AUTUMN 2021 Revolutionaries: bringing innovators to stamp out spray drift Native tree planting using drones A new era in pest detection arrives ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
AUTUMN 2021
Revolutionaries:
bringing innovators to
stamp out spray drift
Native tree planting
using drones
A new era in pest
detection arrives
In the Spotlight
Welcome again readers as we turn our Spotlight on 2021.
While 2020 threw some interesting challenges our way, the work continues at CRDC and
with our partners, as you’ll see through the pages of this edition.
Firstly, we’re making new inroads, tapping into innovators and problem solvers
through new initiatives including the research and development corporation
collaboration Agricultural Innovation Australia, and the Federal Government’s Business
Research and Innovation Initiative. We’re excited to be a part of both these initiatives. We’ll
take a look at these programs in detail in this edition, while in our next edition, Winter 2021,
Ian Taylor we’ll dive deep into how CRDC is driving innovation. Stay tuned!
Also in this edition, we include several articles on innovative technologies that CRDC
is investing in as they come to the field. These exciting developments include a new pest
detection app, which will change the way we monitor insects, and new yield prediction
software. CRDC has not only supported the development of the software, it has supported
much of the foundational research which drives the technology. We were also pleased to
collaborate with CSIRO’s Data61 on the On Farm Experiment app, using data through a
CRDC Grassroots Grant. Once released, this will be a game changer for growers wanting to
do on-farm trials.
These applications are reflective of two of our key focuses for 2021 – increased
commercialisation and digital transformation. CRDC and our research partners are currently
seeking partners to take these technologies to the commercialisation phase: the next step
towards ensuring real, tangible benefits for growers and industry.
The use of drones to revegetate cotton farms is another example of our goal of
delivering impact via innovation: this time for the improvement of biodiversity and
sustainability.
Sustainability continues to be an overarching priority for CRDC and the wider industry
in 2021. In conjunction with Cotton Australia, this year the Sustainability Working Group will
be working to finalise the PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. sustainability targets. Sustainability
expert Chris Cosgrove has been assisting with this process: in this edition he shares
with us what the targets means for the cotton industry, and why it is important we work
collectively to achieve them. I encourage all readers to read the 2019 Sustainability Report
(available on our website). After all, at its core, sustainability is about staying in business.
Finally, in this edition, we bring you the latest research on a new disease – a new strain
of wilt we hadn’t seen before. Our pathologists have been kept busy studying the cause
and origin of the disease, known as reoccurring wilt, through support from CRDC. We will
be bringing you more on this disease as it comes to light.
For now, we hope you enjoy the read.
Ian Taylor
CRDC Executive Director
2 SPOTLIGHT
CONTENTS
Autumn 2021
8
Spotlight is brought to you by
Australia’s cotton producers and MELANIE JENSON
the Australian Government through
the publisher Cotton Research &
Development Corporation (CRDC).
CRDC is a research and development
partnership between the Australian
cotton industry and the Australian
Government.
Cotton Research and
Development Corporation
ABN: 71 054 238 316
Our vision: A globally competitive and
responsible cotton industry.
16
FEATURES
Our mission: To invest in RD&E for
the world-leading Australian cotton
ON THE COVER: Solving the issue
industry. of spray drift is one of the cotton
industry’s wicked problems, leading
Postal Address: to innovative new ways to tackle it.
PO Box 282, Narrabri NSW 2390
Offices: 2 Lloyd Street,
Narrabri NSW 2390 ON THE COVER
Tel: 02 6792 4088
Fax: 02 6792 4400 Want to see more aving the way for innovation
P 5
Email: spotlight@crdc.com.au
Web: www.crdc.com.au of Spotlight? Drones fly into revegetation game 16
Communications Manager/Editor: New era in pest detection 22
Ruth Redfern This edition can be viewed
Editorial co-ordinator: online at: www.crdc.com.au
Melanie Jenson Running on-farm experiments about to get a whole
Editorial Contributors:
lot easier 10
Melanie Jenson, Ruth Redfern,
Chris Cosgrove, Jon Welsh. COTTON NEWS Record samples sent for disease diagnosis 11
Design: Deacon Design
Another word for ‘good business’ 12
© CRDC 2021
This work is copyright protected. Apart from
4 Be alert to suspect Drones fly into revegetation game 16
any use permitted under the Copyright Act
1968, no part may be reproduced by any
symptoms Benefits of soil fungi in revegetating old fields 18
process without the written permission of 4 Conference committee Taking care of the future 19
the editor.
looks to 2022 Making wellbeing an industry priority 20
Disclaimer and Warnings
CRDC accepts no responsibility for the 5 New innovation company Leading causes of on-farm injury: tractors and quads 21
accuracy or completeness of any material
contained in this publication. CRDC ramps up Information hub makeover 23
disclaims all liability to any person in respect
of anything and of the consequences of 6 Creating opportunities in
anything done or omitted to be done by Crop Consultants push ahead with face-to-face
any such person in reliance, whether wholly the North
or partly, on any information contained in events in 2021 23
this publication. If you intend to rely on 7 Improving yield prediction
information provided in this publication Attracted to building a better industry:
you should rely on your own appropriate field by field
moth busting with Magnet 24
professional advice. Material included in
this publication is made available on the 8 Giving back to growers at
Sero-X approved for Verticillium management 27
understanding CRDC is not providing
professional advice. CRDC, the topic
grassroots
Understanding the economic potential of robots 28
authors and their organisations accept
no responsibility or liability for any loss
8 When is water too dear?
or damage caused by reliance on the 9 Southern growers get the Keeping soil health on the level 31
information, management approaches or
recommendations in this publication. goods from grassroots Know your soil before you dig 33
Trademarks acknowledgement The Madden-Julian Oscillation – why we need to keep
Where trade names or products and
equipment are used, no endorsement is it close 34
intended nor is criticism of products not
mentioned.
