CottonInfo: Crop to Top: Recent Episodes
CottonInfo
CottonInfo is the Australian cotton industry’s joint extension program. In the Crop to Top podcast we bring you the latest news, information, events and research, and helping you achieve best practice.
Modern fish screens are proving to be a win-win for both the environment and farm operations, helping protect native fish populations while improving irrigation efficiency.
In this episode, Rod Price (NSW DPI) and Stacey Vogel (CottonInfo/CRDC) discuss how modern fish screens are helping reduce native fish losses, improve river health and deliver on-farm benefits such as reduced debris, lower maintenance and improved pumping efficiency. Tune in to hear the latest research, grower experiences and what fish screens could mean for your operation.
Resources
Natural resource management | CottonInfo
Fish Screens Australia website: Better Farming, Better Fishing.
Introducing the new CottonInfo Nutrition and Plant Physiology Technical Lead - Tim Weaver.
From school teacher to cotton researcher, Tim Weaver joins CottonInfo with plenty of insight into what really matters in crop nutrition.
Tim shares his passion for working in cotton, how the industry has evolved, and what’s next in the nutrition space, including some exciting developments in real-time crop monitoring that could help growers make faster, smarter decisions.
It’s a great listen to get to know Tim, hear what drives him, and what he’s most keen to tackle for industry.
Introducing the new CottonInfo Weeds Technical Lead - Graham Charles.
From humble beginnings on a mixed farm and an unexpected entry into cotton, Graham shares how a passion for pastures evolved into a leading role in weed management for the cotton industry that has culminated in his new position as CottonInfo’s Weeds Technical Lead.
We cover some key milestones along the way, including the development of the WAMITT (Weed Action Management Threshold Tool) and its potential to help growers make more informed decisions in-season.
Graham also reflects on the growing challenge of herbicide resistance and reinforces the importance of the industry’s “no survivors” approach to prevent weed seed set.
In this episode, CRDC’s Susan Maas joins the podcast to update us on the progress of CRDC's 'Clever Cotton' Strategic Plan at the halfway mark.
From big investments in a new industry data platform and the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration, to hands-on work in Northern Australia and across CottonInfo, it’s all about turning research into real on-farm impact.
We discuss how the industry is building skills and capability through the CRDC Cotton Course, and tackling big-picture challenges like water efficiency, soil health, carbon and circular economy.
With plenty underway and plenty still to deliver, there's a clear focus on productivity, profitability and sustainability at farm level. Hit play to hear where things are up to, and what it means for the Australian cotton industry.
Thinking about getting more value from the data you’re already collecting on‑farm – or not sure where to start?
Then the CRDC Cotton Course microcredential Digital and Data Solutions for Cotton Systems is for you.
In this episode, we're joined by Ian Simpson and Stephen Cattle from the University of Sydney to unpack what growers and consultants can expect to learn in the upcoming microcredential being offered in Narrabri in July 2026.
It’s practical, hands‑on learning – from soil maps to variable rate tech – and enrolments are open now.
For more information and to enrol visit CRDC Cotton Course 2: Digital and Data Solutions for Cotton Systems - Sydney Short Courses
*Early bird discount open until 31 May 2026.
The CRDC Cotton Course is delivered by CRDC in partnership with the University of Sydney, CottonInfo & CSD.
In this episode, we unpack the rapid and unexpected spread of the Indian cotton jassid across the US Cotton Belt, just 18 months after first being detected.
Dr Scott Graham - who featured in a recent episode on his visit to Australian cotton farms on the Darling Downs - shares firsthand insights into how the pest likely arrived, how quickly it moved through the southeastern United States, and the challenges growers faced as familiar symptoms were initially mistaken for nutrient stress or spider mites.
We discuss real-world yield impacts, why early detection and timely action are critical, and how management approaches are evolving.
Drawing on hard-earned experience, the conversation closes with practical lessons and biosecurity advice for Australian cotton growers should this high‑risk pest ever arrive in our own backyard.
Megan Woodward chats with CottonInfo Technical Lead and climate specialist Jon Welsh about why eastern cotton regions are starting dry, how El Niño events really behave behind the headlines, and what growers can do now to manage risk using history, not hysteria.
Resources and information
Subscribe or update your details to ensure you receive the CottonInfo Moisture Manager here.
Article by Dr Kim Reid mentioned: Why the phrase ‘Super El Niño’ makes Australian climate scientists roll their eyes.
In early March, Extension Agronomist Eddie McGriff from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Dr Scott Graham, Extension Entomologist at Alabama's Auburn University, travelled to Australia to tour key cropping systems - with Australian cotton high on their list.
Joined by members of the CottonInfo team on Queensland's Darling Downs, the visit to local farms became a genuine two‑way exchange of ideas, from pest management to extension models and grower decision‑making.
Now back in the US, Eddie and Scott reflect on what they saw, what surprised them, and the insights both countries can take from each other.
