When I received a call at 8.30pm one evening I had no idea where this “Cold Call” would lead. It was from a drainage contractor working in Hanwood near Griffith. They were changing over many of the open concrete channels to pipe systems and therefore were encountering head pressures that they had never experienced previously. This was causing significant problems, as the water now being provided to the farmer was under pressure (some times as high as 8 – 12 psi or an equivalent head pressure of 5 – 8 meters). This increase in pressure results in an increased water flow of 4 – 8 times what the irrigators were previously receiving. In many instances, the farms were simply not set up for this level of water flow and the receiving systems would quickly break down with significant water loss and cost the result.

The Cocky Flow™ regulator valve using a buoyancy float and counterweights automatically regulates the flow back to the 1 : 1 flow rate for which the farmer’s distribution systems are designed. As the water level rises in the receiving pit the floats cause a sleeve within the valve body to rotate and adjust the flow. This sleeve has a specifically designed aperture that can vary the flow rate from full flow, down to lower flow rates as required simply and automatically. These head pressures and flow rates can vary significantly over a day as irrigators come on and off the system. The Cocky Valve™ simply adjusts itself to suit the particular pressure and subsequent flow rates required at that time.

A further requirement was to supply a valve to combine a full shut off mechanism. I have now designed and built the Cocky Flow N Stop™ flow regulating valve now available in three different configurations and sizes from 200NB up to 1800NB. This valve went through a detailed development process before winning the 2013 National Farm Invention of the year at Orange Field days.

Cocky Flow™ regulating valves are Full Flow at low pressure providing the customer with the same flow as they have always received. Their existing systems will continue to operate exactly as they have always done regardless of the delivering pressure and flow rates. Our aim is to provide valves that can deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to the industry and to the people of Australia.

Our valves carry worldwide patents and we now have designs for Inlet Valves, Outlet valves, Non-Return Valves and Flow Regulating Valves in sizes from 200NB up to 1800NB.

Our aim was to bring world class current technology into the process, but to simplify and not complicate the outcome. We see the way that some technologies are being applied to the irrigation sector as being totally against this philosophy. Complicating the final product without simplifying and improving reliability we feel is a backward step. We feel many of the “AUTOMATED” processes being applied as unnecessary and self-serving.

By contrast, Cocky Valves are simple to operate, reliable and enable the grower to maximise his yield, while reducing water use and enabling better outcomes from his labour base. They secure the growers infrastructure and provide a cost-effective and reliable solution to automated irrigation in broad acre farming.

The project DAN 33L involved studies of insecticide resistance in the major cotton pests Helicoverpa armigera and Helicovera. punctigera. The aims of the project were : to investigate the mechanisms of pyrethroid insecticide resistance in H.armigera; to develop Helicoverpa bioassay techniques against ovicides, stomach poisons and first instar larvae; to monitor H.armigera resistance to endosulfan, carbamates and organophosphates and to monitor the response of H.punctigera to insecticides

Australian Insecticide resistance mangement Strategy

The objective of this project was to provide enhancements to a partially established network of Apple Macintosh microcomputers and central VAX. microcomputers. The proposed hardware and software have been purchased and installed and the enhancements have benefited all cotton research scientists, from both CSIRO and NSW Dept. of Agriculture, based at Narrabri Agriculture Research Station.

The objective for this project was to field test the basic pest management version of SIRA TAC Plus and to educate SIRATAC Ltd field staff in the use of SIRATAC Plus. The main objectives of this project have not been fulfilled. SIRA TAC Plus was not delivered in a usable form for field testing for the 1989/90 cotton season.

Summary of results: A 30hp Kubota tractor fitted with an air conditioned safety cab was purchased from the government contract supplier in Sydney. The tractor was trucked to Kingaroy Engineering Works for modifications, including: - raising the tractor to have I.Sm ground clearance - conversion to a 2m wheeltrack suitable for row crops - fitting of tanks, pump, boom and plumbing. The sprayer was delivered to Narrabri Agricultural Research Station in November, 1989, and has been extensively used through the last 2 cotton seasons in m.iticide and insecticide trials, chemical labelling of H eliothis spp, investigation of rates and timing of plant growth regulators and foliar fertilizers. An article reporting the development of the sprayer was published in the Australian Cottongrower (August - September, 1990).

This study determined the genetic basis of pyrethroid resistance in Heliothis annigera and characterised those factors that lead to cyclical fluctuations in the frequency of resistance in field populations. The major findings were: (1) A single major semi-dominant gene, associated with mixed function oxidases, is responsible for most pyrethroid resistance in field populations. 2 (2) The nerve insensitivity mechanism, which appeared to be important in field failures with pyrethroids in the early 1980's, no longer contributes significantly to the expression of resistance in field populations. (3) Field application rates kill resistant larvae < 4~days old. (4) Very small resistant larvae can survive field exposure to pyrethroids as the pesticide decays or is diluted by plant growth. (5) Field application rates kill susceptible but not resistant adults. (6) Pupae overwintering under cotton crops have high levels of resistance and high survival

The new truck for plant breeding use has been purchased. It was used to transport harvesting equipment during the recent harvest and it perfomed well, giving us greater flexibility and timeliness with our operations.

The VAX cluster at Myall Vale is an important and essential facility for research and for the use of SIRA TAC by the industry. Maintenance of both hardware and software is vital for provision a reliable service with high availability to SIRATAC users and researchers. Both the hardware and the software were maintained by Digital at their BASIC level with telephone support where neccessary. Digital continued the routine maintenance to our satisfaction, and responded promptly and well to all calls. No major problems were encountered.

The summer edition of CRDC's magazine, Spotlight, continues the focus on sustainability, in line with the industry's current work to set new sustainability targets. Of significance is CRDC’s commitment to RD&E to improve fish health in our rivers, and a ground-breaking program with CRDC, Cotton Australia, Landcare and clothing brand Country Road to improve the health of river red gums and riparian zones in the Namoi Valley.

Also in this edition, we look at a new sampling and spray-decision support system for silverleaf whitefly; we investigate a new disease, reoccurring wilt, that has been found in cotton fields; and we include a snapshot of CRDC’s 2019-20 Annual Report, which outlines our key investments and impacts during the year.