“FIBREpak contains information for managing fibre quality at every step, from variety choice and crop management through to harvesting and ginning,” says project leader, CSIRO Plant Industry’s Dr Mike Bange.

“Australian cotton is alrady regarded worldwide as an excellent fibre.

"To further enhance its competitiveness, CSIRO and the Cotton CRC with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) continue to invest in research that aims to improve fibre quality.

“FIBREpak represents one part of this overall effort, with investment in plant biotechnology, plant breeding, crop production and post-harvest research conducted in Narrabri, Geelong and Canberra.”

Variety, seasonal conditions, crop and harvest management, and ginning can all determine whether or not commercial spinners’ requirements are met.

While some of these factors cannot be controlled, others can be, such as the use of better varieties, management for each region’s climate and processing to minimise fibre damage, present opportunities to improve fibre quality.

“FIBREpak will improve the understanding of all those involved in producing cotton fibre regarding what aspects of fibre quality they can influence, quality management options and the needs of the other participants in the supply chain,” Dr Bange says.