To understand the trends in picking capacity for the Australian crop we must first quickly look at some historical data to understand what are the factors and influences that have shaped the demand for services to the cotton industry, specifically the picking of the crop.

The privilege to use gene technology bears responsibilities and rewards. Rewards come in many forms, including reduced chemical applications, improved integrated pest management, and life style advantages. The rewards lead to benefits for the environment, farming operations, and people. The rewards from being at the leading edge of technology adoption have given us an advantage over our global competitors, many of whom are heavily subsidized and not confronted with the ever increasing commercial and environmental pressures that the Australian industry is subjected to.

In 2005/06 the Australian cotton industry clocked up its 10th season of commercial insect tolerant Bt cotton production (i.e. INGARD and/or Bollgard II) and its 5th season of glyphosate herbicide tolerant cotton production (i.e. Roundup Ready ). When the industry entered the brave new world of applied biotechnology in 1996 there were expectations that it would bring about change and it certainly has. This paper looks at some of the changes and impacts experienced to date.

Any way you want to look at it, farm costs are up. I can't think of any input to our operation that hasn't risen in the last few years, some a little, others a lot. The prices of machinery, seed, technology, fertiliser, steel, pipe, water, labour (when you can get it) are all up 10 to 50% in the last 2 years. And, then of course, there is diesel, nearly double the price at the farm gate of 3 years ago. Commodity prices as you know have not risen in proportion; in fact unless you grow beef, they have stayed flat or like cotton, have fallen.

A raising of the quality base and increasing levels of discounts impact significantly on the profitability of dryland cotton. CSIRO has research in place that not only aims to improve the yield of dryland cotton varieties, but also fibre quality and disease resistance. Fibre length is the quality trait that is most influenced by the water stress that dryland crops experience at some point during the season, but micronaire is also influenced to a degree. Data is presented on some commercial varieties well suited to dryland production, as well as some examples of future varieties that may be released over the next few years.

Australian cotton fibre is exported into a dynamic and competitive market and we need to ensure an ever-improving product to meet the demand from spinners. Periods of insufficient soil water not only reduce the amount of lint produced but also impact on fibre characteristics. The use of skip row configurations provide some insurance against poor fibre quality by increasing soil water reserves available to the crop, delaying water stress. This paper presents some recent research in dryland situations that aim to optimise the balance between yield and fibre quality. Specific issues include comparing Bollgard II and non Bollgard II crops in different row configurations and including premium fibre varieties. Results show that high fruit retention Bollgard II cotton did not perform any differently to conventional cotton when grown in skip configurations. Fibre length was improved using the skip configurations compared with solid. The yield of a premium fibre variety was less but fibre length was significantly improved, so this variety would only be beneficial if there was a significant likelihood in attaining large discounts for fibre length. Further research is being done with a range of different row configurations to further develop guidelines that will help growers select the best option for each situation.

A new buzzword has swept dryland cotton growing areas this season. Super Singles is being trialled over around 18,000 ha West of Moree this year. What are Super Singles? Super Singles is a dryland cotton growing configuration developed by B& W. Rural as a summer crop option for the Western areas and is expected to take some of the risk out of dryland cotton growing. Super singles is a one in two out configuration using Bollgard/Roundup Ready cotton.

The aim of this project was to test whether observed patterns in historical Helicoverpa abundance data were consistent with our understanding of moth flight behaviour, and to measure the effects of moth movement on these abundance patterns.

The workshop was convened in order to focus on the water balance of cotton crops and catchments where the crop is grown. Most research on water in cotton has been problem-oriented. Problems associated with management of the water balance include rising ground water, contamination of ground water, salinity (dryland and irrigated), erosion, transport of pesticides into rivers and water use efficiency. The sustainability of cotton production depends on the solution of these problems.

Project Objectives and Extent of Completion The project aims were: 1. To continue to provide engineering support to farmers and industry personnel in areas covering Ultra Narrow Row cotton, planter development, stubble management, and all subjects currently covered in USQ7C. Result Achieved. 2. To continue the development and revision on Machine-pak including a chapter on controlled traffic. Result - Not completed due to CRDC directive. Information was gathered but will only be compiled when a directive is given to review and re-release Machine-pak. 3. To assist in the development of planting equipment for Ultra Narrow Row cotton. Result Achieved. 4. To provide support for extension officers in the areas of pupae management, tillage procedures and general machinery requirements. Result Achieved. 5. To review work on bed architecture, planting techniques and equipment, propose tests to be undertaken and perform field trials. This will involve farmers in each area and the extension of the results to the larger farming community. Result-Not completed due to shortening of the project. 6. To continue the monitoring of commercial guidance and yield monitoring systems. Result Achieved. 7. To complete the development of the cotton picker guidance system. Result Achieved. 8. To link into any existing or new CRC projects which require engineering input and support. Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project. 9. Review existing planting equipment and implement any changes necessary to improve perfonnance in less ideal conditions including heavy ground cover, alternative bed architectures and dry conditions (moisture seeking technology). Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project. I 0. To examine the feasibility of non-contact pupae sensing teclmology for the analysis of tillage requirements. DPI and NCEA staff will assist in this area of development. Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project.