Cotton Australia

The Australian cotton industry, in a partnership with the Australian Government, has been a long-term investor in research that has delivered significant benefits to growers, rural communities and Australia.

Australian cotton growers pay a compulsory research levy of $2.25 per bale of cotton they produce which is matched by the Australian Government.

This research investment has resulted in the Australian cotton industry being recognised as world leaders in the adoption of technology, innovation, environmental management and the production of premium quality cotton.

The Australian cotton industry has identified the connections between improved productivity, natural resource management and addressing climate change.  For example, research and development is actively seeking ways to further improve water, fertiliser and energy use efficiency at the same time as reducing greenhouse emissions.

The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) invested over $13.3 million in research projects in 2011/12 and expects to invest $16.2 million in 2012/13 across four main research programs: farming systems, biosecurity, value chain and human capacity. The Corporation has increased its R&D investments by 100% over the two years since the end of the drought.

The cotton industry’s R&D programs aim to increase crop yields, improve fibre quality, improve irrigation and water use efficiency, promote productivity and innovation, provide research information on salinity, river health, and groundwater and enhance biodiversity.  More recently are efforts to better understand the requirements of our international markets and to attract and retain a skilled workforce.

The research effort also supports the development of sustainable production practices, the stewardship of agricultural chemicals and biotechnology and the industry’s environmental program, myBMP.

The Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO’s) cotton breeding program has played a major role in ensuring Australian cotton growers remain world leaders in cotton yield and quality.  New varieties are researched and tested to increase yield, use less water, reduce the need for chemicals and be resistant to diseases.

The cotton R&D effort is largely driven by cotton growers.  Cotton Australia provides advice to the CRDC on research projects funded by the Cotton R&D levy so that outcomes are relevant and practical at farm and industry level.

Over the life of the Cotton, Catchment, Communities Cooperative Research Centre, 428 research and extension projects involving over 1000 people were managed. (source: Weaving a Future, Seven Years of Cooperative Research Report, 2012)