SUMMER 2021-22 Game changer for Central Queensland Going beyond a plan: Cotton Research and Development ...
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SUMMER 2021-22
Game changer for
Central Queensland
Going beyond a plan:
PLANET. PEOPLE.
PADDOCK.
On the leadership
trail
In the Spotlight
Welcome to the Summer edition of Spotlight and one of the
largest cotton planting in four years.
It’s an exciting time for growers and our cotton communities, and for CRDC, as we continue to
lead RD&E and initiatives to improve the sustainability of our growers and industry.
In this edition, we bring you an update of the progress and reasoning behind the industry’s
PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. Sustainability Framework.
The 2021 CRDC Grower Survey – out now and featured in this edition of Spotlight – shows
that 18 months after its introduction, there is increasing awareness of PLANET. PEOPLE.
PADDOCK. among growers, with a majority believing it is very important for the cotton industry.
While some sustainability targets are still in development, others are close to being reached.
Dr Ian Taylor Growers have been hard at work, with significant investment and powered by world-class RD&E,
to improve water use efficiency and pesticide use.
Some targets need further action from the industry. An increase in greenhouse gas
emissions from cotton farms, due largely to inefficient use of nitrogen fertilisers (as outlined in
the CRDC and Cotton Australia 2019 Sustainability Report) is of concern.
We are all aware of the focus on climate change globally and the role agriculture plays
in emissions. The cotton industry has a unique opportunity, due to the depth and breadth of
our research into nitrogen use efficiency, to lead the way in emissions reduction by improving
optimisation. We’ve just wound up the More Profit from Nitrogen project, which has increased
our knowledge of steps towards optimisation. Nutrition research has been a significant
investment for CRDC - now we are looking to see a greater uptake of the outcomes to ensure
we are leaders in our field, and are taking our responsibility to regarding sustainability seriously.
In line with our commitment to improve sustainability outcomes, we recently held the first
meeting of the Australian Cotton Sustainability Reference Group. And, we’re about to kick off
the fourth independent environmental assessment of Australian cotton, continuing the 30 year
commitment to openly and transparently assessing our impact.
Helping the industry continuously improve its practices is part of the reason CRDC exists.
We’re also focused on tackling the ‘wicked’ problems – like spray drift. Which is why we’re
excited about the increasingly innovative R&D coming from our partners under the Business
Research and Innovation Initiative. This program gave us the opportunity to partner with small
business innovators from across Australian to revolutionise spray application to solve spray drift.
There are now two promising technological solutions being developed by LX and SwarmFarm,
which you can read about in this issue.
And we’re almost ready to bring the artificial intelligence PestDetect app to growers
and consultants. Speaking from experience as someone who has counted their fair share of
insects, this is game-changing technology for silverleaf whitefly and in the near future, aphid
management.
Finally, we were thrilled to hear the news that one of our CRDC-supported start-up founders,
Anastasia Volkova, was named the Number 1 innovator in Australia by The Australian newspaper.
An amazing achievement from one of our world-leading research partners.
Until next time, we wish you all the very best for the cotton and Christmas seasons.
Dr Ian Taylor
CRDC Executive Director
CRDC acknowledges Australia’s Indigenous people as the traditional custodians
of our country, and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and
culture. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend
that respect to all Indigenous people.
2 SPOTLIGHT
CONTENTS
Summer 2021-22
20
Spotlight is brought to you by
7
Australia’s cotton growers and 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
PAUL GRUNDY
Our vision: A globally competitive and
responsible cotton industry.
Our mission: To invest in RD&E for
the world-leading Australian cotton
industry. ON THE COVER: Neek Morawitz
‘Argoon’ Comet and CRDC R&D
FEATURES
Postal Address:
PO Box 282, Narrabri NSW 2390
Manager Susan Maas in Neek’s
Offices: 2 Lloyd Street, late May-sown cotton, a week into
Narrabri NSW 2390 flowering by early October.
Tel: 02 6792 4088
Want to see more
Fax: 02 6792 4400
Email: spotlight@crdc.com.au ON THE COVER
of Spotlight?
Web: www.crdc.com.au
Communications Manager/Editor: Going beyond reporting: industry’s call to action 10
Ruth Redfern
Editorial co-ordinator: This edition can be viewed TRAIL puts grower on his path 18
Melanie Jenson online at: www.crdc.com.au Unlocking the potential of Central Queensland
Editorial Contributors:
Melanie Jenson. an industry success 20
COTTON NEWS
Design: Deacon Design
© CRDC 2021
This work is copyright protected. Apart from
any use permitted under the Copyright Act Seeing the future is ‘next practice’ 7
1968, no part may be reproduced by any 4 Bring on the future
process without the written permission of An atmosphere of innovation at LX 8
the editor. 4 Giving disease a
Making it to the top: supporting start-up innovation 9
Disclaimer and Warnings microwave
CRDC accepts no responsibility for the Still leading the way in independent assessments 11
accuracy or completeness of any material 5 Will a changing climate
contained in this publication. CRDC
affect how you grow Gaining an outside perspective 13
disclaims all liability to any person in respect
of anything and of the consequences of
cotton? Country Road goes on-farm for biodiversity 14
anything done or omitted to be done by
any such person in reliance, whether wholly
5 Review of research We need to talk about ‘N’ 15
or partly, on any information contained in
this publication. If you intend to rely on
proposals for 2022-23 Graham’s got the goods on matching nitrogen to plant needs 17
information provided in this publication
you should rely on your own appropriate
are underway Taking clever to new levels 26
professional advice. Material included in
this publication is made available on the 6 Creating space for Expanding networks bring innovative partners 27
understanding CRDC is not providing
professional advice. CRDC, the topic innovation to solve ag’s There’s something in the air: and we want to know what it is 27
authors and their organisations accept
no responsibility or liability for any loss challenges Research continues to protect fish species 28
or damage caused by reliance on the
information, management approaches or Ginning set to move north 29
recommendations in this publication.
