For many years researchers have espoused the view that nature's helpers (natural enemies, beneficials, predators and parasitoids) are a free resource that has not been well utilised in our pest management approaches. We have over-relied on insecticides, many of which were highly disruptive to non-target species. The past few years have seen a remarkable transition where integrated pest management (IPM) has been embraced and successfully applied by many in the industry. Nature's helpers have finally gained some well-deserved recognition. This recent transition is not unlike that which occurred when resistance to pyrethroids first occurred. To place any reliance on endosulfan was almost unthinkable. Some perceived endosulfan as not much better than 'lemonade' (Murray and Cull 1984), yet almost 20 years on, endosulfan still has a very important role in pest management. Such are the changing fortunes in pest management.

The CSIRO breeding program at the Australian Cotton Research institute at Narrabri alms to develop locally adapted varieties for use by Australian farmers, The program has been very successful in developing varieties for all cotton growing areas with a wide range of conventional and Ingard varieties available through Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) for 2000 planting. Key advances from the CSIRO breading program include the development of varieties with okra leaf (for insect and mite tolerance), better disease resistance (particularly bacterial blight and Verticillum wilt), improved fibre quality and good adaptation to cool growing areas As a continuation of this program of regular release of new high performing varieties we are pleased to announce the introduction of three new conventional varieties: Sicot 70, Sicot 72 and Siokra S-102

Cotton plants expressing the CrylAc toxin from Bt are near to commercial release. These plants have been developed to aid in the control of heIiothis caterpillars (both Helicoverpa armigera and H punctigera ), the primary targets of insecticide usage in cotton production. While it was hoped that these plants would give high enough expression of toxin to control heliothis throughout the growing season, it is now clear that some larvae can survive to pupation late in the season. The decline, however, is more of a problem for resistance management, because of the chance that at some stage during the growing season. the level of Bt toxin in the plants will be at a level that allows preferential survival of resistant, but not susceptible, individuals. We are examining the potential of transgenic Bt cotton plants to select for resistance in H. armigera. In particular, we need to understand what environmental factors influence the expression of the Bt toxin. At the beginning of our study in 1993, nothing was known about the cause of the decline in toxin levels, nor were techniques available that would enable us to quantify those levels. Thus, we have had to focus on developing the necessary techniques to study the performance of transgenic plants grown under field conditions.

Irrigators are frequently accused of causing a deterioration of water quality in the Murray Darting Basin. For many catchments, such as the Gwydir in Northwest NSW, little reliable information is available to assess the impact of irrigation on water quality. The aim of this research is to measure the water quality (in terms of sediment, salts and nutrients) of the Gwydir Valley Watercourses. By monitoring water quality above, within and below the irrigation area, any changes in water quality within the irrigation area can be examined to determine the impact of irrigation. Water quality data was also combined with river now data to determine the quantity (load) of sediments, salts and nutrients that may leave the Gwydir Valley and enter the Murray Darting Basin.

There is no doubt that water is the limiting factor on an farms. It is argued about passionately and has entered a very public arena with demands from environmental, political, community and agricultural sectors. The cost of the cuts in entitlements, at a time when volumes in storage and flows are minimal has multiplied the impact. None of us should be in any doubt as to the value of every litre however, we need to be wise and careful about how we are going to utilise the water we have. Assure as night follows day there will be experts and wizbang solutions that will solve your every problem. If you scratch just about anyone who has installed an alternative irrigation system, you will find a wiser, often poorer, usually very tired and disillusioned irrigator. There are good results being achieved both with improvements in management of surface irrigation systems, as well as successful alternative systems. What makes the difference and how are we to determine the best for our farm?

