Irrigating with siphons CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2026-09-20 | Irrigating with siphons
Fruiting positions and retention levels in cotton CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-12-20 | While it's easy to become concerned about retention levels early in the season, cotton sets a large number of fruiting positions over the growing season. As it matures, there are finite resources to fill bolls, meaning that plants will usually self-shed to the optimum fruit load, and usually only up to about 40% of bolls that could be set at the plant's fruiting positions remain at harvest.Paul Grundy, the CottonInfo Technical Lead for IPM, talks us through the almost exponential increase in potential fruiting sites as the plant grows and explains why the industry has released new retention guidelines (available in the Cotton Pest Management Guide at www.cottoninfo.com.au).
IPM Investigations series: Square dancing (taking a closer look at retention management) CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-10-31 | Join ‘Dr Entoburrow’ as he investigates a range of IPM topics in this new series.‘Square dancing’ takes an up close and personal look at the best approach to monitoring and managing retention. See also his other videos: 'Misjudged mutilation', 'Do you know?' and 'The big picture'
IPM Investigations series: The big picture (the role of your landscape in IPM) CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-10-31 | Join ‘Dr Entoburrow’ as he investigates a range of IPM topics in this new series.‘The big picture’ broadens our horizons to examine the areas outside the field, and the surprisingly helpful role they can play in an IPM program.See also Dr Entoburrow’s other episodes on ‘Misjudged mutilation’ and 'Do you know?'
IPM Investigations series: Do you know? (recognising sporadic and exotic pests) CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-10-24 | Join ‘Dr Entoburrow’ as he investigates a range of IPM topics in this new series.‘Do you know?’ puts the spotlight on sporadic and exotic pests – would you recognise them if they turned up in your field?See also Dr Entoburrow's first episode on 'Misjudged mutilation'
Using the WAND network as a cotton grower CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-10-20 | The Weather And Networked Data (WAND) network of towers has recently gone live. A joint project between CRDC, GRDC and GoannaAg, it allows growers to see the latest weather readings from their local tower, and predicts whether a hazardous inversion is current or likely to occur in the next 2 hours.Hamish Clark, an early adopter of the WAND system, explains his experience with the network and associated app, and how it has benefited both him and his neighbours.
IPM Investigations series: Misjudged mutilation (a story of many thrips) CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-10-19 | Join ‘Dr Entoburrow’ as he investigates a range of IPM topics in this new series. Additional videos will be released over the next few weeks‘Misjudged mutilation’ explores the wonder of cotton’s compensatory ability after the ravages of a thrips attack in a seedling cotton crop.
Cotton conversations: Planting CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-09-19 | Successfully planting cotton takes careful planning and good preparation.Cotton Seed Distributor's Chris Barry has a chat with grower John Cameron, a winner of the CSD Fast Start award, about his approach to planting and some tips on achieving high establishment rates.
Low retention early season? Dont panic! Cotton can compensate without losing yield or quality CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-06-29 | Cotton can compensate for early season square damage (even the total removal of all fruiting sites from the first 5 fruiting branches) with no significant impact on maturity, yield or lint quality. Several years of replicated research in commercial fields from Emerald (central Queensland) to Griffith (southern NSW) in both above and below average rainfall seasons found that as long as the season had good growing conditions, damaged cotton rapidly caught up with undamaged plants by growing additional bolls further out on fruiting branches or on the vegetative branches rather than adding them higher on the main stem.CottonInfo IPM Tech Specialist Paul Grundy (Qld DAF) provides a demonstration of how early season damage was simulated, and follows the crop through the season so you can see for yourselves that there's no difference in final crop height, yield or maturity. The new retention guidelines have been published in the 2023-24 Cotton Pest Management Guide.
Soil organic carbon – what is it and how do we measure it? CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-05-11 | CottonInfo Tech Lead for Soil Health Oliver Knox fields quite a few questions about carbon. In this video he explains the difference between total soil carbon, soil organic matter and soil organic carbon and takes a look at why carbon is good for our soils.
