchers' Handbook is a key resource for all researchers working with, or interested in applying for funding from, the CRDC. Updated annually, the Handbook outlines the key information researchers need to know, including key dates, the application process, funding and stipends available, the payment, evaluation and reporting processes and the CRDC’s intellectual property policy. These, and other critical details needed by researchers are provided in the Handbook.

The winter edition of CRDC's magazine, Spotlight, brings you a feature on the industry's second Sustainability Report, which has been five years in the making. The report represents how important we as an industry view the impact and imprint we have on the land and society. The Australian industry continues to improve its record of stewardship of natural resources and takes this responsibility seriously, as evidenced by the production of the report, which shows we have made great improvements. Now is the time for the industry to seek more ways to continually improve.

The task now is to use the report data to set five-year targets for 2024 and 2029, along with plans to achieve those targets. The industry’s new PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. sustainability framework will guide the industry to set these ambitious targets, coordinate a whole-of-industry strategy to achieve them, and engage effectively with stakeholders on actions and progress.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it is how prepared we are to adapt to change, challenges and uncertainty. Building adaptive capacity is a core part of the CRDC Strategic Plan 2018-23, as we recognise our environment is dynamic, and we must be also. Through sound research and support for our research community, growers and industry, we aim to secure the future of our industry.

In this spirit, CRDC has been supporting research into how we manage diseases of cotton, looking to create natural suppressiveness in our soils, and treating the cause rather than the symptom. New research, some of it using many years of data collected in annual disease surveys, is building on what we already know to help growers alleviate the negative impact of disease by creating healthier soils. It all starts with the soil and we hope you enjoy reading the Spotlight feature on disease suppressive soils research.

CRDC undertakes an annual survey of cotton growers to gather information about farming practices and growers’ views on research, development and extension. This information helps to inform CRDC about the benefits of the research it invests in. Change in industry practice can be quantified by comparing information across the surveys conducted over the past 20 years. CRDC has published the results of this survey in two formats: a PDF of the survey report; and an interactive online digital dashboard, available at: www.crdc.com.au/publications/growersurvey

The autumn edition of CRDC's magazine, Spotlight, brings you a feature on the International Cotton Advisory Council’s (ICAC’s) Plenary Meeting held in Brisbane in December. In particular at ICAC, Australia's cotton RD&E was in the spotlight, which as ICAC Executive Director Kai Hughes says, has driven the efficiency, sustainability and productivity of Australian growers. While our growers have achieved yields of up to 2000 kilograms of lint per hectare, the world average is around 850 kilograms. Furthermore, we have one of the most robust research agendas in the world in terms of investment and number of researchers. The world is looking tous for guidance and we, as ICAC members, are on-hand to assist. Australian researchers, most supported by CRDC, featured heavily at the conference.

In this edition, and true to our name as world leaders of sound research, researchers led by QLD DAF’s Dr Richard Sequeira have developed a new matrix for silverleaf whitefly management. A new mobile application is also being ground-tested to monitor whitefly. These two developments are a result of consultation with growers and agronomists, as we strive to manage pests in the most efficient and effective way.

Additionally, the ability of our industry to continually improve and adapt is illustrated through our 2019 Grower Survey, in what was a challenging season due to widespread drought. We have provided a snapshot of what it is telling us in this edition.

Cementing our place as the most efficient growers in the world in terms of water use, we have included the results of the most recent irrigation benchmarking survey. It shows our growers are becoming even more productive. Compared to the 2012-13 study, cotton growers have improved water productivity to 1.20 bales/ML, up 0.06 of a bale/ML on previous studies, where efficiency was 1.12–1.14 bales/ML. This is a credit to growers and researchers.

In our last edition of Spotlight, we talked about the industry’s work in ensuring biosecurity preparedness, and in this edition, we talk about putting this plan into action with the arrival of fall armyworm in the Torres Strait.

River red gums are iconic in all cotton catchments and provide a number of valuable ecosystem services to growers, such as carbon sequestration, erosion mitigation and biodiversity conservation. There has been a decline in the health of these trees in recent decades, and it is likely that this decline is affecting the provision of ecosystem services. In addition, dead and dying trees contradict the environmentally conscious image the cotton industry aspires to. Cotton growers in the Namoi, Gwydir and Border Rivers catchments voiced their concern about the health of red gum trees and low recruitment rates and sought direction on how these factors could be addressed.