Two years ago we rolled into a new century, a new millennium. That magical roll from the year 1999 to 2000 gave many of us the reason to sit and reflect on the past, and then to dream of the &quote;what if's&quote; that the future may hold. There is no doubt that our past has developed us into the achievements of today. Just as our situation and decisions of today will develop our tomorrow. Reflection and prediction are a key part of a business plan. We assess our past, calculate our current position, and then have a short-term look into the future, followed by a longer-tern view. Current and short-term are relatively easy to predict, the trick is in the long-term view. This is the magic ball zone! Let's ask some simple questions about cotton.

Blending of two or more different fibre types is of crucial significance to the textile industry. Shore [1] reports that several interrelated factors may contribute to the decision to replace a homogeneous textile material by a blend: Economy: The dilution of an expensive fibre by blending with a cheaper one. Durability: The incorporation of a more durable component to extend the useful life of a less durable fibre. Physical properties: A compromise to take advantage of desirable performance characteristics contributed by both fibre components. Colour: The ability to develop novel designs incorporating multi-colour effects. Appearance: The attainment of attractive appearance and tactile qualities using combinations of yarns with, for example, different lustre. The blend of cotton with polyester represents one of the most important textile substrates, being widely used as a fabric for shirring. The synthetic fibre enhances the crease resistance, dimensional stability and easy-care properties of the blend, and the cotton component contributes contort, especially important for products worn next to the skin. In spite of the rapid growth in the use of synthetic fibres, natural fibre blends of, especially, cotton and wool have been of some importance over many years' Inclusion of wool in cotton products enhances properties such as appearance retention, bulk and comfort. Rocklea Spinning Mills has recently launched Colana yarns, manufactured from 70% cotton and 30% wool. CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology has provided scientific and technical support to Rocklea for this project, with funding provided by CSIRO, The Woolmark Company, and more recently, the Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre (Cotton CRC). This paper focuses attention on blends of cotton and wool, drawing on past and present experiences in the Colana initiative.

Successful communications at a community level is not a new concept. It is a valuable and worthwhile process that many of us have been striving to achieve for years' Whether you are involved in the local show society, school P & F, sporting club or church group each one of us would strive to have successful communications. I'm sure through experience you can all think of examples when the communication levels weren't going well, broke down or just didn't exist. The key is to identify what is needed and work towards building communication levels, as well as vision and trust.

Microorganisms in soil regulate a wide range of processes that are critical for plant growth and crop productivity. A large, diverse and active soil biota could help provide soil conditions for sustainable cotton production through (i) crop residue decomposition and improvement of nutrient supplying potential of soils, (ii) preventing aggressive plant pathogens taking hold and improve plants ability to withstand disease effects, (iii) reducing the loss of inorganic fertilizers through erosion and leaching by short-term immobilization (iv) stabilizing soil structure and (v) reducing the reliance for agrochemicals and reduced persistence of pesticides in soil and thus less off-site impacts. In a high input cropping systems such as cotton, it is essential to maintain activities of key microbial groups to maximize input efficiency and to reduce non-target environmental negative effects.

The adoption of biopesticides by the cotton industry in Australia has been impressive. The use of Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) has grown from a research project, through a niche product aimed primarily at sorghum, to wide scale use as an importanttool in control of Helicoverpa armigera in cotton, sorghum, chickpeas and sweetcorn. Gemstar has demonstrated that biopesticides are effective in cotton IPM, despite the fact that cotton is one of the most difficult crops in which to achieve maximum efficacy. Increasing grower confidence in biopesticides as IPM tools has led to increased demand for products, which in turn has created a new market niche for suppliers, and considerable interest in potential biopesticides against emerging pests. Gemstar is now readily available, and is joined this year by a new registered product, Vivus, manufactured in Australia by Australian Produced Biologicals. Vivus, like Gemstar, is currently based on the Helicoverpa zea NPV but produced in native H. armigera larvae, with the same efficacy as Gemstar. APB are also beginning production of a product based on the native H. armigera NPV. Both Vivus and Gemstar are registered in cotton. This is good news for growers, with greater security of supply (from two different companies) and an increase in diversity of products.