Cotton growers are facing increasing pressure to manage resources more cost effectively and to be more accountable for the impact their decisions have on the surrounding environment. Decision support systems (DSS) have been developed to provide cotton growers with the best information available from research to assist with their management decision-making.

The aim of this project is to continue to identify critical issues where decision support tools can help growers and to develop and validate these tools. We have a range of new ideas and also requests from industry that need to be progressed over the next few years. This project will also maintain and support the existing software packages to ensure their ongoing relevance and performance. Finally, this project will also provide support for researchers, such as developing programs to help with validation of models or present data on the WWW. The approach we propose to achieve this is to combine a dedicated programmer, to ensure that the most up-to-date software design and web management is used, with an experienced cotton agronomist (Ms Sandra Deutscher), to undertake field validation of software and to understand technical issues from the industry’s point of view when developing new tools.

This was the main source of funding that supports the Cotton Management Support Systems team based at Narrabri and will specifically support:

• The salary of Ms Sandra Deutscher, Experimental Scientist responsible for field validation, software evaluation and testing, as well as providing software training and support. Sandra’s current and future role will also be to assist in implementing advanced computing approaches for delivery of information, such as using multi-format tools that allow rapid publication of Web, hardcopy and CD based information. Examples of these included the revised IPM guidelines and the pest and beneficial guide.

• The salary of a programmer Laxmi Thakur. The programmer is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Cotton CRC’s website and new developments in handheld technology and advanced information delivery systems.

• Operating costs to fund the necessary resources for new software engineering projects, field validation, training, support, and the production and distribution of software.

This project was also jointly funded by the Australian Cotton CRC and was strongly linked to the CRDC project ‘Supporting development and independent evaluation of cotton management packages’.

A range of DSS activities undertaken to assist industry in crop management were:

• NutriLOGIC Online;

• HydroLOGIC version 1;

• Commencement of CottonLOGIC redevelopment;

• Maintenance of the Cotton CRC’s website;

• Implementation of the CSIRO’s common modelling protocol;

• Completion of the online pest and beneficial guide.

• Assistance in completion of the revised IPM guidelines (paper based, online and on CottonPAKs);

• Release of the online Early Season Diagnosis Tool;

• Delivery of Myall Vale (ACRI) weather data online;

• Completion of a new version of the CottonLOGIC insect check cards;

• Field validation of the Early Season Diagnosis Tool and sucking pest sampling methodologies; and

• Conduct of CottonLOGIC/HydroLOGIC training workshops and provision of a decision support helpdesk.