About myBMP

BMP - Best Management Practices

‘myBMP’ is a voluntary farm and environmental management system which provides self-assessment mechanisms, practical tools and auditing processes to ensure that Australian cotton is produced according to best practice. The original BMP program began in 1997 and was reviewed and redeveloped in 2006-07 with the new online ‘myBMP’ system re-launched in 2010.

myBMP is the industry’s assurance mechanism, a best management practice system for growers to improve on-farm production. It attends to the industry’s requirement for risk management and supports industry’s social licence. Through myBMP, all Australian cotton growers have a resource bank to access the industry’s best practice standards, which are fully supported by scientific research and development, resources and technical support.
By using myBMP’s tools, growers can improve on-farm production performance, by:
• Better managing business and production risk
• Maximising potential market advantages
• Demonstrating responsible and sustainable natural resource management to the community.

myBMP is the result of industry wide consultation with growers, researchers and industry bodies, taking into consideration the requirements of the cotton industry now and into the future. The initiative is supported by the Cotton Research Development Corporation and Cotton Australia.

Information is categorised into 10 key modules for growers:

• Biosecurity - for prevention, management and control of pests and diseases
• Energy and Input Efficiency - for more efficient energy inputs such as electricity, fuel and fertilisers
• Fibre Quality - for growing the best quality cotton possible
• Human Resources and Work Health and Safety - helps growers manage employees and contractors whilst providing a safe and compliant workplace
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - for management of pests, weeds and diseases
• Sustainable Natural Landscape - for managing the vegetative and riparian assets on your farm
• Pesticide Management - for all aspects of pesticide management, storage and use on farm
• Petrochemical Storage and Handling - for managing fuels and lubricants on farm
• Soil Health - for maintaining and/or improving soil quality and fertility
• Water Management - covering water quality, efficiency of storage and distribution for both dryland and irrigated farming practices

Ginning and Classing modules are also available for the Australian cotton ginning and classing facilities.

Module Leads

Each module is assigned a module lead. The module lead is responsible for the content within their module and the additional information and resources attached. The lead for each module is listed below.

myBMP Structure

myBMP is structured into modules. Under each module are key areas. Each key area has standards listed under these supported by checklists, additional information and resources.

Each checklist item is assigned a level. These levels are:

Level 1 - identified legal requirements (what you must do)
Level 2 - Industry identified best practice standards (what you should do)
Level 3 - Innovative practices (new cutting-edge practices)

Below is an example of the structure: