Shows
CottonInfo: Crop to TopManaging ratoons and volunteer cotton with Eric KoetzIn this episode we sit down with CottonInfo Tech Lead for Weed Management, Eric Koetz, to talk key herbicide considerations, management options for irrigated and dryland operations, XtendFlex options, and the impact of recent wet conditions on weed management decisions.RESOURCES:2025 Australian Cotton Production Manual | CottonInfo2024-25 Cotton Pest Management Guide | CottonInfoBIOSECURITY/STEWARDSHIP: Managing ratoons and volunteers | CottonInfo2025-07-1210 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopTami Buranda: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, meet our new REO in Central Queensland, Tami Buranda. Tami joins the team with a strong background in research and science, an obvious passion for the cotton industry and a fantastic energy for her new home base in Emerald.2025-07-0416 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopAnnabel Twine: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, come and have a chat with Annabel Twine, our REO on the Darling Downs. She was nearly lost to the vet and horticulture industries - but landed in cotton - falling in love with the dynamic and progressive nature of the industry.2025-06-2409 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopAndrew McKay: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, find out a bit more about Andrew McKay. He's done a lot, seen a lot, and enjoys his cotton community and his job a lot! An REO with CottonInfo since 2018, Andrew shares his thoughts on the challenges and rewards of working in extension, and his excitement about the future of CottonInfo.2025-06-2208 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopNicole Scott: 10 questions with the team (mini series)Nicole Scott is employed by Cotton Australia as the myBMP Customer Service Manager and is also part of the CottonInfo team.Nicole's career background is incredibly impressive and varied and she's now been with the myBMP program for more than a decade.Learn more about why Nicole loves her gig and why the connection between myBMP and cotton research, development and extension is a critical one.2025-06-0209 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopBob Ford: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, find out a bit more about Bob Ford - a familiar face and name in the Namoi - who is now one of CottonInfo's Regional Extension Officers for the Namoi Valley, as well as contributing one day a week to the myBMP program.Bob's been working in the Australian cotton industry since 1993 and says it's all thanks to his involvement in local rugby union and the mentorship...2025-05-2412 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopRochelle Field: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, meet Rochelle Field - CottonInfo's new REO in the Macquarie Valley.After originally aspiring to be a vet, Rochelle fell in love with the cotton industry after a summer working as a bug checker back in 2017 - and she's been hooked ever since!2025-05-2109 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopGreg Bramley: 10 questions with the team (mini series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, get to know the new CottonInfo REO in the Gwydir - Greg Bramley.After growing up on a mixed farm in the Murray Valley, Greg's had a diverse career, from starting as a rural accountant to working in the NSW Police, to honing his technical skills in ag science.2025-05-1909 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopBlake Palmer: 10 questions with the team (mini-series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, get to know one of our new REOs in the Namoi - who also happens to be our CottonInfo Soil Health Tech Lead - Blake Palmer.Blake has multi-generational roots in the Namoi and despite his initial reluctance to head into tertiary education, he's now passionate about applying research to benefit the cotton industry and is also working on his PhD.2025-05-0814 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopJanelle Montgomery: 10 questions with the team (mini-series)It's the podcast within a podcast! '10 questions with the team' introduces the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP Managers.In this episode, get to know our Program Manager, Janelle Montgomery. Starting out in ag economics, Janelle's heart has always been in the field. After a stint with NAB and ABARES, she headed back to university to do her Masters, followed by a PhD - that set the course for a career in cotton.2025-04-1013 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopKieran O'Keeffe: 10 questions with the team (mini-series)It’s the podcast within a podcast! In the '10 questions with the team' mini-series we meet the full CottonInfo team - from Regional Extension Officers, Technical Leads & myBMP managers - and even our own Program Manager.In this first mini-series episode with sit down for a chat with one of CottonInfo’s original members who has been with the program from the very beginning - Southern NSW Regional Extension Officer, Kieran O’Keeffe.2025-04-0809 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopFibre Quality in Focus with René van der SluijsIn this episode we sit down for an update on René’s recent