The Australian cotton industry generates, on average, over $1.5billion per year in export revenue. About 80 per cent of cotton farms are irrigated and the farms are generally mixed enterprise operations. The returns for irrigated cotton range from $4,500 to $6,000/ha of income with profit before interest ranging from $1,000 - $1,500/ha. Thus, a cotton grower not only produces cotton, they produce other agricultural products such as grains, oilseeds, beef and wool. Cotton growers are very dynamic, innovative and adopt technologies which spill over to other broadacre food production industries. There are about 1,500 cotton farmers and about 800 cotton producing businesses in Australia. The industry employs about 10,000 people, most of them in the regional areas of Australia. About 70% of Australia’s cotton is grown in the state of New South Wales and contributes about $1.05 billion to the state economy.

The World Forum conference is aimed at gathering all men and women from all over the world who have excelled in their professional accomplishments, ideas and talents and either still active in their field or are Emeritus or Adjunct professors linked with Universities to present their work to the entire delegation of the forum. Delegates to the conference are by invitation only, and in 2010, delegates from 45 countries were invited to attend. The conference also attracts professional officers, scientists, high profile business executives of big medical companies, administrators, marketers, agriculturalists etc around the world for a symposium covering Agriculture, education, technology, science, international issues, health, publishing and the arts. It serves as a forum where these professional experts can interact and learn from each other. Scientists, particularly renowned agriculturalists, medical professionals, physicists, inventors are normally invited to attend the conference to present the papers in their area of specialty. In addition, an International Exhibition Gallery is opened at the entire duration of the conference for delegates to display their art, books, papers and other creative works. The World Forum conference is held every two years in different countries in the world.

Thus this provides an opportunity for researchers and eminent professionals to discuss and address pertinent research issues in their areas of specialty. Therefore, attendance to the conference not only increases one’s knowledge in their area of speciality but also broadens ones knowledge about other science oriented areas. For example Dr Robert Mensah an agricultural scientist was invited by the World Forum directorate to chair the Health Science symposium where neurosurgeon, cancer specialist, and community health specialists presented their fascinating research. Therefore, it is important for researchers from different science fields attend the World Forum to enable them not only update their knowledge in their specialty area but other science related areas.

The venue for the World Forum conference was St John’s College in Cambridge University in the United Kingdom from the 15 – 22 August 2010. The conference was well organised and provided an excellent forum for the participants to exchange ideas, update knowledge and discuss subjects of particular interest.

Herbicide damage is an ever increasing challenge for much of the cotton industry due largely to:

. the increasing complexity in the farming system (with a wide range of herbicides used),

. the increasing trend to minimum/zero tillage (using more herbicides for fallow weed control),

. difficulties in controlling fallow weeds (eg. fleabane and feathertop Rhodes grass), and

. increasing climatic uncertainty (need to treat weed flushes in a shorttime frame and maintain soil moisture).

Continuing herbicide damage is threatening the profitability of the cotton industry and in some areas may threaten the viability of the industry. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. Crops generally will recover from herbicide damage, but in many instances with delayed maturity and reduced yields.

Over the last 3 years, CRC Project 1.01.49 has been developing a valuable

herbicide damage data set which will be expanded in the new project. This data

set currently gives detailed it Iformation on 2-4-D, bromoxynil, dicamba, MCPA,

glyphosate, Spray. Seed and Starane damage, with data from other phenoxy

herbicides to be added soon. Work is needed on the implications of lower rates of

2,4-D and multiple damage events and to further expand the range of herbicides and rates included in the database now available on the web.The 2nd part of the project involves the development of a readily assessable weed

control threshold for cotton. The threshold is essential if the industry is to fully realise the value of herbicide tolerant cotton.

The threshold based on the Critical Period for Weed Control was an important

outcome from project CRC 126 and a large step forward. The shortcomings of this threshold are that it

* is based on single weed types and does not integrate across types, and

* is based on a visual estimation of weed species and density which are difficult and time consuming to accurately measure over a whole field, where weeds are often patchy.

