Seeds for Thought

ISSUE 14 WINTER 2013

SeedS for ThoughTPRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS

Welcome to the 2013 Crop Management Tour

Exceptional dryland yields at Spring Ridge

Test your carry over planting seed now - It’s a free service09

Focus on establishment04 1803

At the 47th Annual General Meeting of Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) held in Narrabri on the 21st May 2013, Chairman James

Kahl and Managing Director Peter Graham announced that CSD would be offering an On-Farm Investment Rebate to Growers to

directly invest in on-farm measures that improve farm productivity.

This rebate is open to claims from eligible growers who purchased CSD Cotton Planting Seed in 2011 and will be calculated at a

rate of $4.00 per kg or $80 per 20 kg bag.

Commenting on the On-Farm Investment Rebate, Peter Graham said ‘CSD appreciates the tremendous support that we receive

from our cotton grower customers and our On-Farm Investment Rebate demonstrates our commitment broaden the companies long

term strategic investment platform, complementing our focus in areas such as cotton breeding, trait delivery and cotton extension for

example. CSD has enjoyed a very successful period in recent years and it this rebate clearly demonstrates CSD’s intention to heavily

support Australian Cotton Growers to maintain their global productivity leadership in a truly competitive world he said.’

What are the conditions?

▪ The rebate is only payable to the legal entity (the Grower) that purchased treated cotton planting seed from Distribution in the 2011

calendar year.

▪ Register for participation before 5pm 31st July 2013 on the CSD website.

▪ Subject to the Grower making an application to CSD by 31 July 2013 and being able to produce copies of the Tax Invoice(s) issued

by Distribution in the 2011 calendar year.

▪ The rebate will not be paid to Growers who submit a late application or are unable to produce a copy of the Distribution Tax Invoice.

▪ The Grower must verify that they have legal title to the seed purchased. (i.e. have paid Distribution for the seed).

▪ The Grower must not be in breach of their Technology Use Agreement obligations for 2011 and must verify that they were legally

entitled to use any third party technology embodied in CSD cotton varieties.

▪ The Grower must not have entered administration or deed or arrangement in or after 2011.

▪ CSD’s retail Distribution partners must confirm the Grower’s seed purchase details to CSD. CSD will manage this condition directly

with Distributors.

▪ The rebate will be payable to the Grower by EFT on 31 October 2013.

▪ The rebate will be assessable income to the Grower and be subject to GST.

▪ CSD’s assessment on the validity (or otherwise) of all claims is final.

CSD announces On-Farm Investment Rebate to drive farm productivity

FOR MORE INFORMATION

▪ To assist with any enquiries, growers can call CSD on 1300 COTTON (1300 268 866) during normal office hours.

▪ Further information on the CSD On Farm Investment Rebate is available at www.csd.net.au

Look for this tiLe on CsD’s website to finD the appLiCation form.

How do I apply?

1. Complete the on-line application form on the CSD web site. You will receive an

email confirming your details and a unique reference number.

2. Print the confirmation details and attach copies of your 2011 tax invoices for

planting seed.

3. Post (P.O. Box 117 Wee Waa 2388), fax (02 6795 4966), or scan and email to CFO

David Coleman ([email protected]) the application and tax invoices by 31 July

2013.

4. CSD will email you a receipt of your application. Subject to the terms and

conditions being satisfied, the rebate will be paid into your bank account on 31

October 2013.

PAGE 2 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSINDUSTRY NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

▪ STEvE AINSWORTh ▪ CSD General Manager - Commercial Operations

Welcome to the first edition of Seeds for Thought

for 2013. As we go to print, picking is about 90%

complete with yield and quality expectations

generally in line with growers expectations. Industry

forecasts for production from this year’s crop have

increased to around 4.7 million bales which highlights

the continued yield growth across the industry from

cotton varieties bred by the CSIRO cotton breeding

team and commercialized by CSD.

Recent data released by Dr Greg Constable from the

CSIRO Cotton Breeding Team has quantified the yield

progress made in Australian cotton varieties. The data

demonstrates that a consistent yield increase of 1

bale per hectare per decade has been delivered to the

Australian industry. CSD is very proud to have played

an important role commercializing these varieties

and especially in helping growers adopt responsive

management practices to maximize the yield potential

that these new varieties offer. Yield is a key factor

in the success in any cotton farming business and

playing a part delivering yield increases to growers is

a core goal of CSD.

In 2013 CSD will introduce Sicot 75RRF, a new long

season variety suited to the warm season areas.

This comes hot on the heels of the release of Sicot

730 and Siokra v-18BL in 2012. The Extension and

Development team will outline more data on these

new varieties at the upcoming winter CSD Crop

Management Tour that is planned to visit all cotton

production valleys from June 11 onwards.

I am also pleased to report that CSD has completed

its first regulated seed increase program in many

years with the first generation of new germplasm

containing the Genuity Bollgard III technology from

Monsanto.

harvest of this material was completed in late

April and we expect to expand this regulated

seed production program in 2013 in line with the

development of this technology for Australia. CSD are

cooperating with a potential introduction in 2015, of

course subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

Finally, I can also comment that the CSD commercial

seed production program is in full swing with

operations now at peak capacity. We have received

fantastic support from seed increase growers and

many ginning organisations and I thank each and

every cooperator for their ongoing support.

Best wishes for the upcoming season I look forward

to seeing you at your local CSD Crop Management

meeting in June.

A field designated to obtaining greater understanding into the agronomics of

cotton production, as well as contributing to the improvement of cotton variety

establishment are the aims of a new demonstration site located at the CSD’s

head quarters in Wee Waa.

“We wanted to create a focal point where we can showcase not only our elite

cotton varieties but also highlight agronomic aspects which we think are critical

to modern cotton production.” CSD extension and development agronomist Rob

Eveleigh said. “In this small block you will find not only irrigated production

systems but we also have semi irrigated and dryland production systems side by

side under the microscope.”

Additionally, trials assessing row configurations, plant population, planting

timing, seed treatment and fertiliser are also included.

“We know this site is going to offer not only a lot of insight into the variety and

agronomic aspects of growing cotton but also allow CSD to investigate ways of

producing better planting seed.”

The demonstration field was a focal point of a field day held in late February

which attracted up to 100 industry personnel. It has also been used to showcase

CSD to international and domestic partners and groups, visiting the Australian

cotton industry.

“We hope to build on its success so far in the coming years. We have some

interesting varieties coming through our program and it is going to be good to

show case them. We have many ideas to better develop the understanding of not

only our own agronomic team but the entire industry as a whole.”

The CSD Extension and Development team have just picked the trials and are

now processing the varied data generated.

“We will be updating the agronomic trial information on our web page as soon

as it becomes available. We will notify growers, consultants and all interested

parties when all the data has been analysied.” Mr Eveleigh concluded.

Shenstone trial field highlights cotton agronomy and seed quality

Information when you need itThe industry’s ability to provide support and information to growers has been

bolstered with seven people working in all of the major growing regions.

Cotton Seed Distributors, CRDC and Cotton Australia entered into a joint venture

in 2012 to provide support for the effective delivery of research to the industry

which supports improved practices, R&D communications and responsiveness to

emerging or emergency issues.

The partners agreed that following the closure of the Cotton CRC in 2012, new

R&D delivery services which would address national priorities were required for

farms across all cotton growing districts. This included the bringing together of

a team of technical specialists, most of whom had existing roles in the industry

with various research or industry organisations and across all key areas of

expertise.

The national priorities being delivered regionally for the industry are focussed

around four key areas. These are input efficiency, protecting the industry’s future,

quality fibre and developing your own future. These strategic areas will be

delivered regionally by focussing on nitrogen use efficiency, water use efficiency,

energy, carbon, integrated pest management, integrated weed management,

integrated disease management, natural resource management and stewardship

of biotechnology.

Dr Ian Taylor, who is well known throughout the industry for his past roles in

research and development, was chosen to lead this CottonInfo Initiative.

The latest development in the resourcing of the program is the appointment

of Regional Development Officers (RDOs), who as the title suggests, have been

appointed to the each of the major cotton growing valleys.

The Regional Development Officers in the ‘CottonInfo’ team are, John Smith

(Darling Downs), Sally Dickinson (Border Rivers), Alice Devlin (Gwydir), Amanda

Thomas (Macquarie), Kieran O’Keeffe (Southern NSW), Geoff hunter (Namoi,

Bourke, Central Queensland) and Kirrily Blomfield, (Upper Namoi).

CottonInfo is a partnership for the industry with a long term commitment that

will include critical reviews every five years to ensure the venture is meeting

industry needs. This partnership represents a significant financial commitment by

the three organisations of up to $17 million over the five-year period.

Another key element of information delivery is the myBMP website which is

currently being transformed as the primary information delivery platform for

research information to the industry.

“While myBMP is already an excellent information source, we are enhancing

its capability for information delivery as well as building linkages to other sites

so growers and advisors are better supported in their information needs,” Ian

said.

The RDOs will work closely with the existing team of technical specialists

along with Cotton Australia’s Regional Managers and CSD’s Extension and

Development team.

“The services offered by RDOs are fully complementary to growers’ existing

information and knowledge services provided by agribusiness, agronomy

consultants, state and federal departments,” Ian said.

“Most importantly as partners with a number of organisations these regional

team members seek to leverage and extend the reach of cotton research and

development to better meet grower needs.

“The RDOs will provide direct services to growers where this is not already

met in the marketplace and in taking this direction, will seek to streamline

information delivery, not duplicate existing services.”

“This will provide the best information pathway between research and

growers and just as importantly, growers to researchers and our D&D technical

specialists.”

Cotton Seed Distributors has completed the initial phase of a regulated seed

increase on the elite lines of the Genuity Bollgard III® technology 6 months on

from the germplasm hand over from the CSIRO breeding team.

CSD Farm manager “Little Mollee, Westella” Jack Murray said “ All the lines

performed well during the year, they do not look dissimilar to the cotton varieties

that many people have become used to in the previous couple of years. We are

happy with not only the lint yields but also the amount of seed we were able to

produce as well.”

General Manager Stephen Ainsworth said “the production of elite cotton

varieties with cutting edge technology is something in which Cotton seed

Distributors takes a lot of pride in.”

“The regulatory framework around this new technology is quite restrictive but

through our Quality Assurance, Seed Increase and Farm Management teams we

have been able to successfully produce good quality cotton seed following the

initial hand over from the Breeding Team.”

“The seed cotton will now be ginned through our in house Nursery Gin so we

are able to ensure of Quality Assurance requirements are met, before planting in

the coming spring.”

New to the program this season is the use of the round bale picker which has

boosted the efficiency as well as the safety, quality assurance and regulatory

compliance aspects of the program.

“Segregating the individual lines is a slow and laborious task requiring

attention to detail and is a process which incurs risk from unexpected weather

events. Using the new round bale technology has enabled CSD to quicken

the picking operation up without losing the integrity of the quality assurance

program. This has bee a great outcome not only for CSD but for the quality of the

seed products and eventually for the Australian cotton grower.” Mr Ainsworth

said.

Genuity(™) Bollgard III® on track for release

PAGE 3COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS INDUSTRY NEWS

Another big season has come and is almost gone, and irrigation growers are keen to get back into it again, water being abundant in nearly

all valleys. Despite conditions being hotter than average, there have been excellent irrigated yields recorded across most regions where water

was fully available. Although the dryland plant was smaller than the previous two seasons, some very good results have come from that sector

of the industry as well. To provide timely information for the cotton industry to start planning for the upcoming season, CSD will again be

running with an extensive Crop Management Tour during June. As with the last two seasons, a considerable amount of seed cotton still awaits

ginning, including some CSD trials.

however, there will be adequate data from CSD’s extensive varietal and agronomic trial program to form a good basis for presentations and

discussion sessions. CSD will be conducting 18 meetings in total, spread over a three week period, commencing at Mungindi on Tuesday June

11th, 2013.

The aim of the meetings is to provide an opportunity for cotton growers and agribusiness personnel to update themselves on cotton variety

performance, specific variety management issues and other scientific and research orientated developments. Some of the key components of

the presentations at this year’s meetings include:

Sicot 74BRF v Sicot 75BRF

At CSD’s meetings in 2011 and 2012, a major topic has been discussing differences in performance and management of Sicot 71BRF and

Sicot 74BRF. Sicot 75BRF, released commercially for the first time this past season, will feature more prominently in varietal comparison during

the meetings, it having turned in some excellent performances.

Information will come from a range of sources including CSIRO small plot trials, CSD commercial scale variety trials, CSD segmented picking

and grower side by side comparisons

Improving Crop Establishment of High Performing Varieties

Two of the current key varieties, Sicot 74BRF and Sicot 75BRF have seed characteristics which deliver high turnout, a factor in high yields.

However, these same characteristics also contribute to difficulties in achieving uniform, quick establishment. A session will focus on how to

achieve an improved stand with these high performing varieties.

Management for High Yields and Quality

An important component of the meetings is outlining how to maximize yield and quality from the recommended varieties for the different

regions. This information often comes from observations and measurements made during the season at key variety trial sites.

Regional Specific Issues

Every season, different factors, often weather based, combine to produce results which may be evident only in certain regions. Some of those

evident this season include high levels of cavitation, high micronaire and boll rot/tight lock. Time is devoted to tease out causes and ways of

addressing these issues in subsequent seasons.

CSD will provide a corporate update for growers including details of its long-term commitment to research and breeding through its Cotton

Breeding Australia collaboration. The company will also be providing details in regard to the recently announced CSD On-Farm Investment

Rebate.

We encourage all cotton industry participants to come along to one of the Management Tour sessions, to evaluate the past season, assess

the coming season, join in the discussions and take advantage of the information and interaction provided during the sessions and also over

lunch or dinner.

Welcome to the 2013 Crop Management Tour

Town Date and Time Location

Mungindi June 11th - 10.00 am 2 Mile hotel

Goondiwindi June 11th - 5.00 pm Royal hotel

Theodore June 12th - 10.00 am hotel Theodore

Emerald June 12th - 5.00 pm Maraboon Tavern

St George June 13th - 10.00 am Balonne Skill Centre

Dalby June 13th - 5.00 pm Dalby RSL

Dirranbandi June 14th - 10.00 am Dirranbandi Motel

Moree June 17th - 5.00 pm Services Club

Gunnedah June 18th - 10.00 am Services Club

Wee Waa June 18th - 5.00 pm Bowling Club

Narromine June 19th - 10.00 am Aero Club

Condobolin June 19th - 5.00 pm Ex Services Club

hillston June 20th - 10.00 am hillston RSL

Griffith June 20th - 5.00 pm Gemini Function Centre

Coleambally June 21st - 10.00 am Bowling Club

Walgett June 24th - 10.00 am Sporting Club

Bourke June 24th - 5.00 pm Bourke Bridge Inn

Warren June 25th - 11.00 am Services Club

Above: CSD Crop Management Tour meeting times and venues.

This has been the first season that Sicot 75BRF was fully available commercially and only the second year that it has

been tested in CSD large scale trials. When released, this variety represented a break through in resistance to the soil

borne disease Fusarium wilt. It has the highest F-rank of all current commercial varieties (139), 12 points higher than

the next best, Sicala 340BRF.

