Growers’ role in cotton industry biosecurity
Q&A with Doug McCollum, Cotton Australia Biosecurity Policy Officer
Doug McCollum, Cotton Australia’s Biosecurity Policy Officer, answers questions about biosecurity threats and the measures in place to protect the Australian cotton industry. He also discusses how growers can contribute to safeguarding the industry and encouraging them to register for the upcoming 'Cotton Guardians' workshop.
What are some of the pests and diseases threatening Australian cotton?
Australia’s cotton industry faces several high-priority pests identified by the Cotton Industry Biosecurity Reference Group. This group goes through a detailed process to assess factors like the likelihood of these pests reaching Australia and the potential impact they could have. Some of the top threats include the boll weevil, which has historically caused significant damage in the US and continues to be a major problem in Brazil. If it were to reach Australia, it would have a significant impact on our Integrated Pest Management.
Another serious threat comes from diseases such as Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt and Cotton Blue Disease. These exotic pathogens could potentially cause severe damage to our cotton crops. While it is important to identify potential pest threats, it is always possible for others to turn up unannounced. Which is why we need to be on the lookout for anything that looks out of place in our crops.
The cotton industry has been fortunate that we have not been impacted by any major incursions in recent years. Although we’ve been monitoring the Fall Armyworm since its detection, it seems cotton is not particularly vulnerable to it.
What plans are in place to manage biosecurity?
The Cotton Industry Biosecurity Plan is a strategic document primarily designed for decision-makers. It outlines which pests we need to keep an eye on and whether there’s a need to invest in research and development or other measures to support our biosecurity preparedness. This plan helps us prioritise pests and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the industry’s current biosecurity position.
National biosecurity planning involves managing risks before they reach our borders, at the border, and after they’ve crossed the border. It’s this post-border, on-farm role where growers need to get involved.
How can growers be more proactive or aware of biosecurity on the farm?
Every individual in the industry has a part to play in protecting against exotic threats. If you notice something unusual, your first stop should be your agronomist. Alternatively, you can report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. It’s always better to err on the side of caution because this enables us to potentially minimise the spread and respond rapidly if an exotic pest is detected.
In terms of getting better prepared, there are training and upskilling opportunities available. We’re running the Cotton Guardians workshop in Brisbane on the 11th and 12th of July. Cotton Australia is covering the costs for the training, as well as travel and accommodation for the event.
What will the Cotton Guardians workshop cover?
The workshop is a great opportunity for growers to brush up on their biosecurity knowledge. There will be a number of industry experts discussing what we need to look out for in terms of biosecurity threats. Representatives from Biosecurity Queensland will also be attending to advise on what would happen in the event of an emergency biosecurity response. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to contribute to developing strategies to increase biosecurity awareness across the cotton industry.
How can I attend the workshop?
Expressions of interest for attending the Cotton Guardians workshop are now open. You can register by visiting this link: Cotton Guardians Workshop Registration.
By attending the Cotton Guardians workshop, you’ll be better equipped to protect your crops and contribute to the overall biosecurity of Australia’s cotton industry. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn and connect with other growers and experts.
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The journey of cotton grower Nigel Burnett
Farming has always been in the blood of cotton grower...
A ‘lifeblood’: why cotton growers care for rivers
Ensuring rivers and waterways are healthy is front of mind...
Get To Know: Harriet Brickhill, Regional Manager – Southern NSW
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Get To Know: Craig Chandler, Regional Manager - Macquarie Valley
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Meet Joe Briggs – the cotton farmer on a fitness mission
Back in 2019, when Joe Briggs looked across his southern...
Cotton Matters - 1st July 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
How Australia’s cotton industry is a backbone of rural communities
Australian cotton growers have strong connections to their communities.
Get To Know: Alec Macintosh, Regional Manager - Northern NSW
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Matters - 17th June 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Cotton Young Achiever and Researcher of the Year announced
The 2021 winners of the prestigious Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher...
Get To Know: Sally Rigney, Regional Manager - St George, Dirranbandi, Mungindi
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Matters - 3rd June 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Get To Know: Cate Wild, Regional Manager - Border Rivers
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Get To Know: Janet Barker, Regional Manager – Darling Downs
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Matters - 20th May 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
New cotton industry podcast launched
Cotton Australia's From The Field podcast has launched.
Get To Know: Kelly Becker, Regional Manager – Dawson and Callide Valleys
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Get To Know: Renee Anderson, Regional Manager - Central Highlands
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Australia - 6th May 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Get To Know: Michael Murray, General Manager, Cotton Australia
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Matters - 22nd April 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Get To Know: Adam Kay, CEO, Cotton Australia
Get to know members of the Australian cotton industry.
Cotton Matters - 8th April 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Cotton Matters - 25th March 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Australia’s 2021 Cotton Grower of the Year and High Achiever of the Year announced
The Australian cotton industry’s top performers for 2021 have been...
Cotton Matters - 11th March 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Cotton Matters - 24th February 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
NSW growers enhance their drone skills thanks to training initiative
Cotton growers have learned about drones in agriculture.