The next step is to develop a user-friendly, readily applied weed control threshold based on weed biomass, which integrates weed species and density.

This report covers the trip to attend the Sustainable Textile Leaders Roundtable (held 22/9), the ITMF ICCTM meeting (held 23/9) and the 2011 ITMA held September 22nd- 29th. The meetings and exhibits were held in Barcelona, Spain at Barcelona’s Fira de Barcelona.

The project titled 'Skills Profile and Labour Supply Structures on Cotton Farms' was funded by the CRDC and covered the period from March 2015 to August 2018. The main aim was to determine current and future labour needs on cotton farms and assess these against supply of labour to farms, identify gaps in meeting needs and recommend strategies to address the gaps. As part of achieving this broad aim, position descriptions were developed for recruiting employees on cotton farms. Furthermore, strategies used by farmers to retain core employees were assessed against industry trends to identify areas for improvement. The project enabled assessment of the extent to which current and future sources of labour would help the industry meet its goal of building a capable and connected workforce with the knowledge and skills to drive the industry and handle emerging challenges.

A qualitative research approach was used involving face-to-face and telephone interviews with various stakeholder groups associated with the research objectives. They comprised experts in cotton and associated industries, farmers, contractors, and labour supply firms. The interviews were transcribed with permission from interviewees and analysed for key themes. In total 11 experts, 32 farmers, 23 Contractors, and 10 labour supply firms were interviewed.

Three main positions were identified on cotton farms - farm hand, lead hand (or supervisor) and farm managers. Position descriptions were prepared for each and recruitment sources and selection processes identified, also for each position. Training was generally on-the-job and retention efforts involved providing incentives such as accommodation, vehicles, mobile phones and sometimes paying school fees of employees' children.

Even though large scale planting of Bt cotton started a decade ago, consequences on a landscape-scale have hardly been studied. Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera are highly mobile organisms existing across broad-acre landscapes that are constantly changing, yet little is known about how they respond to crop and non-crop composition and configuration. Using a robust sampling design we collected data on the abundance of Helicoverpa spp (eggs and moths) and egg parasitoids in Bt cotton and sorghum at the spatial scale of fields, groups of fields and landscapes (20 km diameter) across the Darling Downs, QLD over three years. Detailed land-use metrics were generated at various distances from each sampled field in each landscape and season. These data were combined and used in spatially-explicit statistical analyses to identify and predict how crop composition and configuration at the landscape-level and field-level influence Helicoverpa egg and moth density.

Helicoverpa armigera egg and moth density is strongly affected by landscape composition and configuration at the scale of landscapes, or tens of kilometres. The landscape explains most of the variation in H. armigera egg density in Bt cotton, not what immediately surrounds the Bt cotton field. The best-fit model accounts for 50% of the variance among landscapes with large areas of Bt cotton (at a scale of 1.5 km radius) having the biggest affect, resulting in fewer H. armigera eggs laid in Bt cotton. The explanation for this result may be that Bt cotton functions as a population sink and overtime fewer moths are available to lay eggs.

Combinations of crop at various scales could not explain Helicoverpa punctigera egg and moth density. This maybe because H. punctigera interacts with crops at a spatial scale larger than landscapes of 20 km diameter. No H. punctigera were found in sorghum. For H. armigera as sorghum fields increase in size so does the H. armigera egg density. However, sorghum surrounded by sorghum never has as many eggs as sorghum surrounded by Bt cotton. This could be due to either more immigrants to sorghum over time or moths less willing to leave sorghum when surrounded by large areas of Bt cotton.

In Bt cotton, there was a positive relationship between the number of moths (species not separated) and the field-level amount of Bt cotton at 0.5 km r. However this was only found for 2011-12 season. In sorghum, there was a positive relationship between the number of moths and the average landscape-level amount of Bt cotton at 1.5km r. The moth and H. armigera egg result are similar. There are more moths and eggs in sorghum surrounded by Bt cotton than sorghum surrounded by sorghum. Sorghum in a sea of Bt cotton either ‘attracts’ and / or ‘holds’ H. armigera moths.