AUTUMN 2021 3
We’re going to have to wait for the industry’s most anticipated catch-up for another year.
Conference committee
Be alert to
suspect looks to 2022
symptoms IN light of continuing uncertainty due to COVID-19, Cotton Australia and the
Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) have decided to postpone the
COTTON pathologist Duy Le works Australian Cotton Conference until August 2022.
for NSW DPI at the Australian Cotton Conference chair Fleur Anderson said the boards of both organisations met
Research Institute near Narrabri. in February to make the final difficult decision to postpone the event.
Duy leads the CRDC-supported “The decision not to run this year came down to two key reasons: the significant
project to evaluate efficacy of novel financial risk exposure to both not-for-profit organisations and uncertainty about
chemistries, biocontrol agents and the type and quality of event that could be conducted, given the restrictions
management practices to control currently and possibly in place,” Fleur said.
alternaria and black root rot in cotton. “This was a very difficult decision and it’s made us realise just how important
The annual disease surveys in and valuable the cotton conference is to our industry.
NSW are also a part of Duy’s role “However the current climate we’re living with – border closures, hot spots,
as a pathologist. He said the newly social distancing, venue restrictions, caps on numbers, international and inter-
discovered reoccurring wilt was found state travel limits and lockdowns that can occur at any moment – has meant the
in two cotton fields in NSW this season. risk is too great that the conference may not go ahead or be severely limited in
“The presence of this disease in two some way.”
new locations and taking into account The committee hope that by August 2022 the COVID-19 vaccine program
we inspect only a sample of fields will be in place, borders will be open, international travel may have resumed and
across NSW – tells us that knowledge they can put on the calibre of event that delegates, sponsors and exhibitors have
about the disease epidemiology is still come to expect.
limited and the disease can occur in “No-one is more disappointed than Cotton Australia, ACSA, the Cotton
any field,” Duy said. Conference Committee and our contractors that work very hard to put on a great
“I would strongly advise crop show every two years,” Fleur said.
managers to closely monitor the crop “The boards are currently considering some smaller, regional events for this
and send any suspect plants for testing. year that would take the place of conference, so that we may still come together
“CRDC is supporting this diagnostic as an industry.”
service, and it has been integral in
our work to identify this pathogen For more
and in our ongoing research to define www.australiancottonconference.com.au
management and long-term effects.
“Our pathology teams really need
to know where this pathogen is to
identify how it may have evolved and
how it spreads.”
See articles on page 11 for more.
4 SPOTLIGHT
COTTON NEWS
Paving the way for innovation
INNOVATORS across Australia have Technology Karen Andrews said this
answered the call to help solve one of initiative is giving Australian businesses
broadacre agriculture and the cotton with clever ideas the opportunity to
industry’s most persisting challenges – develop them further, with the potential
how to stop drift. of creating products that will benefit the
Australian start-ups and small community and the Australian economy.
businesses answered the call from “This is another good example of the
the Australian Government’s Business Government working with businesses
Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) to develop solutions to important
which supports early-stage development challenges,” the Minister said.
of solutions to challenges put forward by developed the challenge application “We had a record 220 applications
government agencies – including Research for BRII and says the six innovative for this BRII round, showing how
and Development Corporations (RDCs). businesses bring a diverse range of ideas competitive the process is – and
One of these challenges, successfully to the table. competition produces results.”
submitted and now managed by CRDC is “We put out a challenge to find new In addition to the spray application
‘Is it possible to revolutionise agricultural approaches with innovative technology challenge proposed by CRDC, four other
spray application?’ solutions to improve applicator capacity challenges have been funded under this
Six successful applicants were and reduce spray drift,” Susan said. BRII round. GRDC was successful with its
announced in January, each receiving a “We are seeing applications ranging challenge of ‘Turning farm crops into a
grant of up to $100,000 to further develop from brand new technology to a focus on renewable hydrogen source’. One of the
their ideas and test feasibility. The most the effect of water quality, and we’re really firms involved is a Queensland renewable
successful may be eligible for a grant of excited to see what has emerged from the energy start-up which will test the
up to $1 million to develop a prototype or three-month feasibility and testing period, feasibility of using grain crop residues to
proof of concept. which is just finishing. manufacture hydrogen and biochar.
The successful innovators are: “It’s such a novel way to find solutions Other successful BRII challenges
Advanced Agricultural Systems Pty Ltd; to industry issues that can affect us at are turning office trash into energy
Bard AI Pty Ltd, Interlate Management, many levels. treasure; counting fish using advanced
LX Design House Pty Limited Services “It opens up a whole new group technologies; and automating the
Pty Ltd, Spray Safe & Save Pty Ltd and of people, and we’re also tapping into detection of whales at sea.
Teknomika Pty Ltd. Together they will innovations that are already in existence,
share in $587,297 funding through the modifying and applying them to our For more
government’s initiative. unique issues.” www.business.gov.au/BRII
CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas Minister for Industry, Science and
New innovation company ramps up
CRDC is looking forward to working and two directors to the inaugural board. “The biggest productivity gains will
more closely with other agricultural Bernie Brookes (chair), Dr Anne Astin come from long-term, transformational
industries to drive innovation, through and Heather Stacy bring experience from R&D, which will be a focus of AIA’s
the newly formed Agricultural Innovation across government, private and industry investments in research and innovation.
