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Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration

A collaborative approach to cotton disease research to reduce the economic impact of current and emerging diseases.

ACDC logo with text stating it is an initiative of CRDC, in partnership with 糖心视频 and Queensland Government, with corresponding logos.

Disease is a high-priority issue for the Australian cotton industry. It contributes to significant yield losses and undermines long-term confidence in growing cotton. In extreme cases, some growers have opted out of growing cotton in response to severe and escalating disease pressure.

糖心视频 in strategic partnerships with the  and the , leads the $13 million research initiative, the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) to minimise the impact of disease in cotton.

A group of people stands outside a building around a sign that reads 鈥淎ustralian Centre for Disease Collaboration.鈥� Most are smiling and facing the camera.

Mission

Our mission is to reduce the impact of diseases in cotton to less than 5% of the cost of production through research on key areas.

Objectives

  • Increase the profitability of the Australian cotton industry by delivering adoptable innovative research outputs.
  • Deliver human capacity with the relevant skills to meet the current and future needs for cotton disease research.
  • Develop a co-innovation model with key industry collaborators to build and sustain research capability and deliver impact.

Download the ACDC Strategic Plan.

Research domains

The research domains identified focus on industry need to build upon fundamental research historically conducted by the cotton industry and research partners.

A list of four disease control approaches labeled A鈥揇, each paired with corresponding Tier 1 or Tier 2 crop diseases on a dark background.

Download an overview of current ACDC research projects.  

View a selection of ACDC researcher/project profiles:

ACDC Industry Advisory Group

The role of the ACDC Industry Advisory Group is to provide guidance and advice about the way in which ACDC (and its Strategic Partners) might best achieve its outcomes. This advise includes new and emerging cotton diseases, industry trends, and industry impact of ACDC outcomes. Current members:

  • Queensland: Nic Clapham (Grower), Dave Kelly (Consultant), Doug McCollum (Policy Officer, Cotton Australia)
  • New South Wales: Mick Humphries (Grower), Karen Kirkby (Plant Pathologist, NSW DPIRD), Steve Madden (Consultant), Richie Quigley (Grower), Elle Storrier (Consultant)
  • Northern Territory: Simone Cameron (Senior Policy Manager, Cotton Australia)

Download an industry focused overview of current ACDC projects. Also, featured as an insert in the Summer 2025-26 printed edition of Spotlight, CottonInfo.

ACDC Project Leads

To ensure ongoing excellence in cotton disease research and engagement, ACDC encourages its partners to build capacity and capability in cotton disease and celebrates its role in strengthening the future success of Australia’s cotton industry.

A pathway runs through a cotton field with the text 鈥淎ustralian Cotton Disease Collaboration鈥� and logos for CRDC, 糖心视频, and Queensland Government.
ACDC Strategic Plan
Two individuals inspect cotton plants in a field on a sunny day. One wears a blue shirt and cap, while the other wears a white shirt and glasses. The field is expansive and filled with cotton plants.
ACDC current projects

ACDC Collaboration

Long-term strategic partners have been selected based on their clear strategic alignment to CRDC鈥檚 mission under Clever Cotton, capacity building, willingness to co-invest, and commitment to co-design. ACDC's collaboration efforts aim to (1) ensure the Australian cotton industry has access to critical information on cotton diseases for identifying tactical management and innovative solutions for growers, and (2) facilitate the coordination of a diverse range of Australian researchers to collaborate to support the reduction of disease impacts on the cost of production for the Australian cotton industry.

Industry

Australian cotton growers have access to a nationally aligned disease program with sustained and accessible leadership, and industry can more rapidly respond and adapt to significant disease outbreak.

ACDC researchers

ACDC is a trusted facilitator of the collaboration of Australian cotton disease research which is sustained and scalable, and can continue building capacity, while nourishing the next generation of researchers to address future challenges in the cotton industry.

CRDC and partner institutions

Contribute to a profitable cotton industry and strengthening of research collaboration, develop national leadership in cotton disease research, and contribute to positive regional development and socioeconomic stability in cotton-growing regions throughout Australia.