This project is a joint initiative of the MDBC and the cotton industry to determine an appropriate model for the introduction of an industry wide environmental audit and certification scheme. The project is a component of a Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) programme to investigate the “Feasibility and benefits of introducing an appropriate audit and certification model to foster better management practice in natural resources management in the irrigation regions across the Murray-Darling Basin”. Another component of the MDBC programme is investigating related preliminary issues for the rice, dairy and viticulture irrigation industries, as well as Land and Water Management Planning Groups, Rural Water Authorities, Municipalities and Catchment Authorities throughout the Murray-Darling Basin. This project builds on the extensive work on environmental management that has already been undertaken in the cotton industry by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), and Cotton Australia. These organisations have played leading roles in developing and implementing environmentally responsible practices on cotton farms. In particular, CRDC and Cotton Australia have been responsible for the success of the industry’s programme for the safe use of pesticides, the BMP Programme. This report highlights the importance of implementing a comprehensive environmental programme in the cotton industry, and outlines the features considered essential for an effective industry programme. The report concludes that a certified industry environmental management system already introduced in the Executive Summary can effectively build on the current industry environmental programme, ensuring that current and future environmental and associated issues facing the industry continue to be properly addressed. The report outlines the advantages of developing the BMP Programme in line with an EMS, as well as the costs that this would entail. Recommended actions and timeframes for the implementation of an industry EMS are also included.

The 2003 - 04 season heralded the first full commercialisation of cotton varieties in Australia with the Bollgard II gene from Monsanto. Bollgard II contains the insecticidal proteins Cry1Ac and Cry2A which provide control of Helicoverpa spp. under field conditions.Based on limited experience, a range of perceptions have been aired which suggest that there is a need to change the management of Bollgard II in comparison to conventional cotton to ensure full benefits are obtained from this technology. To verify or clarify the existence of these perceptions and to identify key Bollgard II management issues, the Australian Cotton CRC Extension Networks' Insect Focus Team undertook an industry wide investigation

Economic profiles, supply chains and implications for the three case study communities

The initial grant benefits us in the following way:- CEFA provides $10,000 of seed-funding to our new Gwydir Education Foundations in the first three years' of its establishment. They match locally raised and donated funds: dollar for dollar up to $5,000 in the first year, 50c in the dollar up to $3,000 in the second year and 25c in the dollar up to $2,000 in the third year. So donors who contributed in the first year in particular know their donation will be matched dollar for dollar.- CEFA's partnerships with education institutions means that students who receive grants from their local education foundation and then study with a CEFA Education Partner can potentially have their local grant matched dollar for dollar. CEFA is partners with all universities in NSW, ACT and SA and we also have partners in QLD and Victoria. As a student at UNE, Ryan will be eligible to receive financial benefits of up to $1000.00 through their co-contribution- CEFA's &quote;Social Return on Investment&quote; research in 2011 indicated that for every $1 invested in CEFA and our local Education Foundations, we generate $3.10 of social and economical value. This value is mostly directed towards local rural and regional youth however we also benefit the Education Partners, Education Foundation committee members and the communities in which the Education Foundations operate.

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Stage II Objectives as defined in LWA Project Schedule dated 13/10/06:1. To develop and test a knowledge system model to improve the effectiveness of the transfer of (irrigation) information to growers.2. The model&#39s construct will aim for continuous improvement & involve partnerships across public and private sectors.3. The model is developed and tested to allow it to be rolled out across all agricultural industries in Australia.4. Engender, support and skill the &quote;Professional Irrigator&quote;

Well designed irrigation storages and water courses on cotton farms can aid in the removal of sediment, nutrients and pesticides from irrigation water and enhance their habitat value for native plants and animals. This brochure outlines key principles for increasing the water use efficiency, water quality and habitat value of cotton farm watercourses and storages. The brochure aims to inform cotton growers and consultants of the environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved easily, cheaply and within their own time frame. It is not prescriptive, but more a collection of concepts and ideas that can be adapted for different circumstances and outcomes desired by landholders.

Temperature plays many important roles in the growth and development of cotton. Low temperatures after sowing increase the time to emergence and reduce seedling vigour often leading to poor establishment, poor early growth and increased risk of seedling diseases. The tinting of crop maturity, yield and fibre quality may also be affected. Research is being conducted to improve our understanding of the impacts of temperature extremes on cotton performance. In Australian cotton production systems events where the minimum daily temperature falls below 11'C are referred to as 'cold shocks'. The number of cold shocks is used by growers and advisors in assessing retardation of crops in their areas. However, this effect has not been tested explicitly. The aim of this work was to empirically assess impacts of cold shock on pre flower development of cotton plants. Cotton seedlings were grown in controlled temperature glasshouses. Plants were transferred to cold chambers ranging from 5 to 22'C during the night period for durations from 3 to 10 d. Negative impacts were not seen until plants had been exposed to at least 10 nights at 10&#39C;, or for at least 5 nights at 5'C. When differences were generated it did not delay development to first square any more than 4 d, nor was the effect consistent. These differences translated into delays to first flower. However the delays are explained by the reduction in day degrees during the chilling period suggesting that there is no physiological damage to the plants. Improving understanding of the impacts of temperature extremes on cotton growth and development will help in developing more functional decision support tools and field management strategies

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusaritim oxysporum f. sp. Vasinfectum (Fov), is a devastating disease in many cotton-producing countries of the world. In Australia, this disease, found first in 1993, has become a serious problem, occurring in most major cotton-growing regions and causing substantial losses (Kochman 1995). It is attributable to two genotypes of Fop; each of which belongs to a distinct vegetative compatibility group, VCGs 11 and 12, respectively (Bentley et al. 2000). Not only are the two Australian Fov strains different from the overseas Fov races in DNA fingerprints, but they have unique aesculin hydrolysis and volatile characteristics, implying that they were not introduced (Davis et al. 1996; Bentley et al. 2000)

In the Ord River irrigation Area (ORIA) INGARD' cotton varieties have been grown utilising novel integrated pest management systems (Strickland et al 2003). A winter production window, use of specific chemistry and biological control has demonstrated that acceptable yields (7-8 bales/Ha) can be consistently produced with fewer than five pesticide sprays. Aphis gossypii (cotton aphid) has been regarded as a tool in this system. During June/July when HeIiothis and beneficial insect populations are low in cotton, A. gossypii populations increase. This encourages beneficial insects into the cotton from the surrounding area. The beneficial insects feed on the aphids and in August, when Henothis populations increase again there is a resident population of beneficial insects in the cotton. In some years in Kununurra, a pesticide spray for Henothis can be avoided using this method of natural control. Data from eastern Australia suggests that cotton will recover from aphid damage provided infestations do not persist at high levels (>90% plants infested) for too long (<10 days) (Wilson & Spora 2001). These thresholds have riot been validated for winter grown cotton in northern Australia. When cotton is grown in the winter, peak flowering and fruit production occur when day length is short, radiation is low and temperature is low. Growing conditions are far from ideal. Aphids may have a Iarger impact on growth and yield than previously suspected. This paper describes some of the results from a preliminary trial carried out in Kununurra in 2003 examining the impact of aphids on photosynthesis and yield of winter grown cotton.