Australia Ltd (AIA). sectors. “AIA will also seek co-investors,
The organisation was formalised in Minister for Agriculture, Drought and including from the private sector, for its
October 2020, with CRDC and its fellow Emergency Management the Hon. David research and innovation investments to
Research and Development Corporations Littleproud MP said this is an exciting deliver even greater impact for Australian
(RDCs) to create a new not-for-profit next step as the board ramps up to agriculture.”
company to drive cross-sectoral research, drive unprecedented collaboration and AIA will be managed by an
leverage private sector investment and coordination of investment in agricultural independent, skills-based Board,
target transformational innovation. innovation this year. and invest in strategies that address
Australia’s agriculture industry is “AIA is an element of the Australian shared challenges and opportunities to
world class, due in part to efforts of the Government’s new National Agricultural deliver transformative outcomes for the
RDCs, but facing increasingly complex Innovation Agenda, contributing to agriculture sector.
challenges require new approaches, Delivering Ag2030,” the Minister said.
new ways of working and new strategic “Innovation is the key to enabling For more
responses. Australian agriculture to meet its target of www.aginnovationaustralia.com.au
In February, AIA appointed the chair becoming a $100 billion sector by 2030.
AUTUMN 2021 5
Creating opportunities in the North
COLLABORATION on RD&E and building
capacity will be a priority as Northern
Australia moves forward to develop
broadacre cropping industries.
CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas
and Grains Research and Development
Corporation (GRDC) North’s Senior
Regional Manager Gillian Meppem met
with the Cooperative Research Centre for
Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA)
staff at their head office in Townsville to
discuss progress on current and potential
future collaborations. The partnership has
so far co-invested more than $2.4 million
in cropping projects across Northern
Australia to test the viability of these crops
in topical northern regions. GRDC has
co-invested in four broadacre cropping
projects, three of which are in Far North
Queensland, while the fourth includes
additional investment with the CRDC in the
Northern Territory.
“For a thriving broadacre cropping In Townsville to talk all thing Northern were CRCNA’s Queensland project manager Dr Ian Biggs,
industry to be maintained, we need to CRDC’s Susan Maas, GRDC’s Gillian Meppem and CRCNA CEO Jed Matz.
develop integrated farming systems
that are sustainable and flexible to the North, developing capacity to support researchers, growers and investors.
variability of the tropical environment,” both industries would be an option, for “In building these projects we ensured
Susan said. example.” a critical component was information
“This meeting showed that there The CRCNA State of the North 2020 sharing across each of the projects,” he
continues to be strong support for report, released at the Developing said.
collaboration and we are working with Northern Australia conference in “We wanted to ensure the teams were
the CRCNA who are well positioned to Rockhampton last November, highlighted sharing knowledge about what works
connect the different sectors in the North.” both the enormous potential for the well and what does not work and how
The need for increased human development of broadacre cropping challenges have been resolved.
capacity to support a thriving broadacre across northern Australia as well as key “This was important because this
cropping industry including cotton and challenges. goes to the heart of capacity building and
grains was high on the agenda at the CRDC will be working with the CRCNA ensuring local growers have relevant, real-
meeting. to develop future opportunities based time data and information to inform their
“We are talking about capacity on the identified solutions from the future decisions and business planning.”
across the supply chain – from RD&E to report. Opportunities include developing The CRCNA is supported by
agronomy and processing – and in the integrated farming systems with a focus funding from the Australian Government
early stages of an industry in a new region, on profitable business models, rather than Department of Industry, Science, Energy
there just aren’t the experienced or skilled a commodity. and Resources and the Cooperative
people there to fill these needs,” Susan The report also identified post-farm Research Centre Program, along with
said. gate processing development linked to the Western Australian, Queensland and
“The take-away from the meeting integrated farm enterprises, for example, Northern Territory Governments.
was that we should address this together. a regional cotton gin supplying seed to
“If people with experience in cotton cattle enterprises, or including sorghum For more
and grains are at a premium in the as a source of cattle feed, either as grain State of the North 2020 report:
post-farm gate into cattle feedlots, silage www.crcna.com.au/resources/
or in processed form.
“Ensuring local growers CRCNA CEO Jed Matz said the
publications/state-north-2020
Susan Maas
have relevant, realtime collaborations between the CRDC, GRDC susan.maas@crdc.com.au
data and information...” and the CRCNA highlight the importance
of regionally-based trials which build
the knowledge and confidence of
6 SPOTLIGHT
COTTON NEWS
Improving yield
prediction field
by field
IN-SEASON yield prediction potentially
enables improved agronomic
management and planning for the sale
of crops and insurance contracts. Yield is
generally estimated using rules of thumb
and manual boll counts.
Existing approaches for automated
yield prediction typically involve linking
multi-spectral satellite images of the field
with in-season weather conditions and
historical yield measurements. However,
the relationship between spectral
response and yield are site and season-
specific and significant data collection
and model development are required to
identify relationships for each variety of
cotton and soil type.
USQ’s Alison McCarthy has been working with the cotton industry to improve yield prediction software.
According to Dr Alison McCarthy from
the University of Southern Queensland
(USQ), there is potential to improve yield part of its Rural R&D for Profit program. In the 2018-19 Goondiwindi trial, yield
prediction by using crop production VARIwise has been evaluated at a prediction errors were 8.7 percent in
models, calibrated using available field Darling Downs site to identify the most February, 5.9 in March, 7.1 in April and 2.6
data, and infield imagery to provide more influential parameters on yield prediction in May. The prediction errors at Griffith
detailed crop features over satellite accuracy. Parameters evaluated included were higher in the 2018-19 season than
imagery. The software VARIwise has been weather and soil property data sources, the 2017-18 season because the sites
developed to combine in-season imagery and frequency and timing of machine experienced hail and heat stress that
with crop production models to provide vision data collection for plant feature were not currently represented within the
yield prediction throughout the season. tracking. This comparison indicated that VARIwise crop model.
UAV or infield camera imagery is collected in-field soil data was more important Further trials are underway to refine
for each management zone as identified than on-farm weather data, and that the the yield prediction approach using a
from vegetation index surveys, yield maps accuracy improved as the machine vision new crop production model developed
or satellite images. capture frequency increased and the from weather data, satellite imagery
This research is being conducted by season progressed. and crop growth assessments that can
Alison as a part of the Smarter Irrigation Evaluations were conducted at one be automated with machine vision. This
for Profit Phase 2 project, led by CRDC site in Goondiwindi and 16 sites in Griffith will reduce the calibration requirements
and supported by funding from the in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons in of the existing crop production model.
