CottonInfo’s team of six Regional Extension Officers (REOs) are helping cotton growers undertake locally relevant projects by delivering some $200,000 in cotton research, development and extension funding – predominately from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation’s (CRDCs) Grassroots Grants program, and via Local Land Services grants.
The CottonInfo REOs have delivered eleven specialised local projects across Queensland and NSW over the past four years – over and above their local trials on nitrogen and resistance management.
In the Macquarie, a highly successful three-year project saw growers accessing weather station and canopy temperature data to build an understanding of the stress trigger points of cotton due to external weather conditions. This work included the installation of eight inversion towers onto weather stations, and the development of a trial booklet for growers.
“This collaboration between local growers, the Macquarie Cotton Growers Association, CottonInfo and CRDC – via the Grassroots Grants program – will have long term benefits and provide benchmarking information for our valley,” Amanda Thomas, Cottoninfo REO for the Macquarie said.
“We are most appreciative to CRDC for the Grassroots Grant, and want to ensure we use this funding to add value to what we do in the Macquarie.”
Meanwhile in the Murrumbidgee, CottonInfo REO Kieran O’Keeffe has accessed funding to hold a range of events over the past three years to meet the knowledge needs of new and established growers.
“We have seen a massive increase in cotton acreage in our valley,” Kieran said.
“Given we have a different climate to other cotton regions, localised research is critical for us. One such project we have led – thanks to CRDC Grassroots Grants funding – is the development of a custom-built bale trailer, enabling growers to more accurately compare the yields of on farm replicated trials.”
In the Gwydir Valley, CottonInfo REO Alice Devlin has been able to assist the local CGA to undertake a project on soil compaction, determining how different rotation crops help to remediate this wide-spread problem.
“This project enabled us to link researchers with growers to think about different approaches to overcome compaction,” Ms Devlin said.
“We were surprised to discover that wheat with only one irrigation actually achieved the same root depth as safflower, challenging traditional beliefs.”
In the Border Rivers and St George regions, Sally Dickinson was able to use her role as both CottonInfo REO and Chair of Wincott to facilitate a project to help build understanding and participation of women in cotton.
Through a CRDC-funded project to engage with women in the cotton community, Sally has been able to build an understanding of the motivations of women and their involvement with the industry – which will have wider benefits for the industry in encouraging greater female participation and engagement.
In the Namoi, the focus shifted from women to young cotton growers. CottonInfo REO for the Namoi, Geoff Hunter, has undertaken a series of activities aimed to connect young growers with researchers – including taking groups of growers to the Australian Cotton Research Institute, and to other valleys to learn from researchers and growers alike.
“Many growers have made changes to their businesses as a direct result of the ideas and people they have engaged with on these trips,” Geoff said.
Meanwhile in Walgett, also serviced by Geoff, growers have benefited from the installation of seven new weather stations – funded by CRDC Grassroots Grants – to enable them to better understand their weather systems, guided by one of CottonInfo’s eight technical specialists, Jon Welsh.
In the Darling Downs, the newest member of the CottonInfo REO team, Annabel Twine, has been engaging with local growers and delivering a range of CottonInfo projects on the ground. Most recently, the Downs was one of five valleys that hosted researchers under the CottonInfo IPM workshop series.
For further information on these projects, or to learn more about what CottonInfo is delivering in your local region, contact your local REO: www.cottoninfo.com.au/contact-us.