A literature review by Reid et al. (2007) provided some insight into the potential causes of river red gum dieback in the Namoi and Gwydir Valleys. The literature indicated water stress (declining groundwater levels, altered flood regimes and reduced groundwater recharge) was the most likely cause of river red gum dieback, but there were also links between grazing intensity and ecosystem health. Growers have pointed out a potential link between the abundance of lippia and ecosystem health in the Namoi Catchment. Climate change may also be implicated in river red gum dieback. With so many interacting variables operating simultaneously, there is still some ambiguity surrounding the causes of red gum dieback and low seedling recruitment, and it is unclear how growers can reverse the current trend of ecosystem decline.

Riverine ecosystems are the lifeblood of the cotton industry. They are also pivotal to the maintenance of much biodiversity in semi-arid catchments, being especially species rich and having high complementarity values (i.e. species that are not found in other parts of the landscape) compared to other vegetation types. Given the concentration of cotton production on major inland river systems, the industry has a duty of care to maintain the health of these ecosystems and protect them for future generations. By demonstrating concern for iconic national symbols in its backyard and restoring healthy riparian ecosystems, the cotton industry can build on its reputation for proactive environmental stewardship and responsible environmental management. This will have flow-on benefits for growers and marketers hoping to supply cotton to environmentally conscious manufacturers and consumers.

The average Australian cotton farm occupies approximately nine kilometres of river frontage and riparian lands. While the area of cotton production in any catchment is small, cotton farmers collectively are responsible for the management of many thousands of kilometres of riparian lands that have disproportionate importance for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function in the semi-arid and subhumid landscapes where cotton is grown. Management of riparian zones on cotton farms forms part of a growers’ social license as the downstream impacts of a grower’s actions

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has implications for the health and vitality of downstream sites and the river itself, and therefore determines the value of the system for the wider community.

River red gums are a national icon and fringe most river systems across the cotton-growing extent in eastern Australia. They attain grand proportions during their life-span of up to 1000 years, and capture the hearts and minds of growers who proudly point out their favourite big old tree on their farm. In addition to their aesthetic and cultural heritage values, well-connected riparian ecosystems dominated by river red gums enhance biodiversity conservation by facilitating the movement of wildlife and plant propagules through agricultural landscapes, and provide a range of ecosystem services to cotton growers and the community. However, tree health has deteriorated in many cases to the point that trees and riparian ecosystems are no longer able to provide ecosystem services, and may in fact be providing a range of disservices. For example, dead and dying trees are net C sources to the atmosphere as they respire more than they sequester, and weedy riparian zones are a source of insect pests in cotton.

Riparian areas present a complex range of management dilemmas for growers. Weeds (e.g. lippia), livestock grazing and water management influence the health of river red gum trees and the ecosystems they form. Healthy river systems are the lifeblood of the industry, and cotton growers need good information and accurate knowledge to manage riparian ecosystems responsibly. While there are areas of concern, there are also many examples of healthy riparian areas on cotton farms, and these act as exemplars for other growers to aspire to.

This project continues to build on the work of previous project SC1301 during a critical time for the industry in promoting and improving stewardship of Bt and insecticides.

The overall aim of the project has been to increase grower awareness of stewardship not as a ‘must do’ but a ‘should do’ to protect the industry’s access to biotechnologies and insecticides in the future. Monsanto compliance data for Bollgard 3 shows that non-compliance cases are still heavily influenced by environmental factors outside of the control of the grower. There are very few cases of intentional non-compliance and the average annual number of RRMPs implemented have been reduced since the introduction of Bollgard 3. The industry has been growing Bt cotton for over 2 decades now. Despite this long history, resistance monitoring data from both CSIRO and Monsanto in 2016/17 show that resistance to Cry1Ac remains relatively rare for both H. punctigera and H. armigera. Resistance to Cry2Ab is higher in both species, but there is no evidence for a significant increase in resistance frequencies since 2007/08. This indicates that our current resistance management strategy is working, especially when the evidence that Australia is one of the few countries in the world that grow Bt crops where resistance has not increased is considered. ransgenic cotton was introduced to Australia in 1996 with Ingard® which was replaced by Bollgard II® in 2004/05. Transgenic cotton is now grown by over 95% of Australian cotton growers so is an integral part of the Australian cotton industry, helping enable the industry to dramatically reduce insecticide use. In 2015/16 the industry introduced 3rd generation Bt cotton (Bollgard 3). This has been a critical time for stewardship of Bt cotton during the transition phase to Bollgard 3, to ensure the industry is aware of the importance of continued stewardship in the future.