overseas visit to present to the National Cotton Council of America, his learnings on what RD&E priorities American and Australian cotton growers share, as well as his message to industry ahead of the pick and post-harvest processes for the 25/26 season.2025-02-1917 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopA chat with the experts on vert, fusarium and what you can do NOW for NEXT seasonWelcome to Season 4 of CottonInfo’s ‘Crop to Top’ podcast! We’re back with our first podcast for 2025 and it’s a cracker of a conversation.As late season disease sampling gets underway, we extend a conversation had a recent Area Wide Management meeting with Dr Karen Kirby from NSW DPI and Warwick Stiller from CSIRO about verticillium and fusarium, plus the considerations growers should make now for next season.2025-02-0118 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopMaking the most of WAND (Weather and Networked Data system)The WAND system first went live in the Summer of 2022 - now two years on we catch up with Goanna Ag’s CEO Jay Jalota for an update on uptake of the system that’s using CRDC & GRDC backed science to help growers detect and predict hazardous inversions to help reduce spray drift.Listen to this 10-minute overview of why WAND is a smart choice this summer.More information:Empowering growers with real-time weather insights for safe spray application — Goanna AgWand - Log in24 forecast feature now live on WAN...2024-12-1810 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopDisease news: Announcement of new CottonInfo Disease Tech Lead & update on the Australian Cotton Disease CollaborationCottonInfo is very pleased to announce its new Technical Lead for Disease - our very own Sharna Holman. Sharna has led industry in the Tech Lead role for Biosecurity and the addition of the Disease portfolio makes perfect sense.Sharna joins the podcast to talk about the role and what she's looking forward to working on with growers in the disease space, including assisting growers with a new change to the disease survey model. The podcast also features CRDC Innovation Broker and ACDC Program Lead Elsie Hudson who provides an update on the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration, o...2024-12-1512 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopLessons from the past: from the 'bad old days' to a modern Australian cotton industryIn this episode we're talking IPM – or Integrated Pest Management – and taking a walk down memory lane when things were not as bright for the industry as they are currently.This discussion will form part on an ongoing, broader discussion about reduction in insecticide use, R&D taking a broader focus on IPM and alternate pest control measures, and our industry’s sustainability goals.Megan is joined by two respected and experienced cotton consultants who have had a front row seat to the history of cotton production pre the Bollgard/Ingard era and all that’s evolve...2024-12-1216 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopA deep dive into high priority pest: cotton leaf curl virusWe take a deep dive into one of the Australian cotton industry’s high priority exotic pests - Cotton Leaf Curl Virus - with Qld DPI Plant Pathologist, Murray Sharman, and hear from CQ consultant Damien Erbacher who has seen the impact of the virus overseas firsthand.2024-12-0826 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopHigh priority pest Lygus: the American experienceWith Version 4 of the Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Cotton Industry recently released, the CottonInfo team is on a mission to get a better understanding of pests that have been identified as Cotton Industry High Priority Pests; the ones we know are already doing damage in other parts of the world and have the potential to impact our crop should it arrive on our doorstep.The first pest we're looking at is Lygus (plant bugs) that's causing ongoing issues to cotton crops across the United States of America.Listen to our in-depth chat with IPM...2024-10-2440 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopSouthern NSW Season Establishment & Climate Forecast Drivers for 24-25 (with Kieran O'Keeffe & Jon Welsh)CottonInfo REO for Southern NSW Kieran O’Keeffe & CottonInfo Tech Lead for Climate & Energy Jon Welsh offer a wrap-up of their recent climate workshops in Coleambally & Griffith.2024-10-0210 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopGross Margin Outlook for 2024-25 season with Janine PowellWith planting and/or planting prep underway in all cotton growing valleys, the industry may be wondering what returns could be expected from the 2024-25 cotton crop.Ag Econ has run a few gross margin (GM) projections of their own, considering the current and forecast prices of three key drivers of the cotton gross margin: cotton lint, diesel and fertiliser prices.In this podcast we chat to Ag Econ's Janine Powell for an overview of those projections, as well as a refresher on how best to utilise the Gross Margin Budgets on the...2024-09-2811 min
On Target With Irrigated Ag2023-24 NSW Southern Valleys Cotton SeasonThis podcast presents an insight from Kieran O'Keeffe (Regional Extension Officer Southern NSW CottonInfo and IREC Executive) on the 2023-24 NSW Southern Valleys Cotton Season.