New links to improve resilience and innovation 29
Trademarks acknowledgement
Where trade names or products and
equipment are used, no endorsement is
Correctly optimising limited water means big things for yield 30
intended nor is criticism of products not
mentioned.
A culture of innovation and impact, driven by
CRDC and RD&E: Annual Report feature 32
SUMMER 2021-22 3
Giving disease a microwave
Bring on the future USING microwave technology to inhibit the effects of disease has been trialled in
ARE you committed to the future of the southern cotton fields.
cotton industry and have an interest in CRDC is working with NSW DPI and Australian start-up Growave Ag to test its
developing your leadership knowledge, microwave technology’s impact on early season disease management of black root
skills and experience? If so, apply today rot. The shorter and sometimes cooler climatic conditions in southern regions can
for your chance to join an established favour the disease, resulting in the young seedlings’ inability to compensate for the
network of over 100 emerging leaders delays in plant growth and maturity. Research has shown severe black root rot can
across the Australian cotton industry. lead to delays in maturity of up to four weeks and yield reductions as high as 40
The Australian Future Cotton per cent.
Leaders Program (AFCL) is an initiative Growave’s microwave technology has already been shown to remove weeds,
of Cotton Australia and CRDC. seedbanks and control disease.
Participation in the course has been CRDC R&D Manager Elle Storrier said it was very early days for the black root rot
described as ‘life-changing’ by former trial, but some results are promising.
participants (including Aaron Kiely, read “We ran a small exploratory trial, treating a few different test strips of thermal
the story of his journey on page 18). heating/microwave technology to test the efficacy in suppressing the black root rot
Facilitator Jo Eady continues to pathogen temporarily,” Elle said.
receive accolades from past participants, “This is to allow the cotton seedling to establish without the impact from the
who are always quick to credit Jo with disease.
helping them find their path and support “The technology has shown promise at a lab level and has been successful in
them on their journeys. The network controlling similar pathogens in other crops.
of alumni is another major factor in the “Exploring the use of this technology is very much in its infancy but this was just
success of the course. a look to see if it has a fit for the suppression of black root rot before we consider
CSIRO’s Rose Roche is one of the overcoming some of the practicality and logistical challenges.”
industry’s best-known researchers and Black root rot is caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis basicola, which can be
was in the first AFCL intake. Rose credits dispersed in soil adhering to vehicles, machinery and trash floating in tail water.
the course with connecting her with The pathogen is capable of surviving for years in the soil, producing two types of
growers and industry, as well as creating reproductive spores. Inoculum builds up in the soil from previous host roots. T.
life-long friendships and support. (See basicola is an obligate soil pathogen, so cannot grow on dead organic matter.
CRDC Spotlight Spring 2021 edition). Crop rotations can be a major contributing factor for T. basicola inoculum levels
The program is best suited to in soil and are very important for reducing the risks and severity of black root rot.
people keen to progress their leadership One of the recommended strategies for reducing the risks is to rotate with
skills and actively involved in a cotton non-host crops, such as cereals, sunflowers and brassicas like canola, for up
enterprise or related position, such as to three years, avoiding legumes and controlling weeds. Growing non-hosts
seed production, extension, research, will prevent the build-up of the fungal load in the soil, as the fungal spores may
consulting, ginning, marketing and germinate. In the absence of a host, the pathogen is unable to complete the life
shipping. cycle or produce new spores.
Applications for the next round of CRDC is continuing to support research projects into black root rot and other
AFCL close December 10 2021. The priority diseases such as Verticillium wilt using novel methods. Research is currently
program will run from early 2022, underway using DNA testing to distinguish between defoliating and non-defoliating
concluding at the Australian Cotton strains of Verticillium wilt.
Conference in August.
For more
For more
Elle Storrier
Paul Sloman
elle.storrier@crdc.com.au
pauls@cotton.org.au
4 SPOTLIGHT
COTTON INDUSTRY
Will a changing climate affect how
you grow cotton?
MORE than one in two growers surveyed
for the 2021 CRDC Grower Survey believe
their regional climate patterns will result in
a change to their production systems over
the next 10 years.
With the results of the 2021 survey
now out, it found that larger farms were
more likely to believe this proposition than
medium or smaller farms.
In addition, twenty-nine percent of
growers surveyed reported they were
actively assessing the carbon footprint
of their production system. Compared
to small and medium-sized farms, larger
farms were more actively undertaking
assessments, which varied across the
regions. That said, almost six in 10 growers
MELANIE JENSON
were making or planning to make changes
to reduce their carbon footprint.
The inclusion of questions around
climate and carbon in the 2021 survey
comes at a time as targets for emissions A total of 233 growers participated in The 2022 CRDC Grower Survey will
are being set and refined by governments the survey, representing 20 per cent of open in June 2022, with all cotton growers
around the world – and as the cotton all cotton growers in 2020-21. The survey and farm managers invited to participate.
industry works to formalise its own targets covered a range of topics, including the It provides valuable information to CRDC
under the PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK impact of R&E on farming systems, water, and the cotton industry about on-farm
Sustainability Framework. diseases, sustainability, and workforce and practices and priority areas for future
The framework was introduced in April training. research.
2020, and measured in both the 2020 and The survey results are available to
2021 CRDC Grower Surveys. Awareness of download from the CRDC website. An For more
the framework has increased from 32 per interactive digital dashboard is also CRDC Grower Survey
cent to 46 per cent in just 12 months, while available to enable growers to explore the www.crdc.com.au/publications/
a majority of growers (67 per cent) believe data in more depth, including comparisons cotton-grower-survey
it is very important for the industry. of farm sizes and growing valleys.
