The Australian cotton industry is one of the most innovative agricultural industries within Australia due in part to its effective extension network. The Australian cotton industry extension model involves Cotton Industry Development Officers (Cotton IDO's) located within each major cotton growing region. These extension personnel are funded by the cotton industry through levies paid by cotton growers on each bale of cotton produced. In addition to their local role, each member of the National Cotton Extension Team contributes to a national extension effort through focus teams in specific disciplines such as Weeds & Diseases, Insects, Water, Environment and Farming Systems. These focus teams interact closely with researchers and associated grower representatives to ensure that consistent messages are extended across the industry with minimal duplication by individual extension officers.

The aim of the National Cotton Extension Team is to enhance returns to industry accruing from the implementation of research and development through influencing the awareness of, knowledge of and attitudes towards the adoption of technologies and best management practices. This extension effort is focused on information transfer (from researchers, consultants and growers), confidence building and demonstration. The primary tools and processes utilised include information transfer, trials and demonstrations and coordination of grower groups.

Integrated pest management (IPM) has been a major focus of the extension effort within the Australian cotton industry over the last few years. The aim of this IPM program has been to reduce insecticide application, particularly broad spectrum chemistry, and off target impacts following increased resistance, environmental and community concerns. This IPM approach has included the promotion of the compensatory ability of cotton, the role of predatory insects and parasitoids and the use of selective insecticide products within an Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy. This paper outlines various tools and processes utilised by the Australian cotton industry extension officers as well as some of the challenges they face. The content of this paper will particularly relate to insect management and integrated pest management as this has been where so much energy has been focused recently.