The 2023-24 season will be remembered as a very rewarding season with district yields averaging a record 12.2 b/ha with around 1 million bales produced in southern NSW.2024-09-1920 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopMaking the Cotton Industry a great place for new entrantsAs season 24/25 gets underway, now is the time to make sure every new hire in your farming business is given the best support to succeed and thrive in the cotton industry.Hear from Dr Nicole McDonald on the new induction guide focused on non-technical skills, backed by industry research and on-farm experiences.You can access The Australian Cotton Enterprise Non-Technical Guide for New Entrants via the CottonInfo website.2024-09-1308 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopThe importance of investing in cotton biosecurity researchCRDC Senior Innovation Broker Susan Maas drops by the 'Crop to Top' podcast studio to talk about how things are changing when it comes to the challenges of biosecurity and how research can & is helping the cotton industry to understand, & prepare for, the potential risks.Susan also talks about which of the high priority pests identified in the review of the cotton industry's Biosecurity Plan keep her up at night.2024-08-2914 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopThe Economics of Irrigation ChangeIn this special pod recording live from the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference hear from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Energy & Climate Jon Welsh about his recent analysis of costings & economics associated with irrigation conversion projects at two very different cotton farming operations in NSW, as well as the farm managers who oversaw the changes - Ben Kirkby and Darren Eather.CottonInfo Resources:"Norwood" Grower Case Study: find out more about the farm team at "Norwood" near Moree, that undertook siphon to bay and rollover bankless irrigation conversion."Bellevue" Grower Cas...2024-08-1511 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopIn conversation with Kirsten Phillips about the National Biosecurity HubIn this episode of the Crop to Top 'Biosecurity Excellence Series' we find out more about the National Biosecurity Hub - a centralised platform for biosecurity training to support biosecurity preparedness, response and recovery.Kirsten Phillips from Biosecurity Queensland was instrumental in the development of the Hub and joins us to explain exactly how it came about and how members of the Australian Cotton industry can make the most of the platform.Find out more here National Biosecurity Training Hub (biotraininghub.com.au)2024-08-0210 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopA deep dive discussion into high priority pest: boll weevil (Biosecurity Excellence Series)In the last podcast in the Biosecurity Excellence Series, we were joined by Doug McCollum from Cotton Australia and Stuart Kearns from Plant Health Australia to talk about the soon to be released revised cotton industry biosecurity plan and discussed how high priority pests are reviewed and allocated.In this episode, we’re going one step further and doing a deep dive into one of the high priority pests identified – boll weevil.Someone who has seen boll weevil in full flight and experienced firsthand what its impact on production on various levels looks like is Cott...2024-07-2517 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopPreparing a new industry biosecurity plan with Doug McCollum & Stuart Kearns (Biosecurity Excellence Series)There’s a new industry biosecurity plan for the cotton industry due for release shortly - but what exactly IS a biosecurity plan, and how is the pest status of particular pests actually determined?Find out the answers to these questions and more with two of Australia’s most knowledgeable professionals when it comes to cotton biosecurity - Cotton Australia's Doug McCollum and Plant Health Australia's Stuart Kearns.2024-07-1715 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopBiosecurity Excellence - a conversation with Sharna HolmanThere’s just 6 weeks to go until the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference on Queensland’s Gold Coast!Tune in to hear more from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Biosecurity, Sharna Holman, about why the CottonInfo team is planning to help ‘Set the Gold Standard’ in biosecurity awareness at Conference this year.2024-06-2408 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopFactors to consider when planning a pre-emergent herbicide program with Jeff WerthPre-emergent (residual) herbicides are becoming increasingly important in weed control strategies but there's much to consider when planning a residual herbicide program, as they do require