The Grassroots Program offers Cotton Grower groups the opportunity to apply for community based assistance.

Weather Station Upgrades: The Darling Downs Cotton Growers Inc (DDCGI), and individual growers established 21 weather stations between the period 1996-1998, to provide growers with localised weather information to assist with on-farm management operations. The DDCGI has maintained these stations over this period, and in recent years, been working on major upgrades to digital technology to enable text communication with growers rather than the old analogue voice system. To date 11 stations have been upgraded by the DDCGI, and funding from this grant contributing to upgrading another four stations.

Chemical Application Workshops: It is vital for growers to maintain a high level of responsible chemical use and efficient crop protection through continued improvement, uptake a new technology and adoption of best practice. Spray drift is not only a risk of susceptible crops, non-target and sensitive areas but also to the future access of certain groups of chemicals. In addition, poor application methods and reduced efficacy contribute to the development of resistance. The DDCGI is committed to responsible chemical use and the stewardship of agricultural chemicals. The DDCGI plans to use funding from this grant towards organising three training and extension days across the region, the focus will be on chemical application best practice, spray drift risk management, understanding the local weather conditions and record keeping compliance. The DDCGI will engage the services of Mary O’Brien Rural Enterprises to deliver these workshops.