NORCOM Meeting in Burdekin:
NORCOM, the Cotton Australia facilitated industry support forum for evaluation of cotton growing in Northern Australia, met last week in the Burdekin. Several Cotton Australia Directors and staff took the opportunity to join the CRDC Board in attending a joint inspection of Cotton CRC trial plots at the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries research station in Ayr.
Picking is about to commence with four growers have grown 850ha of cotton with the area receiving 1700mm of rain during the growing season. Any growers thinking of visiting the Burdekin can contact Dr Paul Grundy on 0427 929 172.
For more information on this topic make sure you visit the Cotton Australia home page
www.cottonaustralia.com.au and view Cotton Australia’s interviews with Dr Paul Grundy and grower Andrew Keeley.
Contact: Greg Kauter 02 9669 5222
CRDC Value Chain Forum a Success:
The CRDC conducted a value chain forum titled “We’re Aussie – Wear Aussie” last week. The forum was designed to forge strong links between our producers and local textile and fashion industries.
Cotton Australia’s CEO Adam Kay was one of a range of speakers who showcased the key selling points of Australian cotton, including our environmental credentials, to the audience. Attendees included representatives from various important clothing brand owners. A number of growers from Cotton Australia’s Value Chain panel also attended the forum. Feedback from the participating clothing brand owners was very positive.
Contact: Adam Kay 02 9669 5222
IYNF Launch:
Cotton Australia, CRDC and Australian Wool Innovation have joined forces in organising the Australian launch of the United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres.
The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, will launch the event, held at the Australian National Maritime Museum, in Sydney’s Darling Harbour at 3pm, Wednesday 20 May. Dr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will also be in attendance.
Media from around Australia have been invited to attend the launch which aims to promote the Australian cotton and wool industries and the inherent qualities of its fibre.
Contact: Adam Kay 02 9669 5222
Progress on Phenoxy Label Changes:Cotton Australia is pleased to report that the process to change labels on phenoxy herbicide products is now officially underway following the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) completing its spray drift risk assessments for phenoxy herbicides containing the active constituents 2,4-DB, dichlorprop, MCPA, MCPB and mecoprop.
These assessments showed that no-spray zones in downwind areas are required to protect aquatic life, non-target native vegetation and crops. Specific label instructions are required to mitigate spray drift risk to the environment.
The APVMA will soon write formally to the registrants of phenoxy herbicide products requiring them to amend the product labels to include appropriate instructions to mitigate spray drift risk. The letter will be accompanied by a summary of the APVMA’s spray drift risk assessment and will allow a period for comment on the risk assessment outcomes.
Please note that 2,4-D, also a phenoxy herbicide, is currently under a full review and 2,4-D spray drift risks will be addressed as part of that review outcomes.
In other APVMA news, Cotton Australia recently interviewed the APVMA’s Les Davies. The interview can be found on the Cotton Australia web home page –
www.cottonaustralia.com.au Contact: Greg Kauter 02 9669 5222
Proposed Regional Insect Resistance Management Strategy on CA Website:
Cotton Australia wishes to inform growers that the proposed Insect Resistance Management Strategies (IRMS) for Northern, Darling Downs and Central and Southern regions for the 2009-10 season are available to download from the Cotton Australia website at
http://www.cottonaustralia.com.au/news/view.aspx?id=160 Please note, that written feedback on the proposed regional IRMS is due by Friday 19 June. Any growers who would like to have input into the strategies please make sure you contact your local CGA.
Contact: Greg Kauter 02 9669 5222
Policy Managers Required:
Cotton Australia has started recruiting for two Policy Managers, one based in the Sydney and the other in either Toowoomba or Brisbane. This position has arisen following the departure of Dan Galligan and the need to increase capacity.
The new Policy Managers will:
• Contribute to Cotton Australia’s policy formulation and advocacy;
• Provide specialist policy advice to Board committees and Board and staff representatives;
• Act as a reference point for industry organisations, government officials and other stakeholder groups for industry policy and research issues; and
• Advocate and lobby appropriate government departments and agencies in support of Cotton Australia’s policies.
For more information on this position, please phone Cotton Australia on (02) 9669 5222 or email
jobs@cotton.org.au or go to
http://www.seek.com.au Contact: Adam Kay 02 9669 5222
Bollgard II Planting Windows:
Cotton Australia will be sending out new guidelines to CGAs this week for areas who wish to vary Bollgard II planting windows.
Please note that it is important that these new guidelines are followed in order for the TIMS Committee to make an informed decision.
The APVMA allows industry to vary their Bollgard II planting window dates in the Bollgard II Resistance Management Plan (RMP). CGAs considering an application to vary the planting window should consult widely to gain grower approval.