Last season, one of the coolest experienced for many years across most districts, Sicot 75BRF was well behind Sicot

74BRF in yield in normal(non Fusarium) trial situations. In 34 CSD irrigated trials, it was out yielded by Sicot 74BRF

by an average 8.5% (Sicot 75BRF - 9.65 b/ha; Sicot 74BRF - 10.55 b/ha). It was closer in yield at the more western

trial sites. however, it exhibited superior length, an average 1.22 ins (39) versus 1.20 ins (38) for Sicot 74BRF, and its

micronaire was lower - 4.01 v 4.16 averaged across the 32 sites. What was also evident last season was its excellent

performance in heavy Fusarium situations. In a small plot F. rank trial at ‘Sappa”, Moree, it outyielded Sicot 74BRF by

16%.

There has been a dramatic shift in the relative performance of Sicot 75BRF and Sicot 74BRF this season due to

the much hotter growing conditions experienced in most regions. At this stage, there is only preliminary yield data

available from most CSD trials, but it appears that in the more western growing areas (west of a line running through

Mungindi, Wee Waa and Narromine approx), Sicot 75BRF has outyielded Sicot 74BRF by about 4% on average. In

the more central areas, for example, Central Queensland, Goondiwindi, Moree, Narrabri, and the Macquarie, the two

varieties are very close in yield, while in the more eastern and southern areas, Sicot 74BRF is generally yielding higher.

Looking at some preliminary segmented pick date in Table 1, Sicot 75BRF appears to be holding onto a few more

bolls at the lower fruiting positions and also the very top positions. Sicot 74BRF is holding more on vegetative

branches and also has a slightly higher average boll size. There is very little between them in turnout, and micronaire

seems a bit closer this season.

Growers with heavy Fusarium levels have again proclaimed Sicot 75BRF’s performance in these situations. Sandy

Bellfield from ‘Sappa”, Moree and Graham Clapham, ‘Cowan’, Cecil Plains have both sung the praises of the variety

this season, it having turned poor performing fields back into highly productive units’.

Performance of Sicot 75BRF v Sicot 74BRFSicot 75BRF Sicot 74BRF

Av Yield (b/ha) 14.4 14.4

Research Gin T/O (%) 44.5 44.8

Boll Distribution(by segment)

1(Posn 1, FB 1-4) 24 19.5

2(Posn 1, FB 5-8) 28 27

3(Posn 1, FB 9-12) 25.5 22.5

4(Posn >1, FB >12) 16 12

5(Posn >1, FB 1-4) 15 12

6(Posn> 1, FB 5-8) 15.5 15

7(Posn >1, FB 9-12) 7 6.5

8(veg Branch Bolls) 22.5 27

Total no./m 153.5 141.5

Av lint (gm/boll) 2.14 2.29

Fibre Length (ins) 1.245 1.225

Micronaire 4.52 4.50

Strength (gm tex) 34.0 33.7

Table 1: Preliminary Segmented Picking Data - Sicot 75BRF v Sicot 74BRF, 2013 (5 sites).

The average seedling mortality from NSW DPI and DAFF QLD, a full annual disease survey by valley can be

found and downloaded from the CSD website page under “Info Centre -> Disease survey” www.csd.net.au. Over

the past 6 years of results we can see the average for NSW is 30.9%, while for QLD it has been less, 24.6%.

Some valleys in the last few years have had seedling mortality as high as 40%.

“Unfortunately plant loss does not occur evenly throughout the stand and problems arise with gaps of greater

than 50 cm. The establishment of a Weak, Skippy or Low Density stand generally result in a lower yielding and

later maturing crop.” Mr Millyard said. “Plants will try and compensate for these gaps, but it requires time,

generally shifting the maturation of late bolls into unfavourable weather.”

Temperature

A major driver in the success of establishing a cotton crop is temperature, both soil temperature and the

forecast air temperature for the week following planting.

CSD Extension and Development Agronomist James Quinn of Moree said “having both soil temperatures

above 14 degrees and a rising plane of air temperature in the forecast is one way to ensure the best possible

establishment of your cotton crop.”

A trial which required replanting in the Gwydir valley in 2011 highlights this point very well. On the first

planting date the soil temp was approximately 140C but a cool snap post planting decreased soil temperatures

and made germination and emergence difficult. On the second planting date soil temperatures were above 140C

but the temperature in the week post plant was on a rising plane which had the effect of improving emergence

but reducing the time of emergence from 14 days to six.


All four planting rates showed little difference in yield. Similar work, carried out previous seasons supports

these results from last season, leading the CSD Extension and Development team to focus more on stand

uniformity than a critical number of established plants

Mr Ford said “These results highlight a very important point. If you are worried about what affect the soil tilth,

temperature or seedling disease will have on plant stand, lift your planting rate accordingly as there is no yield

drag associated with a slightly higher than normal plant stand. There is a yield drag in many cases if you have to

replant and even in some cases where there is no yield drag from the replant, the cost is substantial.”

Seedling Mortality

This can be brought about from a range of different causes

• Diseases attacking the germinating seedling.

• Environmental conditions are sub-optimal.

• Herbicide or fertiliser damage as a result of too high a rate coming in contact with the seed.

• Insect attack.

“Measuring seedling mortality is a simple subtraction of the number of seed planted to the number of

established plants. This comparison produces an estimate of seedling mortality which takes into consideration

the impact from seedling diseases (Rhizoctonia and Pythium), seed viability, soil insect activity, physical problems

(such as fertiliser or herbicide burn) and adverse environmental conditions.” Jorian Millyard CSD Extension and

Development Agronomist for southern NSW said.

Seedling mortality rates can vary considerably between different season and different areas.

Focus on establishment

Season NSW QLD

2006-07 28.9% 22.5%

2007-08 31% 19.5%

2008-09 28.8% 24.9%

2009-10 32.5% 25.8%

2010-11 31.9% 25.8%

2011-12 32.3% 29.6%

20012-13 Results to appear soon Results to appear soon

Table 1: Average Seedling Mortality from NSW DPI and DAFF QLD.

The major aim at planting time should be to “Do it once and do it right”. The introduction of a widely adapted, exceptionally high yielding variety in Sicot 74BRF has brought many challenges to the Australian Cotton Industry.

“Throughout the length and breadth of the cotton industry Sicot 74BRF has proven to be an exceptional variety,

averaging 3% higher yielding than its nearest rival Sicot 71BRF. however, analysis of the CSD variety trial

program over the past four seasons has shown that some careful management can improve the yield potential to

be 5% higher than Sicot 71BRF”. James Quinn CSD Extension and Development agronomist said.

The main goal is to establish a good even plant stand that gives the seedling every chance to grow strongly to

get through the early period in a cotton seedling’s life where it is most vulnerable.

CSD agronomist for the Macquarie valley and Bourke, Bob Ford highlighted that it is “in situations which

are not quite ideal where we see the most establishment problems with Sicot 74BRF. however, if the planting

conditions are good and the soil temperature adequate and rising, not many issues are recorded.”

There are many factors that can affect the final plant population in a cotton field. They will have varying affects

according to their severity and interactions with others.

Some of these considerations are:

Planting Rate

The question of what planting rate should be used is often asked by whoever is operating the planter and is a

key question in the whole scheme of things as many factors influence planting rate.

CSD Extension Agronomist Bob Ford said “There are number of questions that a grower should ponder before

selecting a planting rate. The main ones being,

▪ What conditions are the soil in?

▪ What are the temperatures of the soil and air at present and what is the 7 day outlook?

▪ What is the paddock history in terms of seedling disease and what is moisture status of the soil and how deep

do I have to plant to get to it?

Results from recent trials carried out by CSD’s Extension and Development team has shown that plant stands

between 6 and 16 plants per metre have very similar yields with no significant difference between them.

Figure 1 shows work carried out in the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee in the 2012 season using four different

planting rates.

2012 POPULATION TRIALS BY ROW SPACING - hILLSTON, NARRANDERA & DARLING POINT

12

Sicot 74BRF 20kg/ha Sicot 74BRF 16kg/ha Sicot 74BRF 12kg/ha Sicot 74BRF 8kg/ha

10

8

4

6

2

0

Bale

s/ha

Figure 1: Yields versus different planting rates

hillston 1m

Narrandera 33in

Darlington Point 36in

10

8

6

2

4

0

Sicot 24BRF

Sicot 60BRF

Sicot 71BRF

Sicot 74BRF

Sicot 75BRF

Sicala 340BRF

Siokra v-18BRF

Plan

ts/m

Figure 2: Gwydir Valley replanting case study 2011

Cool temperature when the cotton seed takes up moisture can greatly affect the survival rate of the seed. As

seen in the diagram the cotton seedling is very sensitive to “Chilling Injury” in the first few days that the seed

takes up water. Soil temperatures below 100C cause chilling injury to cotton, the seedling will often die or will not

develop a normal tap root, thus a reduction in yield. Every degree below 160C at 10 cm will significantly slow the

rate of emergence.

Seedling Disease

CSD Agronomist Bob Ford said “During the early stages of a cotton seedling’s life it is very susceptible to

diseases, which can have a major impact on plant stands and the health and vigour of the crop.”

Seedling diseases come in many forms but are all dependent on inoculum levels in the soil, as well as air and

soil temperatures and the ability of the seedling to fight off the disease.

The main seedling diseases Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Black Root Rot are very common across all valleys.

Rhizoctonia and Pythium kill seedlings as they emerge or soon after. They affectively starve the plant by

impacting on the roots ability to supply food to the seedlings.

Black Root Rot (BRR) does not kill the plant but causes the plant to develop slowly. It is worst when the start

of the season is cool and is more common in heavy black soils. It is identified by a black layer that covers the

outside of the seedling root which can be removed with a fingernail.

These three common seedling diseases all can be influenced by a number of factors - cool temperatures at

planting, watering up the crop, the inoculum level of the disease in the soil and crop rotations especially with

known hosts such as back to back cotton and many legume crops.

Seed Placement and Soil Tilth

When planting, into pre-irrigated or on rain, even placement at the correct depth into good moisture is essential

to achieve rapid, uniform establishment of a stand of vigorously growing young seedlings. This operation does

not start in the field but in preseason maintenance checks to ensure that the planter unit is calibrated and

working efficiently.

CSD Extension and Development Agronomist John Marshall said, “Deeper placement of the seed, greater

than 5 cm slows the rate of emergence, leaving the seedling exposed to seedling disease for a longer period.

Additionally, having to come from a greater depth means the seed has to draw on extra reserves of energy from

storages within the seed to maintain root and shoot growth before emergence.”

“When dealing with varieties such as Sicot 74BRF and 75BRF growers should remember smaller seed equates

to less reserves and be aware of seed size limitations and hence the necessity of being extra vigilant in ensuring

that seed placement is very precise.

“Placement needs to be checked in every row across the width of the machine on two or three occasions,

with particular attention given to rows adjacent to where tractor or ground rigs have been running during field

preparation.”

Table 2 (top right) shows the effect of variation in planting speed on final establishment in a couple of CSD

trials in the 2012 plant. At the two sites where tractor speed was reduced from 12 kph to 8 kph, there was a

significant improvement in final establishment.

A fine soil tilth and well formed beds are obviously important for achieving good establishment with these

varieties, especially in back to back situations. Planter units are going to bounce less when beds are well

consolidated. An extra pass during land preparation to reduce cloudiness can make the difference between a

satisfactory stand versus having to replant. When watering up, it is important that water not overtop beds and

that they do not slump or settle when water is applied. Once again, extra care during preparation is the key.

Establishment method

There does not seem to be any indication with Sicot 74BRF that its establishment is influenced by the method

used, be it rain moisture, pre irrigation or watering up. A similar relationship is seen when comparing fallow

fields to back to back cotton planting scenarios.

“What we have witnessed is that Sicot 71BRF is ahead of Sicot 74BRF by about a plant to the metre under all

scenarios but the relationship between the two varieties is consistent across all establishment conditions.”CSD

Agronomist James Quinn said.

“Generally what we witness is poorer establishment in back to back cotton fields compared to fallows in all

varieties. Growers need to be aware of this and adjust their planting rates up accordingly to take into account the

planting conditions.”

Early Season Insects

Soil insect pests cause damage and stand loss in cotton crops. Cotton is susceptible to a range of soil dwelling

insects for a relatively long time compared to other crops. Wireworms, false wireworms, field crickets, cut worms

and several other pest species can kill the developing seedlings.

For these pests the most effective control methods are at planting with a soil applied insecticide, seed

treatment or both. Sampling prior to planting using bait stations is the preferred method to detect wireworms.

Cutworms and crickets are generally not controlled well by furrow insecticides or seed treatments but can be

controlled with insecticides after emergence.

When relatively low numbers of wireworms are expected most insecticide seed treatments will offer control

but for moderate to high pressure, growers should consider using a top of the range seed treatment such as

Cruiser Extreme, probably in combination with Chlorpyrifos or Bifenthrin applied in furrow. Phorate (Thimet) also


high

Low0 2 4

Increased Metabolism

Radicle GrowthDry Seed

Water Uptake

6

Sens

itivi

ty to

Chi

lling

Days After Planting

COTTON SENSITIvITY TO COLD TEMPERATURES DURING ThE GERMINATION PERIOD

Location Speed (kph) Seed drop(seeds/m)

Stand(plant/m)

Establishment% Comments

Theodore - Irrigated

12 13 10.2 82B/B cotton; pre-irrigated

8 13 11.1 92

Emerald - Irrigated

9 11.2 8.7 78 B/B cotton; watered up early Oct; soil temp > 20°C7.5 11.2 8.7 78

Downs - Dryland

12 9.8 4.2 43 SF from millet; planted 6 cm into moisture8 9.8 5.8 59

Downs - Dryland

9.5 15.2 10.2 67SF from sorghum

7.5 15.2 11.1 73

Table 1: Average Seedling Mortality from NSW DPI and DAFF QLD.

The following should be considered before planting:

▪ Earlier planted crops on average run a higher risk of encountering low soil temperatures. Plant when

soil temperatures and forecasts are good for the next week.

▪ Soil insect activity should be monitored carefully, particularly wireworms, as once damage appears it is

already too late to treat. Use of a seed insecticide treatment should be considered based on field history

and the level of stubble present.

▪ Rough seed beds or heavy stubble cover can result in uneven planting depth or seed placement,

reducing the number of seeds which can come up. Ensure even tilth of the bed and slow down planting

speed if required.

▪ Regularly check planting depth especially when planting on rain moisture where there may be more

variability.

▪ Be careful with legume rotations (including vetch) and control alternative weed hosts following a

legume crop well before planting.

▪ When in doubt increase the planting rate to compensate for adverse conditions.

offers good protection against wireworms.

Other early season pests such as thrips, aphids and jassids generally don’t cause stand loss but can result

in foliar damage and delay the crop. This can cause yield loss in short season environments. Again most seed

treatments and granular insecticides give good control.

Narrabri based CSD Agronomist Robert Eveleigh said “Each year CSD evaluates seed treatment performance

in large scale trials. This year trials were established at Dalby, Narrabri and hay. This season there was no

significant yield difference between the seed treatments even though moderate foliar damage was caused by

thrips. Soil insects were not a problem at these sites.”