more planning when considering crop rotations.In this podcast we hear from QDAF's Jeff Werth on the benefits of adopting a residual herbicide program when it comes to improved overall weed control and herbicide resistance management.Jeff's recently co-authored a CottonInfo fact sheet about utilising pre-emergent herbicides in Central Queensland grains and cotton cropping systems and has another coming out shortly focused on southern New South Wales.A...2024-05-2313 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopThe value of attending Irricom with Lou GallIrricom 2024 - CottonInfo’s third irrigation forum - will take a deep dive into understanding the Water Use Efficiency of siphon-less and bankless designs.Tune in to hear more from CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for Irrigation Lou Gall on the value of attending this event on Feb 27th in Narrabri.More details & RSVP here: Irricom 2024, Narrabri | CottonInfo2024-02-1110 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopIPM learnings, lessons and the future: a conversation with Richard Sequeira. Welcome to Season 3 of Crop to Top and the first podcast episode for 2024.This episode was recorded on site in Emerald, Central Queensland and features a conversation between our CottonInfo Tech Lead for IPM Paul Grundy and QDAF Principal Research Scientist, Richard Sequeira.When Richard arrived in Central Queensland in 1996, the local cotton industry was in the grip of a Helicoverpa problem, then, five years later, Silverleaf whitefly exploded.In this episode, hear about Richard's experiences and involvement in bringing industry out the other side, and the learnings that underpin good d...2024-01-2323 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopUpdate on the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration with Elsie HudsonLast year the Australian Cotton Disease Review was completed by the Centre for Crop Disease Management at Curtin University in WA and out of that … the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) was been given the green light from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) board. CRDC’s Innovation Broker leading the project is Elsie Hudson and she joined the CottonInfo podcast to explain just what ACDC is and how the process to building it is shaping up.2023-12-0111 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopNew guidelines for managing retention in Bollgard 3 cropsThis podcast features a (virtual) round table discussion between CottonInfo’s IPM Tech Lead Paul Grundy and three CottonInfo REOs (Kieran O’Keeffe, Amanda Thomas & Janelle Montgomery) talking with Megan Woodward about the surprising trial results that formed the basis of the new guidelines - and how to best apply them.Other resources:Watch a new CottonInfo video on the research behind the guidelines - showing just how resilient cotton can be here.Access the guidelines via p9-10 of the 2023-24 Cotton Pest Management Guide here.2023-11-0418 min
Cotton YarnsSoil HealthIn this episode of Cotton Yarns, we chat to Dr Oliver Knox, Associate Professor in Soil Systems at UNE and the CottonInfo tech lead for Soil Health. Oliver and I discuss some of the fundamentals and a few changes you can make to improve your soil health.For more information on this topic discussed in todays episode visit Cotton Seed Distributors (csd.net.au).To sign up as a member to access this information visit CSD | Membership.If you have any feedback or have someone you would like to hear from, send an email to...2023-10-2233 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopUsing the WAND system with grower Hamish ClarkThe Weather And Networked Data (WAND) network of towers is a joint project between CRDC, GRDC and GoannaAg that launched late 2022.The network allows growers to see the latest weather readings from their local tower, and predicts whether a hazardous inversion is current or likely to occur in the next 2 hours.CottonInfo's Megan Woodward caught up with Hamish Clark, an early adopter of the WAND system, on his property near Boggabilla to get his take on being involved with the network and associated app, and found out some of the benefits he's experienced so far.2023-10-2009 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCottonInfo Podcast EXTRA: Planting PrepSuccessfully planting cotton takes careful planning and good preparation.In this CottonInfo Podcast EXTRA, Cotton Seed Distributor's Chris Barry has a chat with grower John Cameron - a winner of the CSD Fast Start Award - about his approach to planting and some tips on achieving high establishment rates.This podcast recording has been developed alongside a CottonInfo YouTube video which can be viewed here: Cotton conversations: Planting - YouTube2023-09-2414 