IPM Training Coordinator

Abstract

The Australian Cotton Integrated Pest Management grower short course was conceptualised and developed from a recommendation presented in a commission report in 1997. This report focused on the adoption of IPM within Australian cotton industry. The recommendation made from this study identified the need to develop a package on IPM that could provide practical implementation strategies for growers. Industry accepted this recommendation and development a “hands on”, “practical focused”, and ” technical strong” short course. As well as assigning a designated IPM Coordinator to develop and implement the course.

The IPM grower short course has had a series of coordinators; Mr Greg Kauter, Mr Bill Dalton and Mr Mark Hickman. Each coordinator established, individual milestones for the course’s development. Only through the collaborative nature of the Australian Cotton CRC, and the leadership of Mr Kauter it possible to collate industry and research documentation regarding IPM. This information focused on the principles behind IPM management, utilising relevant industry examples of the modern farming system to establish both grower and industry creditability. Mr Dalton formulated the short course into a five day course conducted over a cotton production season. It consisted of a 2 day workshop in winter, 2 field days within crop and a review meeting post season for reflecting on practice change. This course format and content achieve a national competency based accreditation mapped to the unit RUAAG4302CTA at a Certificate IV level. Mr Dalton successful acquired FarmBi$ funding for the program and was able to conduct in 2001 the 3 industry pilot programs. Following these successful workshops Mr Hickman held the position of IPM training coordinator during 2002‐2005. In this period of time Mr Hickman implemented the pilot suggestions and modified the course to the emerging transgenic cotton crops. During this time a DVD was commissioned to NSW Agriculture and overseen by Mr Hickman to capture comments on leading IPM adopter’s comments within the industry. The DVD is used in the course and generates strong support from the participants. During the delivery period of this project Mr Hickman was successful in up grading the level of competency to Certificate V in agriculture addressing the unit RTE5006A “plan and manage longterm weed, pest and/or disease control in crops”.

Since 2001, there have been 20 courses completed across 11 of the industries production valleys. Statistics collected from the course indicated of the total 221 participants that participated (2001 to 2005), shows approximately 70% of participants are cotton producers, 25 % cotton consultants and 5% industry representatives. Excluding the 43 participants in 2004‐05 courses, since assessments had not been completed at the time of compiling this report, indicates 169 participants (2001‐2004) have successful been awarded a statement of attainment from either Murrumbidgee College of Agriculture or Dalby Agricultural College relating to the above mentioned qualifications. In the 2004, a BDA economic analysis of the Australia Cotton CRC stated research and extension in the area of IPM had an estimated benefit of $315 millions over the previous 5 year period. This project contributed towards this benefit. Participants from the course completed a self‐evaluation before the course and at the completion of the course 6‐9 months after starting. This indicated 72% of participants identified a practice change in their operation as a result of the course. The main areas of improvement were identified as increased and improved communication especially with the consultant. Growers felt they were empowered to enter into dialogue regarding management decisions suggested by the commercial consultants. Other growers identified a greater level of importance regarding beneficial insects when deciding on a management decision. Some growers simply increased the level of plant monitoring through mapping techniques learnt in the field days to aid in management decisions. In conclusion the IPM course has provided two valuable outcomes for the industry. Firstly, there has been practice change at the farm level. Secondly, the competency based framework of the course has established a workable model that can be.