Review of research proposals for 2022-23 are underway
CRDC’S annual procurement round is documents, inviting researchers to submit to improve field scouting of pests.
the key opportunity for researchers and Full Research Proposals (FRP). The deadline for submitting FRPs
research organisations to apply for funding This year CRDC developed 26 closed mid-October with CRDC R&D
for research into CRDC’s priority areas. EOIs for RD&E projects across a Managers and the Cotton Australia
The procurement round begins annually in broad range of topics for its 2022-23 research advisory panels now evaluating
May, with a strategic review of each of the investment round. They included the proposals. CRDC’s Board will
goals under the CRDC 2018-23 Strategic water use productivity benchmarking, determine the successful projects in April
RD&E Plan through discipline and research validating soil testing guidelines, 2022, with projects set to commence on
priority forums involving CRDC, Cotton disease management, soil carbon July 1, 2022.
Australia, the research advisory panels, management, resistance monitoring,
CottonInfo and researchers, to identify reusing textile waste, integrating For more
research needs and gaps. irrigation technologies, guidelines for www.crdc.com.au/research-development
Following this review, in September CRDC integrating cover crops, demonstrating
releases Expression of Interest (EOI) integrated weed tactics, and agtech
SUMMER 2021-22 5
Creating space for innovation
to solve ag’s challenges
Robots and aeronautical-style technology are creating CRDC’s General Manager R&D Investment Allan
Williams said the benefits of the partnership with
opportunities for agriculture to improve sustainability
BRII and GRDC will be far reaching.
and environmental challenges, as the cotton industry “Addressing spray drift has been a long-term
aims to make spray drift a thing of the past. challenge across all of agriculture and solving it for
cotton and grains will have positive flow-on benefits
to other agricultural sectors,” he said.
“The BRII investment has not only supported the
It’s been made possible through the Australian successful applicants – but critically, also provides
Government’s Business Research and Innovation distinct benefits for our two industries, the wider
Initiative (BRII). In partnership with the Department agricultural sector and the environment.
of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER), “Solving the problem of spray drift and
BRII provides $12 million annually to solve five commercialising a renewable hydrogen source
environmental challenges. will have positive impacts for our growers, our
BRII, with the help of Research and communities, and our environmental sustainability.”
Development Corporations such as CRDC and
GRDC, identify some of the biggest challenges Crops as renewable energy
facing agriculture, then invite Australian businesses The GRDC challenge of transforming crops
and innovators to help solve them. CRDC and GRDC into renewable hydrogen sources has discovered
were successful with their separate challenge ways to generate hydrogen for renewable fertiliser
submissions: Revolutionising spray applications to production through recycling farm biomass,
reduce drift and Transforming crops into renewable potentially generating significant advantages for the
hydrogen sources. nation’s grains industry.
After a series of proposals were received, the The two companies chosen for the proof-
field was narrowed to six successful applicants for of-concept phase were Wildfire Energy (QLD),
each challenge, who were awarded up to $100,000 recognised for its development of a commercial
to undertake a feasibility study. process of converting crop residues to hydrogen,
Two proposals were then chosen to receive and HydGene Renewables (NSW), recognised for
$1 million to develop a ‘proof of concept’ for these designing a bacteria engineering process that
two transformative agricultural challenges. Over supports the conversion of sugars from biowaste to
the course of the two challenges, GRDC and CRDC hydrogen.
collectively secured and facilitated almost $5 million GRDC’s Manager Business Development &
of investment into Australian agricultural innovation. Commercialisation – West, Roop Judge said BRII
has provided an innovative R&D pathway for the
Revolutionising innovation and agriculture grains and cotton industries to tackle two major
CRDC was successful with their proposal to agricultural issues.
DISER focusing on the challenge of pesticide “This investment is being made in innovative
spray drift. The goal was to discover ways to small to medium Australian businesses, who
reduce off-target spray drift, and so improve the have demonstrated their ability to create tangible
efficacy of the application and avoid damage to the solutions through new products and technologies,”
surrounding environment. Roop said.
SwarmFarm Robotics and LX were announced
as the successful innovators in September. For more
SwarmFarm was recognised for developing a Allan Williams
system for robots to make informed, autonomous allan.williams@crdc.com.au
decisions on pesticide application. LX was
recognised for its creation of an easy to use,
globally scalable and real-time spray application
feedback system, which utilises artificial intelligence
technology.
6 SPOTLIGHT
INNOVATION
Big ideas and innovations
are coming out of Central
Queensland, thanks to
Jocie and Andrew Bate of
SwarmFarm.
Seeing the future is ‘next practice’
SwarmFarm Robotics is no stranger to agriculture or people auto wake up and return to spray when
in the cotton and grains industries. conditions are suitable; auto dock
and refill when spraying for extended
Jocie and Andrew Bate are the farmers the challenges with spray drift,” they said. periods; and path replanning operations
and innovators behind this agtech “Our technology utilises robots to for avoiding downwind no spray zones
company who have forged a path in make data-based decisions on spray when weather conditions change.
developing autonomous agricultural applications, removing the stress and Jocie says they heard about BRII through
robotics from their home in Gindie, Central pressure on deciding when to start CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas.
Queensland (Gayiri country). and stop pesticide applications, whilst “The BRII program is unique in
SwarmFarm builds small, lightweight maximising the available spray window. that it funds you to complete an initial
robots that operate in ‘swarms’ or ‘fleets’ “The opportunity to be involved in feasibility study before you progress onto
to enable new farming techniques that solving this issue, with seed funding from developing a commercial solution to take
reduce pesticide and fertiliser usage and BRII, means we can accelerate the delivery to industry,” Jocie said.
increase crop yields through sustainable of this technology and get it into the hands “The program is focused on
farming practices. of farmers sooner.” solving real problems and supporting
“As farmers we are passionate about The new technology will: small business and start-ups to create
ensuring the future generations of farmers ♦♦ Digitally obtain label conditions in a commercial opportunities.
have a vibrant, economic, and sustainable machine-readable format directly from “Universities and research organisations
future in the cropping industry,” Andrew QR codes on pesticide drums. are not eligible to apply, so this is genuine
said. ♦♦ Gather accurate data from a number support of innovation and development
“Current best practice farming systems of sources including weather data of new ideas at the small business level,
are limited by large cumbersome farming onboard the robot, fixed weather through to commercialisation.
