The Winter 2026 edition of Spotlight focuses on how Australia’s cotton industry is managing risk on farm and building the capability to deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Disease management is a major focus, with the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) expanding diagnostic services, building a national pathogen collection and improving early detection tools. From faster on‑farm diagnostics to spore trapping and regional surveillance, this work is helping growers identify issues earlier and make more informed management decisions.
Resilience is also front and centre. A new Future Drought Fund project is establishing 25 on‑farm trial sites across NSW, Qld and the NT to test practical approaches to drought preparedness, recovery and water use efficiency. At the same time, new nitrogen work is giving growers the chance to test ways to optimise fertiliser use without compromising yield.
Innovation will be on show at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference, where 11 CRDC‑supported projects will feature in Innovation Alley. These projects are tackling key challenges such as nitrogen efficiency, pest management and weed detection, giving growers the chance to see what’s coming next and help shape which ideas move forward.
Across this edition, you’ll also find updates on disease work in northern regions, sustainability, data and decision tools, and the latest research being tested on farm. Together, these stories reflect a focus on practical trials, grower involvement and applying research where it counts – in the field.
