Australia
September 9, 2005
During September, cotton managers
can attend workshops in each major cotton growing centre to be
trained in the latest decision support tools to assist in the
management of their cotton crops.
CSIRO scientists Mr Dirk
Richards and Ms Sandra Deutscher will be running the workshops
to train and demonstrate the new features of HyrdoLOGIC and
introduce two new web tools designed to help make more informed
cotton management decisions.
“HydroLOGIC
was first released in 2003 and has since helped growers manage
their irrigations better and improve water use,” says Dr Bange,
leader of the CSIRO /
Cotton CRC Cotton Management Support Systems team from
Narrabri.
“The 2005
version to be released as part of these workshops has
incorporated a lot of user feedback and features new scenario
options and new reporting options.”
Two new web
tools to be presented in the workshops include the 'Crop
Development Tool' and 'LEFT', both available on the Cotton CRC's
website,
www.cotton.crc.org.au/CottonLOGIC.
“LEFT – the
Last Effective Flower Tool – is a new web based tool which
estimates timing of the last effective flower based on regional
temperature data. This helps growers determine target cutout
dates to assist with end of season management decisions,” Dr
Bange says.
“The Crop
Development Tool integrates the Early Season Diagnostic Tool
with a new fruit development monitoring tool.”
“Both tools
are designed to compare actual crop progress with a potential
growth target, to help growers identify crop problems that could
potentially impact on yield, quality and maturity.”
“Growers
attending these workshops will walk away with a clear
understanding of which tools will be most helpful to them in
different situations and how they can be employed to improve
cotton production.”
During the
workshops the newly re-developed CottonLOGIC software concept
will be previewed – giving growers a chance to provide feedback
to ensure the latest version meets future industry needs.
New
publications from the Cotton CRC's Technology Resource Centre
will also be available at the workshops.
Workshops
will be run during September 2005 in NSW at Moree, Narrabri,
Gunnedah, Hillston and Bourke, and in Queensland at Emerald,
Goondiwindi, St George, Dalby, Theodore and Toowoomba.
To attend
growers may book via their local cotton extension officer or
contact Sandra Deutscher on 02 6799 1589 or 0427 254 103. |