In this episode, Megan is joined by CottonInfo Technical Lead Sharna Holman, and state disease pathologists Dr Dinesh Kafle (QLD) and Dr Chi Nguyen (NSW) - who are both part of the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration - to unpack what the 2025–26 cotton disease season has really been telling us across NSW and Queensland.
We chat about the big jump in disease samples coming in, what growers are seeing more (and less) of in the paddock, and a few emerging issues that are now on the radar.
The conversation also dives into why sending in samples still matters — even when you think you know the answer — plus some practical tips on how to collect and post samples so they’re actually useful.
A great listen for anyone wanting to stay ahead of cotton disease trends and make the most of the diagnostic support available.
For more information
Disease management | CottonInfo
Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration | UniSQ
It's official - CottonInfo has a Regional Extension Officer in northern Australia!
In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Bell, CottonInfo’s first-ever REO for the region, based in Kununurra.
Nicole shares her winding path into the cotton industry — from growing up in Narrabri and studying zoology, to working in research, pest management and on-farm trials across the country.
We chat about what drew Nicole to the new role, the excitement of bringing research closer to growers, and why northern Australia offers such a unique and resilient cotton-growing environment.
It’s a great chat about people, passion and the future of cotton in the north.
In this episode, we sit down with fatigue experts Professor Sally Ferguson (CQ University) and Kerri-Lynn Peachey (University of Sydney) to unpack the CRDC-supported research project Farming and Fatigue: Growing Sensible Solutions.
Sally and Kerri-Lynn explore why fatigue is a major risk during peak farming periods (like picking!) and how practical, farmer‑designed tools can help make fatigue manageable - not inevitable.
This conversation focuses on real-world strategies that support safety, productivity, and better decision-making on farm.
You can find out more about the research project here: Farming and Fatigue
As part of the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC), Dr Cassy Percy from UniSQ is leading a project that's working to create the Australian Cotton Pathogen Collection.
The project aims to fill gaps in knowledge around key cotton pathogens that will help Australian cotton growers make better disease management decisions.
In this chat, Cassy gives an overview of exactly what that means and how the collection will help to predict disease potential in the future, as well as inform breeding programs and support resistance management.
The brand new CRDC Cotton Course offers flexible, targeted learning for people across the Australian cotton industry.
Delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with CottonInfo and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD), the course consists of three microcredentials designed to build knowledge and skills without traditional university requirements.
Ahead of the first microcredential starting in March 2026, we speak with Ian Simpson and Stephen Cattle from The University of Sydney to find out some more about the opportunities on offer.
For more information: CRDC Cotton Course | CRDC
It's not the most glamourous aspect of growing a crop, but record keeping when it comes to chemical use is critically important.
In this episode get some practical tips for effective record keeping, especially during the spray season, as well some of the things you might be able to do better to fully reap the benefits of proper record keeping.
Resources
myBMP
Get your spray records right
Spray Management Plan Guide
Chemicals and herbicides | Business Queensland
Department of Primary Industries, Queensland
Compulsory record keeping | EPA
Keeping records of chemical use | NT.GOV.AU
Chemical spray regulations | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
In the final episode in our three-part series about the 2015 CottonInfo Irrigation Automation Tour we sit down with manufacturer and retailer Shawn Padman from Padman Group.
This is a great chat from a different perspective with someone who was also part of the tour a decade ago, who has ridden the wave of the irrigation automation evolution in the Australian cotton industry.
In Part 2 of our 10 years on from the CottonInfo Irrigation Automation Tour pod chats, we catch up with NSW cotton grower Andrew Watson.
We cover off on the evolution of Andrew's irrigation practices - from the trigger points and decision-making process to implementing automation technology on his farm in the Namoi Valley - and discuss the impact of the 2015 tour as well as future trends on the horizon.
Welcome to Season 5 of the CottonInfo 'Crop to Top' podcast!
A decade on, the 2015 CottonInfo Irrigation Automation Tour is still referenced as a turning point in how the industry came to understand new irrigation technologies, fostering and supporting the adoption of automation practices in the cotton industry.
In this episode - Part 1 of 3 discussions about the tour - we're joined by CottonInfo Program Manager Janelle Montgomery who was CottonInfo's Irrigation Tech Lead at the time.
Janelle describes how the tour - that ran in late 2015 - was organised to address industry curiosity about siphonless and automated irrigation systems, bringing together a diverse group including growers, consultants, irrigation engineers, researchers, and retailers for a four-day bus trip to southern New South Wales and Victoria.
While it's a much looked forward to time of year, there's no getting around the fact that the silly season coincides with one of the busiest times of the cotton season.
In this episode we chat with Professor Siobahn Banks from UniSA about how cotton growers and farm managers can best manage the demands of the summer months.
Her research to date has focused on the impact of sleep deprivation and shift work on psychological and physiological functioning and how countermeasures may be used to prevent the negative effects of disturbed sleep, in particular work schedules, novel technologies, dietary interventions, napping and caffeine.
We cover all of this and more, including some tips for sleep health during busy periods of the cotton season!
