The cotton industry relies on HVI measurements of cotton fibre quality for commercial trading. The current scoping study has confirmed the influence of cotton fibre length on the HVI Strength measurement i.e.

Last season there were four (Siokra 1-4, Siokra L22, Sicala 33 and CS 189) CSIRO mainstream varieties being grown commercially in most districts.

This paper summarises a large number of strength and compression tests in a range of cotton soils.

Your committee has asked me particularly to focus on the technological needs of the industry. As a background to this it's worth talking briefly about the research councils and their evolution.

The major Australian cotton yarn spinners are encouraged by the improvements the researchers and the growers have managed to obtain in the newer varieties.