City students discover Aussie cotton
Cotton Australia’s education team taught city-based students about the cotton...
Children’s brand Cotton On Kids becomes newest brand partner for Cotton Australia
Cotton On Kids has launched its first range of Australian...
Cotton Matters - 10th February 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Australian cotton tipped for second best year on record
Cotton Australia is forecasting the industry’s second largest crop on...
Cotton Matters - 28th January 2022
The latest news from Cotton Australia for the Australian cotton...
Register now: emerging leaders virtual ‘unconference’
All emerging leaders in our industry are encouraged to register...
Australian cotton industry update on flooding impact
A rolling update on the impact of recent floods on...
Environmental outcomes enhanced through grant funding
Ongoing soil and water testing at a cotton farm in...
Grant paves way for improved cotton soil health and strategic water use
With 520 hectares of irrigation country, Aaron Kiely is always...
Community cotton farm supporting local students
School students in north-west NSW are now better off thanks...
Grant helps boost cotton farm water efficiency and sustainability
A Fitzroy Basin Association grant has helped improve water efficiency...
Dawson Valley growers gather for Cotton Community Dinner
Queensland cotton growers connect at community dinner.
One Year On – Projects Have Improved Biodiversity in Australian Cotton Landscapes
Over the last 12 months a unique partnership between Landcare...
Irrigators forgo harvesting water to improve positive environment outcomes
NSW cotton farmers will lose one third of water they...
Far North Queensland cotton growers celebrate a successful season
More than 100 farmers, family and supporters have gathered for...
World Cotton Day One Year On - Life After China
Australia’s cotton industry has announced it has virtually sold out...
Different name, same objective for Better Cotton program
The brand name farmers, manufacturers and consumers have come to...
Natural disasters, global pandemic creates demand for Australian-made clothing
Country Road’s latest men’s t-shirt is a great Aussie collaboration...
Cotton grower uses solar power to boost farm efficiencies
In south-west Queensland, data is being collected in a bid...
Country Road homewares made from Aussie cotton fly off the shelves
Australian cotton homewares from Country Road have sold out just...
What the bunch: Darling Downs farmers find niche market for perfect cotton
Cotton bouquets grabbing the attention of florists.
Cotton industry careers in the spotlight at employment showcase
Cotton Australia advocated for our industry at a recent virtual...
Gladstone senior citizens group discovers Australian cotton
Gladstone residents have toured Australia’s cotton industry.
Cotton growers cut water use per bale by half
Latest research confirms that over 25 years cotton growers have...
Aussie cotton fields to shine on global fashion stage
All eyes will be on Australia’s cotton industry when a...
Second cotton biodiversity project site launched, with Country Road and Landcare partnership
The second stage of a biodiversity project has begun.
Bumper crop expected as cotton season kicks off in Emerald
The Australian cotton season is officially underway with growers in...
Nigel Burnett elected new Chair of Cotton Australia Board
The cotton industry’s peak grower body Cotton Australia (CA) has...
Natural fibre leaders: there’s something in the water at Dirranbandi
Dirranbandi is home to two of Australia's national natural fibre...
Major announcement: 2021 Australian Cotton Collective and Industry Awards
Cotton Australia announces the cancellation of the 2021 Australian Cotton...
Cotton Australia joins global organisation promoting sustainable fibres
Cotton Australia has become a member of Textile Exchange.
ELK The Label launches Aussie cotton tee
An ethical Australian fashion brand has launched its first Australian...
Tree planting continues at the Kahl’s family farm
A second round of revegetation has been completed.
Willow and Claude film that follows cotton journey launched
A unique partnership has culminated in the launch of a...
Cotton Australia joins Textile Waste Round Table
Cotton Australia recently participated in a textile waste round table.
Register now for Sustainable Spray Practices Workshop
Growers in central Queensland are eligible for a new training...
Ground breaking trial returning cotton textile waste to cotton fields launched in Goondiwindi
Ground breaking trial underway testing if cotton products can offer...
Australian cotton industry places itself under the microscope
The Australian cotton industry has opened its doors to stakeholders...
North Queensland farm tour highlights growing interest in cotton production
North Queensland may become Australia’s latest cotton farming hot spot...
Bank-less systems helping cotton irrigators be more water efficient
There is a feeling of excitement among cotton growers in...
N-Drip irrigation system boosting water efficiency
A new water efficient irrigation system has become a permanent...
Darling Downs grower achieves best practice success
For Darling Downs cotton grower Howard Rother, attaining certification in...
Hit-and-miss rain for Darling Downs cotton growers
The dry weather on the Darling Downs is having an...
Theodore school students discover local cotton industry
School students visit a local cotton farm.
Australian Cotton Industry Awards back in 2021
Australian cotton growers will celebrate the best achievements of the...
Junee school students tour southern NSW cotton industry
A group of students have toured a cotton farm and...
Theodore students study natural qualities of cotton
Primary students in central Queensland have discovered the natural qualities...