Resources mentioned:
Sleep Health Foundation | Australia's Leading Advocate for Healthy Sleep
*Stay tuned for a follow-up discussion on fatigue after the Christmas break about the joint initiative being led by the Rural Safety & Health Alliance (RSHA) - supported by CRDC - the Farming and Fatigue: Growing Sensible Solutions project.
This work aims to guide the ag industry to understand, measure and manage fatigue on-farm and there are plenty of key insights available specifically to the cotton industry.
The importance of good spray drift management during the high-risk summer months can't be overstated.
In this episode we talk about controlling the controllables (and managing the uncontrollable elements), the critical role of communication among growers and the broader community and the importance of reporting spray drift incidents.
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Cotton Australia | Spray Drift app
Counter sale guide for phenoxy herbicides | CottonInfo
wand.com.au
spraywisedecisions.com.au
crop.bayer.com.au/tools/weather-inversion
CottonInfo has a new Irrigation Technical Lead - Toowoomba-based Michael Scobie.
Mick is a certified irrigation designer and is involved in one of CRDC's new research projects that is focused on reducing water loss from storages using floating solar panels.
Meet our inaugural CottonInfo Digital Agriculture Technical Lead, Quentin Feery-Lawrence. Quentin is fresh off an Agtech scoping tour across major cotton valleys, where he visited growers and technology providers to identify common challenges and opportunities for technology adoption in the cotton industry.
Tom Roberts from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program joins the podcast to discuss the invasive characteristics of fire ants and the broad risks they pose to agriculture, infrastructure, and the wider community.
While fire ants are not considered a direct threat to cotton yield, there are biosecurity implications for cotton and mixed farming operations. To date there have been detections near cotton growing regions, including the Lockyer Valley, Oakey and Central Queensland.
Top tips to stop fire ants from hitching a ride from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program
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Inspect before you move—before relocating any machinery, equipment, or materials, check all surfaces, crevices, and compartments for soil, organic matter, or signs of fire ants and nests.
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Clean thoroughly—wash down machinery and equipment with high-pressure water or air to remove soil and debris. Pay extra attention to wheel rims, tracks, and undercarriages where fire ants often hide.
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Store smart—keep machinery, equipment, and materials on hard, dry surfaces such as concrete or bitumen—not bare soil. Move stored items regularly to discourage nesting.
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Know the fire ant biosecurity zones—if you’re operating within a zone, you must comply with movement controls before transporting materials.
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Report and stay alert—if you see suspect fire ants or nests, report them immediately online or call 132 ANT (13 22 68). Quick reporting helps prevent spread.
Jon Welsh is thePrincipal Climate Analyst & Economist at Ag Econhas been part of CottonInfo for more than a decade and has become a trusted Technical Lead in his expert fields of climate, energy and carbon.
In this episode we get to know Jon a bit better - his family farming background, how he got into the cotton industry - as well as the latest on his most recent research project. We also take a deep dive into the current climate outlook for the 25/26 cotton season ahead.
Resources mentioned:
CRDC Spotlight - Winter 2025 | CottonInfo
Planting and grain harvest weather update
CottonInfo Moisture Manager - Oceans suggest wet times ahead, although atmosphere still catching up
Subscribe to CottonInfo enewsletter + Moisture Manager here: Subscribe | CottonInfo
Join us for an in-depth discussion with QDPI Principal Scientist Matt Gentle from Biosecurity Queensland's Pest Animal Research Centre and agronomist Tony Lockery, Manager of AMPS based in Moree.
In this episode we cover feral pig biology and population growth, the impact feral pigs have on cotton and grain crops, the control tactics and management strategies available to growers and the current research looking in to quantifying crop damage.
The latest Sustainability Report for the Australian cotton industry has just been released. We catch up with Chris Cosgrove to find out about some of the report findings, what it means for growers and exactly what it means when we talk about sustainability.
Access the new Australian cotton sustainability website here: https://australiancottonsustainability.org.au/
Read the latest Sustainability Report here: Cotton Australia Sustainability | 2024 Australian Cotton…
In this episode we sit down with CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Climate, Carbon & Energy Jon Welsh from Ag Econ, and his Technical Lead support & Ag Econ colleague Johanna Hansson to talk about recent research that’s explored the economic and environmental impacts of soil carbon management in dryland cotton cropping systems.
You can access the DCRA case studies here: AgEcon/DCRA Carbon Case Studies | CottonInfo
Stacey Vogel is CottonInfo's Technical Lead for Natural Resource Management and has made a career out of supporting growers in a number of different areas including biodiversity, and waterway and soil management.
In the latest 'Tech & Tell' episode, learn about how Stacey got into the NRM space and cotton, and hear more about a new series of CottonInfo fact sheets on biodiversity measurement, natural capital accounting, and environmental markets, that aim to prepare cotton growers for future sustainability and market demands.
