This paper communicates further the findings, pertaining to the John Deere 7760 (JD7760) round module picker, of the Cotton Growing Practices 2013 industry survey and current research at the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture. The grower data is used to highlight decision making processes used and provides insight into potentially latent impacts on system components, particularly the land resource. Adoption drivers and considerations are discussed against machine potential, the Australian picker market and the potential for soil compaction is demonstrated to contrast considerations.

Questions, issues being addressed? * Verticillium wilt issues that NSW DPI Pathology in the project Diseases of Cotton XI have been and are continuing to look at. * Quantify the propagules of Verticillium in different field's soil. * Quantify the relationship between Verticillium inoculum and symptoms. * To find what the relationship between Verticillium and (soil/water) pH is. * To see the effect of different water sources (bore water compared to river water) on Verticillium wilt. * To see the effect of different irrigation systems (furrow compared to lateral irrigation) on Verticillium wilt. * Potential interaction between field levels of black root rot and Verticillium wilt. * Collection of reference cultures to determine VCG's present.

The Human Capacity Assessment and Benchmarking project is a system to gather data and provide an analysis tool to monitor the effectiveness of cotton industry extension and training activities. This will provide the industry with an effective tool to collect benchmarking data on changes in Human Capacity over time, thus better informing decisions about investment in extension and training.

Research undertaken by NSW DPI Pathology in the project Diseases of Cotton XI continues to ask questions with regard to pathogens causing diseases of cotton.

An innovative collaborative project run by NSW DPI Cotton Pathologist Dr Karen Kirkby and CSIRO Cotton Industry Education Officer Trudy Staines introduced students from year 10 Narrabri High School to possible career pathways within both science and agricultural fields. Students role-played different career options working as cameramen, script writers, interviewers and editors producing a short film covering the three careers. The career videos produced by kids for kids have been placed on the Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce website

challenges suggest the need for research with cotton growers, distributers and participants in the production cycle, to understand what people think the future holds for the industry, and it's cotton communities. Combining social perspectives with economic and community development, this research can work with the industry to plan for both the challenges of the marketplace, and the challenge of maintaining community viability. While scientific research helps the cotton industry to achieve better production, social research can help the industry develop a plan for the future that strengthens the social fabric with cotton fibre.

Outline Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a major pest of cotton. This is because it produces sticky honeydew that contaminates lint, reducing the quality of cotton. Silverleaf Whitefly can be controlled with insecticides, but if mismanaged - whitefly will develop resistance. Each year Silverleaf whitefly are collected from cotton production regions and screened for resistance to insecticides, e.g. Admiral, Pegasus and Talstar. The results of this research support Insecticide Resistance Management Strategies (IRMS) to prolong the life of the currently used insecticides

The Problem Cotton aphid and silverleaf whitefly feed on phloem sap and produce sugar rich honeydew that can contaminate open cotton bolls leading to downstream problems with processing. Despite established management strategies for these pests honeydew contaminated crops still occur. The factors that may reduce honeydew in the field include moisture (rainfall), sunlight (UV radiation) and microorganisms (sooty mould fungi). Our experiments aim to establish the importance and effectiveness of each factor in reducing honeydew to levels that are safe to harvest.

Transform insecticide is a new insecticide which was registered for control of the key sap-feeding pests in Australian cotton in 2013. Transform is fast acting, has residual activity and is relatively non-disruptive to beneficial insects. Two field trials are summarised in this paper; demonstrating excellent control of Creontiades dilutus and Aphis gossypii, at 200 and 300 mL/ha. A third trial showed that the addition of salt (0.5% v/v) to Transform significantly improved the knockdown of mirids in pigeon peas. Transform insecticide will be a valuable tool for Australian cotton growers for control of the key sap-feeding pests while not flaring secondary pests such as whiteflies and mites

Solenopsis mealybug (Phenococcus solenopsis) has been a pest of cotton in Australia since initial outbreaks in Emerald and the Burdekin in 2009. They can cause significant loss and damage to bolls via feeding and reduce lint quality due to honeydew production. With no insecticides registered for Solenopsis mealybug in Australia, this research evaluated the impact of insecticides registered for other pests of cotton. Impacts on beneficial insects was also recorded