The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work. In this case study, Dr Kathy Korbel and John Little outline their project to investigate the groundwater ecology of the Condamine, Gwydir, Namoi, and Macquarie catchments.

Bugilbone Ridge Feral Pig Management

In the Namoi Valley a pilot project has trialled exciting

new ways to engage growers and their families

in managing natural vegetation on their farms

under best practice. A series of workshops were

held around native vegetation management with

over a 100 landholders attending them. As part of

the workshops participants undertook landscape

planning, identifying native vegetation management

issues within their local area. One of the key issues

raised was the negative impact feral animals such as

pigs and foxes were having on agriculture productivity

as well as local biodiversity. As a result a local feral

pig management group was formed.

Snapshot of project achievements:

• Five farmers with improved natural resourcemanagement knowledge and skills

• 16,830ha of native vegetation conditionbenchmarked

• Co-ordinated approach to natural pest control

• Improved industry knowledge of the health ofnative vegetation in cotton landscapes

Narrow row cotton (rows spaced less than 40cm apart) has long been seen as a potential alternative system for Australian cotton, especially in regions with shorter growing seasons. The aim of these systems has been to reduce harvest costs and achieve earlier maturity without sacrificing yield. Advances in technology and positive commercial experience in shorter season production systems where Pix®, Bollgard II and Roundup Ready technologies are available has renewed interest in narrow row production across the industry. In certain regions with particular management strategies alternative row configurations may offer significant opportunities. Further interest has been generated by recent advances in harvesting technology from John Deere that allow spindle picking of narrow row cotton crops (38cm rows), with claims of improved yield and earlier maturity while avoiding the risk of discounts for fibre quality associated with harvest.

Detailed studies to improve our understanding of differences in the growth and development of cotton in conventionally spaced (1m) and ultra-narrow row (UNR – 25cm row spacing) production systems were conducted as part of postgraduate studies by Rose Roche. Despite this research, there continued to be limited understanding of cotton’s growth response to different row configurations (especially 38cm row spacing) in the warmer high-input Australian environments. Conceptually, in high-input systems, the high density planting of narrow row systems reduces the time to crop maturity, as fewer bolls per plant need to be produced to achieve yields comparable to conventionally spaced cotton crops. In practice, again this earliness has been difficult to achieve consistently in UNR trials in both Australia and the US despite the level of crop inputs.

This project aimed to enhance our understanding the interaction between crop yield and maturity with plant population (row configuration x within-row spacing) so that opportunities to achieve earlier maturity or higher yields can be exploited, and management strategies to allow this developed. This will fill a significant gap in our current knowledge of crop agronomy and management. During the course of the project a total of 13 field experiments were conducted that investigated: growth of cotton in different row configurations; growth of cotton grown in different row configurations and populations; Bollgard II vs. conventional (non-Bollgard II) in different plant populations; and agronomy of narrow row systems.

In summary the outcomes of this project that were tangible and tested included the following:

• Plant population differences from both changes in inter and intra row spacing had little or no consistent response on yield, quality or maturity. Narrow row systems (38cm) did not improve yield or cause earlier maturity.

• The addition of earlier and higher inputs of water and nitrogen did not overcome plant competition effects leading to improvements in yield in 38cm row spacings.

• No differences in management were identified between 1m and 38cm row spacings. Pix management was not different, re-confirming results of Rose Roche’s thesis.

• No differences were identified in the response of non-Bollgard II and Bollgard II varieties to changes in plant population (including row spacing).

• Uniform plant population is vital for achieving optimum yield.

Importantly the researcher working with growers on experiments undertaken in this project was able to identify a number of intangibles outcomes. Therefore crop management recommendations resulting from this work therefore include:

• There are no clear benefits of 38cm narrow row cotton systems for improving yield, quality and earlier maturity in Australian high input cotton systems on the majority of soil types on which cotton is grown.

• Management considerations for narrow row systems are not different to 1m row spacing.

• Intangible issues need to be evaluated when considering a change to narrow row production systems.

• No changes in management are needed for high fruit retention Bollgard II with changes in plant population.

• Uniform plant establishment is critical to maximise yield.

Weather and weather predictions for April 2015

The Cotton Australia grower RD&E Advisory Panels provide a critical role within the cotton industry by providing practical advice on research, development and extension needs and priorities. This advice is important guidance to CRDC in its formation of five-year Strategic R&D Plans, Annual Operational Plans, Expressions of Interest for RD&E and resultant CRDC decisions as to project investments.

Cotton Australia facilitates advisory panels that are aligned with the CRDC strategic plan priorities. The panels consist of up to 40 grower, consultant and ginners members from every cotton growing region in Australia.

