CRDC will invest more than half a million dollars across 11 feasibility studies for cutting-edge projects that aim to tackle some of cotton's biggest future challenges.
The successful projects in the CRDC Innovation Call, delivered by some of the country's leading startups, ventures, entrepreneurs, agribusinesses and research organisations, were selected following a national open call for innovative solutions to three cotton challenges - preparing for a low-pesticide future, optimising nitrogen use, and improving weed management. CRDC offered up to $50,000 to support each individual feasibility study, across these three key priority areas.
From lightning-powered seed technology and AI-driven drones, to biofertilisers made from farm waste and nature-based pest control, almost $550,000 will be shared across 11 projects delivering on CRDC's Clever Cotton strategy.
CRDC's Acting General Manager, Innovation, Susan Maas said the Innovation Call is about turning breakthrough concepts into practical solutions for cotton growers. It was a competitive process, with cotton growers involved through the CRDC and Cotton Australia research panels to help prioritise projects.
"These ideas show just how bold and innovative the cotton industry has become," Susan said.
"By investing early in feasibility studies like these, we're giving innovators the runway they need to test big ideas with real impact.
"From AI to nature-based solutions, we're backing ideas that have the potential to change how we grow cotton in Australia."
The 11 successful applicants will now commence their feasibility studies. Growers will have the opportunity to hear more about the projects at the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast in August.
The feasibility studies will inform a subsequent funding round, where up to $500,000 will be available to successful innovators to deliver proof-of-concept projects within the Australian cotton farming system.
The successful projects:
Releasing beneficial mites to manage chemical-resistant spider mites naturally - The Crop Capsules Company
This project will put nature to work in the cotton field, testing whether predatory mites can be released at scale to control two‑spotted spider mites - an increasing challenge as resistance to chemical sprays accelerates.
Three innovative release methods will be evaluated: a dry granular system, a liquid spray delivery system, and Crop Capsules' novel biodegradable capsule technology. The capsule system packages live beneficial mites in protective, plant-based capsules designed to shield them during deployment and release them directly into the crop environment. Aerial distribution of the capsules enables precise, low-disturbance and fast delivery across broadacre cotton systems.
Field trials will assess predator survival and establishment, how effectively they suppress spider mites, and the resulting impact on crop damage. By delivering the first field‑scale evaluation of biological mite management in broadacre cotton, this work aims to identify delivery systems that are both practical for growers and effective under real‑world, commercial conditions - helping lay the groundwork for more resilient, spray‑free pest management.
Turning farm and food waste into a slow-release fertiliser that feeds cotton and cuts carbon at the same time - Growth Agriculture
This project will develop and test a circular-economy fertiliser, turning local organic waste like treated sewage (known as biosolids), animal bones and dried blood from meat processing into a safe, high-quality fertiliser for cotton systems.
Instead of sending this waste to landfill, the project will recycle it into small fertiliser pellets that slowly release nutrients into the soil. This helps crops use nitrogen more efficiently, reduces fertiliser costs for farmers, and lowers harmful emissions. It also locks carbon into the soil, which is better for the environment.
The team will test the product in the lab and in real farm trials to make sure it's safe, effective, and performs as well as (or better than) common fertilisers like urea. They'll also design small, portable production units so the fertiliser can be made locally in regional areas, and roll out a community education piece through the 'Dollars for Dung' program.
Eyes in the sky: Using AI drones for weed detection and prevention - Landcare Australia
This project utilises drones and an advanced AI platform (WeedRemeed™) to detect hard-to-spot weeds before they spread through cotton-growing regions. With a focus on riparian zones, where manual surveys are difficult or unsafe to carry out on foot, the system will process drone imagery using advanced colour picking and machine learning technologies to detect and geolocate weeds. Successful detection models will identify weeds at an accuracy of over 80 per cent.
The work will include defining a target weed species. This process will incorporate advice from ecological specialists as well as knowledge shared by local landholders and community groups. This will be followed by conducting suitability assessments, undertaking drone surveys, and training the AI models before the WeedRemeed™ technology is deployed through Landcare Australia's WildSeek hubs.
Delivered alongside the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, the project will expand the existing WildSeek and WeedRemeed™ frameworks to create a scalable, community-driven weed management tool.
Using Faba beans as green manure - MCA Agronomy Pty Ltd
This project investigates how faba beans can naturally feed soils between cotton crops. Faba beans naturally pull nitrogen out of the air and put it into the soil, improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This could mean farmers need less fertiliser for their next cotton crop.
By assessing the agronomic, environmental and economic impacts of using faba beans as a green manure crop within irrigated cotton rotations, this project will be able to determine if faba beans outweigh the additional costs of growing and irrigating the green manure crop.
