New Dryland Cotton guide now available

Guy Roth, chief executive officer of the Cotton CRC, said dryland cotton has in the past comprised up to 20 per cent of the area planted, but less than 10 per cent of total production.

“This new compendium contains a comprehensive, detailed outline of all  aspects of dryland production and management. It is 100 pages of everything interested growers need to know.

“It includes contributions from industry experts from CSIRO, NSW Agriculture, QDPI, Cotton Seed Distributors, DeltaPine, Queensland Cotton, and CRDC.

“However, it is now nearing the end of the planting window for dryland cotton and growers should consult the seed companies,” he said.

Contents of the Guide include:

• Budgeting, potential yields and risks
• Best Management Practice
• Pest, disease and weed management
• Spraying techniques
• Rotations, planting configuration and variety selection
• Soil management and moisture conservation
• Harvesting and fibre quality issues
• Marketing alternatives and price risk management strategies

The Guide acknowledges that growing dryland cotton is a risky business, with costs as a proportion of income varying from 57 to 87 per cent, and breakeven yields varying from 1.43 to 2.92 bales per hectare.

“It is not a crop for the faint hearted, inexperienced or financially troubled farmer, or for climatically unsuitable areas,” the Guide concludes.

Copies of the Third Edition of the Australian Dryland Cotton Production Guide can be obtained from the Australian Cotton CRC Technology Resource Centre (David Larsen) on (02) 6799 1534, CRC website www.cotton.crc.org.au