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopAphids, mites & Group 1 resistance with Dr Lisa BirdThe new season is upon us and aphids are back on the radar and mites have been difficult to get on top of - so we thought there was no better time for an explainer of the season that was and gain an overview of what growers & consultants can do when it comes to aphid management in the months ahead.Dr Lisa Bird is a Senior Research Scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and joined the CottonInfo 'Crop to Top' podcast to offer her knowledge on the topic, as well as dive into the Group 1...2023-09-2412 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCottonInfo Quick Chat: the power of grower groups with Kieran O'KeeffeAt the Australian Cotton Research Conference in early September, CottonInfo REO for Southern New South Wales, Kieran O'Keeffe gave a great presentation around the power of grower groups when it comes to the adoption of best practice.Kieran reported on some of the learnings of two pilot cotton grower groups that were formed in the 2021/22 season in Whitton and Coleambally - and Megan Woodward caught up with him between Conference sessions for a quick chat about the successful outcomes of the group since.2023-09-1705 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopTaking action on disease at a grassroots level with Amanda ThomasMegan Woodward caught up with CottonInfo Regional Extension Officer for the Macquarie Valley, and newly appointed Extension Technical Lead for Disease, Amanda Thomas, on site at the Australian Cotton Research Conference in Toowoomba at the start of September.Amanda's been heavily involved in the Cotton Disease Action Research Initiative over the past 12 months. It's a new project that's supported by CSD, CRDC and Crown Analytical through the Richard Williams Initiative, with a focus on Black Root Rot and Verticillium Wilt - and at the centre of it all, are growers.In this chat, we discuss...2023-09-1512 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopImportance of 'clean slate' crop hygiene with Dr Murray SharmanDr Murray Sharman is a Principal Plant Pathologist with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, based in Brisbane.Murray reports that while no actual losses were reported due to Cotton Bunchy Top in cotton growing valley's last season - there was a much higher rate of occurrence of CBT, especially through northern NSW and on the Darling Downs in Queensland.In this podcast, Murray offers an overview of the 22/23 season from a plant pathologist point of view, and doubles down on the message of good crop hygiene and why the time is now to...2023-08-1311 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCottonInfo Quick Chat: Gross Margin risk analyses with George RevellGeorge Revell is a Principal Economist for AgEcon who specialises in investment impact assessments to support improved investment decision making.George is a regular contributor to CottonInfo, most recently developing two new Gross Margin risk analysis fact sheets specifically for cotton growers - one regarding nitrogen prices and NFUE, and the other regarding water use efficiency.In this episode George gives a succinct overview of the key takeaways of both fact sheets and main elements for growers to lean into.The fact sheets can be access here: Economics of Irrigation management (July 2023...2023-08-0508 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopWater Advanced Sensing with Andrew McKayIn this episode we catch up with CottonInfo REO for St George, Dirranbandi & Border Rivers - Andrew McKay. Andrew has played a critical extension role to the CRDC-supported Bankless Irrigation Optimisation Project carried out by the University of Southern Queensland.As part of the research, Andrew's been involved in the water advanced sensing aspect and he's full of great tips & observations for cotton growers who might interested in applying it on their farm.Further resources:Water Management tools on CottonInfo websitehttps://cottoninfo.com.au/water-management2021/22...2023-06-2313 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopSecuring an engaged and adaptable workforce with Dr Nicole McDonaldDr Nicole McDonald is a Senior Research Officer with CQ University and she’s also the lead on a project called SHIFT, which is part of a CRDC funded action-research project officially known as ‘Delivering Best Practice for Management of Future Workforce Skills.’In this episode we talk about the SHIFT Workforce Solutions Unconference taking place online on June 6th and 7th 2023Unlike traditional conferences where a program is designed separate from the attendees’ needs and often delivered in lecture-type talks, the Unconference is centered on the participants’ interests and involves discussions