The first part of this study will include a desktop assessment and a survey of cotton growers to understand their experiences, perceptions and willingness to adopt green manuring. Findings will then inform the design of a potential on-farm validation project.
Lightning-powered seed technology to boost crops - Rainstick Pty Ltd
This project uses the power of lightning to see if it gives cotton seeds a stronger, faster and more resilient start.
This feasibility study will evaluate the potential of Variable Electric Field technology - a non-chemical, bioelectric seed treatment that mimics the effects of lightning - to improve cotton germination, seedling vigour, nitrogen-use efficiency and overall crop resilience.
The technology has already demonstrated yield gains of 12-16 per cent in other crops and offers a scalable, pre-plant treatment that requires no change to existing on-farm practices.
Using cotton ginning waste to boost cotton crops - RMIT University
This project will transform cotton ginning waste - currently a low-value, high-cost byproduct - into a valuable new product to help cotton crops grow more efficiently.
It will investigate turning ginning waste into nano-boosters that help fertilisers and sprays work smarter, not harder.
The study will develop a one-step dry synthesis process for producing carbon dots from cotton waste and test their performance as nano-fertilisers and smart pesticide carriers.
These nanoscale carbon dot particles are expected to bind nitrogen fertilisers, slow nutrient losses and improve pesticide delivery and uptake. This could reduce input costs and environmental impacts for the Australian cotton industry.
Mapping creek lines and riverbanks to show where restoring nature will deliver the biggest bang for cotton - Southern Queensland NRM Ltd (SQ Landscapes)
This project investigates how spatial planning across riparian areas could deliver more targeted investment across southern Queensland cotton-growing regions. It's about working out whether improving riverbank areas can save farmers money, reduce chemical use, support biodiversity and possibly create new income opportunities.
The study builds on CRDC's previous riparian mapping projects to help the cotton industry identify and prioritise areas for riparian investment and natural capital improvement.
Using mapping and location data, it will look at the costs and benefits of better managing riverbank areas. This includes controlling weeds, creating habitat for helpful insects, reducing pesticide use and exploring potential income through environmental programs.
Results will provide the foundation for future on-ground investments and expanded national application.
Using bacteria for pest control - University of Melbourne
The key goal of this project is to develop a self-spreading, non-chemical pest control method.
To do this, this project investigates whether naturally-occurring bacteria can be used to support area-wide management of aphids in cotton, focusing on the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii).
This study looks at a naturally occurring bacterium called Rickettsiella that can cut aphid breeding in half. Once established, this bacterium can spread through aphid populations. That means once it's introduced, it could help suppress aphid abundances across large areas, reducing the need for growers to apply chemical control.
Researchers will test how the bacterium affects aphids feeding on cotton, different strains of aphids that carry the bacterium, as well as measuring its ability to spread through cotton plants.
Real-time dashboards that turn satellite images and weather data into optimised nitrogen decisions for growers - University of New England
This study will explore options to transform real-time satellite imagery and weather data into decision tools that help cotton farmers hit their yield targets efficiently.
Build on technology already adopted by the rice industry, the project will combine satellite images with local weather and field-level data - such as paddock maps, fertiliser rates, and previous yields - to track cotton crop growth and nitrogen status against regional benchmarks.
The goal is to provide farmers with clear, live information about crops, enabling data-driven fertiliser decisions that boost efficiency, profitability and environmental outcomes.
Nitrogen decision-support tool - University of Sydney
This project investigates the development of a digital guide to help growers apply the right nitrogen (N), at the right time, for profit and planet.
Using advanced modelling, the research team will simulate how different soils, climates, and fertiliser rates influence cotton yield, profitability, and greenhouse gas emissions.
These results will train a fast, machine-learning 'surrogate model' capable of predicting outcomes in seconds rather than hours, allowing rapid scenario testing and easy deployment.
The project will create a 'N-Smart Playground' proof-of-concept 'surrogate model' to test the feasibility and user value of an interactive fertiliser decision environment, with potential progression to a standalone or integrated digital platform.
Portable micron testing for harvest timing - Woven Optics Pty Ltd
This 12-month feasibility project will assess the potential for a handheld fibre test that tells growers the perfect time to pick cotton, before quality is lost.
The portable micron-testing system is based on proven wool industry technology. The study will test whether rapid, on-site fibre maturity data can guide optimal defoliation timing and enable pre-gin identification of cotton type, matching bales to the most efficient ginning protocols.
Real-world testing, performance comparisons and financial analysis will show how valuable the product is, how much money it can make back, and whether it's ready to be sold commercially.
