| Dawson
Valley
At present, much of the irrigation area in the Dawson valley is being
worked. Soil condition is generally very good following a couple of
significant rainfall events over the past month. This working has also
served to remove areas of volunteer cotton that has progressed well
in the mild conditions. There is an acute awareness of removing these
and other potential whitefly hosts.
Several growers have chosen to double crop with winter crop again this
year. At present about 20 per cent of the irrigation area is planted
to chickpea. All of this country will be turned around to cotton again
in spring.
While most growers are either irrigating chickpea or working country,
one grower north of Moura has only half finished picking. It seems ironic
that a crop that (apparently) had the first squares and flowers in the
district would still be being picked in July.
Several Dawson valley growers took the opportunity to travel to the
Australian Cotton Trade Show in Moree in May. While most people brought
back some good ideas from the event, Gladstone Holmes brought back several
broken ribs following an unfortunate incident in a motel bathroom. If
it wasn’t for the quick thinking of his mates, the injuries may
have been a lot worse and even involved drowning.
The Dawson system is currently at about 88 per cent capacity. Although
it’s too early to be too certain, there will probably be the full
area planted next season (about 5000 hectares). Fertilising will probably
begin in late July.
There has been an indication from most growers in the Dawson that there
will be a preference for a later cotton planting window in 2003 than
has been the case in previous years. The reason for this is to increase
the likelihood of in-season rain and utilise the late season heliothis
control offered by Bollgard II. This would mean the majority of crops
being planted in early October rather than early to mid September.
The Dawson Valley Cotton Growers Association held their annual general
meeting in July. Brett Austin was returned as chairman as was Gladstone
Holmes as vice chairman, Penny Anderson as treasurer, and Harrod Anderson
as secretary.
Central Highlands
There have been a number of analogies used recently about how dry it
is around the area. Unfortunately, most of these are unsuitable to print.
Following the 92 mm (3.7 inches) that fell in February during picking,
there has been very little follow up. In the period from March to the
time of writing there has been a total of 62 mm (2.5 inches) rainfall
in Emerald. This has not included any individual events of greater than
25 mm, so generally has done little to replenish subsoil moisture. The
rainfall events have generally been sporadic, so some people are better
off than others.
The new water year for the Fairbairn dam started on July 1 with the
announcement of a 30 per cent allocation for the 2003–04 season.
Although it is still too early to make a firm prediction of what this
will do to the final cotton area for the region, the best guess would
be 5000–10,000 hectares — 25–50 per cent of the previous
season’s area. The actual level of Fairbairn dam at present is
26 per cent (334,300 ml).
There will be a lot less carry-over water taken into next season compared
to previous years. This is firstly a result of a lack of in-season rain
in the 2002–03 season, but also the fact that a number of growers
have used it to grow winter crops. In the present system with the dam
at the current level, growers lose 20 per cent of their carry-over at
the end of the water year to account for evaporation.
People are in the process now of ordering seed and selecting varieties
for next season. Fibre quality is again playing an enormous part in
the decision-making process for variety selection. In the past three
seasons, up to 28 per cent of bales produced locally have had high micronaire.
Low strength was also a concern for an increased proportion of bales
last season, possibly due to some crops running short of water.
At present there’s a bit of fertiliser being applied for country
going back into cotton. Most people are preparing more country than
they will plant cotton to, so they will be ready to plant if there is
a big inflow into the dam anytime between now and November.
Darling Downs
More rains fall on the Darling Downs! What a great start to another
report.
Most areas of the Downs have reported good falls over the past few weeks,
prompting some district producers to suggest that this is the best start
to a winter season in several years — reflecting their increased
optimism for crop prospects generally. Unfortunately again there was
little opportunity for water harvesting for those growers desperate
to fill ring-tanks.
Cereal and chickpea crops across most districts have established well
and generally have sufficient soil moisture now to give confidence for
a reasonable harvest — all be it early in the season. Chickpea
growers are warned to ensure that their preventative spray programs
are on track as reports of ascochyta blight have been received. The
recent wet weather has provided ideal conditions for the development
of this disease — a problem that can develop and spread rapidly.
