Cotton research, development and extension (RD&E) projects to help manage Verticillium wilt and herbicide resistance, improve management and thresholds for silverleaf whitefly, and manage the impacts of spray drift are among 20 new Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) led projects set to commence on 1 July.
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These 20 projects have been established in direct response to the research gaps and opportunities identified by growers in last year’s CRDC R&D Priorities Forum.
These 20 projects are among approximately 200 RD&E projects that CRDC will manage during 2017-18 – an investment of $22.4 million across the five areas of the CRDC Strategic Plan.
Meanwhile, in late May, CRDC hosted its third annual R&D Priorities Forum in Brisbane. The forum brought together cotton growers on Cotton Australia's grower advisory panels to help determine future research priorities.
The Forum is the first step in CRDC's procurement process for the 2018-19 funding round, and helps to clarify the key research priorities and needs of the industry.
During the Forum, delegates narrowed down the top priorities for the industry and will now develop guidelines for researchers and issue a call for research proposals.
It’s the start of our annual process of investing in RD&E for the benefit of the cotton industry.
The Forum also provided an opportunity for growers to contribute to the development of CRDC’s next Strategic Plan. The current plan concludes in June 2018, with a new five-year plan to cover 2018-2023 scheduled to commence next July.
CRDC will be actively seeking additional grower feedback as the plan develops.
For more on the CRDC investments for the 2017-18 year, and the RD&E priorities for the 2018-19 year, visit www.crdc.com.au