Energy costs are the second largest gross margin cost item for Australian cotton growers after wages. Half of this cost is consumed in pumping water for irrigation. Therefore, small improvements in pump efficiency make significant improvements to the bottom line of cotton production. Pump efficiency improvements significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cotton production. Improvements in pump efficiency can also result in increased water harvest volumes. Production and gross income is directly proportional to available water. Small improvements in water harvest volumes have a large, positive impact on gross income, profit and viability of the Australian cotton industry.

The primary aim of this project was to obtain a better understanding of the energy efficiency of pump installations in the Australian cotton industry. To do this, the project undertook a number of areas of investigation. Broadly, these areas are:

1. Characterise Pumping Systems in the Australian Cotton Industry.

2. Improve Pumping System Performance in the Australian Cotton Industry.

3. Increase industry awareness of pump operating parameters and opportunities for improvement.

This project is principally reported in the attachment: ‘The performance of pumping systems in the Australian cotton industry.’ (the report). This report outlines, in detail, the objectives, methods, results, outcomes and opportunities resulting from the project. The report is intended to be a document containing the current knowledge of pumps in the Australian cotton industry and present technical aspects in a reader-friendly manner. This report is intended for public release.

Since the inaugural Field to Fabric course in August 2005 the course has been

presented 3 times in 2006 and twice in 2007. Feedback from participants has been

overwhelmingIy positive and despite the drought, two further courses were

presented in July and November 2008 to a total of 33 participants.

In total 185 participants from various sectors of the cotton production pipeline

have attended the course.

The course, which is a formal three 3 day course, is presented in Geelong at

CSME. It gives participants an opportunity to interact with leading researchers

on allaspects of the cotton production pipeline including global perspective,

fibre properties, agronomy, picking, ginning, classing, marketing, yarn

formation, fabricformation and dyeing and finishing. A strong emphasisis

placed on the impacts offibre quality on textile processing. Information is

presented by way of lectures and practical demonstrations using the modem

commercial cotton spinning and processing equipment available at CTF

The course is constantly updated with all practical suggestions considered, to

ensure that the course stays relevant and current.

In this 25th anniversary special edition of Spotlight, we take a look back at 25 years of innovation and the 25 major achievements of cotton RD&E during this time.

Even though the cotton industry is relatively successful, it continually faces a range of critical issues from drought and water supply; yield and profitability; fibre quality and export price; nutrition; sustainability and catchment management. In an effort to help the industry remain successful, the industry has committed significant resources into the industry’s Best Management Practice system – myBMP.

This project has facilitated linkages between research and extension through myBMP. This is fundamental for the ongoing success of myBMP ensuring that the latest research and development is integrated, information is up-to-date and tools and information are developed to improve the implementation of Best Management Practices.

Taking on a part time role (5 days/fortnight), Sandra Deutscher was uniquely positioned to undertake such an initiative with its underlying complexity.

The project objectives focused on effectively delivering the latest research and technology to the industry. This was achieved through 3 key areas:

1. Improving the flow of research outcomes and its adoption by identifying linkages and

synergies between research, extension and BMP initiatives.

2. Facilitating the development of timely, relevant and consistent extension tools and

information from research.

3. Explicitly supporting the industry’s implementation of its BMP program.

Sandra’s role as a research co-ordinator for myBMP, required significant effort involving the research community in its development. The first step was the formation of several small focus groups which consisted of researchers and extension specialists who worked together to review and develop the myBMP modules. Sandra’s role was to help facilitate some of the group meetings and refine the final practices. In addition to this, Sandra also spent a significant amount of time identifying the resources needed to support some of the new modules i.e. Fibre and Energy and Input Efficiency Modules.

Supporting user friendly web tools to deliver the latest research and technology to the industry required significant effort in development and support. Sandra’s main role involved liaising with the researcher involved to help web developer Loretta Clancy with the design specifications and functionality. E.g. Working with Dr. Richard Sequeira to develop the Silverleaf Whitefly Tool. Sandra also carried out rigorous testing before any new tool or upgrade was released. A large proportion of Sandra’s time was dedicated to supporting and promoting the CottASSIST web tools. From keeping the user manual up-to-date and writing promotional articles to hands-on training, demonstrations and phone support.

During this project Sandra actively coordinated the update of, ‘Pests and beneficials in Australian Cotton Landscapes’. Sandra collaborated with catchment extension and research staff to incorporate into the ute guide outcomes from biodiversity research. These outcomes will educate growers and consultants about the role that native vegetation can play as an alternate habitat for beneficials. The new guide is integrated into myBMP as a resource to support both the IPM and Natural Assets modules. This has been one of Sandra’s major project highlights as this publication is unique as it is a first to integrate outcomes of biodiversity research in a production focused guide.