equipment, and our robots enable new stations, weather forecasts, inversion “Having the CRDC and Susan
farming practices, or what we call ‘next stations, and information on the involved throughout the project was super
practice’ techniques that are not possible location of sensitive crops nearby the helpful and we were able to link up and
on the back of a tractor. spray application. collaborate with a lot of different partners
“Key to our product is the SwarmCon- ♦♦ Make data-based decisions, without across the challenge.
nect open developer ecosystem that gives bias or misinterpretation, ensuring “As a result of these introductions,
other agtech developers and machinery compliance to pesticide labels and we have now engaged and are actively
manufacturers a pathway to deliver best management spray application working with a number of these partners in
their technology to farmers as apps or practices. the commercialisation of this project.”
attachments on board our robots.” ♦♦ Enable maximum utilisation of the
The involvement with BRII has given available spray window every week For more
SwarmFarm the opportunity to further through the use of different ‘modes’. SwarmFarm
develop their technology. Sleep mode will engage when the www.swarmfarm.com
“As grain growers we are well aware of weather is not suitable for spraying;
SUMMER 2021-22 7
An atmosphere of innovation at LX
If you want innovation you of sensors putting accurate, real-time data land-based activity, when in actuality we
need to create the space in the operator’s hands and coupling it are mostly dealing with atmospheric data,
with our decision-making software.” so has drawn on flight technology and
for it. LX is what is called a ‘full stack’ aeronautics for inspiration.
company because it produces everything “While it is easy to see via GPS
That’s what LX CEO and creator Simon from the electronic hardware and where you’ve been, it is hard to see
Blyth says of the Business Research firmware, through to the cloud backend ‘atmospherically’ and it’s not very intuitive,”
and Innovation Initiative (BRII) challenge and software that users interact with. LX Simon said.
aiming to revolutionise agricultural spray was started by Simon, who hails from a “Using the flying analogy: we can
application. sheep and cattle property near Inverell in pretty much fly in all weather, safely.
“This program and being a part of it NSW. The team at LX specialise in Internet “But if we try to fly/navigate without
has been absolutely fantastic,” Simon said. of Things (IoT) and electronic product the proper training and technology, flying
“CRDC and our key contact Susan development and have been designing for is unsafe, and this can be applied to spray
Maas should be commended for bringing tech start-ups through to multi-nationals applications too.
more visibility to the challenges they are for over a decade. “In the past we have not given farmers
trying to solve.” The technology can be quickly the tools to navigate this issue safely.
The LX innovation is the creation of retrofitted to any machine. “We must fly, so we navigate to make
a system called Maverick, a real-time “We created a ‘Lite’, ‘Standard’ and people safe.”
spray application feedback system, ‘Pro’ version of Maverick, so there’s an Simon says often when working on a
which utilises artificial intelligence entry level available to any producer product, we are “working and thinking in
technology and augmented reality to impacted by this industry-wide issue,” 10 years into the future – because it does
help forecast spray conditions and the Simon said. take a lot of time to bring products to the
level of favourability or risk. The system “My thinking is that to maximise market”.
includes existing LX-designed hardware profitability of a new product you focus on “So we think about what 2030 could
and software, building on these to create the most lucrative section of the market: look like. If you can’t see the future well,
an interface that primary producers would but to solve an industry problem you need you can’t design products to suit it or they
find intuitive and effective to use. mass adoption, so these versions needed are outdated by the time they come to
“Farmers are expected to do their best to cater for operators at every level. market,” he said.
to pull so much information at each moment “The Lite version is the entry-level “It is great to see an industry like
to make decisions, but the reality of this is system, while our mid version takes cotton dealing with this but also looking to
that it can lead to errors,” Simon says. in more data for example boom data, the future.”
“We want to open the spraying atmospheric data and plant stress, so it
window, not close it, and a more can fine tune the advisory service to the For more
sophisticated understanding of spraying operator, and is capable of predicting LX
conditions may offer more opportunity to events we need to avoid like inversions.” www.lx-group.com.au
operate. Simon said LX is changing the
“This can be done with a broad range assumption that spraying is only a
8 SPOTLIGHT
INNOVATION
Making it to the top:
supporting start-up innovation
The Australian newspaper “My journey began long time ago,
when I met some early start-up founders.
launched the inaugural They came from very different walks of life
edition of The List: 100 and ran very different, often unexpected
Innovators this year, with businesses.
“I loved that they identified and were
start-up guru Anastasia solving a problem than no one has solved
Volkova coming in as yet, and they could choose their path as to
number 1. how to achieve their goal, how to find or
develop a solution.
“I took the opportunity to learn from
CRDC has been partnering with Anastasia these founders by working alongside them
and her start-up FluroSat (now Regrow in their businesses to learn ‘the start-up
Ag) since 2017, when it supported her greater. The panel included former Netflix kitchen’ and how to operate one.
through a series of start-up workshops chief marketer Jackie Lee-Joe, Engineers “My advice therefore to those starting
allowing her to incubate and grow the Australia chief engineer Jane MacMaster, out and wanting to learn how to develop
project. Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann a business is to find a way to make that
Since then, she’s gone on to secure Williams, Atlassian work futurist Dominic learning a job. For me it was extremely
millions in investment to further develop Price and UTS innovation advisor Roy satisfying!”
the state-of-the-art remote sensing Green, among others. The Australian says the Top 100
technology that allows farmers to “I’m glad that I didn’t actually know they list celebrates and highlights the
measure crop health ‘from the air’. With were evaluating me as an innovator on future-focused leaders, ingenuity and
the acquisition of Dagan’s soil modelling that list, so I was simply focused on my products that are ‘set to make Australia
capability and combining it with FluroSat work and hoping to make the biggest an innovation nation’. The list covers
to create Regrow, there is an enhanced impact I can with it,” Anastasia said. categories including energy, technology,
focus on sustainable agriculture by “After finding out about the ranking, I education, medicine, agriculture, food,
using scientifically vetted crop and soil felt honoured to be included and inspired sport and the arts.
models, connectivity to farm management by other innovators on the list!” The list is curated and edited by The
platforms and terabytes of satellite We hear the word ‘innovative’ used a Australian’s technology editor David
imagery to support equitable ecosystem lot – so how does Australia’s top innovator Swan who said with a backdrop of the
markets and programs. describe what this word means and how pandemic, a lot of Australian start-ups are
Anastasia says to go far and achieve it’s evolving? now worth more than a billion dollars. A
big things, you can’t go alone, you need “I think of innovation as the creation couple of years ago, there were only one
partners. of something where there was nothing - or two, now there are over 20.
