Current Issue

August-September 2021

Production, marketing and topical articles for the Australian Cotton industry.

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Feature Articles

An industry first: Soil DNA testing for cotton diseases

Disease continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing cotton production. Tackling it requires an integrated approach. The missing link has been a quick and reliable commercial tool to diagnose, quantify and monitor disease levels over time.

IoT enables automated, low-cost surface irrigation

Research has shown that automatic irrigation technologies have the potential to notably improve the efficiencies from a production and labour perspective in irrigated systems.

Managing cotton diseases after the drought

Production across Australia’s cotton industry always fluctuates with the supply of available water and growers manage their business accordingly. But the past three to four years have been particularly tough after prolonged drought in New South Wales and Queensland over recent years.

Over The Back Fence

New Chair for Cotton Australia

Emerald grower and long-term industry innovator Nigel Burnett has been elected as the new Chair of Cotton Australia at a virtual meeting of the Board which also acknowledged the work of outgoing Chair Hamish McIntyre. Nigel, previously the Deputy Chair, comes from a family of agricultural leaders, with his father Ian previously serving as President of AgForce Queensland and brother Ross the Deputy Chairman of the Queensland Farmers Federation and a Director of the CRDC.

Cotton Collective and Industry Awards dinner cancelled

Cotton Australia has decided to cancel the 2021 Australian Cotton Collective and postpone the 2021 Australian Cotton Industry Awards dinner. The events were due to be held in Toowoomba on August 24-26. In a message to the industry, Cotton Australia Chairman Hamish McIntyre said that the events would not be held as scheduled but the decision was made due to the unacceptable risk posed by the growing COVID-19 outbreaks.

New John Deere pickers and strippers launched in Australia

John Deere has launched the new CP770 Cotton Picker and CS770 Cotton Stripper to the Australian market. The new models are equipped with a full portfolio of integrated precision ag technology and a larger, more comfortable cab, backed by the power of John Deere’s bolstered 13.6 L PowerTech™ engine. Both harvesters include a new module handling system, and the CS770 now features the largest header size available, at 12 rows.

Negative Indian Ocean Dipole event continues

The most recent weekly IOD index value is −0.76 °C, with warmer than average waters in the eastern tropical Indian Ocean, and average to cooler than average waters in the western tropical Indian Ocean. Most climate models surveyed by the Bureau predict negative IOD conditions are likely to persist throughout spring. A negative IOD increases the chances of above average winter–spring rainfall for much of southern and eastern Australia.

Ritchie Bros to hold mammoth auction

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will hold a National Agriculture Auction online on 9th September. Machinery can be taken to any of Ritchie Bros.’ eight locations around Australia, with all sales in the auction completed through the auctioneer's online platform. The event is expected to be Australia’s largest agricultural auction in several years with a huge range of agricultural machinery already listed — including tractors, combine harvesters, sprayers, headers and balers.