Bringing you the latest comments from our team, via our CottonInfo blog.

December 2024.

Recent molecular testing by the NSW DPIRD has confirmed etoxazole (Zeal®) resistance in two-spotted spider mites collected from northern NSW. This finding comes at a difficult time for crop managers in this region who are already facing challenges with mite management due to diafenthiuron and abamectin resistance.

The target site mutation responsible for this resistance has been found in approximately 10% of the mites tested from last season. As confronting as this sounds there is some good news in that the gene responsible for resistance is recessive. This means…

by CottonInfo Program Manager, Janelle Montgomery.

Recently there have been some issues raised about Day Degrees (DD), particularly when growers and consultants are looking at their petiole testing results. There remains some legacy where some tools and understanding still utilize the DD12 approach to accumulating day degrees. The DD12 approach still works well in seasons that have average conditions. The DD1532 approach provided by CSD (or can be calculated) is more accurate and simpler to calculate than the DD12 approach.…

December 2024

At this time of year, many would be considering managing vegetative growth of their cotton crop. Mepiquat chloride is a growth regulator used to manage excessive vegetative growth of cotton crops. However, there can be positive or negative effects associated with its use.

Last season, grower/consultant-led research trials overseen by Katie Broughton (CSIRO) and supported by CRDC and the CSD Richard Williams Initiative, aimed to develop a better understanding of crop growth and…

Monday 9 December 2024 

Australia’s CottonInfo extension program continues to be world-class, connecting industry to research helping growers achieve best-practice cotton production on-farm. 

This was just one of the findings of a recent…

The Australian Cotton Enterprise Non-Technical Guide for New Entrants is now available to all Australian cotton growers.

The Guide takes the highlights of the three SHIFT Guides for New Entrants.

The resource gives cotton growers a great induction resource to ensure new entrants know the mindsets and skills needed to adapt to their new role and workplace.

You can access the Guide here.

2023/24 Disease Survey Results for NSW cotton growing areas are available now.

Download your copy here.

NSW DPI weed researchers Eric Koetz (CottonInfo Technical Lead for Weed Management) and Graham Charles have just returned from the Northern Territory and the Ord region of WA after conducting a baseline weed survey of cotton crops.

The trip was part of a CRDC funded project (DAN2302) to gain a better understanding of current weed numbers in fields. To develop a “site specific” crop management plan for cotton grown in Norther Australia there is a need to identify any weed issues and concerns growers are facing in their fields. This was the second visit to the area to survey fields and…

What’s your background?

I grew up on the Darling Downs on grain growing property (wheat/sorghum/sunflowers) and a few cattle.  I studied Biology at the University of Southern Queensland and followed that later with post graduate entomology studies at University of Queensland. I worked in the entomology group on various projects, on pests including helicoverpa, aphids and whitefly in grain and cotton.

How did you end up in Cotton Research?

In the early years I worked in and out of the cotton industry in response to pest issues, I was fortunate to receive a CRDC…

It has been reported this season that some cotton fields have had issues with residual herbicide carryover with symptoms ranging from poor establishment, slow early growth or the need to re-plant. The function of residual herbicides is to provide a barrier to weed emergence by preventing weed seeds present in the soil from germinating. Some herbicides can remain active in the soil for weeks, months or years. This can be an advantage as it ensures good long term weed control. However, if the herbicide stays in the soil longer than intended it may damage sensitive crop or pasture species…