Australian Government Department of collaboration with the CottonInfo team. In addition, the USQ research team
Agriculture, Water and the Environment as Phantom 4 UAV imagery was collected is working with CRDC to develop a
every two to four weeks at each site commercialisation strategy for the
between January and harvest to calibrate research.
the crop model. The sites had varying
levels of fruit removal, hail damage and For more
heat stress. Alison McCarthy
In the 2017-18 Griffith trial, yield alison.mccarthy@usq.edu.au
prediction errors against final yields were
10.2 percent in January, six percent in
February, 2.5 percent in March, and 0.5
percent at picking. In the 2018-19 Griffith
The software VARIwise has been developed trial the errors were 18.8 percent in
that combines in-season imagery with crop
production models to provide yield prediction January, 4.9 in February, 9.5 in March, and
throughout the season. 10.1 percent at picking.
AUTUMN 2021 7
Consultant Emma Ayliffe
worked with the SVCGA to
enhance their knowledge via a
Grassroots Grant.
Giving back to growers at grassroots
CRDC has announced six 2020-21 grants,” Allan said. July 1, and are reviewed on a first-come
Grassroots Grants recipients, with “Programs undertaken through the first-serve basis, so now is the time to
initiatives in store for cotton communities grants can help identify broader issues get thinking about a project! Applications
from the Northern Territory to the most and needs of growers. close November 30 or when funds have
southern valleys. “The ability to create regionally- been allocated. Interested applicants
Included are crops tours for growers specific value is key. must read the program’s Guidelines
to different regions, including the Northern “No two growing areas are entirely for Applicants and return a completed
Territory, along with helping growers and the same: the topography, climate, water Application Form to CRDC via
farms become digitally ready. delivery, resistance management plans, research@crdc.com.au. Applications should
Grants of up to $10,000 are infrastructure, insect pressure, disease include a timeline, accurate costings, the
available to cotton grower associations status, soil type, and season length all likely learning outcomes, and the overall
(CGAs), which are designed to create vary, sometimes more widely than others. benefits of the project for the industry.
and drive relevant small projects. It’s “Grassroots Grants offers a way to
been a successful initiative for CRDC, address the regional uniqueness of issues For more:
with R&D General Manager Allan and strengths. www.crdc.com.au/for-growers/
Williams encouraging CGAs to continue “We’ve even seen grant projects lead community-grower-support
to get on board. to larger projects or successful funding
“We continue to see value for applications for further research.”
growers being generated from these Applications open annually on
When is water too dear?
SOUTHERN Valley Cotton Growers environment and when water prices are an interesting study but unfortunately
Association (SVCGA) also applied to high. Former industry researcher Steve the results were affected by significant
the CRDC Grassroots Grants program Buster undertook final irrigation trials in rainfall in early March, and the eastern
for funding to build knowledge and the 2018–19 cotton season, which the sites showed no significant differences in
answer questions about the return on CGA felt was critical to continue in order yield,” Emma said.
investment on water at different price to improve southern cotton farming “However, there are key take home
points, and the impact of final irrigations systems. messages from the second year of this
on yield. The experiments were undertaken by trial.”
The growers wanted to understand consultant Emma Ayliffe. Emma found that cutting out
the return on investment for extra water, “The return on investment of the final irrigations in early February is yield
in the context of the southern growing irrigation in the 2019–20 season was limiting, even in a cooler wetter finish.
8 SPOTLIGHT
COTTON NEWS
Southern growers get the goods from grassroots
GRASSROOTS grants are once again
MELANIE JENSON
providing cotton growers with valuable
tools to sustain their businesses.
Southern Valley Cotton Growers
Association (SVCGA) in partnership
with the Irrigation Research & Extension
Committee (IREC) have received funding
through CRDC’s Grassroots Grant program
to help members improve their digital
readiness and capability across on-farm
technology, computing and software.
The funding is enabling SVCGA to
offer the two-part project to 25 growers,
including a one-on-one farm visit from an
ag tech expert, and attendance at a full
day workshop.
During the two-hour farm visit, the
expert will make sure all software is
updated and ensure the office set-up
is correct and so geared for maximum
efficiency. This farm visit also includes a
machine audit to identify what machinery
and implements are used as well as the
associated screens. Grassroots Grants can address regionally-specific issues. The Southern Valley CGA wanted to know
During the workshop, activities include more about the economics of buying water to finish crops, according to SVCGA chair Paul Cleton.
data standardisation, as well as learning
and performing the steps to capture, store farm visit from the ag tech expert. on a number of projects in the past. This is
and share ag data collected from various “We found the farm visit really useful,” the second Grassroots Grant that SVCGA
sources such as MyJohnDeere and spray Julie said. and IREC have delivered.
rig software. “We learned about different options “These Grassroots Grants are just
SVCGA chair Paul Cleton said this for technology, which can be used to fantastic. They empower our CGA and
was also an opportunity for growers to improve decision making in our business. enable us to implement locally relevant
share learnings, failures and successes “It was very beneficial and the projects which benefit all cotton growers
with others. consultant was really professional.” in our region,” Iva said.