Earthworms in Australia’s cotton systems CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-05-11 | There’s a common belief that earthworms are great for our soils, but is this really the case in Australian farming systems? CottonInfo’s Tech Lead for Soil Health Oliver Knox looks at the reality of earthworms in the environments and farming systems where cotton is grown.
Inoculative releases of beneficial insects: Eretmocerus for SLW management CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-03-22 | In broadacre crop production systems, like cotton, one of the key limitations to augmenting natural enemies is the time lag that can sometimes be experienced in getting their numbers to build up and provide effective biological control. One way around this time constraint is to do inoculative releases of beneficial insects. In this particular example, we take a closer look at Eretmocerus hayati (a parasitoid for silverleaf whitefly) and the cooperative effort that’s seen it distributed across thousands of hectares.
Combating compaction CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-02-23 | Wet soils are prone to compaction. UNE lecturer and CottonInfo’s Soil Health Technical Lead Oliver Knox, discusses the importance of being realistic about what is likely to have happened during a wetter than average season, and some of the options available to those with compacted soils.
Introducing the Cotton PestDetect App CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2023-02-09 | The Cotton PestDetect App is a digital tool to assist with sampling for silverleaf whitefly nymphs by providing image-derived insect counts using a phone camera. The capacity to assess whether nymphs are viable using a microscope lens attachment to the phone has also been added.The software is based on research and development undertaken with support from CRDC by Dr Derek Long and Dr Alison McCarthy from the University of Southern Queensland's Centre for Agricultural Engineering. in partnership with QLD DAF and CottonInfo IPM Technical Lead Dr Paul Grundy.PestDetect is used in conjunction with the SLW decision support tool (DST), that was developed by QLD DAF’s Dr Richard Sequeira.The app counts SLW nymphs and integrates this information with crop development and pest density thresholds to assist agronomists and growers to make better-informed management decisions. Using geotagged image analysis, the app also allow users to create maps of where pests may be building more rapidly on individual farms or fields. It can also enable timely, impartial measurement of the efficacy of insecticides. For more information, visit https://cottoninfo.com.au/silverleaf-whitefly-decision-support-tool
Water quality: 3. interactions with pesticides CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-29 | The quality of spray water impacts the effectiveness of spray jobs out in the field. Malcolm Salisbury from Nufarm discusses some of the potential interactions of water quality and herbicide products and their impact on control efficacy, and ways to mitigate the effect.The Nufarm spray guide referred to in this video is available at nufarm.showpad.com/share/Wj1H6nYRDsl3nHpl2H9y2More information on spray water quality and mixing pesticides is available from GRDC at https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2022/mixing-and-batching-agricultural-chemical-application-grower-case-studies
Water quality: 2. measuring for use with pesticides CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-29 | The quality of spray water impacts the effectiveness of spray jobs out in the field. Malcolm Salisbury from Nufarm demonstrates a quick method to measure some of the quality parameters of your spray water.The Nufarm spray guide referred to in this video is available at nufarm.showpad.com/share/Wj1H6nYRDsl3nHpl2H9y2More information on spray water quality and mixing pesticides is available from GRDC at https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2022/mixing-and-batching-agricultural-chemical-application-grower-case-studies
Water quality: 1. parameters for pesticides CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-29 | The quality of spray water impacts the effectiveness of spray jobs out in the field. Malcolm Salisbury from Nufarm discusses some of the main quality factors than can influence pesticide efficacy.The Nufarm spray guide referred to in this video is available at nufarm.showpad.com/share/Wj1H6nYRDsl3nHpl2H9y2More information on spray water quality and mixing pesticides is available from GRDC at https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2022/mixing-and-batching-agricultural-chemical-application-grower-case-studies
CottonInfo webinar: Managing nitrogen CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-11 | For nitrogen management in cotton, this year will be like no other. Based on recent events, N management by old 'rules of thumb' could be high risk.This "Cotton Nitrogen State of the Nation" webinar (recorded 11 November 2022) presents the insights of leading independent specialists, and recent measurements of soil nitrogen.Supported by Back Paddock Company, CottonInfo and NSW DPI, the webinar includes some brief perspectives of soil processes in wet soil, case studies highlighting changes in soil N quality and profile location, and some suggested alternative seasonal N management approaches.Presentations include: - Moisture-induced changes in soil N supply and implications for crop N management (Jon Baird, NSW DPI) - The opportunity for nitrogen release modification products – when, where and why (Dr Graeme Schwenke, NSW DPI) - Likely changes in soil N since autumn sampling and use of plant tissue to guide N decisions (Dr Chris Dowling, BPC).