You can access them here: Biodiversity Monitoring Tools | CottonInfo
We brought you '10 Questions with the Team' to introduce and re-introduce our Regional Extension Officers ... now it's time for 'Tech & Tell' with our CottonInfo Technical Leads.
In this episode we get to know our Technical Lead for Fibre Quality - René van der Sluijs - a bit better, learning about his international upbringing, early career in textiles and his transition to the Australian cotton industry.
René also shares some insights from his recent visit to Brazil and makes some astute comparisons of the Brazilian and Australian cotton industries, including the mutual learning opportunities that exist.
In this episode we sit down with CottonInfo Tech Lead for Weed Management, Eric Koetz, to talk key herbicide considerations, management options for irrigated and dryland operations, XtendFlex options, and the impact of recent wet conditions on weed management decisions.
RESOURCES:
2025 Australian Cotton Production Manual | CottonInfo
2024-25 Cotton Pest Management Guide | CottonInfo
BIOSECURITY/STEWARDSHIP: Managing ratoons and volunteers | CottonInfo
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, meet our new REO in Central Queensland, Tami Buranda. Tami joins the team with a strong background in research and science, an obvious passion for the cotton industry and a fantastic energy for her new home base in Emerald.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, come and have a chat with Annabel Twine, our REO on the Darling Downs. She was nearly lost to the vet and horticulture industries - but landed in cotton - falling in love with the dynamic and progressive nature of the industry.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, find out a bit more about Andrew McKay. He's done a lot, seen a lot, and enjoys his cotton community and his job a lot! An REO with CottonInfo since 2018, Andrew shares his thoughts on the challenges and rewards of working in extension, and his excitement about the future of CottonInfo.
Nicole Scott is employed by Cotton Australia as the myBMP Customer Service Manager and is also part of the CottonInfo team.
Nicole's career background is incredibly impressive and varied and she's now been with the myBMP program for more than a decade.
Learn more about why Nicole loves her gig and why the connection between myBMP and cotton research, development and extension is a critical one.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, find out a bit more about Bob Ford - a familiar face and name in the Namoi - who is now one of CottonInfo's Regional Extension Officers for the Namoi Valley, as well as contributing one day a week to the myBMP program.
Bob's been working in the Australian cotton industry since 1993 and says it's all thanks to his involvement in local rugby union and the mentorship of a local Namoi cotton grower.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, meet Rochelle Field - CottonInfo's new REO in the Macquarie Valley.
After originally aspiring to be a vet, Rochelle fell in love with the cotton industry after a summer working as a bug checker back in 2017 - and she's been hooked ever since!
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, get to know the new CottonInfo REO in the Gwydir - Greg Bramley.
After growing up on a mixed farm in the Murray Valley, Greg's had a diverse career, from starting as a rural accountant to working in the NSW Police, to honing his technical skills in ag science.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, get to know one of our new REOs in the Namoi - who also happens to be our CottonInfo Soil Health Tech Lead - Blake Palmer.
Blake has multi-generational roots in the Namoi and despite his initial reluctance to head into tertiary education, he's now passionate about applying research to benefit the cotton industry and is also working on his PhD.
It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.
In this episode, get to know our Program Manager, Janelle Montgomery. Starting out in ag economics, Janelle's heart has always been in the field. After a stint with NAB and ABARES, she headed back to university to do her Masters, followed by a PhD - that set the course for a career in cotton.
It’s the podcast within a podcast! In the '10 questions with the team' mini-series we meet the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP managers - and even our own Program Manager.
In this first mini-series episode with sit down for a chat with one of CottonInfo’s original members who has been with the program from the very beginning - Southern NSW Regional Extension Officer, Kieran O’Keeffe.
In this episode we sit down for an update on René’s recent overseas visit to present to the National Cotton Council of America, his learnings on what RD&E priorities American and Australian cotton growers share, as well as his message to industry ahead of the pick and post-harvest processes for the 25/26 season.
Welcome to Season 4 of CottonInfo’s ‘Crop to Top’ podcast! We’re back with our first podcast for 2025 and it’s a cracker of a conversation.
As late season disease sampling gets underway, we extend a conversation had a recent Area Wide Management meeting with Dr Karen Kirby from NSW DPI and Warwick Stiller from CSIRO about verticillium and fusarium, plus the considerations growers should make now for next season.
The WAND system first went live in the Summer of 2022 - now two years on we catch up with Goanna Ag’s CEO Jay Jalota for an update on uptake of the system that’s using CRDC & GRDC backed science to help growers detect and predict hazardous inversions to help reduce spray drift.
Listen to this 10-minute overview of why WAND is a smart choice this summer.
More information:
Empowering growers with real-time weather insights for safe spray application — Goanna Ag
Wand - Log in
24 forecast feature now live on WAND! | CRDC
CottonInfo is very pleased to announce its new Technical Lead for Disease - our very own Sharna Holman. Sharna has led industry in the Tech Lead role for Biosecurity and the addition of the Disease portfolio makes perfect sense.
