, While the cotton industry and irrigated agriculture as a whole has been battered by the continuing drought, industry leaders are looking to the future. They are well away of the importance of R & D to agriculture's long term prosperity and the sustainability of rural communities. The challenge is to continue to develop innovative and resilient farming systems that successfully integrate the mosaic of multiple crops within the overlaying challenges of climate, economics and policy imperatives. The cotton industry leaders will work with the industry and other industries to develop a collaborative R & D structure beyond 2012 and welcome input and ideas on this issue