Contact: Greg Kauter 02 9669 5222
National Australian Cotton Trade Show Coming Up:Richard McLoughlin, Assistant Secretary National Irrigation Efficiency Branch, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, has been announced as one of the keynote speakers at the 2009 National Australian Cotton Trade Show, to be held at the Moree TAFE site on 27 and 28 May.
Mr McLoughlin is responsible for the implementation of the Federal Government's Water for the Future program in the northern cropping zone.
The Trade Show again promises to continue to feature the leading edge of innovation in its field. It will also play host to the announcement of finalists for the 2009 Australian Cotton Industry Awards.
Cotton Australia Board and staff look forward to catching up with growers and industry at the Trade Show. Further details about the Trade Show can be found at
www.cottontradeshow.com.au World Cotton Outlook:The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) forecasts that world production will exceed mill use in 2009/10. As a result, world cotton stocks are expected to increase by 2% to a record 13.4 million tons by the end of July 2010.
World cotton production is forecast slightly lower in 2009/10 at 23.4 million tons. Decreasing returns, more attractive prices for competing crops, and expected difficulties in financing inputs are discouraging farmers from planting cotton. Increases in production in India and the United States could be more than offset by declines in China and Brazil.
World cotton mill use is expected to increase slightly to 23.1 million tons in 2009/10, assuming a modest recovery in world economic growth in 2010.
World cotton trade is expected to partially recover in 2009/10. World imports are projected 11% higher at 6.6 million tons.
An expected increase in imports by China to 1.7 million tons would significantly contribute to this rebound. India is expected to account for most of the expected rise in exports, with shipments forecast to more than double to 1.2 million tons.
Based on a price forecast of US59 cents per pound for 2008/09 and expected rising stocks, ICAC forecasts a season-average Cotlook A Index of US57 cents per pound in 2009/10.
However, major uncertainties regarding projected cotton trade in 2009/10 pose substantial downward risks to the forecast.
Source: ICAC
FEDERAL BUDGET SPECIAL:
Last week’s Federal Budget was a mixed bag for cotton and the agricultural sector. Whilst the Government should be commended for its investment in on-farm irrigation infrastructure, telecommunications and transport, it was extremely disappointing that massive cuts were made to the agricultural research sector.
The following is an analysis from Cotton Australia and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) on what last week’s Federal Budget means for cotton growers and the industry.
The Positives
- Investment in on-farm irrigation infrastructure
It is pleasing that the Government has committed $300 million for a new on-farm irrigation efficiency grants program to help deliver a long-term sustainable future for irrigation communities in the southern Basin. Unfortunately there was no extra money for the Northern Basin. Cotton Australia is continuing to lobby to get the $200 million for the Northern Basin to flow to growers.
- Continuation of drought support in its current form
The Government has allocated $715.3 million in the 2009-10 Budget to continue support for drought-affected farmers, farm families, small businesses and rural communities.
Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance and other payments for farmers and farm families including EC Relief Payments, the EC Interest Rate Subsidy and Interim Income Support will continue unchanged.
- Investment in rural health
The Government will provide $134.4 million over four years to support regional and remote communities facing health workforce shortages.
- Small business tax break
Small businesses will now be able to claim a bonus tax deduction of 50% – up from 30% previously ¬ of the cost of eligible assets acquired between 13 December 2008 and 31 December 2009, and installed by 31 December 2010. The expanded Tax Break will be available to small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million.
- Regional telecommunications investment
The Government has announced an $80 million Rural and Regional National Broadband Network Initiative to build on the National Broadband Network by supporting initiatives which improve service delivery and promote broadband take up and use in regional, rural and remote communities.
- Regional roads investment
The Government will provide $3 billion over six years (including $742 million in 2008-09 and $562 million in 2013-14) as contributions towards three road projects that have been recommended by Infrastructure Australia.
The Negatives
- Cuts to research funding
It is deeply disappointed that research and development in agriculture, including in the area of climate change research, will be cut. The productivity of farming industries rides on the back of R&D but current investment is at a critical low level.
The Government has confirmed it will cease funding for Land and Water Australia in 2009 10 providing savings of $45.9 million over four years for the Government. The Government has also cut $12 million over four years from the funding of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
- Cuts to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Government has removed $12 million of departmental funding for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This equates to approximately 312 fewer staff within DAFF.
- The Living Murray
The Government has phased out appropriations from The Living Murray program, with $28M allocated in 2009-10 but none thereafter. In reality, the Living Murray has largely been replaced by the Water for the Future program.
Contact: Adam Kay 02 9669 5222