Fact Sheets

This fact sheet provides detailed information about the causes, types, and measurement of mechanical damage to cotton seeds. ​ It highlights the factors influencing seed damage, including seed characteristics, operator practices, and mechanical operations during harvesting and ginning.

Silverleaf whitefly (SLW) is a major pest of mid to late-stage cotton. SLW honeydew is a serious contaminant of cotton lint, with the potential to harm our export reputation. 

This comprehensive fact sheet covers the whitefly species found in Australian cotton, SLW characteristics, lifecycle and ecology, how to manage SLW, best sampling strategies, how to use the management matrix, IPM for SLW, and also includes a table of registered insecticides for the control of SLW.

Phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPA and dicamba can cause damage to sensitive crops such as tomatoes, grapes and cotton. These crops are very sensitive to this group of herbicides and small amounts can result in significant yield loss.

This checklist is a handy reference for anyone selling or using phenoxy herbicides. The risk of crop damage can happen any time, but it is highest over the summer months.

These biodiversity monitoring tool fact sheets aim to prepare growers for future sustainability and market demands and highlight the support available for growers seeking detailed guidance.

Access them below by clicking on the titles below:

Clay soils in Australia largely underpin the cotton industry due to their excellent water-holding capabilities. However, this beneficial trait can pose challenges when rainfall coincides with cotton harvest season, particularly between defoliation and picking. When clay soils become wet, they lose their structural stability, become plastic and are vulnerable to compaction

Climate is the most important factor impacting cotton growth and development and how the crop might be managed in northern Australia. Solar radiation, temperature and rainfall interact in unique ways to create both opportunity and limitations for cotton production and understanding how climate interacts with the crop is fundamental to success in northern Australia.

System capacity is the most important design criterion for centre pivot and lateral move (CPLM) systems. This fact sheet walks through the calculation of system capacity in centre pivot (CP) systems.

Access the fact sheet by Ag Econ's George Revell here.

Northern Australia is characterised by its highly variable rainfall patterns, influenced by a range of complex climatic systems. For agricultural practices, especially in cotton farming understanding these precipitation dynamics is essential. This review highlights the key regions suitable for cotton cultivation, including the Northern Territory, parts of Queensland, and Western Australia, where tropical climates provide favourable conditions.

Many overseas insects and diseases pose a significant threat to Australian cotton production.

If new pests find their way to Australia, early detection and reporting is key to their successful eradication.

This poster depicts some of the High Priority Pests as outlined in Version 4.0 of the Biosecurity Plan for the Cotton Industry (released September 2024).