Dear Grower,,

It’s November, and that means planting is just around the corner. But before you fire up the planter, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked: bed prep.

Sure, it’s not the most thrilling part of cotton farming—no one’s posting glamour shots of seedbeds on Instagram—but getting your beds right now can save you a world of pain later. Think of it like prepping a campsite: if the ground’s lumpy, soggy, or full of weeds, you’re not going to sleep well—and neither will your cotton.

A well-prepared bed is like a good mattress—firm, level, and weed-free. Let’s dig into why it matters and how to get it sorted, before the planting rush begins.

Prep like a pro, and you’ll be rolling in bolls - not regrets. 

Get your crop off to a good start

In order to get the crop off to the best possible start, it is critical that the seedbed is in optimal shape and condition.

To achieve a successful, uniform establishment:

• The field needs to be uniform.
• The stubble needs to be broken down or incorporated and removed from the planting line.
• The seedbed needs to be free of weeds.
• The soil tilth needs to be fine to enable good seed to soil contact. Beds normally require water (rain) to consolidate once pulled up.
• In lighter soil types, growers should consider using machinery to spread, level and break up stubble well before the planting process.
• The seedbed needs to be firm but not compact.

Why bother with bed prep?

Here’s what good bed preparation gives you.

• Better germination – A firm, level seedbed helps place seeds at the right depth, so they don’t sink too deep and struggle to emerge.
• Stronger roots – Loose, well-structured soil lets roots grow straight down, not curl into a J-shape like they do in compacted soil.
• Moisture control – Whether you’re irrigating or relying on rainfall, good beds help hold the right amount of moisture without waterlogging.
• Weed and pest control – A clean seedbed plus a solid pre-plant herbicide program means less competition for your young cotton.
• Nutrient access – Now’s the time to get phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) into the soil where the plants can actually use them. The immobile nutrients should be mixed thoroughly throughout the planting hill to ensure high root interaction during the growing season. It’s crucial for P and K to be dispersed throughout soil for greater plant availably and uptake.

Importance of Potassium (K) in tropical environments

• Increases resistance:Adequate potassium levels can help plants resist and fight off diseases.
• Strengthens plant structure:It helps to thicken cell walls, making it harder for pathogens like fungal spores to penetrate and cause disease.
• Boosts defence mechanisms:Potassium increases polyphenolic concentrations, which are critical for a plant's natural defence system. 

Zero-till rotation systems

If you’re working with a zero-till rotation system, it’s worth checking that your setup is still doing the job. Heavy crop stubble can interfere with herbicide performance by physically blocking the spray from reaching the soil and by binding to and "tying up" the herbicide, making it unavailable for weed control.

This is particularly a problem for pre-emergent herbicides and can lead to a significant reduction in effectiveness, resulting in weed escapes. Managing stubble and choosing the right herbicide and application method are crucial for mitigating this issue.

Planter Setup and Maintenance

Before the planting rush in the coming weeks, take a couple of hours to check over the planter. It is critical to have them correctly setup and maintained. A quick service and setup now can save you a heap of trouble later and “don’t forget the seed lubricant (graphite powder) to improve planting seed flow and uniformity”.

For more tips on setting up your crop for success, download the FastStart Cotton Establishment Guide 2025.

Now is also a good time to familiarize yourself with the 2025-26 Resistance Management Plan (RMP).

Final Thoughts

“Let’s be honest, bed prep isn’t exactly the rockstar of cotton farming. But skip it, and you’ll be singing the blues come emergence time. A firm, level, weed-free bed might not win you any Instagram likes, but it will win you a better crop.

So before you race into planting, give your paddocks a bit of TLC. Check your planter, sort your stubble, and show those weeds who’s boss. Because nothing says “I care”, like a beautifully prepped hill and a planter that doesn’t throw a tantrum mid-row”. 

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