Sharna joins the podcast to talk about the role and what she's looking forward to working on with growers in the disease space, including assisting growers with a new change to the disease survey model. The podcast also features CRDC Innovation Broker and ACDC Program Lead Elsie Hudson who provides an update on the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration, or the ACDC.
The ACDC was officially launched at the Australian Cotton Conference in early August with the announcement of strategic partners, University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and Qld DPI (previously QDAF), along with CRDC.
For more information:
Disease management | CottonInfo
Updated diagnostics form Dec 2024_.pdf
Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration | CRDC
Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration | UniSQ
In this episode we're talking IPM – or Integrated Pest Management – and taking a walk down memory lane when things were not as bright for the industry as they are currently.
This discussion will form part on an ongoing, broader discussion about reduction in insecticide use, R&D taking a broader focus on IPM and alternate pest control measures, and our industry’s sustainability goals.
Megan is joined by two respected and experienced cotton consultants who have had a front row seat to the history of cotton production pre the Bollgard/Ingard era and all that’s evolved since ... including the more widespread adoption of IPM systems.
Brian Baird services the Lower Namoi and is the Managing Director or BR and AM Baird Pty Ltd, and Hugo Weissen is the Director of AgVista Pty Ltd based in Narrabri, covering areas in the Namoi, Gwydir and Walgett.
Brian and Hugo have plenty of firsthand experience of previous poor practice when old chemistry was relied upon. That’s long behind us now though and the Australian cotton industry is setting the standard in best practice. In this conversation, we reflect on the bad old days and take a look at the lessons we can take from them and continue to better the industry in the modern era of cotton production.
We take a deep dive into one of the Australian cotton industry’s high priority exotic pests - Cotton Leaf Curl Virus - with Qld DPI Plant Pathologist, Murray Sharman, and hear from CQ consultant Damien Erbacher who has seen the impact of the virus overseas firsthand.
With Version 4 of the Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Cotton Industry recently released, the CottonInfo team is on a mission to get a better understanding of pests that have been identified as Cotton Industry High Priority Pests; the ones we know are already doing damage in other parts of the world and have the potential to impact our crop should it arrive on our doorstep.
The first pest we're looking at is Lygus (plant bugs) that's causing ongoing issues to cotton crops across the United States of America.
Listen to our in-depth chat with IPM specialist, Professor Peter Ellsworth from the University of Arizona for an overview of Lygus, the impact it's having on cotton growers in America, how they're attempting to manage it - and how Australia's cotton industry can best prepare.
CottonInfo REO for Southern NSW Kieran O’Keeffe & CottonInfo Tech Lead for Climate & Energy Jon Welsh offer a wrap-up of their recent climate workshops in Coleambally & Griffith.
Send us a text
With planting and/or planting prep underway in all cotton growing valleys, the industry may be wondering what returns could be expected from the 2024-25 cotton crop.
Ag Econ has run a few gross margin (GM) projections of their own, considering the current and forecast prices of three key drivers of the cotton gross margin: cotton lint, diesel and fertiliser prices.
In this podcast we chat to Ag Econ's Janine Powell for an overview of those projections, as well as a refresher on how best to utilise the Gross Margin Budgets on the CottonInfo website (which can be accessed here).
Send us a text
As season 24/25 gets underway, now is the time to make sure every new hire in your farming business is given the best support to succeed and thrive in the cotton industry.
Hear from Dr Nicole McDonald on the new induction guide focused on non-technical skills, backed by industry research and on-farm experiences.
You can access The Australian Cotton Enterprise Non-Technical Guide for New Entrants via the CottonInfo website.
CRDC Senior Innovation Broker Susan Maas drops by the 'Crop to Top' podcast studio to talk about how things are changing when it comes to the challenges of biosecurity and how research can & is helping the cotton industry to understand, & prepare for, the potential risks.
Susan also talks about which of the high priority pests identified in the review of the cotton industry's Biosecurity Plan keep her up at night.
In this special pod recording live from the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference hear from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Energy & Climate Jon Welsh about his recent analysis of costings & economics associated with irrigation conversion projects at two very different cotton farming operations in NSW, as well as the farm managers who oversaw the changes - Ben Kirkby and Darren Eather.
CottonInfo Resources:
- "Norwood"Grower Case Study: find out more about the farm team at "Norwood" near Moree, that undertook siphon to bay and rollover bankless irrigation conversion.
- "Bellevue" Grower Case Study: find out more about the farm team at "Bellevue" near Narrabri, that undertook siphon to small-pipe-through-the-bank irrigation conversion.
In this episode of the Crop to Top 'Biosecurity Excellence Series' we find out more about the National Biosecurity Hub - a centralised platform for biosecurity training to support biosecurity preparedness, response and recovery.
Kirsten Phillips from Biosecurity Queensland was instrumental in the development of the Hub and joins us to explain exactly how it came about and how members of the Australian Cotton industry can make the most of the platform.