Things to consider when using optical spot spray technology CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-09 | Optical spot spraying systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. In this video, Malcolm Salisbury from Nufarm takes us through some agronomic considerations to get the best out of the technology.
Optical spot sprayers - an overview CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-11-09 | Optical spot spraying systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. In this video, Jeremy Rennick from Croplands Equipment takes us through how the technology works and some of the potential benefits of this system.
Seed meter components CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-10-31 | A planter’s seed meter separates out individual seeds to ensure good seed spacing. In this short video, planter specialist Stephen Frahm explains three of the key seed meter components and what to consider to achieve great seed singulation.
Planter maintenance essentials CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-10-31 | Machinery maintenance is an important part of preparing for planting. In this short video, planter specialist Stephen Frahm gives an overview of some basic considerations when checking that your planter is ready for the season.
Webinar: Rainfed cotton - decisions for the 2023 season CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-08-04 | Join CSD, DCRA and AgEcon for a webinar that will help growers understand the differences in yield potential, reliability, and risks for dryland cotton between row configuration and region.Presenters: - Angus Marshall (CSD) - Janine Powell (AgEcon) - Stuart McFadyen (CSD) - Mike Bange (CSD)This webinar was recorded on 2 August 2022.
CottonInfo webinar: Things we can do to minimise fish entrainment CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-08-04 | Recent research funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation has looked at the potential impact of irrigation infrastructure on fish.This research was conducted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and examined the relative impacts of different irrigation structures and practices to develop a prioritisation framework for mitigation measures. The researchers also conducted a review of potential mitigation options.In this webinar, we will hear from the presenters about the results of this work, a proposed prioritisation framework and some potential mitigation options as well as opportunities for further improvement. Facilitated by Stacey Vogel (CottonInfo's Technical Lead for Natural Resources and Catchments), this webinar was recorded in August 2022.More information on this topic can be found at http://www.fishscreens.org.au
Irrigation efficiency drivers CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-27 | There are many factors that influence and drive an irrigation - some of which we can control and some we cannot.In the previous irrigation efficiency video, CottonInfo Technical Lead for Irrigation Ben Crawley looked at the various concepts of irrigation efficiency. In this video, he examines the drivers of irrigation efficiency and how to optimise them where possible.
Irrigation efficiency concepts CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-27 | Irrigation efficiency is a term that is used a lot, but what does it actually mean?Many case studies have shown that by optimising your irrigation, significant water savings of up to 10-20% can be achieved, which could then be used to increase production by planting more area, and therefore increasing profitability of the farming system.In this video CottonInfo Technical Lead for Irrigation Ben Crawley explains the concepts behind irrigation efficiency. See also the second video in this series where he covers the drivers of irrigation efficiency and how to optimise them.
The economics of agbots in cotton CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-26 | With the increasing commercial availability of agbots and the widely predicted benefits, Ag Econ compared an agbot spray system to conventional tractor with boom and self-propelled sprayers. The analysis showed that switching to agbot spraying can be economically beneficial for both scenarios, with an internal rate of return of between 13% to 16%. Ag Econ principal economist George Revell discusses the economics of investing in agbot spraying systems compared to conventional systems, revealing where the potential benefits occur, and explaining some of the factors to consider when deciding if agbots are a viable alternative in your situation.
Cotton gross margins CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-22 | Gross margin budgets aim to represent the income and variable costs of growing a best practice commercial cotton crop in Australia. Gross margins are available for Eastern and Northern production systems a range of scenarios and are updated every two years.Janine Powell of AgEcon explains why gross margins are useful for enterprise comparison, crop selection, cash flow budgeting and scenario management and the best approach to utilising them on your farm.
