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.