The results presented below summarise insect control and final yield for the Auscott Narrabri trial.

visual damage rating (5= no damage, 0=severe damage.)

5

4

3

1

2

0Nil Amparo Cruiser Cruiser Extreme

Thrip

Dam

age

10

11

14

13

12

9

8

6

7

5Nil Amparo Cruiser Cruiser Extreme

Bale

s/ha

DAMAGE RATING

NARRABRI SEED TREATMENT TRIAL


Season summary▪ CENTRAL QLD ▪ John Marshall

At planting time, back to back seedbeds (the

majority) were in great shape due to timely rainfall

events in mid winter, and the potential for a problem

from Roundup Ready volunteers was greatly reduced.

This was the main reason that Liberty Link varieties

were not utilized in the region. Most fields at Emerald

were watered up, rather than being pre-watered and

flushed post planting. Ideal conditions during late

September, with max temps of 30-33°C, min temps

of 13-16°C resulted in rapid emergence and good

stands. Establishment in the two CSD trials ranged

from 65-80% across the variety range.

First irrigation was later than usual at Emerald (>

50 DAP), due to a number of medium sized rainfall

events. Conditions at Emerald were hot but certainly

not heat wave, during the crop’s peak growing period

from mid November until the end of December, with

no days above 41°C, no nights above 24°C. however,

water demand was high and continual, and many

crops cut out at 20-21 nodes. Boll filling and opening

during January experienced a similar temperature

regime. Most early planted crops received 7-8

irrigations for the season, with good rainfall of about

130 mm over the Australia day weekend resulting

from ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald replacing further end

of season irrigations.

Most Emerald crops avoided boll rot-tight lock

from the late January rainfall, being 2-3 weeks into

opening. Rapid clearance after the event also helped.

Some rain in late February-early March delayed

picking, and contributed to colour/leaf grades of 41-3

in much of the district’s cotton. Some farms averaged

about 11 bales/ha, with others down to 8.5 bales/ha,

the spread basically a result of mid season irrigation

management. Length and micronaire was very good in

most cotton.

Planting in the Dawson-Callide commenced in early

October, most cotton was planted into pre-watered

fields. Weather conditions were average during

establishment with max temps about 30°C, min temps

of 10°C resulting in a steady start. A rainfall event

of about 30 mm on October 12th helped produce

excellent final stands.

The Dawson-Callide season was characterized by

some very big rainfall events, in early November, at

the end of January and then in late February-early

March. As well, many growers were stretching

irrigations and starting to drop fields out during

January due to the constant, unrelenting heat and

high water demand, which extended from mid

November until the end of January. Some fields

exhibited boll dangle/cavitation losses of up to 10-

15% during January. Because the crop had not started

to open when the big late January event occurred,

there was no resultant boll rot/tight lock. however,

there was quite a bit of top crop shed. The late

February event, where wet conditions persisted over

a week, caused quite severe tight locking, through the

mid canopy predominantly, with boll losses of up to

15%. Crop damage from floodwater was quite severe

for growers in the Biloela and Baralaba areas after

the January rain depression.

Insect pressure was very mild all season, with

high levels of predators building towards the end of

the season. heliothis levels were low, and very high

retention levels were evident early-mid season. Few

fields required more than a single spray for mirids.

SLW numbers were getting close to a spray threshold

in both areas in late January, but the rain event

finished that issue. Aphid levels were low.

▪ DARLING DOWNS ▪ John Marshall

After a massive season last year, with the biggest

combined irrigated and dryland acreage ever planted,

and a record production of over 700,000 bales, the

Darling Downs had a slightly below average irrigated

planting of about 30,000 paddock hectares. Many

irrigated growers, especially those reliant on overland

flow, or with high stage licences on the river had little

or no water in storages at planting time. Attractive

contracts for early planted maize and sorghum also

took acres.

Planting started on about 18th October, almost all

into pre-watered country. Seedbed conditions were

generally not good in back to back country, as there

had been a late harvest, and little rain during winter/

early spring to aid stubble breakdown and achieving

good soil tilth. While soil temperatures were ideal

during late October, consistently in the 18-20°C range,

rapid seedbed drydown and seedling disease all

contributed to some patchy stands - there was little

replanting however.

First irrigation came early for many growers, just

before Christmas, due to above average heat in the

previous four weeks. The continuing heat and looming

water shortage brought on by bigger usage than

expected in pre-watering, and the early first irrigation

meant that growers were stretching irrigations during

January. In all, over 2,000 ha was lost from floods, or

dropped out in January from water shortage.

There were some waterlogging situations as well,

both subsequent to the Christmas night rain event and

late January rain. The latter also produced quite a bit

of mid crop shedding. Some farms sustained quite

severe crop and infrastructure damage, especially

the Byee area, and upstream of Cecil Plains on the

Condamine, from flooding resulting from the January

event.

Crops were just starting to open when the late

February-early March rain arrived, which helped

finish the top crop off. There was a little tight locking

evident in some crops from this event. Conditions

during March-April remained mild, with max temps

a bit below average, but minimums staying up, so

defoliation was quite successful. Picking of irrigated

crops started mid April, peaking about the second

week of May with very little rain interruptions. As

at mid May, with a few rain interruptions occurring,

about 25% of the irrigated crop remains to be picked.

Irrigated yields will possible average 8.5-9.0 bales/ha,

flood damage, waterlogging from big rain events and

stretching irrigations impacting on some fields. At the

top end, some should approach 12 bales/ha. Colour,

leaf, length and micronaire all look very good from the

cotton picked to this stage.

Insects have not caused any issues during the

season, with only minimal sprays for mirids and some

aphid control late season. heliothis numbers did build

mid season, but no topical control was necessary.

There was some seedling disease damage in back to

back fields. Fusarium was present, but did not reach

serious levels.

▪ ST GEORGE/DIRRANBANDI ▪ Alex North

The 2012/13 crop in the Balonne was shaping up

to be another excellent one, with the prospect of

another large crop going into the ground. The very

wet summer last season meant that leading into

planting Beardmore dam was at full capacity, and on-

farm storages throughout the Dirranbandi region were

also at capacity. This meant that confidence was very

high amongst growers as the prospect of another big

season of production was on the cards due to the very

strong water position.

very warm, dry temperatures throughout

September meant that planting commenced in the

Dirranbandi region towards the end of the third

week of September. Many took advantage of these

good early conditions and quite a large portion of

the crop went in during this time. Establishment of

these early planted crops was very good, with warm

conditions continuing through to the end of the first

week of October. A large cold front moved through

the region around 10th October which resulted in soil

temperatures plummeting back into single figures.

Fortunately this season many growers were keeping a

very close eye on weather conditions around planting

and many saw this forecasted front coming through,

and in-turn stopped planting until the weather system

passed and conditions were suitable to commence

planting again.

Weather conditions improved after a few days and

soil temps were on the rise again and this is when

the bulk of the planting got under way further to the

north around St George. The bulk of the planting was

all done by the end of the third week in October, with

around 28,000 ha going in around St George and

31,000 ha being planted in the Dirranbandi region.

October was a very hot and windy month for the

region, with above average temps and very strong

winds severely drying out the upper soil surface in

these newly established crops. This lead to rapid dry

down of the ‘planting slot’ and in many cases caused

the slot to crack open, resulting in the majority of

crops that were pre-irrigated needing to be flushed

in order to wet the bed up again to enable the

establishing root systems to tap into the deeper sub-

soil moisture. This worked extremely well and meant

that all crops got off to an excellent start.

In stark contrast to last season, November,

December and the first half of January were

extremely hot and dry, with well above average

temperatures being experienced for long periods of

time, with little to no effective rainfall falling during

this period. These hot conditions meant that water

budgets were thrown out the window as water

deficits were reduced significantly in order to keep

up with the crop’s high water use. Fortunately water

reserves were abundant at the start of the season,

but due to the lack of rainfall, these reserves were

being depleted at a very rapid rate. Crop development

during this period was amazing, with many crops

accumulating an excellent fruit load. This was also

helped by almost non-existent insect pressure being

experienced so far, with first position retention

remaining well above 90-95% all season. Some small

bolls were being lost to Cavitation due to the extreme

temperatures being experienced which has not been

seen in this region for quite a few seasons.

A small area of cotton was dropped out in January

as these water reserves were rapidly depleting

which was very disappointing for some. Eventually

a flood did hit the region from rainfall to the east,

but unfortunately too late for some of these crops.

Defoliation commenced in the region towards the

end of February into early March, with conditions

remaining warm and dry which resulted in excellent

defoliation results for most. Picking commenced

towards the end of March of the earlier planted crops,

with the bulk of picking happening in early April.

Despite the extremely hot and dry conditions

faced this season, average yields of between 10-11

bales/ha were achieved throughout the region.

Unfortunately the crops that ran short of water

yielded less than this but not much could be done

about this. In terms of fibre quality, length and

strength has been the best seen in a number of

seasons. The only problem encountered was that

some of the early planted Sicot 74BRF crops had high

micronaire. Early September planted crops were doing

the majority of their flowering and boll fill during the

extreme heat in early-mid January. This can have an

effect on micronaire as a large amount of assimilates

or carbohydrates are being pumped into these bolls

due to the high amount of photosynthesis occurring

during the long, hot sunny days. This issue lessened

as picking progressed into the later planted crops,

with micronaire coming back down into the accepted

range for these crops.

So the 2012/13 season was another challenging

one and was in stark contrast to last season’s cold

wet one. Prospects for next season in the Balonne

are again looking excellent with two flows moving

through the region in February and March, which has

again replenished on-farm and up-stream dam levels

to near capacity. Confidence is very high in the region

with the prospect of a third successive season being

at full production.

▪ MACINTYRE ▪ Alex North

The 2012/13 cotton season was shaping up to be a

very promising one in the lead-up to planting. One up-

side to the extremely wet and disappointing season

last year was that nearly all growers in the Macintyre


were going into this season with full on-farm storages

and healthy allocation prospects from full dams

upstream. The only downfall was that the cotton

price at planting time was well below an acceptable

average which led to many growers deciding to fallow

any fields that badly needed it and gave many an

opportunity to tidy up problem fields.

Considering this, a very large crop still went into the

ground with just over 70,000 ha of irrigated going in,

including the Mungindi region. Planting commenced

around Talwood and Mungindi in the last week of

September where extremely warm temperatures were

being experienced for that time of year. Many took

advantage of these favourable conditions and were

able to get these early planted crops established and

away. These good conditions continued through to

10th October, when a very cool rain change moved

through the region, causing the daytime temperatures

to halve overnight, and in turn resulted in the soil

temperature plummeting back down well into single

figures.

Fortunately, those growers who were in the process

of planting were keeping a very close eye on the

forecasted weather conditions and many, if not

all, parked the planters up for the duration of this

cold spell and then recommenced when conditions

improved 4-5 days later. This is when the bulk of the

planting occurred in the rest of the valley and due

to the return of the warm dry weather, the bulk of

the crop was planted by the end of the third week in

October.

Initial establishment of these later planted crops

was excellent although extremely warm conditions

the week after planting caused the seedbed to dry

out rapidly, before the recently emerged plants had

a chance to access the deeper moisture. This meant

that many crops that were pre-irrigated required

an early irrigation or flush as the planting slot had

cracked open due to the hot windy conditions. This

early irrigation was not budgeted at all but proved to

be very successful in establishing these crops.

From here on conditions remained very dry and

extremely warm throughout the months of November,

December and early January. In a stark contrast to

last season, the valley had recorded well above its

average number of hot days (above 38°C) for this

period with little to no effective rainfall. Fortunately

water supplies were good so growers were forced

to tighten up their water deficits and watering

turnarounds in order to keep up with the extremely

hot conditions. These conditions proved extremely

favourable to crop development and coupled with

almost non-existent insect pest pressure meant that

fruit retention was near 100% right into the first two

weeks of January with crops accumulating very large

fruit loads.

Unfortunately this all changed very quickly for many

growers within a 60-70km radius of Goondiwindi,

when ex-cyclone Oswald made its way across the

region and dumped in excess of 200 mm of rainfall

(175 mm in one day). The weather system stuck

around for 3-4 days and completely inundated many

crops. This resulted in widespread water logging and

caused a very large shed of any fruit that wasn’t set

as a small boll. The end result has been estimated

to be at least one bale/acre reduction in yield,

which was extremely devastating for many growers.

Fortunately the western Talwood/Mungindi regions

missed out on this big rain and although remaining

very hot, escaped most of the damage.

The remaining months of February and March were

much kinder on the crop with conditions cooling

down significantly, allowing many to finish the

crop off well. Many of the rain affected crops were

unfortunately not able to recover much of the lost

yield as many crops were approaching cut-out so they

ended up coming in quite early. The conditions during

defoliation were excellent and resulted in a very

good preparation for picking. Picking commenced in

the western regions of the valley towards the end of

March with the bulk of picking starting in early April.

Weather conditions remained excellent for harvest

with warm days prevailing, resulting in long picking

days, with the bulk of the picking being done by the

end of the third week of April.

Early indications of yields were quite good

considering the extreme conditions faced this season.

Some of the earlier planted crops in the western

regions were having some high micronaire issues

with their Sicot 74BRF, mainly being due to the

extremely hot, dry conditions experienced in these

regions during the boll filling period. This seems to

be ‘settling out’ as more of the later planted crops

come in, who were finishing under more favourable

conditions. Comments from classers are that length

and strength has been the best seen for a number of

seasons.

▪ GWYDIR vALLEY ▪ James Quinn

Planting began in the last week of September,

mostly in fields to be watered up. There was some

concern about the cool change predicted for the long

weekend, with some leaving the planters in the sheds

till after the weekend.

Sicot 74BRF is by far the most popular variety choice

for growers in both irrigated and dryland conditions

this season, in total 68,000 ha of irrigated cotton was

planted this season

The complete absence of effective rainfall in the

district as well as consistent hot dry winds affected

crops and irrigation schedules during the months of

November and December. Many growers were forced

to rush to apply additional fertiliser and cultivate

field prior to the first irrigation. Timetables for these

operations caused some crops to experience some

moisture stress in this pre-squaring, pre-flowering

stage.

Aside from the watering issues, exacerbated by

the heat right through to the end of January, the crop

looked excellent.

Insect pests have been low, with very minimal

insecticides being applied to Bollgard II crops but also

very few to the conventional as well. This has led to

high retentions and impressive fruit loads as the crop

moved into peak flowering and boll fill.

Thrips moved in late from maturing winter cereals,

and have caused some deformation of the true leaves,

but this damage seems to have diminished as the

season progressed. heliothis pressure and aphids

which threatened earlier in the year has been limited.

Other sucking pests were present as usual and it was

only late in the season that white fly moved in.

very timely rainfall at the end of January and follow

up rain in the month of February changed the fortunes

and outlook of many irrigators and dryland cotton

growers in the Gwydir valley.

