Howdy,

November is upon us already! From some hot days earlier in October to some humid stormy weather towards the end. Hopefully everyone has had a successful harvest. In the coming weeks, a large portion of the crop is going to begin flowering. It’s good to see crops responding after being side-dressed and receiving their first irrigation.  

Summer storms

Recent and forecast rainfall may provide some respite, especially for walk-away crops, and may potentially lead to catchment inflow. The Bureau of Meteorology has the region down for above median rainfall and a better than usual chance of unusually wet November.

The below graph displays the average rainfall in November for Emerald (58.5 mm) and Clermont (75.4mm), by week of the month.

Source: BOM

Given what the forecast is suggesting, we may see some dryland planting opportunities. If you plan on planting dryland cotton this season, I recommend that you consider planting Sicot 619B3XF. Some of its traits include:

• Strong early vigour thanks to being a normal density seed variety.
• Determinate nature which can be suited to later planting scenarios.
• Reliable dryland performance across the industry.
• Added flexibility of weed control.

Mirids

With warm temperatures and native vegetation haying off, high numbers of mirids have been observed migrating into cotton crops throughout the region. To ensure we conserve our harder chemistry options for later in the season, here are some tips to help the decision making process:

• Sample thoroughly at least twice weekly to make informed control decisions
• Use a threshold of 3 mirids/m² up until flowering to prevent economic yield loss.
• Select insecticides based on IPM compatibility, giving preference to narrow spectrum products.
• For more information consult the Cotton Pest Management Guide.

Tools for your toolbox

• STEFF - Simulated Time to Estimated First Flower. Predicting when first flower occurs will assist in your decision making.
• CottonTracka®– Our #1 tool for assessing your crop to ensure it’s on track.

Growth habits

The Forecast for November indicates warmer temperatures this season. Hot and dry conditions need to be considered when managing the crop.

Key Considerations for Hot & Dry Seasons:

• Apply PGRs cautiously; stress + PGR can reduce yield more than stress alone.
• Avoid PGR use when crops are under heat or water stress.

Plant Response in Dry Conditions:

• Plants prioritise root growth over canopy expansion.
• Dry pre-flowering periods encourage deeper root systems.

Monitor Closely:

• Track Vegetative Growth Rate (VGR).
• Check boll numbers and retention.
• Confirm soil moisture before PGR application.

Be Conservative:

• Adjust irrigation intervals (extend by 1–3 days) before using PGR.

Cheers,

Nick

Follow us