Webinar: Sustainability update 2021 CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-20 | This webinar was presented by Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation following the release of the Australian cotton’s 2021 Sustainability Update. Managing sustainability well is increasingly important to manage risk, improve productivity, and keep or grow our markets.The webinar was an opportunity for growers, advisers, researchers and other industry participants to understand where the industry sits in our sustainability journey. Access the report at https://www.crdc.com.au/publications/australian-cotton-sustainability-update-2021
2021/22 bankless optimisation trial: Overall summary CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-15 | This video provides an overall summary and wrap-up of the 2021/22 season trial that looked at the efficiency of the siphon-less irrigation system at the St George property, ‘Thuraggi Overflow’. We hear from Dr Malcolm Gillies with the University of Southern Queensland, growers Craig Saunders and Lucas Weursching, and Regional Extension Officer, Andrew McKay.The project has been a partnership with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA), NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland, Padman Stops and Glenn Lyons. It is also supported by the Australian Government through the Rural R&D for Profit Program.
Propagating native species for food and revegetation CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-06-15 | In 2021, CottonInfo and Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Lands Council partnered to support a 3-day Florabank workshop to learn about planting natives for food and medicine. Participants learned not only how to collect and clean native seeds, but about propagating seeds and cuttings and planting out native species. They also visited a revegetation project on a cotton farm.This video provides perspectives from organisers, presenters and participants about the workshop, and the benefits gained by this initiative.
Factors affecting fibre quality CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-05-24 | The quality of lint produced by a cotton crop is almost entirely determined by a range of factors during the production season, and ginning has very little influence. CottonInfo Technical Specialist René van der Sluijs highlights some of the factors to consider, both when growing and harvesting the crop and when organising modules to send to the gin.
Trialling drones for cost-effective revegetation CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-04-26 | Dr Rhiannon Smith from the University of New England, in collaboration with ecosystem restoration experts, Dendra Systems, is leading research to improve the capacity for cost-effective revegetation on cotton farms by trialling new and improved revegetation methods including drone and tractor technology.
Environmental Toxic Load explainer CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-04-05 | Environmental Toxic Load (ETL) is one way of measuring the use of pesticides in agriculture. The Australian cotton industry’s ETL has reduced a lot over the last 30 years. This video explains what that means, and what ETL is.
2021/22 bankless optimisation trial: St George Management field day CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-03-22 | In this video, we talk with several growers who attended the St George Management Field Day in March 2022 to hear their thoughts on the potential for bankless channel irrigation. The field day showcased work that is occurring over the 2021/22 growing season to assess the efficiency of the siphon-less irrigation system at the St George property, ‘Thuraggi Overflow’. The project is a partnership with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA), NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland, Padman Stops and Glenn Lyons. It is also supported by the Australian Government through the Rural R&D for Profit Program.
CottonInfo webinar: Practical information for Verticillium management CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-03-22 | In this webinar from CottonInfo, Technical Lead for Disease, Beth Shakeshaft, hosts guests with some practical tips on Verticillium management. In the webinar we hear from Linda Smith (DAF Queensland), Karen Kirkby (NSW DPI) and Bob Ford (Cotton Seed Distributors).
Irrigation performance indicators CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-03-21 | Irrigation performance indicators are an important way to describe the quality of an irrigation. By using numerical values, we better understand the overall quality of the irrigation process. This video by Dr Joseph Foley of the University of Southern Queensland aims to help you understand the terminology of irrigation performance and use the indicators to compare on-farm irrigations and identify areas for improvement.
ENSO Modoki - a climate phase worth considering in seasonal planning CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-03-16 | Australia's variable climate can make planning seasonal inputs and timing challenging. ENSO Modoki is a climate condition that has wet and dry cycles, and can influence rainfall in many cotton growing regions. CottonInfo's Energy and Climate Technical Lead, Jon Welsh, provides a brief overview of Modoki in this video.
Heat stress in cotton CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-03-16 | Heat stress and the associated negative impact on carbon assimilation within the plant is common in Australian summers. Traditionally, irrigation to help alleviate plant stress has been applied based on the ambient temperature and soil moisture probes, but new technology is allowing canopy temperatures to improve decision-making and better time irrigations to mitigate heat stress.
