Cotton seed supplier Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) said that advances in cotton breeding and new Roundup Ready technology have prompted grain growers in the Quirindi region to experiment with cotton as a companion crop to sorghum.
Cotton Seed Distributors Agronomist, Rob Eveleigh stated that a trial area of 20 hectares at “Dimby Station” in the far south of the Upper Namoi is less than 200 kilometres from the NSW coast, and one of the coolest cropping areas in which cotton has been grown.
Four CSD short-season varieties containing Bollgard II and Roundup Ready technology are being trialled by Grayson Gulliver on “Dimby Station” to test the agronomic and economic viability of cotton in this potential new commercial production area.
The aim is determine if cotton has a place there as a companion crop to sorghum, which has been the main summer crop grown in the region. The trial area also includes a range of dryland planting configurations including double skip, single skip and solid 75cm rows.
Rob Eveleigh stated that should the trial be successful, more trials and limited commercial production may begin next season. Farm walks will be held during the season so local farmers can gauge the performance of dryland cotton in the region
Grayson Gulliver commented that although it was early days, he was particularly impressed with the performance of the Roundup Ready technology.
The aim of Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD) is toprovide to every cotton grower the highest net return potential from the cotton varieties CSD produces.
Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd
marketing@alchempro.com
