myBMP underpins Australia’s cotton sustainability credentials

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myBMP underpins Australia’s cotton sustainability credentials

By Rick Kowitz – myBMP Manager

Despite a very dry season, myBMP continues to be well supported by Australia’s cotton growers. Most cotton growers are now registered in the myBMP program and around 20 per cent of Australia’s

Rick Kowitz (myBMP Manager) presents Ross Burnett from Emerald with a BCI Licenced Grower sign. cotton comes from myBMP-accredited farms, a three-fold increase since 2014 when Cotton Australia first partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

Better Cotton Initiative continues to grow

Better Cotton premiums have been a great incentive for Australian cotton growers and have helped get more growers involved in myBMP. Global Better Cotton production has been steadily increasing and now accounts for 19 per cent of the world’s cotton production. The demand for Better Cotton from retailers and brands continues to grow, but has not kept pace with supply, therefore putting pressure on the value of the Better Cotton premiums. BCI is working hard to close the gap by getting more retailers and brands on board and doubling the demand for Better Cotton from five to 10 per cent of global cotton over the next few years.

Bayer’s Better Farming Program – a boost to sustainability

In 2018, Monsanto, now Bayer, announced the myBMP Bale Grant as part of its ongoing Better Farming Grants Program. Bayer rewards growers with a $1 per bale grant for cotton produced from myBMP-accredited farms, a cash incentive that amounted to more than $1 million dollars in the first year. In addition to the myBMP Bale Grant, Bayer reimburses cotton growers with $2000 to cover the cost of a successful myBMP accreditation audit. The Better Farming Grants program has been running for six years now. Bayer’s Better Farming Grants Program is welcomed by the industry and contributes to a more sustainable future for Australian cotton.

myBMP gains more global recognition

myBMP is one of the highest sustainability standards in the world. This is becoming apparent as we benchmark myBMP against more global sustainability standards. myBMP is now recognised by six global standards, including the Textile Exchange, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, the International Trade Centre’s Sustainability Map, Forum for the Future – CottonUP Guide, CottonLEADSTM and the Better Cotton Initiative. Cotton Australia will

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continue to find more opportunities to promote myBMP and Australia’s sustainability credentials. Setting the standard for northern Australia

As the northern Australia cotton industry builds momentum, myBMP is being adapted to ensure best management practices are relevant to northern cotton growers. Governments and communities are keeping a close watch as the cotton industry develops and explores potential expansion. myBMP will play an important role in setting high standards and building a sustainable cotton industry in northern Australia.

Improving water quality in the Fitzroy Basin

This year concluded a three-year, $500,000 project partnering with the Fitzroy Basin Association to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. Through myBMP, Cotton Australia worked with 30 cotton farmers in the Central Highlands and Dawson-Callide Valley to improve water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency and sediment control. Activities included on-farm projects, farm demonstration sites, individual technical support and workshops, and covered a total farm area of 45,000 hectares. One of the growers involved, Graham Volck, improved his nitrogen use efficiency through water quality monitoring and more intensive soil testing.

Simon Corish and Hamish McIntyre inspect cotton growing at Kimberley Agricultural Investments, Kununurra.

Graham saved one in-crop nitrogen fertiliser application and around $80 per hectare in costs. Graham is a finalist in the Reef Nutrient Champion Awards this year.

Jump aboard the myBMP Express

The myBMP Express is back on track this year thanks to popular demand. The myBMP Express is a ‘hands-on’ session for cotton growers aiming to attain myBMP accreditation before February next year. The sessions start with a quick demonstration on how to use the myBMP system, followed by an introduction to each module. The aim is to work through the myBMP checklist and ask questions as you go. To book a seat on the next myBMP Express, contact your Cotton Australia Regional Manager, or call the myBMP Office on 1800 COTTON.