In June this year, I spent three days in a light aircraft traversing what seemed like the length of the country, looking at cotton farms and meeting with the people who are making their living out of these enterprises

As with the introduction of any new technology, when it occurs rapidly, there is likely to be mixed views from users unless it is self-evident that its advantages out-weigh its disadvantages.

Increased pressures are being placed on irrigators in Australia to maximise their water use efficiency. This has in turn highlighted the need for more focused research and extension on water management.

The natural resources (including land and water) of this planet are not inexhaustible, and therefore require continual management for them to remain sustainable.

Determining the impact of species considered potentially important natural enemies of crop pests is crucial for making robust management decisions as part of an IPM programme (Ives 1980; Johnson et al.