Timely recognition for two CSIRO agriculural scientists is another feather in the cap for Australian grown cotton.
The crop downunder was originally considered a marginal contribution to national agriculture and yet today it has a world wide reputation for production and quality.
In fact the agronomy and physiology awards presented to Dr Michael Bange at the Belt Wide Cotton Conference earlier this year were the only ones given outside the United States. An Australia Order presented to Dr Constable in January only confirms the pair’s contribution to the industry while living and working at Narrabri.
“The advantage of the Australian cotton industry is that it is young, enthusiastic and vigorous,” praised Dr Constable, now retired, who noted that it was farmers’ curiosity that drove advancements in Australian cotton.
The pair delight in living and working out of the Australian Cotton Research Institute, half way between Narrabri and Wee Waa on the Namoi, where they can road test their lab research in the paddock.
Dr Bange said there was a culture at the CSIRO institute, led by Dr Constable, where work was designed to create change in agriculture.
“We do it with intent,” said Dr Bange. “We look at the reason for doing that research and take a path to impact.”
As time goes on the producer is hard pressed to improve yield. Central to going forward is the realisation that genetics are important, but so too are environment and human management.
“It’s about leveraging gain,” explained Dr Bange. “When those elements work together you get an interactive effect.” Recent work under Dr Bange has improved communication between grower, ginner and spinner so short cuts on the ground, or in processing, don’t compromise quality at the export end. The CSIRO guide FIBREpak addresses this.
Another toolkit is CottASSIST, which helps growers deal future challenges, like climate change.
Dr Bange said a culture of open communication between growers and the Narrabri research station fostered a better understanding of issues and remedies.
“That ability to be so accessible is a key ingredient to our success,” he said. “We live and work in this industry and there is a better understanding of issues.”
After last summer’s record heatwave the phone has been ringing hot. “This was our busiest year by far,” said Dr Bange. “A lot of those calls were about the impact of climate on their product. But we find that what variables our growers deal with now far exceeds medium term climate change.” Much of what the institute team has been working on already helps directly with such an impact by managing efficiency of water use and nutrition for a start.