This forum is recognised as the main conference for cotton research. The conference consists

of four days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and seminars about

the latest research developments and their practical applications in cotton production and

processing. The conference fosters dialogue among cotton producers, processors, scientists,

extension personnel and agribusiness representatives.

I have never attended a Beltwide cotton conference and would relish the opportunity to attend

and present at a cotton focussed research conference to be brought up to date on

developments on cotton physiology and agronomy (especially in the areas of fibre quality).

In addition I would also like to identify new opportunities for cotton decision support

development. Despite having been on a sabbatical to the USA recently I have not attended a

cotton research conference since August 2002 (not presented at one since 2000). In fact I

have not attended or presented at a research conference of any type since early 2003.

During my sabbatical in Texas last year I also started a number of potential joint initiatives

with Texas A&M. Attending this conference in San Antonio and travelling to College station

(only 2hrs away) means that I can aim to build on these initiatives with researchers from

Texas and start to facilitate some new ones that were discussed. One especially is the joint

supervision of Nicola Cottee (CRDC funded Sydney University Student) with Dr Tom

Cothren (located College station). The project was submitted and approved with the idea of

her conducting similar research on cotton physiology here and in Texas with Dr Cothren. I

would like to ensure that appropriate resources are in place for Nicola's stay in the USA (most

likely next year 2006).

Other initiatives that have been instigated and I would like to develop further are:

- Joint supervision of PhD student in Texas on the development of DSS tools for

- Planning a potential visit by up to four Texas extension specialists (hosted by the

cotton industry)

- Planning a sabbatical for Dr Giovanni Piccinni to work with James Neilson and

others on cotton water relations

- Planning a sabbatical for Dr Dan Munk to work with Dirk Richards on irrigation

decision support and information dissemination.

- Developing linkages with Texas A&M's cropping systems initiative as part of the

new Cotton CRC. There are opportunities to host exchanges for scientists and extension

personnel.