“We all create a vast amount of IREC Executive Officer Iva Quarisa
data from our farms and this project will said this is a fantastic opportunity for For more
ensure we are set up to capture, store cotton growers to take the first step in Iva Quarisa
and use this data correctly,” he said. making the most of their ag data and iva@irec.org.au
Growers Julie and Dave Bellato are making sure they are set up to succeed.
some of the first growers to undergo the SVCGA and IREC have collaborated
This finding is supported by results from was seen at the eastern-most sites (4 irrigation in mid-February) and cutting
both years of the trial. When the weather and 5). out one irrigation (final irrigation in
is cooler and trending towards damper, ♦♦ Site 4 had an estimated $88/bale early-March). So, if water is priced
there is no yield benefit in continuing to discount at the grower standard $300/ML, 0.8 ML/ha applied would
irrigate into mid-March. Two sites had a (final irrigation in mid-March) and cost approximately $240. The yield
slightly inverse trend of more irrigation no discount when there were two increase of six percent on a 10 bale/
resulting in a slightly lower yield. Other less irrigations (final irrigation in ha crop, assuming lint price at $600,
key findings were: mid-February). would result in a return of $360/ha.
♦♦ Final irrigations when coupled with ♦♦ A final irrigation in early March can
significant rain events produce poorer result in a positive return on the For more
quality fibre. investment in extra water. Site 1 saw Emma Ayliffe
♦♦ An inverse relationship between the a six percent yield increase between emma.ayliffe@summitag.com.au
number of irrigations and micronaire the cutting out two irrigations (final
AUTUMN 2021 9
Running on-farm experiments
about to get a whole lot easier
DATA collected through a CRDC and analyse the outcomes – without the
Grassroots Grant has aided CSIRO need for small plot experiments.
scientists developing a tool to make sure CSIRO’s Rose Brodrick is part of
growers’ on-farm trials are rigorous and the development team and says one of
useful. The data was collected through the challenges faced by farmers when The data growers collect can reliably be used to
a grant project with Southern Valley undertaking trials on their commercial make management decisions.
Cotton Growers Association (SVCGA). fields is the balance between practicality
Crop consultant Emma Ayliffe undertook and experimental rigour. Rose has run
the trials for SVCGA over two seasons, scientific on-farm experiments at ACRI and experimental design and therefore the
investigating the impact of timing of last in collaboration with cotton growers on result – one that isn’t so ‘random’, that
irrigations on profit and fibre quality in the private farms over many years as part of they can then base sound management
Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) region. her research with CSIRO. decisions around.”
The data from the trials helped “Farmers often want to test their own The data from SVCGA’s trials has been
CSIRO to test its On-Farm Experiment or others’ theories in on-farm trials, but invaluable.
(OFE) analysis tool under development they’ve said to me that sometimes they “When it comes to the analytics stage,
through CSIRO’s Digiscape Future Science feel there is not a high enough level of we can find there is not enough data or
Platform. The technology will help farmers certainty in their results,” Rose said. the right type of data,” says co-developer
tailor paddock-by-paddock management “Further to this, based on discussions Ross Darnell of CSIRO’s Data 61.
through on-farm experimentation and with growers through our association “CRDC and growers gave permission
analytics. It will allow farmers to explore with the SVCGA trial, we were sure that to use the data from the SVCGA trials as a
existing data and refine farm management building an app is something they’d find test for the tool, and this allowed us to test
questions, plan an operational farm-scale very useful and gives them and their with a real trial and real data – which are
experiment, implement that experiment consultants more confidence in the the type of collaborators we really need.”
“Farmers are always experimenting,”
Rose said.
The plethora of precision agriculture planted and management options,
“It was enjoyable talking to growers
technology in large farming systems, for example fertiliser applied) and the
and seeing how enthusiastic they are to
sensors, spatial layers and the different machinery used,” says Senior
look into on-farm experiments, so we are
availability of historical records Designer Martijn Mooij of Data61.
really excited about developing this app.
has enabled farmers to consider “The system will link external data
“It will help give users the steps to
running their own experiments sources to these visual interfaces for
design an experiment, as you can do
to answer questions about their farm planning and analytics.
very powerful experiments on-farm very
farming practices, specifically for “Farmers will be able to use
simply if you have the tools, which this
their fields. However collecting the software to explore existing
app provides.
large amounts of data generates data and refine farm management
“Importantly, it will help develop
its own problems. Turning data questions, plan an operational
experiments that don’t require a
into information to enable decision farm-scale experiment, implement
statistician from CSIRO to help with the
making requires a suite of analytical that experiment, and analyse the
analytics!”
tools and acceptable user interfaces. outcomes.
In particular, there is a lack of “Once completed, the data and
For more
technology that integrates information analytics will be fed back into the
Rose Brodrick
sources across the whole-of-farm software system and be available for
rose.brodrick@csiro.au
enterprise scale, with design, subsequent on-farm planning. These
implementation and evaluation of experiments will typically involve a https://research.csiro.au/digiscape/
farming plans. The OFE app aims to small number of treatments (such as
address this opportunity. variety x management options) and be
“We’re working on developing a simpler than complex field trials.”
prototype software system that will The app is in the protoype stage
represent different spatial scales (for and CSIRO is looking for partners that
example plots, blocks or paddocks), may be interested in helping deliver
different farmer actions (variety this concept to growers.
10 SPOTLIGHTCOTTON NEWS
Record samples sent for disease diagnosis
COTTON growers and consultants are key
to helping fight a new disease of cotton. Reoccurring wilt symptoms include:
Record numbers of plant samples
have been sent for disease testing since
a call to action was put out last season
with the discovery of a suspected new
wilt. Cotton pathologists have determined
the plants were affected by a newly
described disease they have named
reoccurring wilt. Research is ongoing
to identify the cause and pathogen of
reoccurring wilt, with plant samples sent
from the field integral to the success of
this work.