Although welcome, these rainfall events did bring

some detrimental effects which will impact greatly on

the Gwydir valley crops. very hot conditions prior to,

then water logging and cloudy condition post the rain

event, did cause significant shedding in some crops.

very early and later planted crops have been able

to handle this triple whammy of stress better. Early

crops had already shut down and the boll load on the

later crop was not as high and these also have had

time to recover.

Crop planted in the first couple of weeks of October

seem to have been affected the worst. The crops

were rapidly approaching cutout and were well into

peak boll filling. This shedding of flowers and small

bolls has led to a dramatic decrease in potential

boll numbers and these crops were unable to get up

and going again. Warm temperatures received well

into the later parts of the months of March and April

enabled late fruit to mature. This will further assist

the yields of later planted crops.

Because of this, the yield range within the Gwydir

valley is going to be quite large. Some crops which

ran out of water before the rain arrived are going

to struggle while there is some quite handy looking

cotton in parts throughout the valley which will be

pushing into the high 5 b/ac and 6 b/ac territory.

Defoliation has progressed well, with leaf dropping

away nicely in the first defoliated blocks. Some re-

growth is beginning to be a hassle as some fields’ soil

moisture profiles are higher than many would like due

to the late rainfall.

Picking commenced in the middle of March and the

valley got into full swing in the first week of April.

Quality has been good, although higher micronaire

was recorded in some early crops but the incidence

has dropped off as more cotton is ginned.

▪ NAMOI ▪ Rob Eveleigh

Following a year of extremes most growers are

reasonably happy with farm average yields this

season. In a complete change from last season

extreme heat in December and January led to some

very high water use and tested both crops and

irrigators. The second half of the season was ideal

for finishing crops. We had some significant rain

during February and March, particularly in the upper

Namoi and up stream of Wee Waa. In many cases

this rain was welcome as water supplies were almost

depleted. Picking conditions have been very dry. Most

of the crop has been picked without a drop of rain.

Planting started in late September as conditions

warmed and pre irrigated fields began to rapidly dry

down, but the majority of the crop was watered up in

October.

As often happens a major cold change arrived in

mid October and this caused significant establishment

problems. however there was not much replanting

compared to the previous season.

By the end of the planting window a total of 76,000

ha of irrigated cotton had been planted in the Namoi

(including Walgett) but only 4100 ha of dryland cotton

due to the lack of planting rain.

It was a very light year for insect pests. Early season

thrips were present and caused significant damage

to some crops but the warm conditions in November

allowed crops to quickly compensate. heliothis

pressure was very low for the whole season. The few

conventional crops grown in the Namoi required only

a few insecticides. Mites and aphids were at low

levels for most of the season. Aphids did increase on

the few later crops in the valley and some fields were

treated before defoliation. Mirids were not present

for most of the season and GvB were only a sporadic

pest. Despite the very hot season white fly numbers

were very slow to rise and only a few western crops

required control.

Compared to last year, disease was almost a non

event. Black root rot was present in the majority of

crops but the very warm November allowed crops to

grow away from the disease. verticillium was only

seen in a few crops late in the season and had little

effect on yields. There was no boll rot in the Namoi

as the late season was very dry. Still no recorded

fusarium fields in the lower Namoi or Walgett region

and fields known to be infected in the upper Namoi

remain stable.

Defoliation of crops began in March and the very

warm conditions produced rapid leaf drop. Crops have

generally defoliated well. Picking began in late March

and peaked in mid April around Wee Waa. The upper

Namoi didn’t hit its straps until late April. Without

rain everything will be picked by the third week in

May.

Yields have generally been good. I have seen some

fields exceed 6 b/ac and farm averages are generally

very good. A valley average of 10 b/ha for the lower

Namoi and 9.5 b/ha for the upper Namoi seems likely.

Even dryland yields are very good, with a few crops

in the Spring Ridge area exceeding 8 b/ha. Turns outs

have again been exceptional, particularly from Sicot

74BRF crops.

Fibre quality from irrigated crops has been okay so

far. Quite a bit of high micronaire in Sicot 74BRF but

grades are as good as they get.

▪ MACQUARIE ▪ Bob Ford

The tale of two seasons exists when comparing

last year’s cool season in the Macquarie to this

season. Last season, particularly at Narromine, cool

temperatures existed right through into January

making growing the crop extremely difficult. Yields

were wide and varied. This year has been the exact

opposite with warm conditions starting in November

and continuing through well into March.

There has been 55 days over 35 degrees Celsius

versus the long term average of 30 days and 2389 day

degree versus long term average of 2279 DD.

The Macquarie grew 40,000 ha this season the

majority being fully irrigated with some semi-irrigated

and dryland being grown. It wasn’t the season to

grow dryland with most of the region only receiving

169 mm of rain, but the rain fell outside of the

flowering period.

The crop got off to a reasonable start with little

replant. The temperatures started to heat up in mid

November and flowering began as early as 13th

December which is early for the Macquarie.

Once into December and January, temperatures

continued to be above average which tested irrigation

systems. Most growers have applied 9-10 ML/ha

of water to their crops and at one stage irrigation

intervals were at 7 days for two of those irrigations.

Little insect pressure occurred this season and

strong retention for most of season existed. The crop

physiology was slightly different to normal with many

crops having first position fruit very close to the main

stem and some crops not filling in across rows. This

from all accounts has had no effect on yield.

Growers that followed their normal Pix strategy of

applying a small dose before or just after Christmas

have had some irregular results with the crop

remaining quite short (85 cm) for the season. The

impact of a growth regulant followed by heat stress

has affected yields in some cases.

A cut out rate of Pix applied mid January did a good

job on most crops evening them out and defoliation

was good with many growers applying two sprays

over a short interval removing the leaf well. Most

crops were around two weeks early and picking

begun in late March.

From all accounts this season has been terrific

with good warm temperatures coupled with low

insect pressure, good radiation due to no cloud and a

strong finish. For those growers who have managed

to keep up with their watering and had applied

enough fertilizer the results have been extraordinary

with some crops reaching the magical 15-16 bales/

hectare. Boll weights from around the Macquarie

are supporting the yields with boll weights up to 2.4

grams/boll, normally around 2.1 grams/boll.

With ginning at May around 30% the turnout’s for

both Sicot 74BRF and Sicot 71BRF have been great

with one crop of Sicot 74BRF returning a turnout of

46.5%. Currently Sicot 74BRF would be averaging

around the 44% and Sicot 71BRF would be around

42% which is a great result and a nice surprise for

many growers post ginning.

The quality of the crop has been good, although

there have been reports of some high micronaire at

Warren where there were more days over 40 degrees

Celsius during the season.

Sicot 74BRF has had a resounding result over the

last few years in the Macquarie and this year is no

different. In the trial at Westwood this year Sicot

74BRF has gone 15.3 bales/hectare, which is great

result and shows how good this variety has been for

this region. It should also be noted that due to the

warmer conditions Sicot 75BRF has out yielded Sicot

74BRF in the North Warren trial yielding 13.4 bales/

ha. This variety has done well in the regions with the

most heat this year.

▪ WESTERN NSW ▪ Bob Ford

This season will go down as one of the warmest

seasons on record at Bourke but will also be

remembered for the cool start with the highest

amount of cold shock days on record.

The start to the season was good with water

harvesting occurring in August and September and

a dry winter allowed growers to prepare their land

and get fertilizer down for another big season at

Bourke. There was 10,500 ha planted at Bourke this

season and represents the fourth major planting in a

row, which has helped a lot considering the previous

decade being very dry.

Although, conditions were cool in October most

crops got off to a reasonable start and for those crops

that were slow, the heat in early November allowed

plants to grow away. The weather remained hot

from November onwards with little relief until well

into February. There were 108 days over 35 degrees

Celsius and 23 of them over 40 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall was virtually nonexistent with 92 mm for the

season.

Most growers had between 6-7 irrigations available,

which with no help from rain, meant that some fields

ran short and had to be dropped, but most of the

cotton made it through. With the temperatures that

existed, it had to have an effect on the crop and that

came in the form of lighter boll weights and crops

that couldn’t finish bolls in the 9-12 node fruiting

branch region of the plant. In saying this, crops that

utilised their water the most efficiently yielded well

with some yields above 13 bales/ha but a majority of

growers would be happy after this season to average

10 bales/ha or better.

Most crops before Christmas looked good and were

well into flowering but a heat wave in early January

tested the plant as well as irrigators. This period of

the crop placed stresses on the plant and irrigation

schedules were shortened to cope with the heat.

If there was any consolation insect pressure was

low throughout the season with the odd spray being

applied for mirids.

The crops used a lot of fertilizer this year with some

crops running out. Nitrogen rates ranged from 250

units up to 300 units.

Bourke had a dream run in terms of defoliation

and picking with warm dry conditions existing right

through into April. The crop itself was two weeks

early and picking first began in early March with some

of the crops that had been let go. These crops still

yielded 6-8 bales/ha with as little as four irrigations

applied to them. The bulk of picking had been done by

mid April and ginning as of May is a fair way through.

Growers are generally happy with the yields from

6-7 irrigation fields but anything that had been

dropped or restarted will yield a lot lower.

There is some high micronaire coming through,

which is to be expected in the hot year that has

occurred. The other quality parameters are base or

better.

Sicot 74BRF was 90% of the area at Bourke this

season has performed well, but Sicot 75BRF has

topped both CSD variety trials at Clyde Ag and Darling

Farms this season. This variety in the past two

seasons hasn’t done much in the variety trials, but

the previous seasons had a lot less heat than what

we saw this season at Bourke. This variety, according

to Dr Greg Constable from CSIRO breeding, is a hot

season specialist and should perform well in these

western regions.

▪ SOUThERN NSW ▪ Jorian Millyard

The 2012/13 season was quite a warm one. The

planting for Southern NSW was down from last years

with 14,000 ha for the Lachlan valley (hillston, Forbes

and Condobolin) and 27,000 for the Murrumbidgee

Valley (Griffith, Whitton, Jerilderie, Coleambally and

hay) going in.

We experienced a very warm late December - early

January, with evapo-transpiration in excess of 33 mm

seen during this hot period (see graph above).

All crops in Southern NSW exceeded last year’s

Day Degrees. There were above 30 hot shock day

and also above 50 cold shock days. The cold weather

hit early October this season, with a few growers

coming unstuck from a cold snap that hit after the

October long weekend. In general the worst of the

hot weather hit around peak flowering. Any crop

that didn’t have the volunteers under control by

then became water stressed due to the competition.

Blow-away grass also posed problems by chocking up

channels and around Griffith there were issues with

water supply to crops. The extreme heat also caused

a few crops to cavitate, and parrot beaked bolls were

seen throughout the southern valleys.

Insect pressure this season was mixed. There was

some higher pressure from Pumpkin beetles this

year and some crops experienced heavy wireworm

pressure, causing a few growers to replant and also

re-think their strategy for next season. Some crops

took between 18 to 28 days to emerge, and seedling

disease was worst on back to back country. Thrips

were worst around Griffith, causing a few crops to

be tipped out, while other areas were less affected.

heliothis pressure was light until the New Year when

there was a big egg lay. Fruit retention levels were

very high, with some crops having in excess of 90%

retention. This later fell back due to the heat. Aphid

and mirid activity was low this year, with only the odd

spray taking place. Some crops saw mites, but these

were low and were mainly in crops that neighboured

maize fields. In general the crops had high fruit

retention and not a lot of insect spraying took place.

As expected crops were using more water. The

irrigation frequency through late December and early

January came back to a five day turn around. Et was

extremely high which put pressure on the crops. Some

of the irrigation areas had supply restriction placed

on them. This meant some crops were stressed and

priority had to be given to crops with greater yield

potential. Problems from Blow-away grass choking

channels and late control of cotton volunteers saw

crops cutting out early. In general crops were using

around 10 ML/ha with some as high as 14 ML/ha.

Pivots were placed under a lot of pressure this year.

Keeping the profile full was a challenge.

At the time of writing this article in early May

the crops were only about 40% harvested. Early

indications are some crops yielding well, with a range

of 7 - 14 b/ha, with most picking between 10 - 14 b/

ha. Moisture stressed crops are around 7 b/ha. It is

shaping up to be an excellent year for fibre quality;

Micronaire has been excellent, falling into the ideal

range and no low miconaire issues to date. Turnouts

have been above 42% and there have not been any

holdups with ginning.


hot Shock days

Cold Shock Day

Day Degrees 2012/13

Last Year Day Degrees

Average Day Degrees

Condobolin 41 54 2395 1972 2154

hillston 46 47 2428 2112 2173

hay 37 51 2308 2044 2064

Griffith 32 55 2220 2002 2001

Coleambally 34 57 2222 1993 1976

Southern NSW: Average Day Degrees from 1 October- 20 April.

14 node cotton cut out due to water stress as a result of controlling volunteers too late.


Growers often have excess planting seed that they intend to plant in the following season. In most years

there is no problem utilising carry over seed in this way. however seed is a living thing. It continues to

respire slowly in its dormant state in the bag. But it can die or the vigour be reduced during storage. high

temperatures and high humidity are the worst enemies of stored cotton seed.

In this past season record high temperatures were experienced in the first half of summer and humidity

levels were high in the second half of the summer. Farm storage conditions also vary significantly. Seed

storage in shipping containers exposed to direct sunlight can be particularly harmful to quality seed. Even

seed placed in farm sheds close to a western wall can experience extreme temperatures.

For this reason you should have your carry over seed retested prior to planting. A good time to test the

seed is after the extreme temperatures of summer have passed. Autumn and early winter are ideal. having

your seed retested well before the early order discount period closes is recommended in case the seed

needs to be replaced.

How to sample carry over seed?

You need a representative sample. Seed collected from 1 bag on the shaded side of a pallet may not

represent the bulk of the seed on the pallet.

We recommend the following procedure to get the most representative sample.

Test your carry over planting seed now - It’s a free service

Below: John Gallagher (CSD) samples carryover seed at CSD. Treated seed is sampled and retested at least every 12 months and prior to despatch.

Use a sharp hollow metal tube to puncture the bags and drain a sample. Masking tape can be used to seal

the hole. CSD only requires 100g of seed per seed lot to conduct the retest.

If you require any retesting send your sample to CSD or give it to your local Extension and Development

agronomist. Label the sample with your name, address, phone number and fax or email address. Also put

the seedlot number, variety and seed treatment along with the date you took the sample on the label.

Depending on the volume of samples going through the CSD lab it could take up to month for the results

to be available. The seed testing service is part of CSD’s after sale service and is free of charge.

No. of Bags Sampling Intensity

Up to 5 bags Sample every bag

6 to 30 bags Sample 5 bags, or 1 in every 3, whichever is greater

31 to 400 Sample 10 bags or 1 in every 5, whichever is greater

401 bags or more Sample 80 bags, or 1 in every 7, whichever is greater

Cotton growers who elect to treat their seed with

CRUISER® or CRUISER EXTREME® will not only get

powerful protection against a range of sucking and

soil-dwelling pests, but directly contribute to local

research in their industry.

Cotton Seed Distributors and Syngenta established

the Early Season Cotton research and development

fund in 2008.

It has since provided funding to support nine

projects investigating early season disease and insect

control programs.