“CRDC and start-up incubator X-Lab market, solution, product - anything can be “It feels like a real moment in time for
have been invaluable in connecting us innovative if it solves a problem or offers innovation in Australia,” he said.
with government officials and other ag opportunities that haven’t been offered When asked what they were looking
organisations which has led us to where before,” Anastasia said. for and what disqualified people from the
we are today,” Anastasia said. “At the very beginning I thought of list, David said they were looking for the
“We have attracted numerous partners innovation as a product or service that unique.
along our journey and some of them have does something nothing else is capable “I think that there are a lot of copycat
been supportive ever since, some have of. I realised quite quickly though that ideas around. We wanted to highlight the
only stayed a certain time. such innovative products require even fresh sort of underdog companies who
“This is inevitable and a good founder more extraordinary business models and were the new kids on the block.”
should seek to always have a long-term distribution channels.
perspective of any partnership in mind to “You can’t launch innovation without For more
pick the right partners along the way.” an ecosystem for it to go to market with.” Regrow Ag
Of being named number one in Anastasia is no stranger to the start-up www.regrow.ag
The Australian’s Top 100 Innovators community, so with this experience,
list, Anastasia said consideration of the Spotlight asked what advice she has for
judging panel made the honour even those starting out.
SUMMER 2021-22 9
MELANIE JENSON
Going beyond reporting:
industry’s call to action
industry-wide measures for improvement.
Since becoming the first Australian agricultural A second audit in 2003 showed major
industry to benchmark its environmental impacts via improvements and made recommendations for
an independent audit in the early 1990s, the Australian additional work primarily in the areas of water use
efficiency and biodiversity.
cotton industry has been working to continually
The third independent environmental
improve its sustainability performance. assessment in 2012 found that the Australian cotton
industry, through its research and development
investments and effective interrelationships
The creation of the PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. between industry research institutions, grower
Sustainability Framework allows the industry to organisations, commercial service providers
better coordinate existing work to achieve targeted and growers themselves, had been substantially
sustainability outcomes. transformed since 2003.
Led by CRDC and Cotton Australia through the CRDC General Manager R&D Investment, Allan
Sustainability Working Group, the framework is the Williams, has a long history working in sustainability
culmination of decades of research, development and led the development of the BMP program in the
and extension to improve cotton production 1990s.
practices. “Importantly for the Australian cotton industry,
The industry’s first environmental audit was we scientifically measure change over time,” Allan
conducted in 1991. At that time, the Australian said.
cotton industry was the first cotton industry in the “We currently conduct environmental
world to conduct a full, independent environmental assessments every decade and report our progress
audit of its operations to benchmark environmental to stakeholders via formal Sustainability Reports.
sustainability performance and impact and devise “On the back of the 2012 environmental
10 SPOTLIGHTSUSTAINABILITY
Still leading the way in
assessment, the Australian industry committed
to expanding its focus beyond environmental
independent assessments
sustainability by producing a Sustainability Report
at least every five years that also covers social and
economic sustainability.
“In recent years we have gone beyond just The Australian cotton industry has
reporting our impacts, to actively seeking to commissioned an independent
understand what is important to the industry and its expert to conduct the fourth
stakeholders, what we should be aiming to achieve, assessment of its environmental
and what we need to do to get there. performance.
MELANIE JENSON
“The diverse range of issues that are relevant Cotton became the first major
to the industry’s long-term sustainability, and the Australian agricultural industry to
even-more diverse range of stakeholders with an seek a full external examination
interest in how sustainability efforts and credentials of its environmental performance Cotton growers are being urged to take
requires a plan.” when it commissioned a third-party part in the industry’s fourth independent
Sustainability expert Chris Cosgrove is working environmental audit in 1991. environmental assessment, which makes it
unique in Australian agriculture.
with industry to develop and implement the “This marked the first cotton-
sustainability framework and said it comes from a wide commitment to improved The assessment will involve a
need to go beyond reporting on sustainability and sustainability,” CRDC Natural combination of desktop research,
move towards science-based outcomes that meet Resource Management R&D interviews with industry stakeholders,
the expectations of stakeholders inside and outside Manager Stacey Vogel says. and on-farm visits to assess
the industry. “Further assessments in environmental practices and impacts.
“Companies up and down the cotton value 2003 and 2012 have showcased Cotton growers are invited to be
chain have their own individual sustainability achievements and driven further involved, with interviews running
measures and frameworks, but this framework improvements, and the industry has from December 2021 through to
covers cotton farms only – it’s an obvious place for committed to undertake assessments June 2022.
