Sowing and establishment is a critical time in cotton production, so simple rules based on soil temperatures and air temperature forecasts have been developed to help guide growers with the decision making.

However, in some areas the soil temperature sensor network used to inform cotton sowing is sparse, meaning that some growers do not have soil temperature data local to their region.

To help these growers, an online soil temperature mapping tool has been developed by the University of Southern Queensland, through the Broadacre Agricultural Partnership with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and in collaboration with Cotton Seed Distributors.

The tool is designed to be used alongside CSD’s traffic light guide, and compliments and extends existing initiatives such as the FastStart Soil Temperature Network. The grower enters their soil water status and their nearest town to produce a map of soil temperature conditions, showing whether it is too cold (blue colour) or warm enough (orange colour) to plant. 

An air temperature forecast for the town entered is also provided. Using the information from the soil temperature map and the air temperature forecast, growers can then consult CSD’s planting guidelines to assess whether planting conditions are suitable. 

To access this tool, visit: www.soiltemp.com.au Thanks to Jarrod Kath, Research Fellow (Agro-Environmental and Climate Finance), University of Southern Queensland for assistance with this blog.