Syngenta head of Seedcare - Australasia, Peter

holmes says the fund is a tangible demonstration

of how CSD, Syngenta and other industry partners

deliver genuine value to Australian cotton growers.

“This fund has been used for a wide range of

projects, ranging from investigative research right

down to the purchase of laboratory and research

equipment,” Peter said.

“This research has helped to improve the industry’s

knowledge of the impact of nematodes on cotton

establishment, the ecology of thrips, the extent of

wireworm resistance in Australia and the benefits of

plant growth regulators in cooler climates.

“It has also provided funding for the development of

a black root rot fungicide screen and the publication

of a disease handbook.

“At the other end of the scale, the fund has provided

much-needed capital to purchase root analysis

equipment and maintenance for a planter used in

trials.”

This year, CSD and Syngenta will donate $2.60

for every 20 kg bag of seed treated with CRUISER®

EXTREME and $1.40 for every 20 kg bag of seed

treated with CRUISER® to the fund.

Mr holmes acknowledged the important role

that CSD has played in the development of several

innovative seed treatment offers in recent years.

These include CRUISER EXTREME, which provides

a convenient alternative to in-furrow granular

insecticides, and Dynasty Complete, for all-in-one

protection against Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium

Wilt and Black Root Rot.

Funding your industry

Get the best startQuality seed deserve the best protection.

That’s why all CSD varieties are treated with new DYNASTY® COMPLETE for all-in-one protection against Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium Wilt and Black Root Rot. Plus, there’s your choice of new CRUISER® EXTREME†

or CRUISER for robust protection against sucking and soil-dwelling pests in the convenience of a seed treatment.

Contact your Cotton Seed Distributors representative today about how quality seed treatments from Syngenta can give your cotton the best start.

†APVMA registration pending. ®Registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.™Trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All products written in uppercase are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. SYN2271 AD11/147

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life.

ADvERTORIAL

There have been some fantastic yields in the lower Namoi this season. Some growers will achieve their

highest farm average yields ever. Two variety trials picked in the lower Namoi that reflect the best yields

in the Namoi come from the western half of the valley. The trials grown on “hazeldean” by Charlie Arnott

and “Carlton” by Wal Friend are expected to be prime contenders for the John Grellman Shield this year.

Although not yet ginned we expect the Sicot 75BRF and Sicot 74BRF in these trials to approach 14 bales/ha.

For Wal Friend it could be a back to back result. he won the prestigious John Grellman shield last season

when the Sicot 74BRF in his trial achieved 13.37 bales/ha.

Namoi region scorchers


Warm (Standard) Germination Test.

Samples from finished seed lots are subjected to two germination testing regimes, a warm germination test and

a cool germination test. The warm (standard) germination test results are an indication of the proportion of seeds

in a sample that germinate under optimum laboratory conditions and are a guide to a field planting rate. This test

involves subjecting the sample to a cyclic temperature regime of 20°C for 16 hours, 30°C for 8 hours, and then

doing counts on day 4 and day 7. The minimum ‘pass’ standard that must be attained is that 80% of the seeds in

the sample have a radicle length > 40 mm at day 4, with the final germination value obtained at day 7.

Cool Germination Test and Seed Vigor Index (SVI)

The cool germination test involves subjecting the sample to a constant temperature regime of 18°C for 24

hours, and then doing a count on day 7. The minimum ‘pass’ standard that must be attained is that 60% of seeds

in the sample have a radicle length > 40 mm.

The seed vigour index (SvI) value for a sample is obtained by adding the day 4 warm germination test

percentage figure to the day 7 cool germination percentage figure (eg WG 85% + CG 80% = SVI 165). A ‘pass’

sample must, by definition, have a SVI value greater than 140, because of the minimum values required of

the two components. The seed vigour test cannot predict field emergence because of the sheer number of

environmental and cultural stresses that impact on seeds placed in the soil. It is merely a guide to a seed lots

inherent vigour.

Mechanical Damage and Seed Count

A mechanical damage assessment is carried out by visually assessing a sample from each seed lot, with a

typical value being less than 10%. It is important to note that some seeds that have seed coat damage are

still capable of germinating and producing ‘healthy’ ( > 40 mm length) radicles in both the laboratory and field

Seed quality parameters

variety Rel Yield Length Strength Mic F rank

Sicot 75RRF 101 1.21 31.0 4.3 122(4)

Sicot 71RRF 100 1.16 30.3 4.1 108(10)

Line-311 RRF 92 1.28 31.1 4.3 138(4)

CSIRO trials (7 sites 2 years).

B/ha TO% Length Strength Mic

Sicot 75RRF 9.11 41% 1.18 32.4 4.8

Sicot 71RRF 9.04 39% 1.16 31.0 4.4

CSX 311 RRF 7.65 37% 1.22 32.7 4.7

Yield and Quality Data collected from the Federation Farm Seed Increase (not replicated).

Growers now have another choice when it comes to Roundup Ready Flex varieties. Seed increase of the

new variety that has been named Sicot 75RRF began a few years ago at “Little Mollee” and progressed to

a small commercial field at Federation Farm, near Narrabri this season. This seed crop was picked in mid

April without any interference from the weather. Although seed supply will be very limited this season it

is expected the new variety will be fully available next year. Growers interested in trying the new variety

should contact their local CSD extension and development agronomist.

Sicot 75RRF is expected to replace Sicot 71RRF over the next few years. Sicot 71RRF was released six

years ago and although it still has a very good yield potential its major drawbacks include its fibre length

and relatively low F rank. The new Sicot 75RRF comes with about 1% more yield than Sicot 71RRF and

fibre length over 1/32nds longer than Sicot 71RRF. Sicot 75RRF’s F rank is about 14 points higher than Sicot

71RRF.

The table below summarises all the performance data collected from CSIRO small plot trials. The major

improvements of the new lines are in fibre quality and disease rank.

Sicot 75RRF - A new variety choice

Although CSD has no large scale replicated trial results comparing Sicot 71RRF and Sicot 75RRF we did

assess the yield of Sicot 75RRF adjacent to Sicot 71RRF in the Federation farm seed increase field. The

result seem to mirror CSIRO’s data.

Sicot 75RRF has a slightly more indeterminate growth habit than Sicot 71RRF and will therefore require

more careful assessment of the vegetative growth rate. The seed is also smaller (less dense) than Sicot

71RRF giving an average turnout about 2% higher than Sicot 71RRF.

CSIRO are continuing development of new RRF varieties and further releases will occur in the future.

Re-planting - Why it’s better to waitEvery grower’s attitude at planting time should be to ‘plant it once and plant it right’. CSD Extension and

Development Agronomist Alex North says.

Nobody goes into the planting operation with the goal of having to re-plant, but at times due to external

un-foreseen circumstances you may occasionally be faced with the tough decision of deciding whether it is

necessary to re-plant the crop.

One of the inherent traits of the current high yielding varieties, such as Sicot 74BRF, is that they have low

density seed. This makes the planting operation an extremely critical one in that you need to ensure that

everything is aligned and properly executed, as a failure to do so may mean that the chances of having to re-plant

could be quite high.

“The old adage of the industry to ‘not plant until the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 14°C @ 9am

E.S.T for three consecutive days’ still rings true in today’s environment, and even more so with low seed density

varieties.” Mr North said.

For growers around planting time, if your soil temperature has made it to the magic 14°C mark, the next thing

is to keep a very close eye on what the weather forecast is for the next seven days.

“If the temperatures are on a rising plane for the next 3-5 days then generally you can be quite confident to get

planting underway. however if there is any hint that there may be a rain front or cool change on the way in that

period, then the best thing you can do is stop and wait for it pass, and recommence planting when temperatures

start on a rising plane again.”

The planting operation is by no means a cheap one, by the time you factor in time, machinery, diesel, labour and

the cost of re-plant seed. The extra cost of having to re-plant is not the only thing to consider in this scenario.

Depending on your growing region the delay experienced in the turnaround of having to re-plant can result in

large reductions in yield potential, in that you may reduce the season length in cooler growing regions resulting in

greatly reduced yield potential.

“When dealing with Mother Nature, even the best made plans can go astray. On some occasions, when

everything is aligned, as what happened in many regions two seasons ago, growers may be faced with very

patchy or gappy stands. Large gaps in the plant stand affect yield dramatically.” Mr North said.

Any gaps over 50 cm can result in large yield reductions although this still depends on whether it is consistent

or sporadic across the field. Plant stands as low as 4-5/m can still yield very well so long as the plant stand is

consistent. This can make the decision as to whether to re-plant or not an extremely tough one as measuring

these gaps can be very difficult.

For this very reason, CSD has developed a Re-plant Calculator. The CSD Re-plant Calculator gives growers a

guide as to what to take into consideration when making the extremely tough decision to re-plant.

“It allows you to go out into your field, count out the number of gaps over 50cm, then simply add them into the

calculator to determine what your yield potential would be based on the current plant stand.” said Mr North

A comparison is then given to the yield potential of the proposed second planting date if you go make the

decision to re-plant, based on your location and season length. The CSD Re-plant Calculator can help to take out

a lot of the guess work involved in making the re-plant decision by weighing up the yield potential of your current

stand compared to a re-planted stand planted at a later date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

▪ The CSD Re-Plant Calculator can be found on the CSD website (www.csd.net.au) or for more information on how to use it, please contact your local CSD E&D Agronomist.

situations. For this reason, the germination values obtained override mechanical damage values in determining a

sample’s pass/fail.

While an indicative seed count is provided by CSD for each variety as soon as the majority of black seed

(delinted but no treatments added) for a particular variety is processed through the plant, a final seed count for

fully treated product is only obtained in the laboratory at the same time as final germination tests. Please note

that individual lot seed count can vary by as much as 5-10% from the published indicative seed count.

Statement of Seed Analysis

It is not possible to place all purity and germination information on the actual bag, as these values take in

excess of seven laboratory days to obtain, while the actual final sample for testing is generally drawn from the

production line just before bagging and wrapping. Seed test results for individual seed lots are placed on the CSD

web site under ‘Statement of Seed Analysis’ as soon as possible after laboratory testing is completed.

PAGE 11COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS IRRIGATED COTTON

After a tough season for most Downs irrigation growers due to stretching water in January, and then

waterlogging and fruit shedding after the big rain event around Australia Day, many growers are buoyed by the

appearance of their crops as the leaf comes off and the pickers move in, in early May. This scenario applies to Bill

and Win Arthur who, with son and daughter-in-law Chris and Michelle, farm “Riverlea” and adjoining properties

between Nandi Road and the Condamine River, 15 km south of Dalby. The farm is currently enjoying a run of good

seasons. While much of the Downs cotton was devastated by flooding and waterlogging in 2010-11, this farm’s

slightly lighter soils and better drainage helped lessen their losses. Last season, the combination of timely rain

and adequate irrigation water helped produce above average yields. This year, as picking draws close, most of

the crop has great potential, and all dams are full for next season.

The farm does not have an irrigation allocation, relying on high flow pumping from the river, and collection

of overland flow from 3-4 adjacent properties, into two storages. Bill Arthur is one of the industry pioneers of

‘wide row’ irrigation, having moved into the practice some twenty years ago. By planting double skip on fallow, it

allows for 1-2 incrop irrigations in those seasons when the dam is empty at planting, but the river or local water

becomes available during the season. In seasons such as those being experienced currently, most crop is planted

solid. Another factor which originally motivated Bill towards an irrigated double skip configuration was the ability

to use a tractor mounted ground rig to minimize drift during insecticide application in the pre-Bollgard days.

Downs irrigated crops are certainly a mixed bag this season, with timing of big rainfall events and irrigations

being major determining factors. Field 1 (pictured above) was the last planted on the farm this season, to Sicot

74BRF on 7th November. This is its third consecutive season in cotton, and it had 8 t/ha manure spread before

pupae busting and received 110 kg/ha as gas during this operation. Another 100 kg/ha N was applied during

irrigations.

The crop was just coming up to its first irrigation when a major rainfall event occurred on Christmas night. Its

first irrigation then occurred in mid January, which was followed by two major rainfall events a week and then

two weeks late. The second irrigation went on in mid February, followed by another good rainfall event at the end

of February. A cutout Pix application at 2.5 L/ha in late March has helped finish the crop off very evenly.

Bill and Chris have been involved in the conduct of CSD F-rank trials for many years, as a couple of their fields

Downs cotton looking better as the leaf comes off

Above: Chris Arthur and consultant John Fuelling in Field 1 at ‘Riverlea’, Nandi.

IRRIGATED COTTON

“FIRST CHOICE IN COTTON SEED TREATMENT”

Genero 600 Cotton Seed Dressing Insecticide

2013/14 Cotton Season: Available only on the CSD Early Cotton Seed Orders Program

RECEIVE $120 PER PALLET CASH BACK. AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR CSD RECOGNISED RURAL RESELLER#

Genero 600 (600g/L Imidacloprid) is the most tested and cost effective seed treatment for controlling Aphids, Thrips and Wireworms in seedling cotton – take advantage of this great offer and start your season with a win

eChem is a 100% Australian owned company with a strong focus on making Australian cotton growers competitive

YOUR BRAND & ADVERTISING AGENCY LOGO V1

# For Details please see your Local Cotton Seed Reseller or eChem Australia Phone: 1300 781 649 Fax: 1300 781 650

Genero relaunched onto the Australian cotton marketeChem Australia Crop Protection have initiated to relaunch “Genero

600” Cotton Seed Treatment for the 2013 cotton planting season.

General Manager of eChem, Stuart Paterson said “The relaunch of

Genero 600 as a seed dressing is an endeavour to give a something back

our valuable clients who have witnessed the benefits of using Genero 600

first hand”.

“Genero 600 is a reliable seed dressing which provides comparative, if

not better control of thrips, aphids, wireworms and brown flea beetles to

other seed dressings.”

“Over the seasons Genero 600 has demonstrated seed safety and has

been proven to maximise germination by providing long lasting seed

protection assisting in cotton seedling establishment.”

As part of the relaunch eChem has an exclusive offer to growers who

purchase Genero 600 as their preferred cotton seed dressing this coming

season.

“We are offering growers a $120 per Pallet Cash Back on all early order

seed purchased through their CSD recognised Rural Reseller.”

We feel this will assist growers manage their input costs and further

concentrate on obtaining some of the highest yielding and best quality

cotton in the world.”

“eChem Australia, is proudly, a 100% locally owned and run Australian

Agricultural Chemical Company that is focused on providing a quality

product to the Australian Grower using respectable partners in the

Agricultural Industry” Stuart said.

ADvERTORIAL

FOR MORE INFORMATION ▪ Please contact your preferred CSD cotton seed reseller or call eChem on the toll free number 1300 781 649.

have high levels of Fusarium inoculum. They are the first to acknowledge what a difference the availability of

higher F-rank varieties has made to their farm production. however, at this stage, they still favour Sicot 74BRF

over Sicot 75BRF as a general variety, finding it easier to manage.

PAGE 12 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSIRRIGATED COTTON

Investigation of crop management options for reducing boll rot/tight lock in Cental Queensland crops

Every season, Central Queensland cotton crops, planted mid September - mid October, face a high risk of boll

rot and tight lock, also as they are opening in January-February, the wettest months of the year. The January-

March period also has the highest probability of cyclones along the coast of Queensland, bringing lengthy periods

of high humidity and heavy cloud cover. These climatic conditions often extend into the Emerald and Dawson-

Callide cotton growing areas.