CRDC and Cotton Australia to focus,” Chris said. every 10 years.” “Consultants will be visiting farms
“PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is not a As per this commitment, CRDC, of all sizes across all growing regions
compulsory standard or a brand and doesn’t Cotton Australia and the industry’s to form an assessment of the overall
replace any of the market-based sustainability Sustainability Working Group are environmental performance of the
initiatives many innovative people in the cotton supporting the fourth environmental industry,” Stacey said.
industry are working on. assessment of the Australian cotton “This is not an audit, there won’t
“It provides a framework to help coordinate industry. CRDC has commissioned be any judgement made of individual
research, extension and adoption the entire industry respected global firm GHD to farms, growers and properties
can benefit from, and to measure industry-scale conduct the assessment that will do won’t be identified, and there is no
sustainability outcomes to demonstrate our three things: preparation needed to host a visit.
accountability.” 1. Assess the industry’s response “The assessment is extremely
to the third environmental important to the industry – it allows
Setting targets, hitting targets assessment recommendations. us to understand what we’re doing
Where baseline data is in place, the industry 2. Identify current and emerging well but importantly what we can do
has set draft targets for 2024 and 2029. Using past environmental issues and their better and how we can do it.
trends as a guide, these draft targets are designed implications for the industry and “The GHD team will work with
to be achievable but challenging, and as much on-farm management. CRDC and Cotton Australia to
as possible are in line with the United Nations 3. Assess current industry action on arrange on-farm visits at times that
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). environmental issues in light of will be least disruptive.”
The SDGs are seen to provide a blueprint issues identified in the first two A report will be released in late
for what the world needs to be achieving in 17 steps. This will include: 2022 and the findings will help
sustainability areas by 2030; demonstrating the ♦♦ Impact – if the industry’s inform the industry’s sustainability
cotton industry is playing its part to meet those on-farm environmental efforts, driven by CRDC, Cotton
goals means targets and actions are not arbitrary practices and outcomes are Australia and the Sustainability
and allows the cotton industry to talk in the same in line with current and future Working Group under the PLANET.
language as the many stakeholders past the farm expectations and trends. PEOPLE. PADDOCK Sustainability
gate who use the SDGs widely. ♦♦ Responsiveness – how well Framework.
In some of our sustainability topics – such as industry bodies, myBMP,
For more
biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and soil CottonInfo and sustainability
programs are aligned, and PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK
health – accurate industry-scale baseline data and/
or agreed metrics and methodologies for measuring how well the industry is able Sustainability Framework
change are missing. The Sustainability Working to identify and respond to www.crdc.com.au/for-growers/sustainability
Group is very mindful of the fact that cotton farmers environmental issues.
SUMMER 2021-22 11produce a range of commodities, and want to
ensure that the same metrics are used across the “Setting targets focuses
farming operation irrespective of the product, be it
attention on a concrete
cotton, beef or wheat.
But while targets are yet to be finalised, the outcome we can all work
industry is not waiting to act: work to reduce towards.
emissions, to increase carbon stored in soil and
vegetation, to preserve and enhance biodiversity,
and to improve soil health is ongoing. cross-sector More Profit from Nitrogen Program (led
“One thing that setting targets does is focus by CRDC) that we have the tools to tick this target
attention on a concrete outcome we can all work off our list as well,” Allan said.
towards,” Allan said. “This five-year research program has
“The industry has been delivering significant improved our understanding of the intricate
improvement like water use efficiency and relationship between nitrogen source and irrigation
insecticide reduction over the past 30 years management allowing the industry to refine the
because we have identified a need to improve and nitrogen management strategies in the Australian
provide clear research and adoption pathways to Cotton Production Manual.
drive change. “We are now at the stage where we need to
“The industry’s track record gives us confidence make our growers aware of what this research is
we can continue to see dramatic improvement in telling us and helping put it into practice.
new areas we identify.” “Importantly, through our existing industry
This is particularly the case for reducing programs such as myBMP, CottonInfo and focused
emissions from nitrogen fertiliser use. R&D investments, we have the tools to do this.
“We are confident, through our vigorous “Sustainability isn’t something new that’s
research into nitrogen over decades, and new bolted on to create more work for everyone – it’s
research through the Rural R&D for Profit’s embedded into our existing programs.”
With targets being firmed up, attention will now be moving to ensuring growers know what they can do to contribute to industry level targets.
Five year targets What growers can do
WATER
Continue adoption of practices to reduce losses in storage and transmission
12.5% increase in water use efficiency and improve application efficiency.
PESTICIDES
Continue adoption of new pest control tools, including new technologies,
5% reduction in environmental impact targeted application, and new crop protection methods.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Improve nitrogen use efficiency (fertiliser accounts for almost 60% of cotton
production emissions, and increased from 2014 to 2019)
Target to be set.
Reduce electricity and energy from fossil fuels
Ambition: contribute to a climate-neutral
world. Keep carbon in the soil and vegetation on cotton farms.
BIODIVERSITY
Avoid habitat loss
Target to be set.
Protect and restore biodiversity on cotton farms through key practices such as
Goal: improve biodiversity condition on fencing, pest control and revegetation.
farms and across the cotton landscape.
SOIL HEALTH
Target to be set. Protect soil habitat: maximise soil cover, minimise soil disturbance
Goal: deliver sustained cotton Feed soil organisms: maximise living roots, maximise biodiversity.
productivity growth by improving soil
health
12 SPOTLIGHTSUSTAINABILITY
Gaining an outside perspective
The Australian cotton industry
is looking to groups outside
the industry for input into its
sustainability framework, PLANET.
PEOPLE. PADDOCK.
The Australian Cotton Sustainability Reference
Group (ACSRG) will provide a formal platform to help
the industry understand stakeholder expectations
and improve its sustainability performance. The
group’s first meeting was held in early November.
MELANIE JENSON
The ACSRG involves representatives from retail
brands, environmental organisations, First Nations,
governments, merchants, regulators, social
organisations and health and safety, as well as
growers, researchers, input providers and other of representatives from Cotton Australia, CRDC, The cotton industry works
broadacre agriculture sustainability frameworks. CottonInfo, Australian Cotton Shippers and cotton closely with retailers and
brands, through engagement
PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is managed by an growers. Feedback from ACSRG will be used by with growers and researchers.
industry Sustainability Working Group, comprised the Sustainability Working Group in a two-way Pictured is Cotton Australia’s
process for exchange of information to support Brooke Summers and
representatives from some
Planet. People. Paddock cotton industry efforts to understand stakeholder
of Australia’s leading brands
expectations, monitor material sustainability topics, on-farm at Auscott Narrabri
and guide reporting to stakeholders. (Kamilaroi country).
PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is the Australian
“This group will guide the Australian cotton
cotton industry’s sustainability framework. It
industry’s sustainability decision-making,” CRDC
has been created to guide work to:
General Manager R&D Investment Allan Williams
n Set sustainability targets in the areas most
said.
important to industry and stakeholders
“Our aspiration is to deepen the participation
n Coordinate a whole-of-industry strategy to
level of the ACSRG over time, to more actively
achieve these targets
involve or partner with ACSRG members in decision-
n Engage effectively with stakeholders on
making through a permanent forum.
actions and progress.
“We’re looking forward to working with
internal and external industry stakeholders to
PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. is currently
support cotton industry efforts to understand
targeted at on-farm cotton production. It is not
stakeholder expectations and improve sustainability
a compulsory standard or a brand; it provides a
performance.”
framework for the entire industry to benefit from
As a permanent group, ACSRG will provide
continually improving sustainability performance.
a platform for the Australian cotton industry to
Individual businesses across the value chain
communicate to our stakeholders our progress,
will continue to deliver their own tailored
barriers to progress and key R&D and grower
sustainability plans and initiatives as they see fit.
experiences.
Through a process of consultation and
CRDC Executive Director Dr Ian Taylor said
review, nine topics have been assessed as being
the group is one part of the work being done by
most important to customers, cotton growers
the industry to make evidence-based decisions on
and other stakeholders.
sustainability progress and investments.
n PLANET: Water, greenhouse gas emissions,
“Just as important is gathering stakeholder
pesticides, biodiversity, soil health
feedback on our sustainability management and
n PEOPLE: Workplace, wellbeing
pathways,” Ian said.
n PADDOCK: Productivity, profitability.
“This group also has the ability to identify
non-material, or emerging risks and opportunities
for Australian cotton.
“It also gives us the opportunity to discuss and
assess stakeholder perceptions raised in surveys,
materiality assessments and other processes.”
SUMMER 2021-22 13Country Road goes
on-farm for biodiversity
Unique partnerships are
being formed to address
biodiversity on cotton farms.
Over the past 12 months a partnership
between Landcare Australia, Country Road
and the cotton industry has resulted in
34 hectares of biodiversity improvements
in the Namoi Valley (Kamilaroi country) in
North-West NSW.
Two well-known cotton farming
families, the Kahls and Watsons have so
far been involved in the project, funded The Kahl family are working with the cotton industry, Country Road and Landcare to rehabilitate a
section of the Namoi River.
by a corporate contribution and the sale
of Verified Australian Cotton Heritage management and productivity of the CottonInfo Biodiversity Technical Lead
Sweats. Country Road has committed landscape,” Shane said. Stacey Vogel said.
$600,000 over three years. The work draws on a 2019 CRDC Cotton industry research shows that
“It’s brilliant to see the impact this project that mapped biodiversity in while there have been some great steps
partnership has had in just one year,” said Australian cotton landscapes, identified forward, more needs to be done to protect
Country Road Managing Director Elle threatened and endangered species and and improve biodiversity on cotton farms
Roseby. recommended ways to protect them. and adjacent landscapes.
“Country Road is so proud to support The first project kicked off at the Kahl’s “We hope this partnership with
the great work being undertaken by family farm near Wee Waa where part of Landcare Australia and Country Road will
local cotton farmers to leave a positive the Namoi River is being revegetated and help focus industry efforts, accelerate our
biodiversity legacy.” stock excluded to increase habitat and biodiversity work and provide a lasting
The project has seen weeks of shelter for native animals, reduce erosion legacy for our farmers, their communities
restoration work including planting and improve water quality. and the natural environment,” Stacey said.
thousands of native trees and grasses on The second project is with the Watson “These projects are providing much
the Namoi River. Landcare Australia CEO family at ‘Merriendi’ near Boggabri where needed funding for farmers to undertake
Dr Shane Norrish said the organisation 3.7 kilometres of trees and grasses are important biodiversity works.
was very proud of the achievements of being planted to improve ecology along “Using research undertaken by
this partnership to date. the Namoi River on a newly acquired CRDC we can prioritise where and how
“The project will assist to increase property. Plans are also underway for we restore biodiversity to get the best
biodiversity, restore local ecosystems, projects three, four and five which will all outcome for threatened and iconic species
protect soil health, provide natural habitats be located in priority biodiversity zones. found in cotton landscapes.
for threatened species, improve water The Australian cotton industry is “The partnership not only provides
quality and contribute to the sustainable providing additional support through significant funds, it showcases the
CRDC and the Australian Government’s benefits of improving biodiversity to
Improvements to date National Landcare Program Smart Farming other cotton farmers and demonstrates
Partnership Initiative’s Cotton Landcare to the non-agricultural community, such
♦♦ Hectares repaired via weed control Tech Innovations 2021 project. as Country Road customers, some of the
and planting native species: 34 “This includes a five-hectare research positive ways cotton farmers are managing
♦♦ Number of tree planting days: 20 trial by the University of New England biodiversity.”
♦♦ Kilometres of river frontage to investigate which revegetation
improved: 6.5 methods have the greatest survival For more
♦♦ Country Road have raised $200,000 rates on floodplain soils, drone plantings Country Road
♦♦ Habitat enhanced for threatened and a native plant propagation training www.countryroad.com.au/
species like the koala, large-eared workshop that’s been held with Kamilaroi man-our-world-edit-the-biodiversity-project/
pied Bat and barking owl traditional owners,” CRDC Natural
Resource Management R&D Manager and
14 SPOTLIGHTSUSTAINABILITY
We need to talk about ‘N’
Results from the 2019 Sustainability
Report show that while water and
At a glance
pesticide use have decreased, Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
n
the volume of greenhouse gases associated with cotton production is one of
the most important sustainability issues for
emitted to grow, gin and transport
cotton customers.
a bale of irrigated cotton increased From 2014 to 2019 greenhouse gas
n
by 12.6 per cent over the previous emissions per bale increased; we need
five years. urgent action to reduce emissions.
