Water Security and Access Are the Key Issues
February 10, 2011 Since Australia’s early days of cotton cultivation, not yet half a century past, there has been enormous change as growers learned new methods, implemented new technologies and integrated research developments.
Australian cotton researchers have long been at the very forefront of some major international developments. Australian cotton varieties are now widely recognized for their high yield and quality, with many countries around the world regularly planting Australian seeds.
There have been major investments in research, particularly in variety improvement, water use and nutrient efficiency. That research has provided a direct path from the lab to implementation in the cotton fields. The massive benefits offered by transgenic cotton has reduced chemical use by almost 90 percent across the industry. Some farmers prefer not to spray for insects at all, preferring to allow the beneficial insects to do the hard work in the way nature intended.
Breaking the water barrier
These industry-wide improvements have been made possible by the development of Australia’s “myBMP” (Best Management Practice) system, which allows growers to go online, access learning modules, apply the improved and enhanced practices, and have their participation certified. Australia is the driest continent on earth, which means farmers of the “wide brown land” have long adapted to water constraints.
The industry has risen to the challenge, with the industry more than doubling its average water efficiency during the last five years.
Ensuring water’s security and accessibility are issues under considerable debate in the main cotton-producing regions, and the Australian Commonwealth Government has established an independent authority to review the situation. Proposals include sweeping cuts for irrigators, which will have a significant impact on those communities that are supported by irrigated rural industry.
Cotton Australia has been driving a strong campaign directly with senior government ministers to overturn the proposed cuts and bring some certainty back to those whose livelihood and future depend on continued, fair water access. This year, with the drought breaking and good seasonal conditions, the Australian cotton crop is on pace for a record harvest. We estimate a total production of more than 4 million bales grown on 500,000 hectares, which would generate around $2.2 billion in export income for the Australian economy.
While Australian cotton growers have seen good prices before—believe it or not, they have even seen decent rainfall at the right time!—it remains a truly rare event when the planets align to allow both high prices and a good season to arrive at the same time.
The Australian cotton industry may have challenges ahead, but our short history in cotton growing has shown our willingness to adapt, learning lessons quickly from our extensive research and development program and rapidly transferring that knowledge into practical application.
GET THE NEWSLETTER TODAY!
