Cotton Farm Walks on the Downs

Nearly seventy cotton growers, consultants and agribusiness reps have participated in farm walks organized by Cotton Seed Distributors at four sites across the Darling Downs.

Features included the outstanding new variety Sicot 70BRF; an update on sucking pest and Fusarium issues; the integration of Roundup Ready Flex® and double skip planting into farming systems; and the benefits of soybeans in cotton rotations.

CSD’s John Marshall outlined the features of the new variety Sicot 70BRF, which is showing excellent yield potential in CSD trial sites being monitored on the Downs at Macalister and Brookstead, prior to its commercial release this coming season.

Limited data from previous seasons indicates that the variety will show improved fibre length, micronaire and F-rank over Sicot 71BR, important characteristics for Downs growers.

QDPI & F and Cotton CRC entomologist, Dave Murray, discussed sucking pests problems in Southern Queensland cotton crops this season, following insect build-up in prolific crop, weed and pastures from abundant rain in late winter and spring, after a prolonged dry spell.

As well, above average use of broad-spectrum insecticides, directed at the heavy insect numbers, has possibly distorted normal pest-predator balances.

He also emphasized the importance of destroying volunteer cotton plants during the winter, to reduce the potential for transfer of Cotton Bunchy Top via vectors such as aphids.

Roger Henderson (Monsanto) and Dave Kelly (CSD), at different sites, covered the performance and fit for Roundup Ready Flex in irrigated and dryland Downs farming systems.

They touched on some excellent examples seen early season where avoiding residual herbicide use at planting resulted in greatly improved and healthier stands, when rain followed close behind planting.

Greg McNamara, technical officer with CSD, outlined the program underway with Fusarium screening and also agronomic trials for Fusarium management. He also walked attendees through a F-rank trial at Krieg’s property at Brookstead.

At Fresser’s property, ‘Mayfield’ Dalby, farm manager Brian Strand outlined reasons why they have moved to a double skip irrigated strategy for the last two seasons. The ability to maintain a planned rotation, regardless of water availability at planting, is one of the key drivers.

A field of Bunya soybeans, contracted to CSD Grains, was also inspected on ‘Mayfield’. This is the farm’s first venture into soybeans, which planted back into wheat stubble as this crop is, has a real potential niche in the farm’s rotational program.