Final Report Rural Water Use Efficiency 3Best Practice Water Use and Irrigation in Irrigated Cotton and Grain

SiroMat is an instrument that has been developed to measure cotton fibre maturity directly and accurately. The instrument measures the proportion of particular interference colors transmitted by cotton fibre snippets viewed between crossed polars of a polarizing light microscope. The interference colours measured by SiroMat are directly related to a cotton fibre&#39s maturity or cell wall thickening.

This research scopes the current state of play of natural resource governance in the cotton industry in order to formulate sound parameters for a larger research proposal. It examines the potential for coordination between the NRM policies promulgated by the cotton industry, local government, state governments and NRMA sectors.s

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Following on from the successful presentation of the inaugural Field to Fabric training course in August 2005, which was attended by 30 people, two follow up courses was held in July and August 2006. The first course was held from 25 to 27 July 2006 and was attended by 23participants. The second course was held from 22 to 24 August 2006 and was attended by 25participants. (Attached please find lists of participants) Of these 48 participants 5 were international participants from Vietnam, Singapore and the US.

Although cotton farming is a major industry in the Namoi Valley, the status of on farm native vegetation and bird life is poorly understood. This project was implemented to improve that understanding.On farm (mostly cotton farms) remnant native vegetation was inspected and sites representative of the main vegetation types were established. A rapid biodiversity assessment method was used to determine and record the vegetative characteristics. Bird surveys were conducted each summer, autumn, winter and spring season over two years and the bird species and individual bird numbers were recorded.Shannon's Diversity Index H was calculated for the bird population of each site and then compared with the recorded vegetative characteristics, The results showed a clear, positive correlation of the bush bird species richness and abundance with vegetation complexity and at sites where vegetation has become simplified as a consequence of 150 years of livestock and farming activities, bird diversity is lower.The results provide guidance for actions most likely to be productive to protect and enhance both vegetative and bird diversity into the future. Another result is the finding that habitat complexity within a wetland and its water body is more attractive to water bird life than the complexity of habitat around a wetland.In the course of this project, relatively simple methods of observation and recording of vegetation status and bird survey were developed which are within the capacity of people not necessarily scientifically trained or with only limited available time yet which will deliver scientifically valid assessment over time. These findings and developments will assist practical management of farm biodiversity into the future.

This report outlines the results of the Cotton Consultants Australia Grower Feedback Survey. The survey was sent to cotton growers across the industry with a response rate of approximately 17 per cent or slightly less than 19 percent of the area of cotton planted in the 2005-2006 season. The 2006 survey included a series of questions specifically for collecting information from growers on water monitoring and Water Use Efficiency (WUE), soil monitoring and management, grower interaction with Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and equivalent bodies, fertiliser use, management of native vegetation and riparian zones, and monitoring of native and feral animal species.

This project was an integral component of the Education and Training sub-programme as it aimed to encourage an increase of primary and secondary students into science and agriculture based fields of study. This project has potentially alleviated some of the common misconceptions and misunderstandings that exist in schools and the community, surrounding science and agriculture especially with regard to the cotton industry. The project complemented other Cotton CRC education projects which specifically focused on professional and tertiary education. The benefits to the industry from this project will be long term but would hopefully lead to a continued supply of educated workers to the industry and a more science and agriculturally aware community.The project has benefits to the industry by securing an advantage for the industry in the future through access to better educated, professional and loyal employees, and through a community that better understands one of the key industries that underpin its economy.The project has benefits to the community as a whole by attracting and retaining qualified workers and building a professional, profitable and sustainable community.

Final Report - Nutrient release to vetch in cotton systems

Wincott, in conjunction with GTT, facilitated three workshops in Goondiwindi with renowned organisational psychologist, facilitator and social researcher Ian Plowman. The purpose of the workshops was to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of rural communities by providing affordable and accessible training for a broad cross section of key rural stakeholders from the NSW Northern Inland and Border Rivers regions. The interactive workshops provided an opportunity to train, upskill and scaffold the participants to allow them to build their own capacity which will in turn build the capacity of their rural communities.The interactive workshops aimed to build resilience and educate the participants by raising their awareness of the benefits and effectiveness of robust yet respectful community conversations. The workshops were also designed to teach practical skills and strategies that will enable the participants to play a lead role in their organisations and communities.