Students tackle textile waste issue at Hackathon
Students from across New South Wales have gathered to learn...
Emerald teachers discover Australian cotton
Central Highlands teachers gain hands-on cotton knowledge.
2021 Australian Cotton Conference postponed
Cotton Australia and ACSA have decided to postpone the Australian...
Trenery launches Australian cotton sweat range
A new range of Aussie cotton products have hit the...
Dawson Valley cotton growers learning from each other
Cotton growers in Queensland’s Dawson Valley have joined together to...
Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program participants announced
The Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program participants have been announced.
Cotton growers launch conservation project to boost native parrot habitat
Cotton growers in southern NSW are working to protect native...
Cotton growers connect with schools virtually for National Ag Day
Students ask cotton growers questions in virtual Q&A session...
Cotton industry and regional council supporting local schools
Schools in Narrabri have received donations from a local farm.
From cotton scrubs to cotton fields: Tamara Uebergang’s journey from nurse to farmer
How Tamara Uebergang went from a hospital ward to a...
Driving while tired a huge risk on cotton farms
Driving while tired can be a significant risk on a...
Rural people encouraged to seek mental health support on R U OK Day
Today, on R U OK Day, we are encouraged to...
Evie Watt wins Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Award with poem about cotton
A poem about cotton has won a major national award.
Coastal cotton: Maryborough farmer adds cotton to his crop mix
How cotton is being grown on Queensland's coast.
Young grower returns to family farm to start a new chapter
Next generation returning home to farm.
Growers encouraged to review WHS procedures during National Farm Safety Week
Growers are reminded to ensure safety on farm
How sport binds cotton communities together
Why sport is important in cotton communities.
Follow Australian Cotton on Instagram
The Australian Cotton Instagram profile has launched.
Cotton Australia’s 2019-20 Annual Report released
Cotton Australia's achievements and activities have been documented in its...
Cotton Australia advocates for industry at NSW Independent Planning Commission
Cotton Australia presents at NSW Planning Commission hearing.
Cotton Australia meets federal Water Minister Keith Pitt
Cotton Australia advocated for our industry to federal Water Minister.
Cotton industry research featured on ABC Landline
Ground-breaking cotton research featured on national TV.
How cotton production has helped Matt Shephard’s business grow
An insight into the business decisions farmers make when choosing...
From Melbourne to Mungindi: Sam Heagney on growing cotton and being an online advocate
From Melbourne to Mungindi: Sam Heagney's life in cotton
Advice for bringing contractors on farm during COVID-19 pandemic
What to consider when bringing contractors on farm during COVID-1...
Sky’s the limit: cotton grower Gavin Dal Broi optimistic about the industry’s future
Gavin Dal Broi reflects on southern NSW's growing cotton industry.
How a birthday party led to a life in cotton
Meet cotton grower Rachael Austin and discover how she approaches...
‘Like a big family’: one grower’s story of being part of the cotton industry
Grower Nick Beer explains why cotton is an industry he...
COVID-19 update from Cotton Australia
An update on Cotton Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian cotton industry opens its doors for community engagement day
No topic was off limit as the Australian cotton industry...
Future Cotton Leaders Program launched
Applications have opened for the 2020 Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program.
Cotton education team building new connections
Boosting cotton education achieving results.
Identification of fall armyworm in Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula
The exotic pest fall armyworm has been detected for the...
Nominations open for 2020 Australian Cotton Industry Awards
Australian Cotton Industry Awards nominations open.
Cotton returns to Brisbane Valley for the first time in 60 years
Mixed operations farmer turns to cotton.
Queensland growers encouraged to consider employer support payment program
Growers in Queensland encouraged to learn more about the Back...
More fashion brands choosing Aussie cotton
Brand Love thy Farmer is choosing Aussie cotton.
Growers advised to heed spray drift advice after recent rain
After recent rain, growers may need to undertake spraying.
Cotton Australia advocates for industry at national forum
Boosting understanding of food and fibre origins discussed at ag...
NSW growers encouraged to register for upcoming training
New training courses are being held in Moree and Narrabri.
Cotton Australia presents at agricultural teachers’ conference
Industry seminar and gin tour held for agriculture teachers.
CGA Windows for Silverleaf Whitefly announced
Windows for applying pyriproxyfen have been announced.
School students learn about cotton at Moo Baa Munch
Hundreds of students learned about the Australian cotton industry at...
Sussan launches new range of Australian cotton products
Last week marked the start of another brand partnership between...
Cotton Australia represented at Asia-Pacific Sustainable Fashion Roundtable
Cotton Australia’s last week joined a group of fashion and...
New Directors join Cotton Australia's Board
The Cotton Australia Board met in Griffith this week for...
Prevent spray drift with new crop mapping technology: SataCrop
Cotton Australia is excited to announce a new era in...
Cotton Australia holds valuable meeting with Queensland Premier
Senior members of Cotton Australia were pleased to meet with...
Ritemate Workwear launches Australian cotton range
For the first time, Australian cotton growers will be able...
