CSIRO Plant Industry researcher, Peter Reid, has received a major CSIRO award for his work on developing hardier, more productive varieties of cotton suited specifically to Australian conditions.

At a ceremony today in Brisbane Mr Reid was presented with the Sir Ian McLennan Achievement for Industry Award for his outstanding contribution to Australia’s major cotton breeding programs. Industry partners, Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd, were also recognised for their marketing contributions to these innovations.

The new cotton varieties Mr Reid helped develop have been recognised internationally as industry benchmarks in terms of improved yield, disease resistance and fibre quality. These include:  Sicala V-2 (for increased resistance to verticillium wilt); Sicot 189 and Sicala 45 (for resistance to fusarium wilt); and, Sicot 71 (for exceptional yield potential).

CSIRO cotton breeding programs have also played a major role in increasing Australia’s cotton crop yields by an average of two per cent a year since 1984. Mr Reid has been part of this successful breeding program for 25 years and has consistently made discoveries on varieties with benefits to Australian cotton growers.

A recent cost benefit analysis showed that CSIRO cotton breeding programs returned $86 for every dollar invested and that the net present value of that research to Australia is around $4.9 billion.

Division Chief, Dr Jeremy Burdon, said the award recognised Mr Reid’s long-term dedication to the crucial task of ensuring that Australia’s cotton industry continues to compete successfully on international markets.

“Peter has been a real asset to our research team, making outstanding contributions to science that have been successfully translated into economic benefits for the cotton industry,” he said.

As part of the award, Mr Reid was presented with $15,000 to undertake an overseas study visit.