On behalf of the cotton industry,
CottonInfo’s biosecurity technical lead
Sharna Holman of QLD DAF thanked
growers and agronomists for their fantastic
response sending plant samples to cotton ■■ The odd plant or patches of plants that wilted and suddenly died with dead leaves
industry pathologists. usually remaining on the plant (above)
“These samples, in fields showing ■■ Reoccurring patches of dying plants getting larger over past seasons with no
suspected reoccurring wilt symptoms, will explanation for plant death eg seasonal conditions
assist with determining the potential extent ■■ Dying plants amongst healthy plants
of the issue across cotton growing regions,” ■■ Bronzing of leaves and petioles
Sharna said. ■■ Reddening of the roots and root decay, ie if plant is pulled out of the soil, the
“Following calls to action late last year to taproot snaps due to root decay
send in samples of diseased plants, we have
DUY LE
had record number of samples sent in this
season for disease diagnosis,” Sharna said.
“This great response not only helps
build our knowledge of reoccurring wilt, it
has also provided correct identification for
crop managers of endemic diseases such
as Verticillium and Fusarium wilt,” said QLD
DAF pathologist Dr Linda Smith, who is
leading the research.
“This is crucial information when
determining appropriate management
strategies to reduce the severity of those ■■ Stem cuts show profound gray, reddish vascular discoloration and often divided
diseases. into V-sections (images above)
“There is a lot of Fusarium wilt being ■■ Stem canker/lesions may be present
observed this season as a result of
conducive weather conditions (wet and cool).
“It has been seen earlier this season be ongoing, and Linda and the team contact your local state pathologist or
than previous seasons in NSW with severe will provide up-to-date information and CottonInfo REO to organise a collection
hot spots evident in some fields. details from the ongoing investigation as it for diagnostics.
“This is a reminder that we can’t be becomes available.
complacent about this disease and its “Our late season disease surveys will For more
management in seasons where we don’t give us greater insight into the extent to Duy Le
see external symptoms. which this disease is present cotton fields duy.le@dpi.nsw.gov.au
“The Fusarium wilt pathogen remains across regions,” Linda said. Linda Smith
viable in soils for a very long time, with the It is still important for growers and linda.smith@daf.qld.gov.au
potential to cause significant losses under agronomists to be on the lookout for any
conducive conditions where inoculum load suspicious reoccurring wilt symptoms in
is sufficient.” crops, as all stages of the crop appear
Research into reoccurring wilt will to be affected, and if seen, or unsure, to
AUTUMN 2021 11Another word for
‘good business’
Australian cotton growers have known for decades that in many ways,
‘sustainability’ is just good business. For example, compared to 1992, growing
a bale of irrigated cotton now takes 48 percent less water and 97 percent less
insecticide. Growing cotton with less water and insecticides is obviously good for
the business bottom line, but it also helps preserve the environment for the next
generation of cotton growers and protect the industry’s licence to operate. It’s a
win-win says Chris Cosgrove, who is assisting with the industry’s sustainability work.
12 SPOTLIGHTCOTTON INDUSTRY
Win-win outcomes are what the nine PLANET.
PEOPLE. PADDOCK. Sustainability Framework Sustainability for the Australian cotton
targets are aiming to achieve. That’s because industry means running profitable and efficient
sustainability is not a random list of nice things businesses while creating environmental,
to do. It manages what is important to customers economic and social value. It also means being
and other people outside the industry, and to the accountable to stakeholders for the industry’s
industry as a whole. If we do it well, we improve in actions and impacts.
the areas we know are important to the people our
industry relies on, and we gain real benefits as well.
In other words, sustainability isn’t just about markets, or opening new markets.
doing the right thing. It’s also about creating value It also reduces the risk of social licence impacts.
now, and handing the next generation thriving farms PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. involves talking to
and a successful industry. customers and others outside the industry about
what they expect of Australian cotton. It makes
Industry value sense that if we talk often and honestly to the
More and more, sustainability is a must-have people we rely on – like customers, potential
for customers of food and fibre; it’s just part of workers, or regulators – we will be more alert to
doing business. Levi Strauss, Country Road, IKEA risks (and opportunities). By showing we manage
and most other brands feature sustainability on what is important to them, we are more likely to
their website home page. For customers, showing have those people want to buy Australian cotton, or
we manage what is important to them and their want to work for us, or want to support us.
consumers helps keep Australian cotton a fibre of
choice. With other fibres strongly promoting their Direct grower value
own sustainability, this creates value from keeping By talking to people inside and outside the
AUTUMN 2021 13industry, we have identified nine areas we know are sustainability, without putting extra time or cost on
most important to all stakeholders. growers.
We are now setting five-year targets (for 2024 Proven programs such as myBMP, CottonInfo
and 2029) for these nine areas. and focused R&D will continue to drive industry
While the targets are important to people improvement across all farm operations. If
outside the industry, achieving them also has the monitoring of sustainability progress shows any of
potential for direct benefits to growers and the the target areas need to improve, more effort will be
industry. This is what the emerging five-year targets applied through these programs.
look like (see table below), and some of the ways Growers are simply asked to continue to use
they may create value for growers. these critical programs, and if needed, to rise to the
Of course, these benefits can only be gained challenge of improving performance in areas that
if the industry is serious about sustainability, has a benefit them and the entire industry.
plan to keep improving, and is transparent.
PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is our framework For more
to do this. Chris Cosgrove
Importantly for the industry, PLANET. PEOPLE. chris@sustenanceasia.com
PADDOCK aims to manage what’s important and
communicate progress on Australian cotton’s
PLANET PEOPLE PADDOCK
#1. WATER #6. WORKPLACE #8. PRODUCTIVITY
n D
raft 5-year target: 12.5% increase in n D
raft 5-year target: Zero fatalities. n D
raft 5-year target: 12.5%
water use efficiency. increase in irrigated cotton yield.
n D
raft 5-year target: 30% reduction
n P
otential value: increased climate in serious injuries. n P
otential value: increased
resilience and reduced input costs. innovation; quality and yield
Water costs were 20% of average n P
otential value: reduced time and maintained without increasing
expenses in 2018-19. cost from injuries. Injury claims were environmental impacts.
$3.4 million in 20181.
