A series of trials for evaluating new cotton strains and cultivars in Queensland was conducted in collaboration with the CSIRO cotton breeding programs based at Narrabri.

Queensland trials in the Australian Cotton Cultivar Trial series were grown at Brookstead on the Darling Downs and at Moura and Emerald in central Queensland.

Strain Trials to evaluate preliminary and advanced breeding lines were grown at Brookstead (Short Season lines) and Moura and Emerald (Full Season lines).

“Hot area – material” was tested in trials at Emerald while “Ingard” lines were tested in trials at Emerald and Brookstead.

Once again Dryland cotton variety trials were attempted on the Darling Downs (Dalby) with the hope that the current drought conditions did not prevail.

The outcome of these trials was the commercial release of new cotton varieties that have higher yields and improved fibre qualities, especially fibre strength.

The inclusion of Queensland sites for early generation testing improves the efficiency of the selection process and assists the CSIRO breeders identify high yielding cultivars with high fibre quality and other desirable attributes suited to “local conditions”

The testing of vast numbers of cotton breeding lines, from the CSIRO program, throughout the cotton growing regions of Queensland, has resulted in the eventual release of new/improved commercial cotton varieties. These (especially INGARD varieties) require less chemical spraying during the growing season (sustainability of natural resources – Environmental) and at end of season produce higher yields (profitability for grower – Economic) and better quality cotton (competitive markets and higher prices - Economic). This then has a flow-on effect on people and communities whether they are in the cotton industry directly or indirectly (Social).