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a useful ‘to do list’ that automatically identifies those practices
required to complete the assessment.
A new feature of the myBMP system is that you can compare
your on-farm practices relative to the industry.
With the introduction of a web-based Grains BMP in
Queensland, cotton’s myBMP has the ability to cross reference
your BMP practices against one another, automatically populating
those practices that you have completed from one system to the
other.
Industry benefits
Jim says a myBMP program also exists for the benefits of
ginners and classers, offering similar best practice templates,
information storage, benchmarking facilities, compliance and
auditing procedures, and links to resources.
He says myBMP can also be continually updated to support the
latest research and resources developed by the industry. Recent
improvements to the myBMP system will remove impediments
to grower uptake, encouraging greater on-ground adoption of
sound environmental practices.
“Overall, myBMP gives the community confidence that the
industry is managing natural assets in an efficient and effective
manner. In addition, a new HR module has been added to ensure
a better workplace environment for employers and employees,
filtering through to the wider community.”
The 11 modules of myBMP
■■
Human Resources (best management practices for staff and
contractors);
■■
Energy and Greenhouse Gases (more efficient use of energy
inputs such as fuel and fertilisers);
■■
Fibre Quality (for growing the best quality cotton that you
can);
■■
Biotechnology (for GM cotton varieties);
■■
Pesticide Management (for all aspects of pesticide storage and
use);
■■
Integrated Pest Management (for weeds, pests and diseases);
■■
Water Management (covering water quality, efficiency of
storage and distribution as well as both dryland and irrigated
farming practices);
■■
Natural Assets (managing the vegetative and riparian assets on
your farm);
■■
Petrochemical Storage and Handling (for all aspects of
petrochemical storage and use on farm);
■■
Biosecurity (covering the avoidance, management and control
of pests and diseases); and,
■■
Soil Health (how to best look after one of your most important
assets).
The values of getting to accreditation
If a grower chooses to be myBMP accredited the process
is relatively simple. While this is not a compulsory part of the
program, some growers have used this to their best advantage.
Many report that going through the accreditation process
‘keeps them on track’ and pushes them to get those little jobs
done that have been on the ‘to do’ list for a while. Growers
who get accredited tend to report that they found the process
good for business, and nowhere near as onerous as they were
expecting!
Cotton Australia is also beginning to see some market
response to the myBMP cotton brand and its associated values,
particularly with retailers and brand owners. While this hasn’t
translated into a guaranteed premium price, it can provide
security and marketing opportunities to individual growers
keen to go down this path and set up relationships directly with
customers. From a traceability and accountability point of view,
accreditation is an essential part of any deal with customers
further down the cotton supply chain.
From a community perception point of view, the more growers
who are accredited the better. It’s one thing to demonstrate
practice changes on farm, but Cotton Australia finds that
audiences such as politicians and the media respond far better to
hard numbers of accredited growers and accredited hectares.
User flexibility
At the core of myBMP is the ability for flexibility for all users. If
you’re just starting out all you need to do is register, log on and
get started.
In just one hour or so you’ll be able to assess whether or not
your farming practices meet current regulatory requirements. If
you work through all the myBMP practices you’ll have taken the
‘myBMP Challenge’, at the end of which you’ll be able to see if
you’re at best practice standards and identify where you can do
better.
Rather than having to complete the whole process, you can
also select those modules that have the most relevance to your
operation right now.
No doubling up – myBMP has the ability to cross-reference
myBMP practices against the old BMP program, automatically
populating completed practices from one system to the other.
myBMP offers a range of assistance options. If you’re having
issues with the site or need some advice on myBMP, you can
contact the myBMP service desk either by calling 1800COTTON
(1800 268 866) or emailing us at admin@myBMP.com.au
10 — The Australian Cottongrower October–November 2012