Find out more here National Biosecurity Training Hub (biotraininghub.com.au)
In the last podcast in the Biosecurity Excellence Series, we were joined by Doug McCollum from Cotton Australia and Stuart Kearns from Plant Health Australia to talk about the soon to be released revised cotton industry biosecurity plan and discussed how high priority pests are reviewed and allocated.
In this episode, we’re going one step further and doing a deep dive into one of the high priority pests identified – boll weevil.
Someone who has seen boll weevil in full flight and experienced firsthand what its impact on production on various levels looks like is CottonInfo IPM Technical Lead Paul Grundy who spent some time last year in Brazil where the pest is a huge problem – to put it lightly.
There’s a new industry biosecurity plan for the cotton industry due for release shortly - but what exactly IS a biosecurity plan, and how is the pest status of particular pests actually determined?
Find out the answers to these questions and more with two of Australia’s most knowledgeable professionals when it comes to cotton biosecurity - Cotton Australia's Doug McCollum and Plant Health Australia's Stuart Kearns.
There’s just 6 weeks to go until the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference on Queensland’s Gold Coast!
Tune in to hear more from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Biosecurity, Sharna Holman, about why the CottonInfo team is planning to help ‘Set the Gold Standard’ in biosecurity awareness at Conference this year.
Pre-emergent (residual) herbicides are becoming increasingly important in weed control strategies but there's much to consider when planning a residual herbicide program, as they do require more planning when considering crop rotations.
In this podcast we hear from QDAF's Jeff Werth on the benefits of adopting a residual herbicide program when it comes to improved overall weed control and herbicide resistance management.
Jeff's recently co-authored a CottonInfo fact sheetabout utilising pre-emergent herbicides in Central Queensland grains and cotton cropping systems and has another coming out shortly focused on southern New South Wales.
All resources discussed in the podcast can be found on the CottonInfo Fact Sheet co-authored by Jeff Werth. Download your own copy here: Utilising pre-emergent herbicides in Central Queensland grains and cotton cropping systems | CottonInfo
Irricom 2024 - CottonInfo’s third irrigation forum - will take a deep dive into understanding the Water Use Efficiency of siphon-less and bankless designs.
Tune in to hear more from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Irrigation Lou Gall on the value of attending this event on Feb 27th in Narrabri.
More details & RSVP here: Irricom 2024, Narrabri | CottonInfo
Welcome to Season 3 of Crop to Top and the first podcast episode for 2024.
This episode was recorded on site in Emerald, Central Queensland and features a conversation between our CottonInfo Tech Lead for IPM Paul Grundy and QDAF Principal Research Scientist, Richard Sequeira.
When Richard arrived in Central Queensland in 1996, the local cotton industry was in the grip of a Helicoverpa problem, then, five years later, Silverleaf whitefly exploded.
In this episode, hear about Richard's experiences and involvement in bringing industry out the other side, and the learnings that underpin good decision making in 2024.
Last year the Australian Cotton Disease Review was completed by the Centre for Crop Disease Management at Curtin University in WA and out of that … the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) was been given the green light from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) board.
CRDC’s Innovation Broker leading the project is Elsie Hudson and she joined the CottonInfo podcast to explain just what ACDC is and how the process to building it is shaping up.
This podcast features a (virtual) round table discussion between CottonInfo’s IPM Tech Lead Paul Grundy and three CottonInfo REOs (Kieran O’Keeffe, Amanda Thomas & Janelle Montgomery) talking with Megan Woodward about the surprising trial results that formed the basis of the new guidelines - and how to best apply them.
Other resources:
- Watch a new CottonInfo video on the research behind the guidelines - showing just how resilient cotton can be here.
- Access the guidelines via p9-10 of the 2023-24 Cotton Pest Management Guide here.
The Weather And Networked Data (WAND) network of towers is a joint project between CRDC, GRDC and GoannaAg that launched late 2022.
The network allows growers to see the latest weather readings from their local tower, and predicts whether a hazardous inversion is current or likely to occur in the next 2 hours.
CottonInfo's Megan Woodward caught up with Hamish Clark, an early adopter of the WAND system, on his property near Boggabilla to get his take on being involved with the network and associated app, and found out some of the benefits he's experienced so far.
This podcast chat also forms part of a CottonInfo video, watch here: Using the WAND network as a cotton grower - YouTube.
Successfully planting cotton takes careful planning and good preparation.
In this CottonInfo Podcast EXTRA, Cotton Seed Distributor's Chris Barry has a chat with grower John Cameron - a winner of the CSD Fast Start Award - about his approach to planting and some tips on achieving high establishment rates.
This podcast recording has been developed alongside a CottonInfo YouTube video which can be viewed here: Cotton conversations: Planting - YouTube
The new season is upon us and aphids are back on the radar and mites have been difficult to get on top of - so we thought there was no better time for an explainer of the season that was and gain an overview of what growers & consultants can do when it comes to aphid management in the months ahead.
