AUSTRALIAN cotton producers have voted with their feet in regards to the new genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties containing Monsanto’s Bollgard 3 technology.
The new traits allow farmers a wider planting window and have fewer restrictions post-harvest in terms of reduced moth pupae busting requirements post-harvest.
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All paddocks of Bollgard 2 cotton varieties were required to be cultivated after harvest to reduce the numbers of pupae of the helicoverpa moth.
The appetite for new technology has led to over 95pc of this year’s planned plantings likely to feature the Bollgard 3 trait.
Monsanto Australia managing director, Tony May said the rate of adoption of Bollgard 3 is the fastest for a new GM cotton trait seen anywhere in the world.
He said this uptake was even more remarkable given the technology has not yet been tested elsewhere.
“This is the first commercial season Bollgard 3 has been grown by anyone anywhere in the world,” Mr May said.
“The rapid adoption of Bollgard 3 in its first year shows cotton growers are willing to put their trust in new technologies right off the bat.” he said.
Early planting intentions indicate a strong season ahead, with forecast plantings already 120,000ha ahead than at the same point last season.
Indications are the area planted to Bollgard 3 varieties this year could be in excess of 400,000 hectares.
Mr May said changes to the Resistance Management Plan (RMP) for Bollgard 3 make it easier to grow cotton.
The varieties have a wider planting window, along with lower cultivation requirements.
He said the widening planting window was attracting new participants to the industry.
“Over 100 farmers will join the industry and plant cotton for the first time which is a great thing for the growth of the industry.”
The Bollgard systems provides cotton provides farmers with in-seed insect protection. In Australia this is mainly from the helicoverpa moth.
Gregor Heard
Gregor Heard is Fairfax Ag Media's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his ten years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector. Away from work, he is a keen traveller, having spent his long service leave last year in Spain learning the language.
Gregor Heard is Fairfax Ag Media's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his ten years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector. Away from work, he is a keen traveller, having spent his long service leave last year in Spain learning the language.
