Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) is pleased to announce Nigel Burnett in Central Queensland as the inaugural winner of the Eveleigh, Marshall and Kay Award for the highest potential yield estimated at first flower for the 2021- 22 season. 

This is awarded to the crop in the CSD Ambassador Network which obtained the highest estimated yield at first flower, utilising CSD’s BARRY® model. 

BARRY ® was developed in partnership with CSD and CSIRO, which enables accurate yield estimations to be made throughout the crop’s growth. 

This platform demonstrates that yield estimation is not just about one plant measurement, but the combination and interaction of multiple.  BARRY analyses this data and using the first flower prediction, forecasts yield before the crop has set. 

Stewart Brotherton, CSD’s Agronomist in Central Queensland said “Having the highest yield potential at first flower, whilst not a guarantee that the specific yield will be achieved without careful management. It does demonstrate that this crop has the framework and structure that will allow the grower to push the crop for maximum yield at picking”.

Several variables contributed to the high BARRY yield estimate for the Sicot 746B3F winning crop: the planting date, day degrees to flowering, nodes to first fruiting branch, nodes above white flower, first position fruit retention percentage, squaring nodes and plant height. 

This award has been named in honour of three initial members of CSD’s extension team, Rob Eveleigh, John Marshall, and Adam Kay, who joined CSD in 1996 when biotechnology was introduced to the Australian cotton industry. 

At this time, CSD recognised that it was necessary to focus on variety performance and crop management through building a team of knowledgeable and respectable agronomists, to better serve the industry. Their roles provided variety, production, extension and research support to the growers and consultants in the Australian cotton industry.

Mr Brotherton said, “These original members paved the way for CSD and are responsible for the culture, systems and methodologies still in use by the team today”. 

The Eveleigh, Marshall and Kay Shield is one of eight crop awards by CSD, ultimately leading to the best overall crop which will be awarded at the end of the season.

A case study highlighting all factors that contributed to and influenced the results of this award is now available for members to view here.