Dr Lisa Bird is a Senior Research Scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and joined the CottonInfo 'Crop to Top' podcast to offer her knowledge on the topic, as well as dive into the Group 1 resistance issues that emerged in growing valleys in the 22/23 season.
At the Australian Cotton Research Conference in early September, CottonInfo REO for Southern New South Wales, Kieran O'Keeffe gave a great presentation around the power of grower groups when it comes to the adoption of best practice.
Kieran reported on some of the learnings of two pilot cotton grower groups that were formed in the 2021/22 season in Whitton and Coleambally - and Megan Woodward caught up with him between Conference sessions for a quick chat about the successful outcomes of the group since.
Megan Woodward caught up with CottonInfo Regional Extension Officer for the Macquarie Valley, and newly appointed Extension Technical Lead for Disease, Amanda Thomas, on site at the Australian Cotton Research Conference in Toowoomba at the start of September.
Amanda's been heavily involved in the Cotton Disease Action Research Initiative over the past 12 months. It's a new project that's supported by CSD, CRDC and Crown Analytical through the Richard Williams Initiative, with a focus on Black Root Rot and Verticillium Wilt - and at the centre of it all, are growers.
In this chat, we discuss how the project came about, the success it's had to date, and some of the early results helping growers and researchers alike understand how crop rotations can impact disease levels.
For more information:
https://cottoninfo.com.au/blog/disease-management-cotton-farming-systems
or contact Amanda directly via email: amanda.thomas@cottoninfo.net.au
Dr Murray Sharman is a Principal Plant Pathologist with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, based in Brisbane.
Murray reports that while no actual losses were reported due to Cotton Bunchy Top in cotton growing valley's last season - there was a much higher rate of occurrence of CBT, especially through northern NSW and on the Darling Downs in Queensland.
In this podcast, Murray offers an overview of the 22/23 season from a plant pathologist point of view, and doubles down on the message of good crop hygiene and why the time is now to prep paddocks for a 'clean slate' approach ahead of the 23/24 season beginning.
Access disease management information and resources via the CottonInfo website here: https://cottoninfo.com.au/disease-management
George Revell is a Principal Economist for AgEcon who specialises in investment impact assessments to support improved investment decision making.
George is a regular contributor to CottonInfo, most recently developing two new Gross Margin risk analysis fact sheets specifically for cotton growers - one regarding nitrogen prices and NFUE, and the other regarding water use efficiency.
In this episode George gives a succinct overview of the key takeaways of both fact sheets and main elements for growers to lean into.
The fact sheets can be access here:
Economics of Irrigation management (July 2023) | CottonInfo
Economics of N management (June 2023) | CottonInfo
In this episode we catch up with CottonInfo REO for St George, Dirranbandi & Border Rivers - Andrew McKay. Andrew has played a critical extension role to the CRDC-supported Bankless Irrigation Optimisation Project carried out by the University of Southern Queensland.
As part of the research, Andrew's been involved in the water advanced sensing aspect and he's full of great tips & observations for cotton growers who might interested in applying it on their farm.
Further resources:Water Management tools on CottonInfo websitehttps://cottoninfo.com.au/water-management
2021/22 Bankless Optimisation Trial Summary (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0BkCAhtjY&t=85s
Grower perspectives: bankless channel irrigation & automation (podcast)
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/grower-perspectives-bankless-channel-irrigation-and/id1586910875?i=1000548302212
St George Field day Booklet (2022)
https://www.cottoninfo.com.au/publications/optimisation-and-automation-surface-irrigation-focused-siphon-less-tailwater-backup
Smarter Irrigation for Profit (Cotton Projects supported by CRDC)
https://smarterirrigation.com.au/#:~:text=Smarter%20Irrigation%20for%20Profit%20Phase%202%20(SIP2)%20is%20a%20partnership,profit%20of%20over%204%2C000%20irrigators.
Dr Nicole McDonald is a Senior Research Officer with CQ University and she’s also the lead on a project called SHIFT, which is part of a CRDC funded action-research project officially known as ‘Delivering Best Practice for Management of Future Workforce Skills.’
In this episode we talk about the SHIFT Workforce Solutions Unconference taking place online on June 6th and 7th 2023
Unlike traditional conferences where a program is designed separate from the attendees’ needs and often delivered in lecture-type talks, the Unconference is centered on the participants’ interests and involves discussions and workshops - and this one is a cotton grower / farm manager only event.
Register to attend the online SHIFT Workforce Solutions Unconference here https://bit.ly/SHIFTunconference
In this episode we catch up with CottonInfo's Regional Extension Officer in Central Queensland, Kim Stevens.
Kim offers an update on an extremely busy end of April/start of May in her district, including the latest on cotton trials in Monto, the recent Xtend Flex field days in Theodore and Springsure, and how the 22/23 season in shaping up locally.
Paul Grundy is CottonInfo’s Techical Lead for Integrated Pest Management and works for Qld DAF.
In a season that started cold and soggy, Paul reckons that to ensure a decent 23/24 season the time is now to start prepping for a ‘Winter Clean-Up’ after a particularly challenging season on the pest management front.
