CSD attracts great roll-up for field day | PHOTOS

A field day hosted by Cotton Seed Distributors and the Lower Namoi Cotton Growers Association attracted a ‘fantastic crowd’ of agronomists and growers from across the region.

“It was a successful day, we were very happy,” said Bob Ford, extension development agronomist at CSD.

“These days you’re never sure how many people are going to come to field days, but I think we had well over 70 people.

“It was great to see so many young people too; I think half the crowd was under the age of 30.

“It shows the cotton industry has a bright future with a lot of new faces coming through.”

The field day was meant to be held at CSD farms, but it was moved to the ‘Shenstone’ dispatch shed due to the rain. Although the weather conditions probably made it easier for some growers to leave their farms for the day and attend the event.

Natalie Aquilina, Kate Lumber, Amy Clark and Kristy Chapman. Natalie Aquilina, Kate Lumber, Amy Clark and Kristy Chapman.

CSD’s extension and marketing development lead Peter White. CSD’s extension and marketing development lead Peter White.

Dave and Jack Thomson. Dave and Jack Thomson.

Jorian Millyard, Mark Cathcart, Angus Marshall and Brett Ross. Jorian Millyard, Mark Cathcart, Angus Marshall and Brett Ross.

Tom O’Connor, Elsie Hudson and Luke Smith. Tom O’Connor, Elsie Hudson and Luke Smith.

Back, Hannah Hartnett (CSD), Lucy Egan (CSIRO), Bob Ford (CSD), Stuart McFayden (CSD) and Jono Baird (NSW DPI), front, Ella Arnold (CSD) and Chris Teague (CSD). Back, Hannah Hartnett (CSD), Lucy Egan (CSIRO), Bob Ford (CSD), Stuart McFayden (CSD) and Jono Baird (NSW DPI), front, Ella Arnold (CSD) and Chris Teague (CSD).

John Menzies, Sam Spanton and Dylan Armitage. John Menzies, Sam Spanton and Dylan Armitage.

Brendan Hatton and Nick Stewart. Attendees enjoyed a barbecue at CSD after the field day presentations. Brendan Hatton and Nick Stewart. Attendees enjoyed a barbecue at CSD after the field day presentations.

Local agronomists from businesses such as Cotton Grower Services and Growth Ag attended, as well as farmers from further afield.

“We were very happy to see so many people from different backgrounds and towns, from the Macquarie to Moree and Goondiwindi – there was a broad spectrum,” said Mr Ford.

CSD extension development agronomist Bob Ford was the MC, and he gave an update on research and development, and Faststart trials programs.

Warwick Stiller, who leads CSIRO’s cotton breeding program, gave a presentation via videolink about the future cotton breeding pipeline for Bollgard 3 – Extend Flex Varieties and the CSIRO’s Lucy Egan spoke about breeding for Verticillium wilt tolerance.

Jono Baird from the NSW Department of Primary Industry delivered a presentation about the role of nutrition during flood years.

Speakers from Cotton Seed Distributors included Hannah Hartnett who discussed the differences between low density and normal density cotton seed, Chris Teague gave a run-through of CSD’s new interactive tools and Stuart McFadyen spoke about CSD’s Ambassador Network program.

A key focus of the program is the interaction of management techniques and conditions which result in the most efficient production of consistent high yielding crops.

Through the program, CSD’s extension and development team collaborates with growers and other industry partners to develop a network of commercial scale field or trial sites across each of the major cotton growing regions, which are monitored throughout the season – the crop data analysed and benchmarked, and the findings communicated to the industry.

Mr Ford said the aim of the field day was to share research and knowledge with people working in the cotton industry.

“We have a massive trial program as well as various departments working on how to get the best out of grower’s cotton crops.

“Supplying information on how to grow cotton, what growers should be doing and what they shouldn’t be doing and providing information about growing the current varieties on the market.”

For more than 50 years, CSD has been the national supplier of cotton seed.

And the company is well-known for its work with CSIRO, producing the best seed varieties for cotton growers.

“I think many growers are aware that we’re doing things outside of seed too, we’re not just providing cotton seed to the industry, we have a massive program in place in terms of supplying digital tools to the industry,” said Mr Ford.

“There’s online tools for members which can make life easier for the average cotton grower and help make them better farmers.”

CSD’s extension and marketing development lead Peter White concluded the field day’s formal proceedings by thanking the speakers and attendees for their contributions.

Mr White also introduced new staff members and encouraged people to stay for a barbecue and catch up after the event.

“Overall, the day was a success, and we hope it’s bigger and better next year,” added Mr Ford.