Project overview

In southern cotton regions, water availability is one of the strongest drivers of profitability and risk. Skip-row configurations are widely used in dryland systems, but many growers are now exploring whether these systems also have a role in limited-water irrigation scenarios. The Skip Row in Southern Systems project was designed to help answer this question using real farm data and on-farm sensor networks. 

Working with growers near Griffith and agronomists in the region, the project will compare solid and skip-row configurations under restricted irrigation, tracking how each system affects canopy development, boll retention, water use efficiency, and fibre quality. Measurements will include water meters, canopy temperature sensors, soil moisture probes, and yield mapping. 

The findings will support growers in making informed decisions about row spacing and water allocation, helping to maximise returns per megalitre and reduce the likelihood of negative margins in low-water seasons. 

Outcomes and achievements

• Designed a two-season comparative study of solid vs skip-row systems under limited irrigation
• Integrated field-scale monitoring tools: soil moisture probes, canopy sensors, water meters, and boll monitoring
• Established trial sites and extension plans with IREC and participating growers
• Developed an evaluation framework covering yield, fibre quality, water use, and economic performance
• Set up extension pathways through field days, case studies, and regional agronomy networks. 

Project status

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