CSD and CSIRO have been working together since 1971, with over 116 cotton varieties released to the Australian market.

This partnership was formalised in 2007, through the formation of the Cotton Breeding Australia (CBA) joint venture – a targeted research fund set up to facilitate the research and development of future cotton varieties for Australian growers.

Since 2007, the CBA collaboration has invested over $140 million towards this research; and in 2018, the partnership was formally extended to June 2029. Click here to read more about this announcement.

The cotton breeding cycle from initial crossing to commercial release can take up to ten years, therefore the success of the CBA joint venture is a result of the long term commitment of both staff and funding.

CBA research is focussed on the future issues and challenges for cotton production in Australia, and both CSD and CSIRO consider the CBA partnership critical in ensuring that cotton remains at the forefront of Australian innovation, well into the future.

CBA research activities are overseen by a Management Committee with both CSD and CSIRO members; and through a Scientific Committee with CSD, CSIRO, Cotton Research & Development Corporation and Cotton Australia members.

Despite several major obstacles experienced during the last year, such as the Canberra hailstorm (which destroyed glasshouses and infrastructure), Canberra fires (which impacted on staff), the continuing drought (which caused challenges with being able to place field trials and in some cases such as disease trials, the results) and the current coronavirus pandemic crisis, the teams involved in the CBA Projects have continued to make significant advances.

Please take some time to learn more about some of the highlights of CBA breeding and biotechnology research below.