Last season, replicated small plot trials were initiated at Emerald and Theodore to look at three sites, also

effect of a range of management strategies in reducing boll rot/tight lock. The trials were run again this season,

widening the treatment options. This season’s treatments included varying plant density (4, 7, 10, 13 plants/m),

row spacing (solid, single skip, 80 inch) and leaf type (broadleaf, okra).

In 2011-12, at site 2 (Theodore), no boll rot/tight lock was evident, the crop opening just after a major rain event

in late January, and not receiving any further significant rainfall. At site 1 (Emerald West) however, there was

very severe boll rot/tight lock, due to two major, prolonged rainfall events, the first in late January/early February,

the second in mid March. Boll losses of up to 35% were recorded in some treatments. Accurate measurement

was difficult due to the extreme degree of damage.

In 2012-13, three sites were set up. At site 1 (Emerald West), watered up nearly three weeks after the window

opened, there was no boll rot/tight lock evident. A major rainfall event occurred in the region over the Australia

Day weekend, but due to its rapid clearance, and there being no cracked bolls present, this crop escaped damage.

Site 2 (Emerald East) had been watered up a couple of days after the window opened and hence was more than

two weeks into boll opening phase. A low level of tight lock (about 2.5%) was evident across all treatments.

Site 3 at Theodore, planted after pre-watering, on 5th October 2012, escaped damage from the major Australia

Day weekend event, where 265 mm of rain was recorded at the site over four days, because bolls had not

started to crack. However, a second event, where 90 mm in total was recorded on five wet days during a seven

day period 25th Feb-3rd March, produced quite a significant degree of tight lock in the crop. Boll rot was only

relatively minor in incidence.

As Table 1 indicates, there was very little difference in the measured level of tight lock across the full treatment

range. Damage was as severe in the thinnest stand as in the thickest. In the row spacing component of the trial

(where extra Pix had been applied during the season to the wide row entrants to ensure their height was similar

to the solid plant), no significant difference due to treatment was measured. The level of boll rot was a little

higher in the wider row plots due to bolls on longer laterals being more prone to soil splash. While the wider row

okra treatments did produce the lowest incidence of tight lock in the trial, the degree of reduction that might have

been expected due to better light penetration and air movement was not evident.

Table 2 shows where the tight locking occurred in the crop. It was most severe in the mid-upper section,

which was where most cracking bolls were located during the late February rain event. This indicates that the

predominant movement of spores which originated from fungi that had colonized organic matter on the surface

during the late January event was not by rain splash but by wind movement, with all parts of the plant being

vulnerable. Looking back over the last couple of seasons at situations where boll rot/tight lock has been quite

severe in CQ crops, it is apparent that it is not generally the first event during the opening phase that creates the

big losses, but rather when a major secondary event occurs within a 4-6 week period.

Plant Segment % Total Bolls in each segment % Distribution of Tight Lock by Segment

1(Posn 1, FB 1-4) 25 5

2(Posn 1, FB 5-8) 25 27.5

3(Posn 1, FB 9-12) 17 27.5

4(Posn 1, FB 9-12) 2 5

5(Posn >1, FB 1-4) 11 10

6(Posn> 1, FB 5-8) 5 5

7(Posn >1, FB 9-12) 3 2.5

8(veg Branch Bolls) 12 7.5

100% (Total boll count 102/m) 100% (12.8% of Total Bolls Affected)

Season Treatment % Bolls Affected (TL + BR)

Plant Density(Sicot 74BRF -solid plant)

4 plants/m 14.9

7 plants/m 16.9

10 plants/m 15.2

13 plants/m 13.4

Row spacing(Sicot 74BRF - 10 plants/m)

Solid 15.2

Single Skip 12.8

80 inch 12.3

Leaf Type

(Siokra 24BRF - 10 plants/m)

Solid 14.0

Single Skip 11.5

80 inch 10.6

Table 1: Effect of various management options on boll rot/tight lock, Theodore, 2013.

Table 2: Distribution of tight locking on plants, Theodore, 2013 (Sicot 74BRF - 10 plants/m).

Figure 1: Tight lock bolls from upper plant sections, Theodore, 2013.

hot and dry conditions for many cotton growing areas this summer elevated irrigation

water use and focused attention towards increasing the water use efficiency of crops.

high temperatures during November, December and January elevated daily crop

water use. however, for many it was the complete absence of any rainfall to assist in

the crop water balance which has caused the greatest effect on total irrigation water

used.

“higher temperatures have increased crop water use but coupled with this is the

increase in crop development rates so although the crop is using more water each day

it grows for a considerably shorter period of time, so water use is similar to previous

seasons.” CSD Agronomist James Quinn said.

Analysis by the CSD Extension and Development team in the past five seasons has

the estimated crop water use for Sicot 71BRF at 753 mm, and for Sicot 74BRF at 760

mm in this past season the average is hovering around 780 mm for most crops

An added benefit of the sunny days associated with the hot and dry conditions are

the higher than expected yields which growers across many valleys are experiencing

at present.

“We relate all water use figures back to a kilogram of lint per millimetre used by the

crop. By doing this we are able to compare, dryland and irrigated cotton production, full

and semi irrigation production systems and different row configurations. We have also

been able to compare cotton production to alternate crops and predict the best use of

irrigation water.” Mr Quinn said.

CSD Extension team focus on water use efficiency

Below: Long term trial co-operator for CSD Neil Mill from AFM Developments, Narromine.

Cubbie Station has been in the news quite frequently in recent times for

varying reasons, but with fortunes changing and the river flowing, it is great to

see that Cubbie is back to growing cotton and doing what it does best.

With full storages at the end of this season, Cubbie will again be heading

into a full year of production in 2013/14, which will be their third year in a row,

and they are back to doing what they do best. In what is testament to this,

Cubbie manager Rick Wiliment was recently named the as the winner of the

2013 Dirranbandi Show crop competition.

Rick manages the Clarke’s aggregation on Cubbie Station. Judging criteria for

this award looks at overall farm management incorporating adherence to IPM

including both insects and weeds, crop nutrition, weed control in-crop, field and

whole farm hygiene, crop uniformity and finally yield potential are all taken into

consideration. Judges Dallas King, a consultant from St George and Alex North,

CSD agronomist, were very impressed saying “Rick has done a very impressive

job with this crop. his attention to detail in managing weeds and his adherence

to soft IPM strategies over such a large area is a very impressive effort”.

With picking all wrapped up for another year, Rick is now hard at it getting

his country prepared and ready to go for another full year of production. It is

great to see Cubbie Station back into full swing and things are looking positive

for the future with good water stocks providing security for the next few

seasons.

Cubbie takes out Dirranbandi’s top crop for the 2013 season

hamish Johnstone (pictured above) is the Goondiwindi Regional Manager for Prime Ag’s Irrigation aggregation in the Macintyre valley,

which includes the properties Riverview, Macintyre Downs and Wirindi. Every year the Macintyre valley Cotton Growers Association

presents an award known as the ‘Consistency Award’, which is awarded to the grower who produces the highest average yield across

their entire farm. It is quite an achievement to win this award just once, as many growers would agree how difficult it can be to achieve

consistent yields right across their farm. So to win it twice and to do it two years in a row would be a massive achievement, and this is

exactly what hamish has achieved.

“The aim across our cropping program has been to maximise our efficiencies through reducing wastage and by utilising all of the

technology that is available to assist us in doing this”. Our other big focus is on the close management of our nutritional program” hamish

said. “We have been conducting numerous fertiliser trials over the last few years and have been gathering some very useful data. From

this I think we have been able to maximise our fertiliser applications and I think this has been contributing to our higher yields over the

last few years”. Water management has also been a big focus for hamish. “Obviously water is the most precious commodity in our

business, so we have been working towards reducing inefficiencies and wastage wherever we can and have been really trying to fine-

tune when we apply our water and how we apply our water”.

It appears that whatever hamish and his team are doing is working, as in the 2010/11 season, hamish managed to achieve an average

yield across his farms of 12.8 b/ha. This achievement won him the first of his ‘Consistency Awards’. Then to back this effort up, in the

2011/12 season he achieved an average yield of 12 b/ha, in what was an extremely challenging year for the region. This again saw him

top the region with the highest average yield, claiming this highly regarded award two years in a row.

With picking all wrapped up for another year, it appears that this could again be another very successful year for hamish, with average

yields looking very promising across the board. hamish must be commended for everything he is doing as being able to consistently

achieve high yields across the entire farm is extremely challenging and it is very rewarding for hamish to see that his hard work and

dedication is paying off. So here’s hoping for a third year in row.

Macintyre grower wins consistency award for highest average yield two years running


This time last year most Macquarie growers particularly those from Narromine couldn’t wait for the end of the

season. Cool conditions existed for the first half of the season and then coupled with a strong rainfall event in

late February and high populations of vegetable bugs the end couldn’t come quick enough. Yields varied widely in

the 2012 harvest.

This season has been the exact opposite. very warm conditions from November onwards with little replant,

little insect pressure and above average day degrees has meant strong yields across the board in the Macquarie

and those growers that struggled last season to get yields anywhere near 11 bales/ha have had very few under

that in 2013.

Picking was around two weeks earlier this season and was completed early into May, a great result for the

Macquarie. About 20% of the crop has been ginned, but as a prominent ginner in the Macquarie mentioned the

other day our figures change every day as these high yields will mean an extended season for ginning in the

Macquarie this season. Still this is a good problem to have as all will benefit this year from the amazing yields

that are coming out of the Macquarie.

Neil Mill who has been a long term trial co-operator for CSD has had a great year. Neil has always set a goal

of trying to get 5000 bales out of the thousand acres that he plants, no mean feat, but this year to his surprise he

should easily complete this goal if the turnouts continue to be in the mid 40’s he could have 1 or 2 fields go over

the 6 bale/acre mark and average in the high 5’s.

In fact the CSD trial that has been ginned recently did exactly that, with Sicot 74BRF yielding 6.2 bales/acre.

Neil commented, “I just can’t believe the yields. The crop looked good for most of the season with little setbacks.

Jokingly he commented the only thing that went wrong was the chief irrigator’s back”. The crop used 9 ML/ha

this season. 2.0 ML/ha more thanthe long term average for the property “Westwood”.

When asked what was important from a management point of view this season, Neil mentioned, “you couldn’t

be late on water and having the right amount of fertilizer on went a long way to finishing the crop off nicely” Neil

applied 300 units of nitrogen.

Outstanding yields in the Macquarie

PAGE 14 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSIRRIGATED COTTON

With another long, trying season over, a grower’s focus now quickly turns to ‘what to do next year’? Strong

commodity prices for winter grains such as wheat and chickpeas are getting a lot of growers interested and

asking the question of which crop is more profitable to grow?

With most regions going into the current season with high water reserves, the best approach for many is to

‘cash in’ while the times are good and they really need to focus on what crop will give them the highest return

per hectare. high commodity prices for chickpeas and wheat heading into winter planting this year has prompted

some growers to ask the question as to whether irrigated chickpeas may be a better option compared to irrigated

cotton.

In terms of pure gross margin per ha, irrigated cotton, even at the low cotton prices being experienced in recent

years, gives the highest return/ha compared to both irrigated chickpeas or irrigated wheat, even in high yielding

scenarios.

Let’s take a look at the figures:

Table 1 below compares irrigated cotton against irrigated chickpeas as well as two yield targets for

irrigated wheat. We have done this as the inputs for the higher yield levels are significantly greater. This also

demonstrates the figures used arrived at these results. The point needs to be made that these are ‘average

figures’ and every scenario will differ, so you will need to substitute your own numbers for more accuracy.

As can be seen in both Table 1/Figure 1, in terms of pure return/ha irrigated cotton comes out considerably

ahead of both irrigated wheat ( both 5t and *8t/ha yield levels) and irrigated chickpeas. A point to note is that

the cotton price used in Table 1 is quite conservative over long term trends although is reflective of the current

market. So any rally in the cotton market will only see that level of return increase even further above the return

for wheat or chickpeas. On the other hand, wheat and chickpea prices are sitting at the higher end of their price

cycle, so the likelihood of a downturn in price could be more than likely in the short term.

Figure 1 does demonstrate that at the current high prices for wheat, the 5t/ha wheat is actually returning

slightly more per ML of water applied, taking into account that you would only apply two irrigations to that crop.

This scenario may come into consideration in years when your water budget is tight and commodity prices are

high, but in years where water stocks are good the only real consideration should be which crop will return you

the most for your investment.

So while the dams are full and the system is in full production, irrigated cotton still stacks up to be the more

profitable crop to grow over irrigated winter cereals. If you would like more information or to discuss these

options, please contact your local CSD E&D Agronomist.

Considering irrigated wheat or chickpeas this season? It might pay to crunch the numbers

Cotton 5 T Wheat 8 T Wheat Chickpeas

Grain/Seed (T) 455 $320 $320 $450

Lint (bale) $455

Average Yield 10.5 5 8 2.8

variable Costs $ 2,239 $776 $1,293 $539

Gross Margin / ha $2,538 $824 $1267 $721

Gross Margin / ML $350 $412 $282 $277

Break Even Yield 4.92 2.43 4.04 1.20

Figure 1: Comparative Gross Margins.

This season CSD Extension and Development team have been looking at a number of seed applied

fertiliser treatments across all growing areas that deliver a balanced micronutrient package directly onto the

seed. Early indications from some crops showed them getting away to a better start, having better seedling

vigour and higher plant stand numbers (see graph below), while some other sites showed little response at

all.

Nutriseed and Awaken applications were trialled against untreated Dynasty treated seed. Trial evaluations

were a mix of both small plot handpicked sites as well as full commercial trial sites. Initial results showed

some treatments to be better over the nil (Dynasty) while others showed a reduction in yield. This reduction

may have been brought about by an increase in vegative branches that resulted from the early vigour. More

work will be conducted with these seed treatment and we are waiting for the yield data and classing data

to come in. These results will be presented during the Crop Management Tour.

Fertiliser seed treatments

Gros

s M

agin

/ha

($/h

a)

Gross Magin/M

L ($/ML)

Cotton

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

90%

20%

95%

0%

110%

160%

100%

60%

95%

40%

105%

80%

100%

120%

140%

$0

$200

$0

$100

$500

$400

$300

5 T Wheat 8 T Wheat Chickpeas

COMPARATIvE GROSS MARGINS

Gross Margin / ha Gross Margin / ML

Treatment (Full scale - Bourke) Yield % of Nil

Nil - Dynasty 11.03 b/ha 100%

Awaken 11.38 b/ha 103%

Nutriseed 11.32 b/ha 103%

Treatment (Full scale - Namoi) Yield % of Nil



Treatment (Full scale - Namoi) Yield % of Nil




Treatment (Small scale hand-picked - hillston) Yield % of Nil




Treatment (Small scale hand-picked - Condobolin) Yield % of Nil




Phosyn 12.18 b/ha 129%

Nil Treatment

Nil Treatment

Awaken

Awaken

Nutriseed

Nutriseed

Bourke

Namoi

Namoi 2

hillston

Condobolin

Condobolin

hillston

hillston 2

Griffith

hay

Jerilderie

Above: % of Nil for Yield across a number of Seed Treatment Trials (Hillston and Condobolin Handpicked).

