Australian cotton production relies heavily on the use of pesticides for control of Helicoverpa spp. As a result insecticide resistance has become a major problem (Daly and Paschalidis 1994). With current problems of resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) to pesticides and the importance of aiding resistance management in Bt cotton, greater emphasis has been placed on research that investigates the role of beneficial insects as control agents of Helicoverpa. To date, this has largely been done by investigating total predator abundance relationships with prey abundance (Staley 1997). The role of individual predator species has not been widely investigated and our understanding of their roles in control of pests is limited. If predators are to be utilised in cotton growing systems it is imperative to understand the role of individual species. This will aid in the assessment of the ability of total predator populations to control Helicoverpa and other secondary pests. As many of the predator species found in cotton are generalist feeders this work includes an understanding of how each species performs given that relative abundance of prey types varies in cotton fields.

Good average irrigated yields have been achieved on the Darling Downs by most growers this season while dryland crops on average did not fare so well due to the unseasonal hot dry conditions. The region had to contend with high heliothis pressure i.e. more than 15 eggs per metre for much of the season, and this coupled with high levels of resistance (starting with 80% H. armigera in mid-November) has made control costs very high, with some yield forgone at the same time from insect damage. This combination of high pressure and high levels of resistance from early season onward makes for a very difficult outlook.

Helicoverpa spp are considered the most damaging insect pests of cotton in Australia and consequently have attracted considerable research attention. Problems with insecticide resistance and possible environmental damage associated with excessive insecticide use has led to concerted efforts to reduce spraying in cotton. Integrated Pest Management(IPM) methods and area wide management have emerged as new tactics and are underpinned by decision support systems, including CottonLOGIC. However, despite the myriad of factors to be taken into consideration before spraying, the most important remains the &quote;pest threshold&quote;, as measured by crop scouting. In the case on Inguard cotton, the established threshold for Helicoverpa is a total of 2 larvae/m row in all crop growth phases(Anon. 2002). Early experiments with INGARD at Kununurra raised concerns that the fixed threshold of 2 larvae/m may not be appropriate for the unusual winter growing environment in the Kimberley. The concerns were twofold, firstly because the &quote;reverse&quote; growing season meant that cotton growth was rapid in high temperatures at the beginning and end of the season but slow during boll development in mid-season, and secondly, that extensive periods of &quote;sub-threshold damage were often observed. To test the validity of established Helicoverpa thresholds in the winter system, a series of field trials were conducted between 1998 and 2001 with the aim of developing a more dynamic and responsive threshold to better reflect the growth stage of the crop and the impact of insect damage

We compared the responses of dryland and irrigated cotton to damage caused by two spotted spider mites in a field experiment at Narrabri. Mites colonies developed at similar rates in irrigated and dryland crops. Despite the similar intensity of infestation, visual symptoms of mite injury were more marked on irrigated plants than on their dryland counterparts. Lint yield of unstressed controls (irrigated, no mites) was 7.8 bales per ha. Water deficit alone reduced yield by 30%. Mites reduced yield more in irrigated (92%) than in dryland crops (72%). Under our experimental conditions, mechanisms of adjustment to water deficit may have enhanced cotton resistance to mites

Dry season cotton production in northern Australia faces considerable challenges if it is to emerge as a sustainable industry. Water for irrigation is abundant in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) and there are prospects of an increase in arable land with the future development of Ord Stage II. Yields from research trials have been encouraging and some of the early problems, such as shorter fibre length, have been overcome by growing adapted cultivars that produce longer fibres (i.e. SiCot 289I and Siokra V161). Results from initial dry season trials have been reported previously (Strickland and Constable 1995; Yeates at al 1996; Yeates and Constable 1998; Strickland et a1 1998) and management of issues such as irrigation scheduling, fertiliser requirements and the time of sowing are currently brining addressed. However several areas remain that require further research.

As low densities of heliothis may survive on Bt transgenic plants late in the season, a specific late season control for heliothis is valuable to reduce the survival of individuals resistant to Bt toxin. Late season survivors could provide a pathway to carry resistance into the next season's first heliothis generation. Broad spectrum insecticides could target these late season heliothis, but also disrupt beneficial insects that can control minor pests at his time. Transgenic cotton is being promoted as an environmentally friendly crop and late season heliothis sprays detract from this image.

The convention organised by WTAA was held between the 17th and 19th of

November at the Melbourne Town Hall. Around 380 delegates took part in the 3 day

event. The convention was held to acknowledge the vital contribution of regional and

rural women to all aspects of industry and business, and support and develop the flow

of women into leadership roles.

There was a networking opportunity held on the 17th with opening drinks which saw

a lot of ladies mingling and networking. Ladies seem to have came from all walks of

life and from around the whole of Australia. All states were will represented which

added diversity and a great networking challenge for me personally. It was great to

meet so many positive women and I was glad that I had made the effort to encourage

other women from my region to attend this convention.

It was an excellent opportunity for catching up with other women from the cotton

industry as well. I feel that I have stronger ties with the women around the Northern

growing regions of NSW from attending this convention.

The two-day event incorporated a range of topics, including nutrition and lifestyle,

best practice models for networking, and developing and operating a successful

regional business. Speakers were sourced from a range of industries, such as

agriculture, local government, media, small business and politics, and came from as

far afield as Mungindi, Antarctica, Sunshine Coast and Tasmania.

It is no doubt BMP is the next major challenge facing the cotton industry. We are under increasing scrutiny from governments, their departments and our own communities. Particularly on chemical use and drum disposal, water, farm design, and occupational health and safety. This is an opportunity to answer our critics and to demonstrate to governments we are doing the right thing. BMP will assist us to control our own destiny. I is becoming increasingly difficult to comply with a barrage of regulatory paper work. We need to do it on our terms, where there are real tangible benefits.

Northern Australia, that is Australia north of 200s, is two regions with respect to crop production: (1) the Queensland coast (except Cape York) and adjacent hinterland, (2) the remainder. (1). The Queensland coast and hinterland has successfully sustained the production of sugar and tobacco for over 100 years and is closest to the major population centres of southern Australia. This region has seen the development of dams to supply the Mareeba and lower Burdekin areas, and there has been a steady diversification into horticulture, aquiculture, dairy and other crops. The success of tobacco since the 1940's is of interest because it required recognition of the ecological limitations of the natural environment and production changed from rain fed driving the wet season to irrigated daring the dry season. (2). The remainder of the Australian tropics is largely undeveloped for cropping or intensive animal production and prior to 1990 had a miserable record of failed developments. The production of cotton at the Ord during the 1960's and 1970's was a unique success in broad acre agriculture in this region until1974 when insect pests became uncontrollable, ie. &quote;heliothis went boo and we all run away&quote; Hearn (1996).

There is a substantial number of cotton growers who have an active role in and take full responsibility for the pest management of their crop. The : Have strong knowledge of and commitment to industry strategies and goals, Know and understand the general principles of pest management in cotton and other crops, Directly manage and supervise pesticide application. Conversely, there are many more who give their consultant full responsibility for the pest management and do not provide that consultant with guidelines as to their expectations of crop performance in terms of insect pests or of their attitude to industry strategies.