and workshops - and this o...2023-05-2613 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCQ Update with Kim StevensIn this episode we catch up with CottonInfo's Regional Extension Officer in Central Queensland, Kim Stevens.Kim offers an update on an extremely busy end of April/start of May in her district, including the latest on cotton trials in Monto, the recent Xtend Flex field days in Theodore and Springsure, and how the 22/23 season in shaping up locally.2023-05-0712 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCrop hygiene & winter clean-up with Paul GrundyPaul Grundy is CottonInfo’s Techical Lead for Integrated Pest Management and works for Qld DAF.In a season that started cold and soggy, Paul reckons that to ensure a decent 23/24 season the time is now to start prepping for a ‘Winter Clean-Up’ after a particularly challenging season on the pest management front.In this episode we talk 'breaking the green bridge' and the importance of destroying aphids, mealybugs and Cotton bunchy top as a matter of priority.2023-04-2912 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCottonInfo Quick Chat: Nitrogen Management with Jon BairdJon Baird is CottonInfo’s Techical Lead for Nutrition and works for NSW DPI. He’s been on the road a lot during the first quarter of 2023, both across the cotton industry and with the grains industry.The topic everyone wants to chat to him about is nitrogen management – and that’s what we nabbed him to talk about, too. In a spare 10 minutes in his very busy schedule, Jon offered an overview of the season that was, and the big-ticket nutrition considerations for the season ahead.2023-04-1910 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopFibre Quality with Rene van der SluijsIn this episode we speak with Rene van der Sluijs - he's the Principal Consultant at Textile Technical Services and for the past decade he’s been CottonInfo’s Technical Lead for fibre quality.He's fresh off the road from presenting at the 2023 Marketing and Fibre Quality Workshops in Goondiwindi and Mungindi where there was excellent patronage - which suggests this is something growers and extended industry stakeholders are very keen to hear more on.So if you didn't get the chance to break away from the paddock for the day – tune in to this podcas...2023-03-2015 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopCottonInfo Feature Interview: Warwick WatersAfter a hiatus, the CottonInfo 'Crop to Top' podcast is back for 2023!In this feature interview, CottonInfo's Megan Woodward speaks with Program Manager Warwick Waters - and they cover a lot of ground in just 20 minutes.Consider this your refresher course in all things CottonInfo!Listen now to gain some great insights into the power of the CottonInfo program and an overview of key focus areas for 2023 and beyond.2023-03-0620 min
NSW DPIRD AgronomySpray drift - why its this summer's big problem. Tips and technology to avoid it.In this podcast with Amanda Thomas, Regional Extension Officer, CottonInfo, we chat about all things off-target spray drift:-how big is the problem-why its so bad this year-who's responsible-tips for avoidance-new technology that can help....along with the Christmas turkey & voodoo dolls!spray drift2023-02-0631 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopBats on cotton farms - how these tiny mammals can help youYou might not have seen them – but there is a fair chance that they are on your farm. In this episode of Crop to Top, Brad Pfeffer talks with Professor Stuart Parsons about bats and how they fit into the bigger picture of farm biodiversity and pest management.This research, which involved cutting edge technology such as acoustic sensors and artificial intelligence, occurred as part of a project within the National Landcare Program’s Smart Farming Partnerships initiative. Funding and support was provided by CRDC and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Smart Farmin...2022-07-2123 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopTalking defoliation with Don Biffen and Mike BangeIn this episode, Brad Pfeffer is talking defoliation with industry experts on the topic: Don Biffen and Michael Bange (CSD). If you're looking for more information on defoliation CottonInfo has plenty of useful resources for you.Blog (what do the consultants say): Defoliation: What do the consultants say? | CottonInfoVideos: Growth and development - YouTubeAnd the Australian Cotton Production Manual: 2022 Australian Cotton Production Manual | CottonInfo2022-06-1014 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopHerbicide resistance: Lessons from the United StatesPalmer Amaranth has a reputation of being a superweed. In this episode, Eric Koetz from CottonInfo talks with Stanley Culpepper from the University of Georgia about the experience in the United States in dealing with herbicide resistance in this weed, the lessons learnt, and how cotton farmers in Georgia are taking an integrated weed management approach. 