Dear
February is always a turning point for cotton in the Gwydir Valley, and it is also the month when the differences between crops really start to show. In the Ambassador Network, we consistently see many fields begin to cut out on the main stem in late January, a pattern that can look like the crop is winding down. But the highest yielding fields each season are the ones that keep setting bolls on the vegetative nodes well into this period. Those crops do not just hold their fruiting momentum; they extend it, and that extra layer of fruiting sites is what separates the good from the exceptional.
By now, most crops have pushed through the early challenges of verticillium infection and the heat waves of January, and we are firmly in the boll filling phase. Fruit shed through February is part of the crop’s natural rhythm - every year we see plants drop some squares and small bolls as they balance their energy. The key is not to panic about shed, but to manage the crop so it sticks as much fruit as possible.
The last boll we will set for picking on the main stem is usually flowering around Australia Day, which makes late January and early February a crucial window. Irrigation scheduling is central here. Timely water helps the crop avoid cutting out too early and extends flowering, particularly on the vegetative branches, giving us a chance to make up for fruit lost earlier to heat stress or disease.
Canopy management also plays its part. A balanced canopy supports ongoing flowering without exhausting the plant. Too much vegetative growth can shorten the flowering period, while too little risks premature cut out. Keeping an eye on growth rates and adjusting with plant growth regulators when needed helps keep things steady.
Nutrition underpins resilience. Matching nitrogen to crop demand, and ensuring potassium and micronutrients are available, strengthens boll retention and fibre development. In fields where verticillium has thinned stands, good nutrition helps the healthier plants carry more of the load.
One other factor worth noting this season is the impact of early insecticide sprays. While they are often necessary to protect young crops, they can skew the balance in favour of late season pests like whitefly, mites, and aphids. By late January, we often feel confident we will make it through without major pressure from these pests. But a hot, dry February can flip the dynamics quickly, creating conditions where they surge. Staying alert and monitoring closely will be important, especially if the weather turns against us.
So, February fruit shed is normal, but we can influence how much fruit sticks. By staying on top of irrigation, canopy balance, nutrition, and pest dynamics, we give the crop every chance to keep flowering and set the yield we are chasing.
Despite the tough start, there is still plenty of opportunity for this crop to finish strong. Regular field walks and timely decisions will make all the difference as we navigate the late season pests.
Regards
Stuart