Animation: Siphonless tailwater backup system at work CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-02-24 | This short animation illustrates a bankless channel / tailwater backup irrigation system at work at the St George property Thuraggi Overflow. Over the 21/22 growing season, the CottonInfo team is running a trial at the property to assess the system, in partnership with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA), NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland, Padman Stops and Glenn Lyons.
Integrated weed management (IWM) in cotton CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-02-23 | Integrated weed management is about taking as much of the pressure off our key herbicides (such as glyphosate) as we can. CottonInfo Tech Lead Eric Koetz discusses some of the ways to achieve a clean field.
2021/22 bankless optimisation trial: Sensors and equipment CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-01-27 | Over the 21/22 growing season, the CottonInfo team in partnership with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA), NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland, Padman Stops and Glenn Lyons are running a siphon-less irrigation optimisation trial. The trial is running at Craig Saunders’ property ‘Thuraggi Overflow’ at St George and in this video Regional Extension Officer, Andrew McKay, explains the sensors and equipment being used in the paddock.
2021/22 bankless optimisation trial CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-01-07 | Over the 21/22 growing season, the CottonInfo team in partnership with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA), NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland, Padman Stops and Glenn Lyons be running a siphon-less irrigation optimisation trial. The trial is running at Craig Saunders’ property ‘Thuraggi Overflow’ at St George and in this video Regional Extension Officer, Andrew McKay, explains the objectives of the trial.
Cotton harvest: trash and moisture CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-01-07 | Two of the most important factors at harvest which influence fibre quality are trash levels and moisture content. In this video, CottonInfo’s Fibre Quality Technical Lead, René van der Sluijs, discusses why and highlights how to reduce potential problems.
Handling round cotton modules CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-01-06 | CottonInfo’s Fibre Quality Technical Lead, René van der Sluijs, talks through some of the major considerations when harvesting cotton into round modules to minimise the risk of contamination at the gin.
Physiological fruit shedding in cotton: What are the causes and can it be managed? CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2022-01-05 | This presentation by cotton research scientist Paul Grundy (Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) aims to give crop managers a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in fruit shedding, the potential causes and how to approach management to either avoid shedding or improve compensation to maintain yield potential.For more information, see the published research at:Grundy, P.R., Yeates, S.J., Bell, K.L., 2020. Cotton production during the tropical monsoon season. I – the influence of variable radiation on boll loss, compensation and yield. Field Crops Res. doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107790
Green vegetable bug in cotton CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2021-12-20 | Green vegetable bugs (GVB) are a sporadic pest of cotton, but they can pose difficulties for integrated pest management. Paul Grundy (DAF QLD) explains why and highlights some sampling tips and management considerations.
Soil biology and crop nutrition CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2021-10-08 | An entertaining summary of how soil biology influences crop nutrition by Oliver Knox, CottonInfo's technical lead in soil health and soil scientist at UNE. This is video 3 in a series of 3:1. What is soil biology?2. Measuring and managing soil biology3. Soil biology and crop nutrition
What is soil biology? CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2021-10-08 | An entertaining summary of what soil biology is and why it's important by Oliver Knox, CottonInfo's technical lead in soil health and soil scientist at UNE. This is video 1 in a series of 3:1. What is soil biology?2. Measuring and managing soil biology3. Soil biology and crop nutrition
Measuring and managing soil biology CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2021-10-08 | An entertaining summary of how to measure soil biology and mangement options to keep your soils healthy by Oliver Knox, CottonInfo's technical lead in soil health and soil scientist at UNE. This is video 2 in a series of 3:1. What is soil biology?2. Measuring and managing soil biology3. Soil biology and crop nutrition
Reconfiguring or laser levelling a field – potential impacts on crop productivity CottonInfo: Connecting growers with research 2021-08-11 | In recent years, water is becoming more scarce, and a lot of cotton growers are redesigning their farm to improve the irrigation efficiency. This can involve moving large volumes of soil, which could potentially lead to more variability across the field. Other farm design changes, such as reconfiguring rows, can lead to historical compaction issues also impacting crop uniformity. Soil scientist Guna Nachimuthu (NSW DPI) explains some management options to reduce the impact of these changes on crop productivity.