2022-05-0541 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopReducing contamination at picking (Part 2)In the second part of our series on reducing contamination at picking, in this episode we talk with the CottonInfo Technical Lead for Fibre Quality, Rene van der Sluijs on the topics of natural contamination, seed coat fragments, and sticky cotton. 2022-04-0509 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopReducing contamination at picking (part 1)This is the first of a two-part podcast looking at the issue of contamination at picking. In this episode, we talk with the CottonInfo Technical Lead for fibre quality, Rene van der Sluijs, and St George grower Scott Brimblecombe. 2022-03-2515 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopJumping in boots and all to a four metre wheel spacingIn this episode, Brad Pfeffer sits down with Dalby cotton grower Dan Hayllor to talk about the work that the family has done to reduce compaction from machinery. One of the big changes that they have made in recent years is converting their cotton picker to a four metre wheel spacing. With all their machinery on 4 metres, it has allowed for a seamless transition between their irrigated country and dryland country. 2022-02-2507 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopEffective spray application: Cotton grower perspectivesIn this episode of Crop to Top, Brad Pfeffer with CottonInfo talks with two growers on the topic of spray management and reducing drift. We meet with Delungra grower Charles Boileau to talk about his practices in a dryland farming system and we talk with Chris Hardy from Colleambally about his observations on the importance of managing drift from an environmental perspective.2022-02-0707 min
CottonInfo: Crop to TopGrower perspectives: Bankless channel irrigation and automationIn this podcast we hear from St George growers Craig Saunders and Lucas Wuersching about their experience with (automated) bankless channel irrigation with tailwater backup. Craig and Lucas talk about the benefits in water savings and labour as well what they hope to learn from a trial with CottonInfo in the 21/22 growing season.This trial is assessing the efficiency of the system. This work is funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 2 (through the Australian Government Rural R&D for Profit Program), and supported by Padman Stops, CottonInfo Team, Gwydir Valley...2022-01-1910 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopThe cotton industry workforce: A chat with Dr Nicole McDonaldCottonInfo's Sharna Holman interviews University of Central Queensland researcher, Dr Nicole McDonald, about her research into the cotton industry workforce. 2021-09-2220 min
In The PaddockWednesday Tec Talk: Soil BiologySoil Biology is not a very well understood area of modern agriculture but a lot of time is spent talking about biology, particularly in organic and regenerative agricultural circles. However good soil biology is essential to farming and agriculture no matter what industry you're in so today we're taking a look at what soil biology is, why its important and what can be done to improve it. For a basic way to test your soil biology check out the link below and "Soil Your Undies!!!"https://cottoninfo.com.au/soilyourundies Hosted on Acast. S...2020-09-2205 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopIrrigation benchmarkingIn this podcast, CottonInfo's Sharna Holman interviews the NSW DPI water benchmarking team. 2020-02-0315 min
WeedSmart PodcastWagga WeedSmart Week; chaff lining + carts + cotton updateGot a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!In this choc-a-block podcast, hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman investigate chaff lining and chaff carts, get an overview of WeedSmart Week and a seasonal overview of cotton.Mick McClellend farms in the Mallee in Victoria and has been using chaff lining in his farming system for the last three years. He gives an overview of the successes he has had using it. Tom Lewis from Tecfarm manufactures chaff carts. He chats about the benefits of using one for weed control. Chaff carts can be used...2017-07-0545 minCottonInfo: Crop to TopAndrew Bate: Swarm Farm RoboticsIn this podcast, we speak with farmer and agronomist Andrew Bate who has a vision to use robotics to revolutionise the way we farm. Andrew and Jocie Bate farm “Bendee” near Emerald on the QLD Central Highlands where they grow dryland crops such as chickpea, wheat, mungbeans and sorghum. They also breed, fatten and feedlot beef cattle.2016-02-0118 min