Growers are also urged to ensure any remaining volunteer plants in their
fallows have been destroyed, as these plants can be a source of infection
for new crops.
Another problem that has emerged is the high level of ergot in the regions’
late sorghum crops. To add to this worry, reports of in-crop mice damage
have been received for the central Downs area.
Field inspections and farm visits for the Darling Downs Cotton Grower
Awards judging have now been completed, and final assessments and considerations
undertaken in readiness for the winners’ announcement at the Darling
Downs Cotton Grower Inc. Awards Dinner. The dinner will be held in late
August. Sneaked comments from the judges indicate that the crops entered
for the 2003–04 competition were of a high standard with some
impressive yields despite the difficult season. Good luck to all the
contestants in this year’s competition.
With soil moisture levels improving over many districts of the Downs,
there is a growing confidence amongst growers for a reasonable planting
of dryland cotton for season 2003–04. What I would really like
to report in the next issue, is that our region has had significant
flows of water into the district storages — enough to secure our
cotton production in our irrigation areas and that normal production
levels on the Downs are guaranteed. But at this stage of the year I
have been advised not to hold my breath waiting in anticipation.
Macintyre Valley
Ground preparation in the Macintyre Valley is well underway and nearly
finished. The rain over the past few days will allow those optimistic
growers out there to continue with any other ground work needed. Nitrogen
will start to be put down — some growers will be putting a base
rate of nitrogen down while others are waiting to see what happens with
the weather. Some hard decisions will need to be made in a months time
in regards to putting down starter fertiliser.
There is a range of scenarios amongst growers at the moment. Many growers
across the valley who have some water have used this on winter cereals
rather than lose the water to evaporation. Some growers are also irrigating
their chickpeas. There are other growers with dryland cereals on irrigation
country while some growers are trying to conserve as much moisture as
possible so they have the potential to plant dryland cotton next season.
At this stage we are still facing very little irrigation for next season
— we may see some crops go in as dryland on a full moisture profile
and hope to get a flow in the river which will allow some later irrigations.
We may also see a lot of sorghum go in.
A major issue for many people (growers and those who service the industry)
is the retention of staff. Problems may occur when it does rain and
experienced workers are needed quickly.
An end-of-season research review was held on June 17 with a strong attendance
by growers and consultants. Thanks to the researchers who presented
results of trials they have done in our valley this season and to the
local speakers.
Congratulations to local grower Alex Sullivan of “Mullala”
Boggabilla, who won the Cotton Achiever of the year award at the recent
awards night held at the Gold Coast.
The annual Macintyre Valley awards dinner is coming up again, this year
on July 19. I look forward to reporting the winners from the local crop
competitions in the next report.
St George
An average of three inches of rain around the St George area in the
past week has been a welcome delight. Although there will be no water
harvesting, this rain has been very timely for growers who have planted
a winter crop. There is quite a bit of wheat planted in cotton country
around St George, which is being partially irrigated and hopes to utilise
the winter rain. The forecast is optimistic although at this stage there
is very little irrigation water available for next season
Other growers are busy considering ground preparation and fertiliser
application for the 2003–04 season. Many decisions are being made
in regards to the rate of fertiliser being applied, considering water
forecasts.
With the recent rain, growers will be considering a spring trap crop
in the next few weeks. This will continue the Area Wide Management approach
a lot of St George growers fostered last season. Hopefully some further
rain will make this possible.
Mungindi
The Mungindi region has seen a little more rainfall over the winter
period this season compared to last year. There has been a total of
220 mm of rainfall with 150 mm of this falling from April until now.
The general rainfall that fell at the beginning of July allowed a lot
of growers to plant dryland wheat, chickpeas and barley. Some farms
have up to 50 per cent of the total farm area planted to these crops.
The limited water situation within the Mungindi region will mean there
will be serious reductions in area in the 2003–04 cotton season.
