A major new $14 million research partnership supported by the Albanese and Minns Governments and led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has commenced, helping to strengthen drought resilience across Australia's cotton and grain industries.
The multi-year program is supported by almost $8 million from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund, alongside cash contributions from Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), and significant in-kind support from research and industry partners.
The project, Long-term Drought Resilient Practices for Climate-Smart Cropping Systems, aims to unite researchers, growers and industry to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions to help farmers prepare, manage and recover from drought.
Key project elements include:
- Expansion of long-term cropping trials in NSW, including trials running for up to 40 years at the Australian Cotton Research Institute near Narrabri, and establishment of core trials in southern Queensland;
- A network of 25 on-farm trials across NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory;
- Evaluation of innovative practices such as soil amendments, moisture-conserving rotations and novel plant growth regulators;
- Assessing disease, pathogen variability and soil health under irrigated, semi-irrigated and dryland production systems;
- Use of advanced monitoring technologies, including crop sensors, soil moisture probes and remote sensing;
- Improved irrigation decision support frameworks to guide farmers before, during and after drought;
- Research into key climate drivers affecting the northern Murray-Darling Basin to assist in crop choice, planting decisions and risk management.
The project will focus on cotton systems while delivering broader benefits to grains and pulses across Australia.
Research partners include the University of New England, Western Sydney University, the University of Southern Queensland, the University of New South Wales, Southern Cross University, CSIRO, Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration, Ag Econ, and CottonInfo as the lead extension partner.
Other supporting partners include the Dryland Cotton Research Association, cotton grower associations, the Mungindi Cropping Group, NFC Ag Pty Ltd and Goanna Ag.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said:
"The Albanese Labor Government is working closely with farmers and producers to help improve their climate resilience - to help safeguard our food security and our trusted position in the global trade market.
"This project brings together some of the nation's leading researchers, industry experts and growers to deliver tangible outcomes that will strengthen productivity and sustainability across our cotton and grains sectors.
"Through the Future Drought Fund, we're backing long-term research that gives farmers the tools and confidence to manage risk, improve water efficiency and maintain production during challenging conditions.
"This is supporting farmers to grow more sustainability, prepare for future challenges and continue producing the world-class products Australians are proud of."
NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
"This major new research program will bring together decades of cropping research, real-world on-farm trials and advanced monitoring technology to help farmers improve productivity and better manage climate and drought risks.
"The Minns Government is backing our cotton and grains farmers and helping them prepare for the increasing climate risks they're facing.
"We want this research to be practical - giving farmers evidence and tools they can actually use on their farms.
"Through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund, we're investing in research that can be put into practice on farm and help our growers be better prepared for the next drought."
NSW DPIRD Group Director, Climate and Natural Resources, Dr Jason Crean:
"By drawing on the research and industry expertise from the Australian Cotton Research Institute and partners across government, universities, CSIRO and industry, we will test innovative farming practices that strengthen drought resilience across wide geographical regions.
"This combined research effort ensures growers receive practical, scientifically validated options that work in a real commercial environment."
Quotes attributable to CRDC Executive Director Allan Williams:
"We are excited by the opportunity for this work to provide cotton growers with the evidence base to confidently trial innovations and make decisions around improving the water use efficiency for their crops and the drought resilience of their farming systems (including grains rotation crops).
"This is crucial for cotton/grains regions where there is potential for extra heat stress days by 2050, driving higher plant water demand.
"This research supports farming in a water-limited future by providing growers with innovative and reliable drought resilience tools to understand and mitigate their climate risk."