Interpretation and Implications

These results provide clear demonstration of the importance of landscape composition and configuration. Further, variation was often best explained by landscape-level predictors, and less often by field-level predictors. This demonstrates the importance of area-wide approach to pest and resistance management. Further, the strength of selection for resistance is largely determined by the proportion of the population under selection. Our results allow us to identify and predict some of the factors contributing to eggs deposited by female moths in Bt cotton.

These findings have the potential for positive outcomes in relation to resistance management and area-wide pest control, however the ways in which they might be developed for application will be challenging. Regardless, our approach and results can directly contribute to selection of crop type, amount and location for delaying resistance in Helicoverpa spp.

Deficit (VPD)) and reduced water availability as a consequence of climate change is likely to

affect cotton production. However, there had previously been little research to assess the realworld

interaction of rising CO2, temperature, VPD and reduced water availability. To enhance

the current understanding of cotton system adaptation to climate variability and plan for

projected climate change, as a part of the National Facility for Climate Change Research

project four chambers were constructed at the Australian Cotton Research Institute (ACRI) in

Narrabri, NSW. These chambers have enabled higher atmospheric CO2 and warmer air

temperatures for field-grown cotton, throughout an entire season. The chambers have

successfully been used over three consecutive cotton seasons (2014-15 to 2016-17) in field

based research to further current understanding of the interactive effects of rising CO2 and

warmer temperatures on the physiology, growth, water use and soil microbial communities of

cotton production systems in Australia. Therefore, the development of the National Facility for

Cotton Climate Change Research has been, and will continue to be, a crucial aspect of

investigating the response of field-grown cotton in Australian production systems to projected

climate change.

Prolonged drought, along with a growing population and projected global warming effects are driving a focus on more efficient management of water in Australia. As the major user of water, the agriculture sector is currently considering alternative sources such as recycled water.

Recycled water provides an opportunity for the pasture and fodder crop industries by supplying a secure and reliable water source with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus contributing to plant growth. This manual is designed predominantly to assist landholders in managing recycled water for irrigation. It will also be of use to industry groups, water authorities and others involved in irrigation and recycled water schemes.

Information is provided on how recycled water can be safely used including; how a scheme can be started, what needs to be considered when using recycled water, some case studies describing some of the key issues and information sources.

GHD was contracted to undertake works by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation through the grant, 2nd Round 2008 National Program for Sustainable Irrigation, Western Australia and the South West Development Commission to undertake investigations into surface and groundwater interactions in the Wilyabrup and WarrenPemberton agricultural regions. The primary objective of this work was to further understand the nature of the surface and groundwater interactions in the Wilyabrup region, Margaret River and Smith Brook catchment, Manjimup. These catchments were selected as they are both reliant on reliable water supplies to sustain established agricultural and viticultural systems.

Based on a review of common methods used for investigating surface and groundwater interactions, GHD adopted a holistic approach to this investigation and used a combination of low cost methods to understand surface and groundwater interactions in two catchments in the south west of Western Australia. The approach considered a range of factors that have the potential to influence surface and groundwater interactions and provide a reasonable interpretation of the processes occurring at both a catchment and subcatchment scale.

Baseflow contribution to the Wilyabrup Brook was known to be minor based on field observations and communications with DoW staff. This was confirmed through a combined geomorphic and baseflow separation analysis by GHD which indicated that the Wilyabrup Brook is a surface water and interflow dominated system with minor baseflow influence driven largely by the prominence of duplex soils. Similarly, surface and groundwater interactions in the Smith Brook catchment were determined to be limited to the stream reach only. It was concluded the Smith Brook catchment is largely a surface and interflow dependent system, with minor baseflow contributions.

