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.
PAGE 4 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSINDUSTRY NEWS
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
PAGE 5COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS INDUSTRY NEWS
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
PAGE 6 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSINDUSTRY NEWS
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
PAGE 7COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS INDUSTRY NEWS
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.
PAGE 8 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSINDUSTRY NEWS
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.
PAGE 9COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS INDUSTRY NEWS
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
PAGE 10 COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORSINDUSTRY NEWS
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
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General Manager of eChem, Stuart Paterson said “The relaunch of
Genero 600 as a seed dressing is an endeavour to give a something back
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“Genero 600 is a reliable seed dressing which provides comparative, if
not better control of thrips, aphids, wireworms and brown flea beetles to
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“Over the seasons Genero 600 has demonstrated seed safety and has
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As part of the relaunch eChem has an exclusive offer to growers who
purchase Genero 600 as their preferred cotton seed dressing this coming
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“We are offering growers a $120 per Pallet Cash Back on all early order
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We feel this will assist growers manage their input costs and further
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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
PAGE 13COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS IRRIGATED COTTON
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
Nil - Dynasty 11.31 b/ha 100%
Awaken 10.97 b/ha 97%
Treatment (Full scale - Namoi) Yield % of Nil
Nil - Dynasty 13.28 b/ha 100%
Awaken 13.11 b/ha 99%
Nutriseed 12.90 b/ha 97%
Treatment (Small scale hand-picked - hillston) Yield % of Nil
Nil - Dynasty 12.9 b/ha 100%
Awaken 12.18 b/ha 94%
Nutriseed 13.5 b/ha 104%
Treatment (Small scale hand-picked - Condobolin) Yield % of Nil
Nil - Dynasty 9.39 b/ha 100%
Awaken 9.83 b/ha 105%
Nutriseed 10.13 b/ha 108%
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).
PAGE 15COTTON SEED DISTRIBUTORS IRRIGATED COTTON
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