#2. PESTICIDES #9 PROFITABILITY
n D
raft target: Training and diversity
n D
raft 5-year target: 5% reduction in targets will be informed by national n D
raft 5-year target: Rate of
environmental impact. agriculture and cotton industry return for farms growing cotton
workplace strategies being is sufficient to support financially
n P
otential value: reduced input costs. developed in 2021. resilient businesses.
Chemical costs were 7% of average
expenses in 2018-19. n P
otential value: increased ability to n P
otential value: Ability to reinvest
find and keep workers, and train for in the business, increased financial
#3. CARBON FOOTPRINT the skills of the future. resilience.
#4. BIODIVERSITY #7. WELLBEING
#5. SOIL HEALTH n D
raft 5-year target: A coordinated NB: Targets are draft, and will be
cotton community wellbeing finalised in future months.
n D
raft 5-year target: Common metrics for
strategy developed with other
these are being developed with other
industry, government and
farm sectors. Targets will be set when
community stakeholders by 2024.
these are in place.
n P
otential value: increased quality
n P
otential value (carbon footprint):
of life.
increased soil health, reduced input
costs. Fertiliser, electricity and fuel were
19% of average expenses in 2018-19.
n P
otential value (biodiversity): reduced
input costs from less insecticides.
n P
otential value (soil health): increased
productivity, increased farm value,
increased climate resilience.
1 The median annual cost of cotton farm injury claims in the three years to 2018.
14 SPOTLIGHTCOTTON INDUSTRY
Summary of stakeholder
responses to draft
sustainability targets
More than 350 stakeholders inside and
outside the industry provided feedback on
draft targets in stakeholder consultation to
develop the PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK
Sustainability Framework.
Responses showed stakeholders are broadly
supportive of draft targets. In addition to this
broad endorsement of targets, a number of
other themes were evident in stakeholder
responses:
■■ The draft targets are bold, but they
should be. Falling short of an ambitious
target is viewed by most as better than
easily reaching an easy target, as long
as there is a genuine intent to reach the
target and people are kept informed of
actions being taken.
■■ Context is important. Data should be
reported at regional level where feasible,
as well as at industry scale. Complex
topics like water and pesticide use and the Central Queensland’s Ross Burnett (at right, with brother Nigel) is the grower
methodologies for measuring data also representative in the Sustainability Working Group.
need to be clearly explained so people He says while PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is setting some bold targets,
understand the issues, and how progress is the Australian cotton industry and its growers are well placed to achieve them.
being measured. “Stewardship of our industry is very important,” Ross said.
“From a grower’s perspective, it’s protecting our right to farm.”
■■ Collaborate. There are many opportunities Ross said it isn’t just customers and end users of Australian cotton looking
to leverage work inside and outside the for evidence of sustainability.
industry, and to coordinate with others to “Growers are at the forefront of this feeling too,” Ross said.
avoid duplication – other researchers, other “I think growers are always striving to do the best they can with the tools we
sectors, and other countries or industries. currently have.
The industry is doing this already, and will “Sustainability isn’t just about the environment, there’s also the people and
continue to do so. business elements and it all ties in together.
“Stepping up to meet these targets growers are not alone and will be fully
■■ Be credible. The data behind targets,
supported by industry RD&E and extension.
and the plan to achieve them, need to
“This might require some changes, but our businesses are always evolving
be credible. If we don’t yet have the right
over time: it is inevitable.
data to set targets and measure progress
“I think this framework implements change and creates opportunities,
– as is the case for some areas like
therefore improving how we currently farm and continue to be more
greenhouse gas emissions, soil health and
sustainable.
biodiversity – we should wait. This is what
“It’s for the next generations, to give them the opportunities to farm in a
we are doing. We are currently working
better environment – which is a sustainable one.”
with other industries in these areas, and
will finalise cotton industry targets when
this work is done.
AUTUMN 2021 15Drones fly into
revegetation game
Coleambally cotton
grower Bernard Star with
members of the Dendra
Systems team.
In an Australian first, large drones have been used
to broadcast native seed from the air as part of
pioneering revegetation trials underway on cotton
farms in the NSW Riverina.
Dr Rhiannon Smith from the University of New
England (UNE) is leading the research to compare
the effectiveness of different revegetation
techniques for germination and establishment, as
well as cost-effectiveness.
The research centres on revegetation to Rhiannon weighing the seed mixture, made up of twelve
establish native plant corridors in heavy clay soils different locally-collected native plant seeds before adding
in semi-arid regions, where cotton is mainly grown it to the drone for aerial broadcast. The seed mix included
acacias, eucalypts, and a combination of salt bushes.
in Australia.
Approximately 37 hectares of native tree
seedlings and seeds have already been planted at New Zealand, and the UK, and in Australia for mine
trial sites near Coleambally and Griffith, using three site rehabilitation.
different revegetation methods: tubestock seedling “Our research is comparing different
planting, direct seeding with a ute or tractor, and technologies for native revegetation in semi-arid
drone seeding. clay floodplains,” Rhiannon said.
As well as the Riverina sites, revegetation trials “It is exciting to investigate the use of drones
are also planned for the Namoi Valley. to aerially broadcast native seed on the ground
Overall, 75 hectares of field trials will be surface given its potential to cover large areas
established, and at each location alternating quickly at the optimum time for planting.
rows will be planted using the three different “Aerial seeding with large drones is cutting
revegetation methods. edge technology, and the machinery needs to be
UNE has partnered with international land carefully managed by professionals.
rehabilitation and biodiversity restoration experts, “At the Coleambally and Griffith sites, a pilot,
Dendra Systems for the drone plantings. The assistant pilot, and engineer helped us spread
seeding trials are the first-time drone technology locally-sourced native seed mix from the air using
has been used for revegetation in Australian cotton drones.
landscapes. Dendra has previously used drones “The drones were navigated along set paths
for reforestation projects in Canada, Myanmar, of distribution, carrying a payload of about 8 kg
16 SPOTLIGHTNATURAL RESOURCE MANAGMENT
of seed and bulking agent at a time. The seed
weight and flow levels were monitored to give
us the optimum planting density for the ground
distribution.