There appears to be good connectivity of surface water flows and some groundwater flows (interflow) to both the Wilyabrup and Smith Brook and that these connections should be managed to ensure their sustainability. Areas recharging both superficial and deep groundwater should also be carefully managed to ensure their connectivity to these systems is maintained. Areas most likely to recharge to these water systems are shallow and deep sands, located in the upper catchment reaches.

Under The Rights in Water and Irrigation Act, 1914, both a surface and groundwater licence is required for some dams that receive inputs from surface water and underground water. In the case of both the Wilyabrup and Smith Brook catchments, baseflow contributions to streamflow are low. It is therefore fair to assume that underground water intercepted by some dams is likely to be interflow, not baseflow.

Given the strong linkages between surface water and interflow, it a reasonable argument that surface water and groundwater be combined as one surface water license. There is also a strong argument to reconsider the definitions of surface water and underground water within the current act and whether these terms are applicable to all areas of the state, or whether specific acts are required regionally. In the case of the south west of Western Australia, the strong linkages between surface and groundwater make licensing difficult and in this case, combining these two water licenses into one may solve many water licensing issues. At the very least, it would streamline and simplify the licensing process and make interpretations by the public easier.

Various cotton industry programs over recent years have placed more focus on alternative aspects of the traditional extension model such as skill development, knowledge management and capacity building. Indeed the cotton industry extension system has undergone substantial reform over the last decade. Inherent in this reform has been a greater recognition of the role of the agribusiness sector in contributing to adoption, particularly given the extensive nature of the advisory sector within the industry. However, some individual projects have also highlighted difficulties in integrating the advisory and extension systems.

Similar processes have been underway in many agricultural industries across Australia, which would suggest that there is much to be learnt from how other industries have addressed similar issues. This report presents case studies from three of these industries. The first case study takes an industry wide view, studying the activities of a number of projects and organisations within the dairy industry. The second case study looks at a specific program in the Sugar industry which engages growers to undertake on-farm research. The third case study looks at a specific organisation, the Future Farm Industries CRC (FFICRC), which overtly targets agribusiness as an R&D delivery mechanism, with a formal partnership with a major Australian agribusiness as part of their engagement strategy.

The dairy industry case study demonstrates an advisory sector which is well integrated with the industry RD&E network. Advisors frequently deliver not only industry messages but also industry extension programs. Many advisors derive some or all of their income from industry programs and have a vested interest in ensuring their success. Advisors are widely employed in the dairy industry, at rates commensurate with their earning capacity within their businesses, for project management, regional coordination, development of materials and training delivery. Countdown MAX was an attempt to develop new commercial services, but was limited by the ability for individuals to integrate the services into an existing business, which requires allocation of time, commitment of resources and support from all members of the business.

The sugar industry case study focuses on the Grower Group Innovation Projects (GGIP) initiative, an on-farm grower led research program which provides substantial opportunities to improve grower knowledge and the adoption of new practices. This program is also an opportunity to integrate advisors with on-farm research and to utilise this integration to improve scientific rigour and adoption of industry messages. The GGIP program is successful at improving on-farm links with research and extension personnel whilst project evaluation has suggested that adoption of GGIP research is more rapid than in other RD&E systems. The grower networks inherent to GGIPs provide improved project evaluation opportunities with regard to demonstrating practice adoption. As well as the potential to integrate advisors into on-farm research projects, project management has also been outsourced to an independent advisory group, with the intent that this arrangement would become self sufficient.

The FFICRC has a commercially focussed plan for encouraging adoption of their perennial plant research programs which includes a core partnership with national agribusiness Landmark. Unfortunately, most FFICRC projects are still at the awareness raising level, thus the commercially focussed adoption strategy has not been fully developed and tested. However the approach does suggest that whilst some specific technologies will naturally lend themselves to exclusive commercialisation pathways, it is also possible to engage with agribusiness in a mutually beneficial yet non-exclusive basis. Forward thinking businesses, such as Landmark, see this as an opportunity ‘to be ahead of the curve’ to retain or increase market share, rather than as a new revenue stream. From these case studies, a number of strategies have been developed to improve engagement with agribusiness within the cotton industry’s adoption system.