Fertilisers contribute about 60% of the
n
greenhouse gases to grow, gin and move
to port a bale of cotton, so it is an obvious
priority for reducing emissions.
The increase in emissions is mainly due to a On-farm greenhouse gas emissions are
n
decrease in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) on dominated by emissions of nitrous oxide.
some farms. Increasing N above the crop’s needs
n
Cotton production is responsible for about 0.2 does not increase yield. Research shows
per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions. The it can cause economic loss through extra
main sources of emissions to grow a bale of cotton defoliations and lint quality discounts.
and ship it to port (from 2014-19) were nitrogenous
fertiliser (58 per cent), on-farm fuel (15 per cent), and amount of fertiliser applied and improving nitrogen
ginning energy (10 per cent). use efficiency is an obvious priority.
“It is very clear that every sector of the economy “That is why research and adoption of better
is expected to urgently reduce its contribution nitrogen use strategies is so important to the
to climate change, and the cotton industry is no industry, and the More Profit from Nitrogen project
different,” CRDC General Manager R&D Investment is an important part of that research and adoption.”
Allan Williams said. Past studies across all growing regions have
“We need to reduce the emissions released in shown that conversion of fertiliser nitrogen (N) into
cotton production, while sustaining carbon in the lint is not occurring uniformly at N application rates
soil and vegetation on cotton farms. greater than 200 to 240 kg N/ha. This indicates
“Reducing emissions from fuel and electricity is that factors other than N availability may be limiting
important, but with fertiliser being the major source yield, and that the observed nitrogen fertiliser-use
of emissions from cotton production, reducing the efficiency (NFUE) values may be caused by subsoil
SUMMER 2021-22 15constraints or irrigation timing and application, for
example. “This tells us that NUE is going
In 2018 Spotlight reported Dr Ben MacDonald down. The first thing you
from CSIRO saying that ‘gains in NUE will be
made through improved N fertiliser application
can do about it is bring the
timing, better targeting the amount of fertiliser rate back to what the plant
applied for the expected yield, and improved soil actually needs.”
N management’. He said there is also a need to
improve the ability and confidence of growers to
estimate the contribution of soil N mineralisation to by Queensland University of Technology’s Climate
the crop N budget. Change Professor Peter Grace and others found
that the rate of nitrous oxide emissions turns from
Cross-industry research focus linear to exponential when N fertiliser is applied
One of the largest nitrogen-focused projects beyond the plant’s needs.
across agriculture has addressed these aspects “Industry surveys and research showed N rates
of N management. The Rural R&D for Profit’s were going up every year, yet this wasn’t translating
More Profit from Nitrogen (MPfN) was a five-year to increased yield,” he said.
project managed by CRDC, in partnership with “This tells us that NUE is going down. The first
Dairy Australia, Sugar Research Australia and Hort thing you can do about it is bring the rate back to
Innovation – Australia’s four most intensive users of what the plant actually needs.
nitrogenous fertiliser. “Responses to N fertiliser products and
Comprehensive research and development was application strategies were difficult to observe in
conducted to increase NUE across the four sectors on-farm trial work where fields had high residual soil
whilst improving profitable and sustainable use. N that was not being accounted for in N budgets.”
By better understanding the influence of R&D has created tools for calculating N rates,
contributing factors upon NUE in farming systems, which are freely available to growers. Graeme says
MPfN has generated greater knowledge and the next challenge for research was to optimise
understanding of how to best manage N. efficiency using fertiliser N more strategically for
This includes: crop needs rather than a blanket approach.
♦♦ the interplay of factors to optimise N formulation, Nitrogen that is excess to plant needs either
rate and timing across industries, farming runs-off in irrigation water, undergoes denitrification
regions and irrigated/non-irrigated situations; to di-nitrogen and nitrous oxide gases, or is left
♦♦ the contribution (quantifying rate and timing) of behind in the soil. Residual soil N is available to a
mineralisation to crop or pasture N budgets; and subsequent crop, but is also subject to potential
♦♦ how enhanced efficiency fertiliser (EEF) further losses
formulations can better match a crop or pasture’s “In no year of a four-year trial did excess
specific N requirements. nitrogen give us extra yield,” Graeme said.
Cotton-industry specific projects looked at “It actually causes more drawbacks than
increasing understanding of the influence of rainfall/ positives, in terms of economics and crop
irrigation wet-dry cycles on mineralising soil organic management.
N into plant available forms and trial of a potentially “It can lead to the cost of applying growth
available organic N rapid soil test, with work regulants and potentially increase irrigation
undertaken with University of Queensland on the requirements.
Darling Downs (Bigambul country). “We must remember that the loss of nitrogen
NSW DPI’s Dr Graeme Schwenke led research into the environment is a major consideration for the
which encompassed the intricate relationship industry, in light of the Sustainability Report that our
between N supplied through soil mineralised and NUE has decreased.
fertiliser sources, phosphorus (P) supply, fertiliser “Our social licence and the wellbeing of our
placement and timing and irrigation strategy to regions and its people are paramount.”
reduce N losses, achieve greater NUE and improve The combined research outcomes of the
P soil nutrition. MPfN cotton projects have been integrated into
The effects of N fertiliser timing, product and the nutrition chapter of the Australian Cotton
application strategies on irrigated cotton yields and Production Manual and NUTRIpak.
soil N movement were explored, as was matching N
plant demand using enhanced efficiency fertilisers. For more
The research also looked at the implications for N More Profit from Nitrogen
run-off in irrigated water. www.crdc.com.au/more-profit-nitrogen
Graeme says that even before MPfN, research
16 SPOTLIGHTYou can also read
