Monsanto Australia opens new cotton research centre

Growers, industry representatives and government officials recently came together to mark the official opening of Monsanto Australia’s new cotton research centre in Toowoomba, Australia. 

The modern facility will allow the company to undertake increasingly sophisticated research to enhance future cotton technology development. The increased investment in Monsanto Australia’s research capability will ensure cotton growers continue to benefit from its highly successful insect-tolerant and herbicide-resistant cotton for years to come.

 Monsanto Australia’s Managing Director, Daniel Kruithoff, said the investment in the new research centre demonstrates Monsanto’s commitment to the ongoing sustainability and competitiveness of cotton production in Australia.

 “Bollgard technology helped Australia become one of the worlds most sustainable and productive cotton producers by reducing the industry’s insecticide use by 95% since 1996. To ensure local growers continue to benefit from this cutting-edge technology, we have invested in this new purpose-built cotton research centre to ensure that position is maintained.

 “With a focus on bringing to market new technologies and a dedicated Bt Resistance Monitoring Program (RMP) the new centre increases our research capacity and will help ensure Australian cotton growers remain among the most productive and innovative in the world.

 “Our ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration with industry partners ensures we will play our part in the future success of cotton farming in Australia,” Mr Kruithoff said.

 Cotton Australia Chief Executive Adam Kay also welcomed the investment, saying the new research centre plays an important part of the overall stewardship of biotechnology products for the Australian cotton industry.

 “The Australian cotton industry is recognised as a world leader in its stewardship of biotechnology products having had 19 successful seasons of production of GM cotton. The new centre signals Monsanto’s long term commitment to the industry and ensures the stewardship around new biotechnology will be solid as we move forward,” Mr Kay said.

 Peter Graham, Chief Executive of Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) said the new centre reinforces the strong partnership between Monsanto and CSD as well as the industry more broadly.

 “The new centre in Toowoomba is a significant investment that demonstrates Monsanto’s commitment to deliver growers a pipeline of new technology. We look forward to continuing to work with Monsanto to leverage those traits to be part of the package offered to the Australian cotton grower for years to come,” he said.

 The new facility will provide Monsanto’s entomologists and researchers with the resources required to undertake more sophisticated testing of the company’s existing and pipeline technologies, and a base to conduct field tests and expanded pest resistance research.