In this episode we talk 'breaking the green bridge' and the importance of destroying aphids, mealybugs and Cotton bunchy top as a matter of priority.
Jon Baird is CottonInfo’s Techical Lead for Nutrition and works for NSW DPI. He’s been on the road a lot during the first quarter of 2023, both across the cotton industry and with the grains industry.
The topic everyone wants to chat to him about is nitrogen management – and that’s what we nabbed him to talk about, too. In a spare 10 minutes in his very busy schedule, Jon offered an overview of the season that was, and the big-ticket nutrition considerations for the season ahead.
In this episode we speak with Rene van der Sluijs - he's the Principal Consultant at Textile Technical Services and for the past decade he’s been CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for fibre quality.
He's fresh off the road from presenting at the 2023 Marketing and Fibre Quality Workshops in Goondiwindi and Mungindi where there was excellent patronage - which suggests this is something growers and extended industry stakeholders are very keen to hear more on.
So if you didn't get the chance to break away from the paddock for the day – tune in to this podcast episode for an overarching outline of the what the workshops covered, as well as some great information from Rene around micronaire, moisture levels and contamination.
For more information about fibre quality visit:
2022 Australian Cotton Production Manual | CottonInfo
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After a hiatus, the CottonInfo 'Crop to Top' podcast is back for 2023!
In this feature interview, CottonInfo's Megan Woodward speaks with Program Manager Warwick Waters - and they cover a lot of ground in just 20 minutes.
Consider this your refresher course in all things CottonInfo!
Listen now to gain some great insights into the power of the CottonInfo program and an overview of key focus areas for 2023 and beyond.
**You might not have seen them – but there is a fair chance that they are on your farm.
In this episode of Crop to Top, Brad Pfeffer talks with Professor Stuart Parsons about bats and how they fit into the bigger picture of farm biodiversity and pest management.**This research, which involved cutting edge technology such as acoustic sensors and artificial intelligence, occurred as part of a project within the National Landcare Program’s Smart Farming Partnerships initiative. Funding and support was provided by CRDC and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Smart Farming Partnership Initiative Round 1.
In this episode, we are talking defoliation with industry experts on the topic: Don Biffen and Michael Bange (CSD).
If you're looking for more information on defoliation CottonInfo has plenty of useful resources for you.
Blog (what do the consultants say): Defoliation: What do the consultants say? | CottonInfo
Videos: Growth and development - YouTube
And the Australian Cotton Production Manual: 2022 Australian Cotton Production Manual | CottonInfo
Palmer Ameranth has a reputation of being a superweed. In this episode, Eric Koetz from CottonInfo talks with Stanley Culpepper from the University of Georgia about the experience in the United States in dealing with herbicide resistance in this weed, the lessons learnt, and how cotton farmers in Georgia are taking an integrated weed management approach.
In the second part of our series on reducing contamination at picking, in this episode we talk with the CottonInfo Technical Lead for Fibre Quality, Rene van der Sluijs on the topics of natural contamination, seed coat fragments, and sticky cotton.
This is the first of a two-part podcast looking at the issue of contamination at picking. In this episode, we talk with the CottonInfo Technical Lead for fibre quality, Rene van der Sluijs, and St George grower Scott Brimblecombe.
In this episode, we sit down with Dalby cotton grower Dan Hayllor to talk about the work that the family has done to reduce compaction from machinery. One of the big changes that they have made in recent years is converting their cotton picker to a four metre wheel spacing. With all their machinery on 4 metres, it has allowed for a seamless transition between their irrigated country and dryland country.
In this episode of Crop to Top, we talk with two growers on the topic of spray management and reducing drift. We meet with Delungra grower Charles Boileau to talk about his practices in a dryland farming system and we talk with Chris Hardy from Colleambally about his observations on the importance of managing drift from an environmental perspective.
In this podcast we hear from St George growers Craig Saunders and Lucas Wuersching about their experience with (automated) bankless channel irrigation with tailwater backup. Craig and Lucas talk about the benefits in water savings and labour as well what they hope to learn from a trial with CottonInfo in the 21/22 growing season.
This trial is assessing the efficiency of the system. This work is funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 2 (through the Australian Government Rural R&D for Profit Program), and supported by Padman Stops, CottonInfo Team, Gwydir Valley Irrigators, NSW DPI, University of Southern Queensland and Glenn Lyons.
CottonInfo's Sharna Holman interviews University of Central Queensland researcher, Dr Nicole McDonald, about her research into the cotton industry workforce.
In this podcast, CottonInfo's Sharna Holman interviews the NSW DPI water benchmarking team.
In this podcast, we speak with farmer and agronomist Andrew Bate who has a vision to use robotics to revolutionise the way we farm. Andrew and Jocie Bate farm “Bendee” near Emerald on the QLD Central Highlands where they grow dryland crops such as chickpea, wheat, mungbeans and sorghum. They also breed, fatten and feedlot beef cattle.