It’s no secret that dryland farming has been particularly challenging in recent times. 
As soil moisture profiles begin the slow recovery from drought, Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) has partnered with Syngenta to help dryland cotton growers manage their financial risk by offering a dollar for dollar seed credit towards the following season’s seed, if the crop is unable to be harvested.
For Mike Stewart, from Wondai in Queensland’s South Burnett region, this support was one of the main drivers for growing dryland cotton in recent years.
“Cotton offers greater flexibility as a summer crop choice, and CSD’s Industry Support Program shares some of the risk in planting dryland cotton, providing a seed credit against the next year’s seed purchase.”
Mike has been farming for 18 years at ‘Mikandra’, growing both irrigated and dryland cotton.
“In October 2018, we hedged our bets and planted 19.2 hectares of dryland cotton in a skip row configuration, making sure we registered for the Industry Support Program through our local seed supplier, BGA AgriServices.”
However, tough conditions after planting resulted in a poor strike rate and the crop was sprayed out in November that year.
“Hot and dry winds at emergence dried the seed bed out quickly and the moisture disappeared. The season was shaping up to be particularly tough, so we made the decision not to proceed with growing the crop, and put in a claim to CSD instead,” said Mike.
“The whole registration and claim process was very straightforward. Our local CSD representative, Chris Barry, conducted an inspection of the failed crop and both he and our agronomist Wayne Seiler (BGA AgriServices) kept us updated and informed throughout the process.”
In 2019, conditions were still tough so the seed was stored on-farm for the following year. Mike hopes to plant some area to dryland for the 2020 season, but if there is insufficient rainfall, he’ll allocate the seed to irrigation country.
Chris Barry, CSD Extension & Development Agronomist for the Darling Downs, Burnett & Fraser Coast regions, said that with prices remaining steady, dryland cotton is an attractive option for growers this season.
“The most recent rainfall outlook shows much of central and eastern Australia is predicted to receive above rainfall for the months of October through to December. “This, along with a wetter than average winter, for some areas of NSW in particular, is leading up to what could be ideal planting conditions for dryland cotton,” said Chris.
“CSD has conducted decades of research into developing varieties that are best suited to Australia’s climate and production type, including dryland farming. Each season, we conduct a broad geographical trial program to rigorously test new varieties to ensure they meet the yield and agronomic needs of growers.
“Our online Variety Performance Comparison Tool provides growers with the ability to compare varieties ideally suited to their local area, based off the latest research.”
CSD’s Industry Support Program is available in selected varieties in designated areas, for regular priced orders. Participation in the program is free, but requires registration prior to 8 December, 2020 (with the exception of Northern Australian crops). Claims must be assessed by a CSD representative and lodged by 29 March, 2021. 
Only seed purchased with Syngenta branded insecticide treatments are available for the program. Further terms and conditions apply, visit www.csd.net.au/isp for further details.