Above: % of Nil for Plant Establishment Seed Treatment Trials across Southern NSW - (note Griffith site was greatly affected by wireworms).


In one of the warmest seasons, as well as one of the coolest starts on record at

Bourke a number of farms have shone through in terms of their performance. Clyde

Ag’s “Beemery” in particular has had a fantastic year and with ginning going well,

yields from the farm will average over 12.4 bales/ha.

What makes this result even more impressive is the crop only received 8.5 ML/ha

of irrigation throughout the season with a pre-irrigation (2 ML/ha) and 5-6 in-crop

irrigations (6.5 ML/ha). Little assistance was provided by rainfall as Bourke only

received 92 mm over the growing season. Considering this was one of the hottest

years on record with over 80 days above 37 degrees Celsius and ten days straight

above 44 degrees Celsius, it makes for an impressive result. Interestingly, this year

also had more cold shock days than the average growing season experienced at

Bourke.

Matt Gaukroger who is Senior Agronomist/Operations Manager at Clyde

commented, “The crop was planted into moisture early in the planting window

around 20th September. Early conditions were favourable and this allowed the

seedling to thrive and develop a strong root system before the profile dried out

and first irrigation was applied at 14-15 nodes”. In fact the crop at Christmas time

stood around 20-22 nodes and was well into flowering. It created some difficult

questions around how to best manage the crop with the water available while still

maintaining upside yield potential if more water became available through rainfall

or a river flow.

The decisions were made for Clyde by the weather and the calendar. With eight

days over 40 degrees Celsius in early January and more hot weather forecasted,

water storage volumes rapidly diminishing and with time running out for beneficial

rainfall the decision was made to cut the crop out. Cut-out was timed to ensure

the last harvestable boll would mature 35 days after the last irrigation. This period

was chosen as it allowed time for beneficial rain to occur while still providing

enough residual soil moisture to fill most bolls under the worst case scenario of

zero rainfall. It was also assumed that if the worst case were to occur, having a

few nodes at the top of the plant not maturing fully would help keep the average

micronaire slightly lower compared to a fully irrigated scenario. As we now know

the worst case scenario did come to pass and the assumptions/ decisions that were

made ultimately proved to be the right ones.

With an impressive boll load CSD carried out some segment picking to evaluate

the difference between a field that received six in crop irrigations and another that

only received five. The irrigation timing for the fields that received six irrigations

were scheduled normally as shown in the below probe graph. The field that

received five had its first irrigation applied ten days later than normal timing. The

results are interesting in that the extra irrigation treatment had 165 bolls/m versus

135 bolls/m. The yield by position was less in most positions on the five irrigation

field, but even more affected in fruiting nodes 9-12 which suggests the crop did

struggle to finish, as expected. Boll weight was also less in the five irrigation

field being 2.09 grams/boll versus 2.18 grams/boll. Interesting the field with six

irrigations is estimated to yield 12.4 bales/ha and the five irrigation field yielded

11.9 bales/ha which is still a great result for five irrigations.

An extraordinary result for Clyde Agriculture at Bourke

Below: Soil Water Deficits Beemery.

0 0

0 0

veg veg

veg veg

FP 1-4 FP 1-4

FP 1-4 FP 1-4

FP 1-4 FP 1-4

FP 1-4 FP 1-4

FP 5-8 FP 5-8

FP 5-8 FP 5-8

FP 5-8 FP 5-8

FP 5-8 FP 5-8

FP 9-12 FP 9-12

FP 9-12 FP 9-12

FP 9-12 FP 9-12

FP 9-12 FP 9-12

FP 13+ FP 13+

FP 13+ FP 13+

FP 13+ FP 13+

FP 13+ FP 13+

1.07 1.16

14.00 14.00

2.04 1.16

19.50 26.50

0.00 1.25

3.50 13.00

2.27 2.75

22.50 27.50

1.66 2.15

18.50 23.00

2.09 2.08

22.50 22.50

1.18 1.11

14.50 13.50

1.83 2.13

20.50 23.00

1 1

10 10

2 2

20 20

3 3

30 30

4 4

40 4040 40

5 5

60 60

Lint Weight bales/ha Lint Weight bales/ha

Boll Numbers/m Boll Numbers/m

1st Position 1st Position

1st Position 1st Position

2nd Position 2nd Position

2nd Position 2nd Position

vegetative vegetative

vegetative vegetative

Bales/ha Bales/ha

Bolls/m Bolls/m

1st Pos2nd Pos

1st Pos2nd Pos

Series 1Series 2

Series 1Series 2

Beemery 5 Irrigation Field Beemery 6 Irrigation Field

The web enabled software tool EnergyCalc,

previously developed by the National Centre for

Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA) now comes in a

mobile version, EnergyCalc lite.

Similar to its predecessor, EnergyCalc Lite is able

to undertake on farm energy assessments, to identify

opportunities for energy savings, reduced operating

costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,

according to NCEA Director Craig Baillie.

“It is an easy to access and easy to use tool,

which is farmer friendly and accessible (field) for

undertaking on farm energy assessments.

“Developed to complement the existing web version

as an entry level tool, EnergyCalc Lite has been

developed to run on an iPad, which simplifies the data

collection process and allows users to quickly work

through an energy assessment.”

PAGE 16 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSRESEARCh

RESEARCh

EnergyCalc goes mobile with a ‘lighter’ version

D&D team lead technical specialist Susan Maas talks about preventing ratoons from carrying over.

“Getting rid of the crop post-harvest can be difficult and resource intensive, however it really is the first step in

terms of best practice for your future cotton crops,” Susan says.

“Best practice in this area is often conflicting, as there is no one size fits all recommendation for stubble

management.

“Deciding on what to do with crop residues really depends on the disease status of individual fields, and the

farming system.

“Where verticillium wilt is present, research has found that incorporation of cotton residues soon after harvest

is beneficial.

“This process allows for the rapid breakdown of plant material, preventing further build-up of inoculum.

“In contrast, Fusarium can survive on plant residues as a saprophyte, so fields that are known to have Fusarium

wilt, should have stubble retained on the surface of the soil; for this reason root pulling and mulching is also

preferred.”

Susan emphasises that growers should aim for the removal of all disease hosts, which includes many weeds as

well as cotton.

“Inoculum for soil borne diseases can build up if hosts are present so clean fields are very important,” she said.

“The value in reducing Fusarium wilt from root pulling and mulching, can be undone, if conditions are not

suitable for use of this equipment, and a high number of ratoons are left behind.

“This also increases the risk of virus and additional pest problems in future crops. Root cutting can be more

effective across a broader range of soil conditions however care still needs to be taken to ensure thorough crop

destruction.

“More than one operation may be required to achieve 100 percent control of ratoons, and when you look at

the risks, such as mealybug, CBT, and overwintering aphids, 100 percent is all that can be acceptable if you are

intending on growing cotton again.”

Managing cotton crop residues

myBMP ready

EnergyCalc Lite is myBMP ready and will interact

with the myBMP website to automatically download

business and other details while also being able to

upload recorded data to eliminate data re-entry. If

users subscribe to myBMP they are effectively ready

to start the energy assessment, otherwise some

initial settings are required to be configured before

commencing with the assessment.

Once an assessment is ready to go the user defines

a number of details (see above). EnergyCalc Lite can

also automatically find your location if this represents

the assessment site.

Assessing energy, costs and emissions

At the heart of EnergyCalc Lite are four calculators

to assist the user undertake and energy assessment

and determine energy inputs for different machinery

operations. These can be used either within an

assessment or separately to directly calculate energy

use for a particular machinery operation of interest.

The calculator interface is divided into three sections:

1. top section is for selecting energy and changing

costs

2. middle section is used to input values and

3. the bottom section display the specific result for

the calculation (read only).

There are also sub-calculators built into the main

calculators. To open these sub-calculators, tap the

small calculator icon (indicated by number 2). Some

parameters allow multiple units, to change tap the

unit (number 3).

Summary of Results

Once data has been compiled for the enterprise

a graphical summary of the results is provided to

the user. At the top of the summary page, a toolbar

provides the user with options to summarise the

results in terms of cost, energy or emissions.

The user can also view these results per ha or

per bale. The user is also able to compare their

performance with industry averages as a benchmark

of performance.

Action Plan

Having identified areas for potential improvement

the user can scroll through useful energy saving

practices and tips linked to myBMP. The user can tap

on those items currently adopted on farm and then

send to the myBMP website to update their profile.

Combined these features provide a handy tool and

resource to improve on farm energy use while at

the same time being automatically compliant with

myBMP.

TO DOWNLOAD ENERGYCALC LITE

▪ Go to www.crdc.com.au or phone Rohan Boehm on 02 6792 4088.

The key features include:

▪ Calculate on farm energy usage, cost and

greenhouse gas emission

▪ Evaluate energy usage through comparison

with industry and/or regional benchmarks.

▪ Comparing energy assessments with

historic data

▪ Provide a simplified/mobile method of data

collection for energy assessments.

▪ Align with myBMP so that users subscribe

to myBMP via an action plan

Above: A recent crop showing ratoons.

PAGE 17COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS RESEARCh/COTTON COMPASS

COTTON COMPASS

Geospatial tools are already well established in farming systems. Tractor guidance is commonplace. Precision agriculture reports against mapped fields. Aerial application of chemicals follows mapped runs using GPS.

Most people have used a car satellite navigation unit, and online maps such as Google and Bing have

revolutionised how we see the world around us. In other words, geospatial information describes the

location and names of features beneath, on or above the earth’s surface. At its simplest this can mean

the basic topographical information found on a map, but also includes different location-related datasets

combined into complex layers that can show (in an agricultural sense) information such as land use, disease

and pest outbreaks, and research locations. Geospatial technology allows us to turn data into knowledge.

Past, present, future

The initial phase of a project being undertaken by Peter verwey at Australian Cotton Research Institute

is to collate spatial information from past and present CRDC-funded cotton research into a geospatial

database.

This will allow queries and reports to be conducted into specifically targeted and defined regions of

interest. This could include, for example, quantifying what cotton varieties have been trialled in a particular

valley or alternatively to determine where a particular variety has been trialled across the industry. The

technology will also be applied to myBMP.

myBMP

“The myBMP team is collaborating with SST Software to make software available to all users of myBMP

that will allow them to easily map and manage their farm infrastructure and activities,” Peter says.

“More than just a tool to map the farm, this software will have features including management of crop

rotations and live weather information superimposed over your farm map.”

Mobile application

Most phones and tablets now have a built in GPS that knows where the device is located. Peter said apps

being developed by the Cotton Industry Development and Delivery Team will use this location data to filter

the information being delivered to the app so it is relevant to the user and their region.

“A Cotton Industry Calendar app currently under development will show coming events either nationally or

limited to the events that are planned for the user’s locality,” he said.

“The information could also be integrated, for example, into a Weeds Identification Tool, which could limit

or filter information to possible weed species expected in a geographic location, meaning users get the

information which is most applicable to them.

“Geospatial information is also critical to the efficient management of biosecurity events, for example the

discovery of an exotic disease that could threaten the cotton industry.

“Maps can be produced to show the extent of known infections, as well as possible areas and routes

for the disease to spread. By using geospatial analysis it is possible to define complex scenarios to control

and manage the disease. “Examples of this could be restricting the movement of farm equipment, or using

climate data to map the potential for airborne spread.”

Location is everything

“The location of anything is becoming everything” is the catchphrase of an independent project at Penn

State University in the US, which is a world-leader in geospatial research.

“Where mapping was once confined to surveyors and specialists, the science of geography and

‘knowledge of place’ has become ‘ordinary’ and commonplace, and it is now accessible to everyone,” Peter

says.

“The Australian Cotton industry is taking its first coordinated steps towards making this happen. This

project will bring a sense of place to the catalogue of research that has been funded by CRDC and allow

new linkages to be made between research projects and a deeper level of questions to be asked concerning

that research

Geospatial revolution

Below: The Geospatial revolution is helping put Australian Cotton Research ‘in its place’ as the technology allows us to turn data into knowledge.

Price outlook for the 2013/14 cropWhere to for Australian cotton prices in 2013/14? That’s a question probably best asked of the market wiz-kid

in the Mega Yacht sailing the Bahamas (as opposed to the bloke in the hilux driving to Boomi) but, you asked, so

here goes.

Looking at the raw fundamentals, it is hard to see how physical or futures values for cotton can rally in US

Dollar terms in the next 12 to 18 months. For Australian growers, however, we are hopeful that favourable

movements in the exchange rate will keep values in Australian dollars per bale on the right side of the gross

margin ledger.

By mid May, we estimate that around 15pc of the expected crop had been priced after a spike in values to

A$450/bale. With luck, the hoped for lower AUD/USD regime should continue to provide pricing opportunities

at various stages of the season in the A$430-A$475/bale range, although there is a real risk that at times values

will move substantially lower than this.

For one there is no ironclad guarantee that the AUD/USD will continue to move lower - or even hold current

values - and to achieve reasonable returns this season we will likely need it to remain well below parity.

And, in terms of the global cotton market - there are massive red flags to watch with regards burdensome

global stock levels, and Chinese import and strategic reserve policy.

Importantly, global stocks, and the global stocks to use ratio are forecast at record levels. At the time of writing,

the USDA estimated that at the end of the 2013/14 season, global stocks will total 92.74 million bales. That

is enough cotton to satisfy forecast global consumption for about 307 days without a single further bale being

produced (or a stocks/use ratio of 84.0pc).

Market optimists will point to the fact that the vast majority of the world’s stock is held by China, and is

therefore unavailable to the market.

Fair call, kind of. The USDA has China’s ending stocks pegged at a whopping 58.18 million bales by the end of

2013/14 - or about 63pc of the world’s stock! That is mind-blowing, but to think that stock is locked up and the

key thrown away is fanciful.

Sure, a large part of China’s stocks are held in “strategic reserves”, but those reserves are already being turned

over, and with warehouses already full its hard to work out the strategy behind building the stocks further.

here’s the simple maths - China’s consumption for 2013/14 is estimated at 36 million bales. So, even if they

didn’t produce a single bale, or import a cracker - the stock is good for about 19 ½ months.

And when you take into account China’s production estimate of 34 million bales (ie a production deficit of just 2

million bales) - the existing stock estimate is sufficient to last a lazy 36 years without further imports.

We are therefore concerned that China’s strategic stock build is coming to an end. The subsequent reduced

import appetite from the Middle Kingdom, and potential for increased supply as stock is released are risks that

need to be watched.

In terms of where we think futures prices could be headed for the 2013/14 season - the fundamental barometer

of Global Stocks to Use Ratios (both including, and excluding China) suggest values could range between 55 and

85 US c/lb (see charts below).

These models are based on history - the reality is that we will find out the “truth” in good time. But for now, we

are clearly looking for a lower AUD/USD to help support values in Australian Dollar terms.