“Each flight was approximately six minutes,
covering a kilometre at a time, before returning to
base to replace the batteries and reload.”
Rhiannon says her research would assess the
germination success and cost-efficiency of this new
drone technology against more traditional tubestock
and direct seeding methods.
“These trials are all about assessing and
evaluating revegetation options to determine the pest control, carbon sequestration, prevention of
most efficient and cost-effective options for use in erosion, providing shade and shelter for stock, wind
cotton landscapes,” she said. breaks, and improved micro-climates.
“Using drones for revegetation in these heavy “Most cotton growers have areas on their farms
clay soils may have some practical advantages over that aren’t productive for crop production, and many
conventional direct approaches. More ground can are interested in making those parts available for
be covered faster with a minimal ground-based revegetation.”
footprint compared to that of seeding and planting The native revegetation trials are part of the
methods using tractors or utes. Cotton Landcare Tech Innovations 2021 project,
“Drone aerial seeding may also allow operators funded by CRDC and the National Landcare
to access proposed revegetation sites quickly Program, aiming to help Australian cotton better
after a flood or significant rainfall event, potentially report on and improve on-farm biodiversity.
increasing the success rate of using seed as The information garnered across the
opposed to tubestock.” revegetation trials will contribute to developing
As well as conducting the drone trials, UNE new and improved decision-making tools for
welcomed local cotton growers to observe and cotton growers to carry out revegetation projects
learn more about the new technology and the on their farms to strengthen biodiversity in cotton
process of revegetation. Twenty people attended landscapes.
the demonstration days with significant interest If you would like to learn more about the
shown in the drone equipment as a possible new revegetation trials, drone demonstrations, or
farm revegetation option. biodiversity and restoration opportunities on
“Growers have been loving these revegetation your farm, contact CRDC NRM R&D Manager
trials, and the large drones are capturing a lot of Stacey Vogel.
attention,” Rhiannon says.
“There are a range of reasons growers are For more
interested in farm revegetation, from biodiversity Stacey Vogel
benefits to building their social licence, and stacey.vogel@crdc.com.au
illustrating sustainability credentials.
“Revegetation confers broader benefits
through ecosystem service provision, like natural
Coleambally farm where we have participated in a outcomes will be using this new
cotton grower couple of native vegetation corridor technology.
Bernard Star projects, linking up the state forest and “If successful drones could be
offered a section natural waterways,” he said. useful by having less disturbance and
of his farm for “This trial site is on the edge of the being able to deliver straight after a big
the revegetation Coleambally Irrigation area. It is not rainfall event where we could really take
trials after very productive for cotton but could be advantage of the soil moisture.
seeing benefits valuable for revegetation to enhance “Trials such as this UNE one
from expanding the whole area. are really important to support and
ecological “We have previously carried out participate in, as ultimately they will
corridors. direct planting and seeding projects, but increase our options for plantings in
“We have taken part in a few I wanted to see the drone technology the future, and improve integrated pest
revegetation projects, including on this in action and see how effective the management options.”
AUTUMN 2021 17Benefits of soil fungi
in revegetating old
fields
A CRDC project with Griffith University investigated
what human and natural drivers impact ecosystem
function and the provision of ecosystem services,
in particular which management strategies best increase soil fungal diversity.
“Nevertheless, increased soil fungal diversity
promote and maintain ecosystem function and did promote seedling establishment by increasing
services. seedling biomass,” Reuben said.
“The drivers and mechanisms promoting soil
fungal diversity in this landscape, however, remain
The key outcomes were recently unknown.”
published in the handbook Managing This study demonstrates that soil fungi can play
riparian ecosystems for ecosystem a key role in successful revegetation of old fields in
services and biodiversity – a semi-arid floodplains. Further study is required to
handbook for the cotton industry. understand the underlying drivers and mechanisms
The handbook outlines the of soil fungal dynamics, an understanding of which
importance of riparian vegetation could contribute to the development of cost-
connectivity for native fauna’s survival effective methods for large-scale revegetation in
and its provision of ecosystem services these environments to benefit both biodiversity but
to farmers and the environment, such also landowners by restoring soil productivity.
as natural pest control provided by “Maintaining and improving the condition of
birds and microbats. The handbook is broken up biodiversity in cotton landscapes is essential to
into two parts. The first part synthesizes current maintaining the ecosystem services provided by
understanding of riparian ecosystems, their native vegetation such as riparian zones,” CRDC’s
functions, ecosystem services and the main factors R&D Manager Stacey Vogel said.
influencing these. The second part of the handbook “The Managing Riparian Ecosystems handbook
provides users with information concerning provides an important resource that improves our
management of riparian ecosystems including understanding of riparian ecosystems function
guidelines for monitoring and evaluating riparian and how management can influence its function
ecosystem management. and the delivery of ecosystem services to cotton
Griffith University Honours student Reuben de communities and farms.”
Cocq van Delwijnen’s work was also included in the
handbook. Reuben investigated the role of fungi For more
in revegetating retired cotton fields at sites used Stacey Vogel
by CRDC researchers in previous natural resource stacey.vogel@crdc.com.au
management and riparian projects.
Soil fungi are one important element of soil
health as they can assist plants with water and
nutrient uptake, especially when these are scarce,
however, very little is known about soil fungi,
especially in regard to their potential influence on
vegetation regrowth in semi-arid floodplains.
Reuben found that soil fungal communities
varied greatly between old fields and remnant
vegetation with more fungal species present in
remnant patches of vegetation compared to old
fields. The addition of local leaf litter to old field
soils in the short-term, however, did not directly
18 SPOTLIGHTYou can also read
