Aims : To utilise the Cotton Research Unit (CRU) and the Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) modelling capabilities to identify where and how cotton management can be improved and to deliver these outcomes to the cotton industry. Specific objectives will be to: . * to utilise the total modelling capacity of CRU (CERCOT) and APSRU (APSIM) to undertake a risk analysis study, for each cotton region, to provide information for better agronomic management, especially addressing the issues of soil fertility, nitrogen application, sowing date effects, use of limited irrigation water, varietal selection and row configuration *. to demonstrate the value of linking crop and soil monitoring with the predictive capability of a cropping systems model (APSIM) to make better decisions regarding planting options (crops), timing and fertiliser input requirements * to assist with development and validation of stable parameters to quantify differences between cotton varieties and incorporate these into CERCOT, to allow the model to accurately reflect varietal differences in performance and enhance the value of predictions * to involve industry in developing and implementing mechanisms for delivery of simulation outcomes and to provide access to information from this project for evaluation.