Objectives The objectives were to produce a pocket sized booklet which contained important BMP information for groundrig operators, including growers operating their own rigs. In addition, the booklet format was to be suitable for in-field usage by all persons who may involved in groundrig spray applications. These objectives were met and the booklet produced in a pocket sized format which can be carried in the cab or vehicle glovebox. The Groundrig Operators Association will be gathering feedback from members for future reference

The aim was to develop and pilot a coordinated, national ChemCert Groundrig Spray Applicators Training course which meets the needs of groundrig spray operators (contract and farmer) in both cotton and grains industries. Objectives included: *Development of the framework of the training program and administrative arrangements '*Writing draft workshop/ reference manuals and supporting resources including assessments * Conducting two pilot courses * Training presenters These objectives have been met. Implementation administrative arrangements are in place through the national ChemCert organisation; a draft reference manual has been produced; supporting resources are in draft form; assessments have been developed; 8 pilot courses have been conducted and presenters in Old, NSW, SA and WA have been trained

OBJECTIVES* To confirm the identity of the species of the apple dimpling bug and develop alaboratory protocol for mass rearing of the insect.* To conduct detailed studies of the insect's life cycle, behaviour and feedingmechanisms on conventional and transgenic cotton.* To assess the pest status of apple dimpling bug, evaluate its damage to cottonplants and develop economic threshold for the management of the insect in cotton.*To study the population dynamics of apple dimpling bug including its sources,principal host plants and movement.

The objectives of this project were: (i.) To modify the existing structure analysis program Solicon 3.0 so that it is functional on all personal computers (PCs); and (ii.) To widely distribute and demonstrate the converted Solicon 3.0 program to researchers linked with the cotton industry who have a need for accurate, quantitative measures of soil structural features

One hundred & seventy people were given training in soil assessment and management Hands-on training in soil management was given to one hundred & seventy members of the Australian cotton industry at a series of 11 courses between October 1997 and September 1999. The courses were held in the Narrabri, Warren, Moree, Emerald, Dalby, Wee Waa, Goondiwindi, Gunnedah, Theodore. Walgett and Bourke districts. The main aim of the courses was to demonstrate how to use 'SO!Lpak for Cotton Growers, Third Edition ' *, with emphasis on soil sampling for yield map interpretation. Soil monitoring for farm accreditation schemes also was discussed. Most of the soil inspections were carried out via 1.5 metre deep backhoe pits, which usually were dug in triplicate. The courses focussed on the needs of Private Consultants and Government Advisers associated with the cotton industry - a summary of course attendees is shown in Table 1. Details are in Appendix 1. David McKenzie also demonstrated soil description methods to the UNE Cotton Production Course at Narrabri on 12 February 1999

In 1999, CRDC provided funding to CSIRO to purchase a custom built trailer to transport planter or plot harvester to remote experiment sites. These sites were Hillston, Bourke, Warren, St George, Collarenabri, Breeza, Moree, Boggabilla, Merah North and North Star. In more recent times, CSIRO has needed to travel to other sites in Qld such as Emerald and Dalby-Brookstead

Purpose: The workshop brought together soil researchers to discuss: existing research; issues arising; new developments; gaps and future directions. This workshop/meeting group is one of many specific discipline groups coordinated through the Cotton CRC. This meeting/workshop will highlight the ongoing needs of both CRDC and the Cotton CRC and help in gaining an idea of the future needs and direction of cotton soil research.

The study underlying this report was concerned with taking samples of seedcotton from the field and tracking them through the stages of ginning, spinning, and fabric production. Data on various attributes of the cotton was collected at several stages. The study has been designed from the standpoint that cotton is ultimately valued at the consumer product level, so the best way to gauge the effects of a particular factor in cotton processing is to analyz.e its effect on realised quality, that is, quality seen at the fabric stage. Prediction is one of the most important parts of the results of this project. The vision is to have a historical record of various lint attributes and the resulting realised quality (particularly white speck neppiness) that will allow the prediction of the realised quality of current day lint at the gin loadout door. 1bis would have the effect of removing much of the uncertainty in a multi-million dollar production chain that might involve several changes of ownership as well as long distances and long periods to produce a finished product.

Through a review of the literature it is apparent that many of the generic methods and techniques which will be so valuable to the efficient implementation of precision agriculture farming systems are being developed for other agricultural crops and will be largely transferable with little alterations and applied to cotton management. Foremost amongst these are the engineering processes and tools required to perform such machinations as the variable rate application of fertiliser. seeds and pesticides. Elements of weakness within a precision agriculture management cycle for Australian cotton farming systems are identified. These primarily included the lack of knowledge of within-field variability of cotton yield upon which an estimation of the typical variability could be based. Were it available, this typical variability would then be used as a measure of the opportunity fo r potential adoption of precision agricultural management techniques

To replace the aging automatic weather station at the Australian CottonResearch Unit