Once again there will be a large focus on varieties that are stronger
in limited water situations.
Those growers that have minimal amounts of storage water are considering
planting areas of sorghum, which will either be watered up alone or
may have one in-crop irrigation.
There are limited areas of irrigated wheat and chickpeas which look
impressive at the moment.
The Mungindi Cotton Growers Association Charity Golf Day will be held
in early September. It will be a great day out for growers and agronomists
despite the current seasonal conditions.
Lower Namoi
It has been a fairly mild winter so far. Light but regular rainfall
has caused interruptions to field preparation, particularly in the eastern
half of the valley. Only about 40 per cent of the valley will be planted
this season without significant rainfall in the catchment. Most of the
cotton planted this season will be grown using ground water and locally
harvested surface water.
Fertiliser application will continue over the next few months and pre-emergent
herbicides will also be applied. Pupae busting and tillage operations
are generally complete. Winter vegetation has been growing well in the
eastern half of the valley and critical weeds such as marshmallow have
been growing well. These weeds may well become a source of cotton pests
in the spring.
Winter rotation crops are progressing well. Wheat and bean crops are
in an advanced stage of growth. Continued rain should see very good
yields from these crops.
Dryland areas are likely to increase significantly on last year’s
drought affected planting. With declining sorghum prices, many dryland
growers will plant a cotton crop this year. Cash prices for lint and
seed in the coming season are reasonable given the higher Australian
dollar.
A drive around most farm workshops makes it clear that planting time
is not far away as planters receive a once over. It’s certainly
not long till planting time.
Overall prospects for the 2003 plant in the Lower Namoi are not good
given the lack of river water. The drought may be beginning to end for
dryland farmers, but for irrigators it will not end until Keepit and
Split Rock fill.
Macquarie Valley
With little to talk about on the cotton front, let’s focus on
the winter crops. The Macquarie has been fortunate to receive timely
showers. These have kept crops going despite little sub soil moisture.
Cereal area is up dramatically this year. Many cotton growers have substituted
winter crops into cotton areas. The Warren district has the largest
area of good looking wheat in the state. There have been no major disease
or insect problems so far. Yields are expected to be above average at
this stage.
The Warren district also has the state’s largest canola planting.
A record 20,000 hectares have been planted this year — three times
the long term average. Mild autumn temperatures saw crops flower very
early. This means crops could run out of moisture later. But yield expectations
at the moment are high.
Pulse plantings are down this year. The major crop is chickpeas grown
in the cotton rotation. Disease management, due to frequent light showers,
has been critical. Plenty of fungicide has been used and yields just
below average are expected.
The late July frosts will impact all winter crops — we just have
to wait and see. More big rain — at least 50 mm — will be
needed to carry crops through August and September.
Apart from that, massive rain is needed to fill the dam to raise the
allocation from zero to something worthwhile. More waiting and watching
the sky!
Gwydir Valley
Growers in the Gwydir Valley have been preparing country over the past
couple of months. Most have been putting down nitrogen and some starter
fertiliser has also been going out.
Winter rainfall across the Gwydir has been patchy. Winter crops in the
Gwydir are very variable. Many are surviving on minimal soil moisture
and will need follow up rainfall in the near future to survive. Other
areas have received good rainfall but are experiencing some disease
problems such as ascochyta on chickpeas. Those crops in areas with higher
rainfall have had rapid growth and with recent frosts there is the potential
for frost damage. There has also been some incidence of barley lodging
following windy conditions.
At this stage there is zero irrigation allocation for the 2003–04
season. Growers with small amounts of carryover or river flow insufficient
for summer cropping and likely to be lost to evaporation if stored have
used this on cereal (barley, wheat) or chickpea crops.
In many cases this water has not been sufficient to fully irrigate winter
crops. Dryland cotton is an option being considered by growers with
good soil moisture profiles, particularly as sorghum prices have dropped.
Hopefully there will be river flows during the season to allow for some
irrigation of these crops. The proportion of different dryland summer
crops will depend on market prices, cashflow and risk management.
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