Historically, the cotton industry has been able to work closely with the commercial companies involved and regulatory bodies in developing Bt resistance management plans and monitoring the performance of the technology primarily through the TIMS committee and research organisations. However, the stewardship of the technologies at a grower level has been largely the responsibility of the commercial companies. An industry need was identified for the delivery and promotion of independent industry research focussed on resistance to Bt cotton and the effectiveness of commercial stewardship programs to ensure the protection of the technology for future industry use. The current project SC1601 has been filling the industry gap identified by promoting independent industry research in the areas of stewardship. The project has also provided for an independent facilitator to act between grower and research representative bodies (CRDC, TIMS Committee and Tech Panels) and relevant commercial companies in amending and developing resistance management plans for both biotechnologies and insecticides.

This travel scholarship enable one researcher from the University of Queensland to attend the bi-annual Australian Cotton Research Conference to present the final results of the researchers study of the green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula or QVB) PhD to other cotton researchers, whilst maintaining a collaborative network of relationships with other Australian cotton researchers and remain familiar with cotton industry research on completion of the PhD. Additional extension of the project will be funded by the CRDC. Attendance at this conference allowed discussion aspects of this project with other researchers and a further experience with aspects of the cotton industry.

The incidence of chemical spray applications hitting non-target areas including crops in broadacre agriculture continues to be too-regular issue for agricultural producers. The ability of regulators to monitor, investigate incidents and prosecute offenders is limited by difficulty in proving the source of incidents thus the threat of restricted conditions of use and withdrawal of product has become more likely. This has resulted in a need for pro-active measures from affected industries to improve spray application techniques to reduce off-target spray incidents along with other benefits. To this end, spray training workshops have become more regular industry activities as have localised organisations and groups focusing on promoting improved spray application awareness and training.

This report documents the outcomes of the Australian Cotton Industry Sustainability Stakeholder Forum and is very insightful into the perceptions and perspectives of peak industry bodies and cotton growers, with some discussion around future challenges for the Australian cotton industry.

The Australian cotton industry was acknowledged and recognised for:

- Its transformation from an industry in crisis, to a world leader in sustainable cotton production

-Being innovative, brave, forward looking and inclusive

Brands, retailers and NGOs were more focused on the global social challenges for cotton such

as child labour, the provision of living wages and safe working conditions. Other stakeholders

identified issues such as water, climate change, biodiversity and innovation. Growers were interested in how to use the Australian cotton sustainability story to drive market access, profitability and consumer awareness.

The results of this forum will be used to inform the industry’s sustainability targets and the development of an overall industry sustainability strategy to bring cohesion to all of the industry’s related activities.

Smarter Irrigation for Profit was funded via Round 1 of the Rural Research and Development for Profit Program.

The project aimed to improve the profit of cotton, dairy, rice and sugar irrigators with the support of 16 research and development partners and 19 farmer irrigation technology learning sites. Grower led irrigation research and extension aimed to collect commercially relevant comparative data on different irrigation systems and technologies. The intention was to provide growers improved understanding of the implications for capital investment, management and the resource requirements (water, energy and labour) associated with different irrigation systems and the adoption of automation technology and different approaches to farming systems.

The project consisted of three components.

1. Practical, reliable irrigation scheduling technologies

2. Precise, low cost automated control systems for a range of irrigation systems

3. A network of 19 farmer managed learning sites located around Australia.

The project found participating farmers from the dairy, cotton, sugar and rice industries could achieve a 10-20 percent improvement in water productivity through adoption of new and existing precision irrigation technologies. The project also identified significant energy savings which also enhanced profitability.