Contents - Greenmount Press

Cotton
Research
Roundup…
Bruce Finney
Bruce Pyke
Have your say on future of R&D
There is an open invitation to growers, researchers, industry
participants and the Australian Government to contribute to
CRDC’s future direction for research in the cotton industry. CRDC
is progressing with the development of its next five-year strategic
R&D plan to establish goals and priorities for cotton R&D from
July 2013.
CRDC, industry organisations and research partners are all
utilising the industry vision, Vision 2029, as a valuable guide to
the longer term future directions. CRDC has mapped its strategic
role responsibility against Vision 2029.
Global changes in digital reality, data capacity, personalisation
and social networks have implications for the Australian cotton
industry and its research investments. At the industry level,
concerns for profitability, workforce availability, production
and price volatility are front of mind in an increasingly complex
and uncertain operating environment. That these issues are
occurring at a time of record production, emphasises their critical
significance. It is foreseeable that even stronger relationships and
better knowledge sharing along the industry supply chain will
be key factors in effectively understanding and addressing these
issues.
With the situation analysis phase of the Plan concluding,
CRDC will identify R&D focus areas and draft a proposed strategic
direction in consultation with stakeholders in coming months.
Once the feedback has been considered, CRDC will consult with
Cotton Australia before a plan is finalised in early 2013 and then
submitted to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
for approval before July 2013.
If you would like to have your strategic input into the Plan, contact CRDC
Executive Director Bruce Finney on 02 6792 4088 or bruce.finney@crdc.com.au
Minister backs rural R&D
Despite a recent Productivity Commission recommendation
that the Federal Government cut funding to rural R&D in a bid
to drive private investment, the Federal Government has pledged
to continue to match industry expenditure dollar for dollar, while
driving private investment by other means.
The Productivity Commission reviewed the research and
development corporations’ (RDC) model, examining the rationale
for government investment in RDCs. In addition to this the Rural
Research and Development Council produced an investment
plan outlining a rationale for balancing Australian Government
investment in rural R&D. In July, government responded to the
review in its Rural Research and Development Policy Statement.
The statement outlined the Australian Government’s
enduring commitment to world-class rural RD&E and our strong
partnership with industry.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Joe
Ludwig said our rural research, development and extension
system is unique and held in high regard both in Australia and
internationally. He said RDCs provide a strong link between
government, industry and the research community, and the
government will continue to support them and a key pillar of the
RDC model is the government’s matching contributions, which it
has pledged to continue.
The policy statement reflects four key themes for
improvements to the RDC model: increased transparency and
accountability in the RDC model; improved coordination and
priority setting across the rural RD&E system; an increased
range of mechanisms for pursuing productivity growth; and
increased operational efficiencies and value for money on RD&E
investment.
“R&D is central to our rural industries remaining internationally
competitive, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.
The importance of rural R&D to our agriculture sector cannot be
underestimated, nor should it be taken for granted,” Minister
Ludwig said.
Cotton course part-scholarships
CRDC is offering five part-scholarships to enroll in The
University of New England (UNE) Cotton Production course
to begin study in 2013. Scholarships can be undertaken at
home over a one to two year period, depending on personal
or time commitments. The course is ideal for farmers, advisors,
consultants, cotton processors, researchers and existing students.
“All people in the course share a passion for the industry and
cite improving their knowledge and capacity to advance their
own skills in a vibrant industry as reasons for applying for a CRDC
part-scholarship,” CRDC Program Manager Bruce Pyke said.
Course co-ordinator and lecturer Brendan Griffiths has been a
field cotton agronomist and consultant for 21 years.
Since its inception it has been the only cotton industry specific,
academic based course available.
It offers a scientific based course, delivered in an applied
manner to equip students with the knowledge and skills to hit
the ground running, or generally broaden their knowledge of the
cotton industry, and cotton production.
To apply for a part-scholarship download your application form from the CRDC
website www.crdc.com.au and return to CRDC by COB December 1.
Bruce Pyke CRDC 6792 4088, bruce.pyke@crdc.com.au
Brendan Griffiths bgriffi2@une.edu.au
Come clean. Go clean.
While the industry’s “Come clean. Go clean.” slogan was
coined amid the initial fusarium outbreak in the 1990s, the
reasons it is still important are now broader, but equally clear,
according to CRDC’s Disease, IPM and Biosecurity Specialist Susan
Mass.
In advance of the 2012–13 season, the industry’s Development
and Delivery Team (D&D Team) has reiterated the Come clean. Go
clean. campaign and will work with insurance company AgriRisk
to communicate the importance of best practice farm biosecurity.
As a result the Come clean. Go clean. campaign is back, and is a
4 — The Australian Cottongrower October–November 2012