COTTON - WORLD STOCKS TO USE (EX ChINA STOCKS) AND PRICE

WORLD COTTON STOCKS IN DAYS AND NY FUTURES (SINCE 1970/71)

160.00

160.00

2010/11

2010/11

?

2012/13

2012/13

new paradigm

308 days use

USDA Stocks estimates

2013/14

2013/14? 2011/12

2011/12

120.00

120.00

80.00

80.00

140.00

140.00

100.00

100.00

60.00

60.00

20.00

20.00

40.00

40.00

20.00%

70 120 170 220 270 320

25.00% 30.00% 40.00%35.00% 45.00% 50.00%

STU

Days Use

0.00

0.00

c/lb

Cotto

n Pr

ice

Dryland cotton growers Angus, Jock and Col McClymont farm their property ‘Aberdeen’, located 70 km

north east of Goondiwindi. They returned to the dryland cotton industry three years ago after a 12 year break

and have just finished picking their third consecutive crop in a row. With the way things are shaping up it

looks as though the third time around could even possibly be their best.

After planting over 600 ha of dryland cotton last season and with it yielding close to 2.5 bales /ac, the

McClymont’s again dedicated a large proportion of their summer crop area to dryland cotton. Due to the

prospect of low cotton prices at planting time and the subsequent high price of sorghum at the time, a

reduced area of around 300 ha was planted this year and in hindsight they wish it had been more.

This year’s crop was planted double-skip on 20th October into a fallow wheat field from last winter, so the

seedbed was in very good condition with excellent sub-soil moisture. Planting rain of around 30 mm fell 10

days earlier but due to very warm and windy conditions at the time, planting moisture was disappearing

rapidly. These very warm, windy conditions continued soon after planting, so the initial establishment of this

crop was not ideal and follow-up rainfall was going to be needed to even up the plant stand.

As has been the case over the last two years, just when the rain was needed it fell, and they received

a very handy fall of rain two weeks after planting and from here the crop never looked back. In what was

an extremely warm and dry summer for the majority of the region, conditions at Aberdeen could not have

been better for dryland cotton production. After getting established early, unlike the sorghum next to it, the

cotton was able to hold on when conditions were very hot and dry throughout most of November and into

December. From here regular falls of rain combined with plenty of heat units meant that this crop powered

along relatively un-hindered and in turn accumulated a very large fruit load.

Picking of their crop commenced in early April after an excellent defoliation, and again it looks as though

the crop will go close to averaging somewhere in the range of 2.2-2.5 bales/ac which will be another

extremely successful crop for the McClymont’s. Dryland cotton is now cementing itself as a permanent

fixture in their summer rotation as its ability to hang on when times are tough and then really cash in when

the season breaks is making it a very valuable contributor to their cropping program.

PAGE 18 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSDRYLAND DEvELOPMENT

DRYLAND DEvELOPMENT

There were few opportunities to plant dryland cotton in NSW 2012. A very dry spring made it impossible for

most growers to plant and the few crops that were planted had patchy stands and poor early growth. A large

percentage of the planted area was removed.

The crops that remained in the upper Namoi faced very cold conditions after planting. This was followed by

record breaking heat in December. Then the seasonal conditions changed. Regular falls or rain and more average

summer temperatures during January and February set the crop up for stunning yields.

The crop at “Gowrie” south of Spring Ridge is an example of how resilient dryland cotton can be in a very

challenging season.

Exceptional dryland yields at Spring Ridge

Below: Gordon Brownhill “Gowrie” Spring Ridge in a dryland crop of Sicot 71BRF that is expect to yield over 8 b/ha.

Dryland cotton comes up trumps again for McClymont’s

Since purchasing a block of melonhole brigalow country in

April 2012, Brian Bender had been busy clearing fencelines

and scattered clumps of timber, land planing and dozing to

knock it into some semblance of order for a summer crop.

The farm had been run by an absentee owner, with a recent

history of 10 consecutive wheat crops. The summer grass

seedbank was enormous. Some good mid November rainfall

provided a planting opportunity right at the end of the

planting window. he had debated planting sorghum but in

the end went with cotton, namely Siokra v-18BRF as he has

had good experiences with it previously. As the season has

turned out, it was a wise decision.

Things turned pretty tough after planting, but the cotton

managed to hang on until late January rainfall arrived.

After that, it became a case of too much rain, with cotton

in melonhole areas suffering badly from waterlogging.

however, good conditions during the latter part of the season

have set up a good crop. The plants are much larger than

those in early planted crops this season. In late March,

v-18BRF was 125 cm tall, 27 nodes, 4-5 NAWF with fruit

counts approaching 200 set + young bolls per lineal metre

(DS).

The field had received 100 kg/ha of Urea back in May,

but fills of up to 40 cm in depth in places had produced a

fairly varied nutrient situation. The first incrop Roundup

Ready herbicide went on via air in late January, and did

an extremely good job. There was only one more incrop

operation, with a groundrig at the start of early April, with

Roundup Ready herbicide, Rogor and Pix at 2.5 L/ha going on.

As Brian said ‘ a good yield from this late planting is a real

bonus. The crop was only planted as it was the best option

to go into a very weedy and roughly prepared situation. All I

can say is that I’m pleased I didn’t go with the sorghum.’

CSD has a late plant variety trial in the field, looking at

v-18BRF v Sicot 71BRF. First defoliation is not likely until late

May.

End of window dryland plant on Downs looking good

Above: Brian Bender stands in a late plant field of Siokra V-18BRF, in early May.

PAGE 19COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS DRYLAND DEvELOPMENT

▪ CENTRAL QLD & DARLING DOWNS

The opportunity never arose for a dryland plant

in central Queensland, due to the combination of

low price on offer last spring and failure to receive

a planting rain during the planting window for the

Clermont area.

On the Downs, the dryland area was back

dramatically on last season’s record 60,000 paddock

hectares, due to quite attractive prices at planting

time for sorghum and maize, and a shortage of fields

with an adequate moisture profile. A rainfall event

of 25-50 mm which occurred across the Downs

on October 11th provided a very timely planting

opportunity for most interested growers. Some

growers received insufficient from this event, and

had to wait until mid November before another was

received to allow planting. Some patchy stands did

arise from the initial planting where moisture barely

met up. In total, about 20,000 paddock hectares went

in.

Many crops were suffering from heat and moisture

stress until a major event occurred across the area

on Christmas night. Falls ranged from 20 mm in the

Chinchilla area to 90 mm in parts of the Central

Downs. For some areas, January was as good as

it could get, with three major falls, 10 days apart.

Some waterlogging did occur in places from the

Australia Day weekend event, where totals of up to

130 mm were received. The season was finished off

with another good sized event in late February-early

March.

Some excellent yields have been measured, with a

number of (single skip planted) fields coming in above

10 bales/ha. Those areas that were light on in the

Christmas rain event are making 4-5 bales/ha. Much

of the high yielding cotton has made 21-2’s with

40 length and micronaire just below 4.5, whereas

the more stressed and quicker finishing crops have

produced more 31-3’s and micronaire above 4.5.

Segmented picking carried out on high yielding crops

has shown that the high yields are a result of big boll

size from top to bottom of the plant, with average

seed cotton weight close to 6.0 g/ boll in some cases.

Most fields required three Roundup Ready sprays,

with air having to be used for one of these. Insect

control requirements were minimal with one mirid

spray and an aphicide with first defoliant being the

average. There was a massive level of ratoon plants

and volunteers in fallows from last season’s big

planting. Fortunately, aphid numbers were low for

most of the season, otherwise bunchy top could have

been serious.

▪ MACINTYRE

The 2012/13 season saw a relatively small area

planted in the region compared to last season’s record

crop, with only around 1800 ha going in around the

Border Rivers. The extremely hot dry period around

planting meant that many growers were simply not

able to get a crop in the ground due to no planting

rain falling before the planting window closed. For

the few crops that did get in the ground, it has proved

to be a worthwhile exercise as these crops were

amazing in the way that they simply hung on and

survived during the hot dry conditions experienced

throughout December and early January.

When the season did finally break towards the

end of January, these crops cashed in big-time and

responded extremely well by piling on huge fruit loads

in a very small space of time. The extremely light to

almost non-existent insect and weed pressure this

season meant that input costs for these crops were

very low and early indications of yields between

1-2 bales/acre have been amazing considering

the poor start experienced. This season again has

demonstrated that dryland cotton is still an extremely

valuable crop to consider in a rotation in this region

due to its ability to hang on when times are tough and

respond when the season eventually breaks.

▪ GWYDIR

There were good intentions for planting dryland

cotton in the Gwydir valley after the previous year

which we saw record plantings and very good yields

across the entire valley.

however, a general planting opportunity did not

present itself with the 4,000 ha which was planted

established on very variable storm rainfall.

Overwhelmingly the major influence on this season

crop was the hot and dry conditions which persisted

through to the Australia Day long weekend. The yield

result of many of the crops in the district hinge on

how they had hung on until this time. Some crops

had shut down and despite showing some promise of

restarting again, this extra growth did not eventuate

into anything productive. These crops will yield 1.0

- 1.25 b/ac. Others which had not quite cut out have

responded well, retaining and maturing late fruit to

boost yield potential. Yields of these crops will be

above average and may push towards 2.0 b/ac.

Due to the late summer rain, and excellent

growing conditions up until May many growers and

consultants have had the luxury of prolonging the

defoliation of crops to try and squeeze every last

bale out of these fields. Therefore picking has been

delayed very late into the month of May for some

these crops. Those which shut down early were ready

to go and harvest in March.

▪ NAMOI

Planted area was much reduced due to lack of

planting rain. Crops that were planted struggled with

a mixture of very cold conditions at planting time

and then very hot conditions through December and

January.

4100 ha of dryland cotton remained after

approximately 20% of the planted area was removed

due to poor plant stand.

The second half of the summer was very good for

the remaining crop, with well above average yields

achieved with a few crops in the Spring Ridge area

exceeding 8 b/ha, and spattering of field east of the

Newell highway reaching 7 b/ha

The outlook for the coming season is again still a

little undecided although the feeling is that there

could potentially be a considerable amount of dryland

cotton planted this year. I think many growers saw

dryland cotton’s ability to hang on this season in a

way that many of the early planted sorghum crops

did not, so this may lead to more of a swing back

to dryland cotton. Obviously commodity prices

and rotations will come into play but we think the

above example shows that dryland cotton should be

considered as a part of any dryland cropping rotation.

Dryland review

PAGE 20COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS DRYLAND DEvELOPMENT

Prime Ag, Darling Downs has been growing dryland cotton on its nine

Central Downs blocks, scattered over some 35 km down the Ashall

Creek floodplain, and also north of Warra, for five seasons. Initially they

experienced two very dry and difficult growing seasons, followed then,

in 2010-11, by the worst flooding and waterlogging conditions across

the Downs in over fifty years. In that season however, Prime Ag won the

Darling Downs Cottongrowers Association (DDCGA) award for the highest

dryland yield (4.9 b/ha) while the Darling Downs hub manager, Chris Barry,

received the Dryland Grower of the Year award. The last two seasons have

really turned around for them yieldwise, with one of the Central Downs

blocks being placed third in the DDCGA dryland yield awards last season,

with 9.35 b/ha, and this season, with some blocks likely to top 10 b/ha.

This is the third season that CSD has had a dryland variety trial with

Prime Ag on the Downs. The trial was planted into standing millet stubble,

with the last commercial crop in the field having been dryland cotton in

2010-11. The millet cover crop was planted later than normal practice due

to the late arrival of a planting opportunity last Spring. Consequently, the

soil profile moisture was not full. Planting, using single skip configuration,

occurred on 19th October, exactly a week after a 45 mm rainfall event.

The seed was placed quite deep into moisture, and the planting

trench appeared to close well. However, final establishment was quite

disappointing, ranging from 35-50% across the varieties, with a final stand

of 3.5-5.0 plants/m, with quite a number of 1-2 m gaps.

Early growth was good, although rainfall was light on, until Christmas

night, when 90 mm was recorded. January rainfall was excellent, with

270 mm recorded in total, spread throughout the month in three separate

events. Another good fall of 42 mm at the end of February helped finish the

crop off well. The crop received four groundrig passes with Roundup Ready

herbicide and one mirid spray.

Preliminary yield data from the trial, picked on 22nd April, indicates that

Sicot 71BRF will top the trial at over 8.5 b/ha. The final yield of varieties

in the trial, in particular Sicot 75BRF and Sicala 340BRF was affected

by gappiness. Due to the very wet conditions from Christmas until early

February, spray tracks were quite deep with bulged sides, and the picker

heads had difficulty in getting some bolls off long vegetative branches

in gappy areas. As well, there was a low level of tight lock evident, due

to the crop just starting to open in the late February/early March rainfall

event.

Some segmented picking was carried out in the trial, and this data

gives an indication of where the yield has come from. An average boll

seed cotton weight of nearly 6 gm/boll is outstanding for a dryland crop.

Interestingly, about 50% of bolls were on vegetative branches.

Best year ever for Prime Ag, Darling Downs dryland cotton

Above: Chris Barry, Prime Ag Darling Downs hub manager, during CSD variety trial picking this season.

Segment Boll count/m (SS) Distribution Av seed cotton/boll(gm)

1 (Posn 1, FB 1-4) 15 12% 6.10

2 (Posn 1, FB 5-8) 17 13.5% 6.25

3 (Posn 1, FB 9-12) 9 7% 5.63

5 (Posn >1, FB 1-4) 14 11% 5.60

6 (Posn >1, FB 5-8) 8 6.5% 5.93

8 (veg Branch Bolls) 64 50% 5.89

127 100% 5.90

Table 1: Sicot 74BRF Segmented Picking Results - Prairie, 2012-13 (5 plants/m).

The Australian dryland cotton industry is set to rebound after a roller coaster

ride of planting areas in the past two seasons.

Last season we saw a reduction in the planted area of up to 90% on a

record plant the previous year. A critical factor in this was the complete lack of

planting opportunity due to the absence of rainfall during the traditional planting

window.

Those growers who were fortunate to achieve a plant stand this season have

fared well. The ability of a cotton plant to hold on during long periods of dry and

hot conditions was evident this season. In part this season’s crop was saved by

good general rainfall during the end of January and February, but it’s the ability

of the cotton plant to forage for moisture and have an indeterminate fruiting

pattern which has enabled it to endure conditions which saw alternate summer

crops such as sorghum and maize abandoned.

Dryland cotton has proven to be the anchor for many within their rotational

program providing superior returns not only in a gross margin sense but also to

the entire enterprise over the rotational cycle.

CSD now has a suite of varieties which take a lot of the production risks away

from growing dryland cotton. All varieties have fibre quality characteristics

which regularly meet base grade requirements, both the Bollgard II and Roundup

Ready Flex traits simplify insect and weed control and work done on the effects

on planting row configurations has allowed better understanding into the risk

management of crop production.

Cotton Seed Distributors is keen to discuss planting opportunities with

potential dryland growers and is looking to hold a number of specific dryland

cotton meetings throughout the cropping zones in the lead up to planting.

Dryland cotton looking to rebound

Documents

Seeds for Thought