Cropping systems experiments are currently being used to evaluate the sustainability of various cotton, systems. An important component is the inclusion of legume crops for grain or green manuring. This, assists in maintaining desirable levels of soil organic matter, with improved soil quality, soil N reserves, and availability of other plant nutrients. Legume cropping provides direct economic benefits to growers, through reduced N fertilizer requirement and indirect long-term benefits through enhanced sustainability, achieved by remediation of soil chemical and physical properties. Management practices which reduce, reliance on chemical fertilizers and which conserve and improve our soil resources are environmentally, responsible and ecologically sound

List the project objectives and the extent to which these have been achieved., ? Identify and establish suitable commercial farm sites for long term monitoring, *Monitor deep drainage across all treatments, *Monitor irrigation water quality at regular interval and establish initial treatments to, assess the impact of water quality on salt balance and crop performance., *Collect and collate historical farm data on soil, water and crop, *Development of a detailed research proposal that meets alternative funding bodies, priorities

The current project was initiated to determine the distribution and the economic and ecological impact of, Lippia in the Murray Darling system. The scope of this project was to:, * Assess past and current information on the distribution and impact of Lippia, *Report economical and environmental information to assess the impact of Lippia at, the property, sub-catchment, catchment and Murray Darling Basin level., *Report any known information on the distribution outside the Murray Darling Basin, *Quantify the current distribution and severity of Lippia, *Determine the rate it has spread over time, *Evaluate the potential future distribution of Lippia, *Report the economic impact of Lippia on farm activities, production and productivity, *Evaluate the impact of Lippia on the environment, *Prepare a brief research priority plan for the weed, *Provide a brief summary of current best bet management options.,

This report aims to review the literature, particularly past and current cotton-funded research,, to:, 1. describe biodiversity and the role of biodiversity in cotton production systems;, 2. identify the legislative and policy frameworks for biodiversity that are relevant to the, cotton industry;, 3. review information about the biodiversity of cotton growing areas;, 4. identify gaps and opportunities for further research; and, 5. suggest ways in which the industry can embrace a stewardship role in protecting, biodiversity in a cooperative partnership with government and the community., The scope of the project is limited to the main cotton growing areas in New South Wales and, Queensland.,

The original objectives were:, a. Quantitative baseline assessment of N2O emissions from nitrogen fertiliser,, leguminous and native soil sources in traditional cotton monoculture and, rotations system on contrasting soil types., b. A soil carbon carbon inventory to establish patterns of change and net CO2, emissions across cotton-based farming systems., c. Through simulation, develop estimates of N2O and CO2 emissions across the, industry and provide the platform for future research in developing best, management practices and decision support systems that reduce greenhouse, emissions, whilst optimising yield and increasing profitability.

The cotton industry in the Gwydir Valley, like most forms of agriculture, is reliant on a range of 'free' ecosystem, services such as clean irrigation water, breakdown of chemicals in soils and water storages, natural control of, pests by beneficial fauna, and spray drift containment by adjacent vegetation. These services have hitherto been, unpriced, but growers and the community incur substantial costs when such services are lost through ignorance or, mismanagement. This project aimed to determine the economic value of some of the ecosystem services, underpinning the cotton industry, and investigate the interaction between best-management practices and, performance of these ecological services

In order to provide similar information for comparison, the major aims of Phase, III (Implementation and Management) were to a) initially consult with community groups (e.g. Macquarie 2100) to ensure, research projects developed were consistent with natural research, management issues in each of the major cotton growing areas of central and, northern NSW and southeast Queensland b) generate matching research funds through the Natural Heritage Trust and Salt, Action Programs to extend the field, district and regional methods, developed, as part of Phase II, to other irrigated cotton growing districts (e.g. lower, Macintyre, Macquarie and Darling River valleys) c) collection of EM data, and soil information in the root- (0-2 m) and vadosezones, (2-12 m) to measure, model, map, manage and monitor soil salinisation, processes at various scales

This project followed on from the project funded in the last Cotton CRC 'Multi-Platform, decision support systems' that contributed to the development of the hand-held version of, CottonLOGIC as well as providing resources to maintain (i.e. both looks and functionality), the Cotton CRC's web site. The project will provide funds to support a programmer with, specific skills in web site development as well strong skills in object oriented programming., Skills in object oriented programming will allow certain tasks relating to the handheld to be, completed, Following the completion of the hand-held the person will be responsible for implementing, new and innovative applications for the Cotton CRC's web site. In addition the person will, be specifically assisting in implementation the 'Cotton Industry Database' across different, organisations and platforms (especially the WWW). The 'Cotton Industry Database' is being, developed to provide contact details and other information on industry participants to the, members of the Cotton CRC, CRDC, and Cotton Australia and to prevent duplication of this, information across organisations

Aims, * To co-ordinate the adoption of research into sound management, practices in the Gwydir Valley cotton-growing region., The position has contributed to this general aim through most extension, activities which are aimed at the presentation of research to improve, management of some aspect of cotton production, economically and, environmentally. *To develop a framework of regional trials/demonstrations (in liaison, with researchers) as part of the adoption process and to facilitate better, communication between farmers, advisers and researchers from, government and agribusiness

The Industry Development Officer (IDO) of Moree (Julie O'Halloran) is part of the, Australian Cotton National Extension Team. Julie O'Halloran started in this role 18, months into this project in December 2001. The position was vacant for nearly six, months leading up to this., As part of Australian Cotton National Extension Team this position is involved in, the planning and developing of national extension activities to address national, industry issues. As well as playing a role in national extension activities, the position, also has worked with local growers and consultants to develop extension programs, focusing on local issues. The position provides strong links between growers,, consultants and researchers to ensure information flow between all stakeholders.