With planting well underway, the 2019-20 cotton season has officially kicked off in most growing valleys across Australia. As with most of the Eastern seaboard, cotton growers are facing limited water resources this season, meaning that most growers have had to cut their planting areas significantly. 

Even through tough seasons like the one we are facing, CSD continues to conduct research and variety trials, to provide growers with varietal information and key grower and industry challenges.

Currently, there is a large focus on disease and establishment research at CSD and in recent seasons we have conducted box trials, focusing on varietal performance in the presence of disease. Extending on this, Verticillium wilt management trials have been developed to investigate different management practices and their influence on disease pressure.

To carry out such a range of trials, CSD relies on the cooperation and assistance from growers who offer up sections of their fields for trial work. CSD has been very fortunate to have growers continue to partner with us this season, particularly with limited water resources meaning that many research organisations are also seeking trial co-operators. 

Our Ambassador Network growers also play a significant role in the collection of data, giving the Extension and Development agronomists the opportunity to monitor their crop development, much like those in the trial program.

Why are they so important? Well, without the commitment of trial co-operators, CSD’s trial program simply would not be possible. Trial co-operators are vital to CSD’s trial program, not just in providing CSD with an area to conduct our trials, but in investing their valuable time to assist in planting, picking and other crop operations. Many also lend their support in hosting a range of different trials, field walks and crop demonstrations on their farms. 

Data collected from trial co-operators and Ambassador Network growers contributes to updating CSD’s variety information each year; as well as the prioritization of future trials and research, and the development of tools to help growers with decision making and understanding their crop (for example, CSD’s new B.A.R.R.Y app and first flower date predictor, which are currently in development).

CSD recognises and thanks these growers, in giving up their time and resources in this tough season. Their support of the CSD trial program is extremely valuable and does not go unnoticed.