JeffreyBidstrup menzies tues4pm

Ten years of GM cottonWhere to from here?: 

Ten years of GM cotton Where to from here? Jeff Bidstrup, Convenor, Producers Forum

Australian cotton: 

Australian cotton Australia versus other country yields (kg/ha)

Australia’s cotton industry today: 

Australia’s cotton industry today In Australia, cotton is grown from Hillston in southern NSW to Emerald in central Queensland. The Australian Cotton Industry The highest yields in the world Amongst the leaders in world quality Excellent reputation for marketing and delivery Seventh largest producer in the world Third largest exporter – producing three million bales per annum.

Where did we come from?: 

Where did we come from? The modern Australian cotton industry had its genesis in the Namoi Valley in NSW in the 1960s Apart from water availability, the major threat to cotton production has been from insect pests – heliothis Development of resistance has been a key issue New insect controls + IPM kept industry alive Community concerns about chemical use Fortunately our OS competitors could not match our ability to manage cotton – rotate chemistry, IPM etc

The world changed in 1995 : 

The world changed in 1995 1995 saw the first plantings of genetically modified (GM) cotton in Australia Growers planted insect resistant, Bt cotton – marketed as “Ingard” The cotton contains genes from a soil bacteria providing significant resistance to heliothis caterpillars Australia quickly developed varieties and systems to maximise the value of the new technology.

From one gene to two: 

From one gene to two Ingard gave us a platform from which to build a very successful IPM (Integrated Pest Management) system In 2004, insect resistant cotton with two Bt genes (marketed as “Bollgard”) was introduced In the first year around 70% of the crop was planted to Bollgard In 2005-06 this figure is close to 80% Crops are generally not sprayed at all for heliothis

Conventional vs Bt cotton Insecticide use: 

Conventional vs Bt cotton Insecticide use

Economic return – Bollgard 11 vs Conventional: 

Economic return – Bollgard 11 vs Conventional

From insect resistance to herbicidetolerance: 

From insect resistance to herbicide tolerance In 1999-2000 herbicide tolerant cotton was introduced (marketed as “Roundup Ready”) This cotton has revolutionised weed control We are no longer reliant on armies of cotton chippers Roundup Ready cotton is only resistant to herbicide in its early growth stages, so despite a limited benefit, it is now widely used across the industry

% GM cotton planted in Australia: 

% GM cotton planted in Australia

Industry challenges: 

Industry challenges Competition Globally – Australia is not the only beneficiary of this technology. The half-hectare farmer in China or India has the same technology often at a lower or nil cost Locally – We work closely with local and global technology developers to encourage competition and choice in the Australian market place. Access to Intellectual Property is critical Management Resistance and weeds present ongoing challenges and we are committed to managing these.

GM state moratoria: 

GM state moratoria The Australian cotton industry is fortunate to have access to gene technology – unlike other Australian commodity sectors Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia

Five to ten years – new varieties: 

Five to ten years – new varieties New varieties: Roundup Flex – season long control with Roundup – leap forward in the ease of weed control Liberty Link – alternative herbicide tolerant cotton – alleviate pressure of glyphosate and alternating technologies will provide robust weed control. Also, this new variety will provide greater competition in the market place VIP – an alternate insect resistant cotton

Five to ten years – new options: 

Five to ten years – new options While commercial sensitivities often delay announcements of key advances, the next five to ten years present enormous opportunities: Drought tolerance/higher water use efficiency Modified oil properties Improved insecticidal genes More efficient nutrient use Disease and virus resistance Major advances in fibre quality and quantity traits Resistance to abiotic stress – salinity, heat waterlogging, cold

Our vision: 

Our vision Longer, stronger, finer fibres Less water with equivalent yield due to agronomic advances Rotating herbicide tolerant cotton to control weeds and new traits will be on the list Modified oil for better health or commercial purposes Better manage disease and virus outbreaks Breed to take advantage of shifts in climate patterns Better placed to implement solutions for patent rights and freedom to operate

Our vision: 

Our vision We may be growing specialty fibres that dye better, are coloured or have properties that make them more comfortable or water or fire resistant Finally our environment will be much improved. We will produce more with less: - less fuel - less water - less insecticide - less herbicide - less labour and nutrients

Global growth of GM crops: 

Global growth of GM crops

The consumers of the worldshould be well pleased with us.: 

The consumers of the world should be well pleased with us. When history runs its course and the Time comes to reflect on the years past

For further information: 

For further information www.producersforum.net.au Mr Jeff Bidstrup Convenor Producers Forum Tel: 0427 063 270 Email: bidstrupjm@bigpond.com