Transgenic (Bt) cotton has provided major benefits for the Australia cotton industry (e.g. control of Helicoverpa and reduced pesticide use), but the possibility of Bt resistance in these insects is a major threat. Until recently, Bt resistance research focused only on H. armigera. However, recognition that Bt resistance alleles becoming increasingly common in H. punctigera has moved focus to both species.

As part of a resistance management plan (RMP) for (no exposure to Bt toxins) are required to be grown in association with Bt cotton, at prescribed amounts (ha, as a % of Bt cotton grown), according to historic views of their abilities to produce large numbers of moths that will then disperse, mate with potentially resistant moths emerging from Bt cotton, and thereby reduce the likelihood of Bt resistance emerging to a damaging scale. Initially, several refuge crops were available for use, but this has recently been reduced to only pigeon pea and conventional cotton, because these crops harbour both Helicoverpa species. Pigeon pea is the most commonly used refuge because less (5%) is required cf cotton (10% when unsprayed). However, there is significant desire in industry to move to a less demanding requirement of cotton refuge, because of side benefits it could provide (e.g. cotton yield). Refuge crop options are also less available for dryland than irrigated cotton. In tandem with all this, the amount of Bt cotton on the landscape has drastically changed from a 30% cap of all cotton in the 1990s (Ingard) to 80-90% now (Bollgard II). This background led to this project which sought to answer :

1. How effective are current refuge crop options ?,

2. Are there novel refuge crop options ?,

3. Is the abundance of the target pests, Helicoverpa spp., changing in time at landscape scale ?

The work has shown that there have been substantial changes in the abundance of both Helicoverpa species at landscape scale in recent years. Whilst H. armigera has tracked the abundance of host crops, the numbers of spring migrant (susceptible) H. punctigera have seemingly diminished. The latter has implications for resistance management in this species. Ingard cotton was unable to suppress the abundance of H. armigera, but it is looking increasingly likely that Bollgard II will.

Long-term monitoring of pigeon pea and cotton refuges suggests that the 2 : 1 differential assumed in Helicoverpa productivity has been maintained, but separate work within the project has highlighted the large variability in these refuges’ performance. At times, cotton refuges can be as productive, or more so, than pigeon pea. Many refuges “under-perform”. Modelling is in progress using intensive data sets obtained from surveying refuge crops within regions (St George, Macintyre) to assess the collective performance of refuges in servicing landscapes. Initial results suggest this will demonstrate there are weak links in coverage, where Bt resistance risk will be heightened. Such work will help focus monitoring efforts, and indicate where greater care in placement / management of refuges is needed. This project stresses strongly that high standards of farmer management of refuges (e.g. adequate nutrients, water) are imperative in delivering optimal refuge performance. Perhaps incentives for such management need to be put in place by industry.

Various novel refuge options were explored, especially focusing on improving cotton performance through increased seasonal breadth of attractiveness (e.g. split plantings, mixing varieties and host crop species). However, none of these approaches proved persuasive enough to merit changing options. Pest pressure during the project was generally low, making demonstration of novel refuge options difficult.

A key assumption, implicit in the Bt resistance RMP is that mating occurs at random between moths from different plant host origins. This project supports the assumption. The project also explored the possibility that egg lays (attractiveness) might be correlated with refuge productivity, thereby enabling simpler evaluation of likely refuge performance, in particular relative to Bt cotton. However, such a relationship was not demonstrated clearly. Research in dry- land cotton has been difficult in the past, in part because of the difficulty of traditional methods of assessing refuge productivity (pupae digs, efficiency is compromised in harder soils). This project developed a modified emergence cage which can assist with assessing refuge productivity without the labour of digging.