Big crowd flocks to Cotton Seed Distributors’ field day

More than 100 people flocked to the Cotton Seed Distributors’ field day held at its farm on Culgoora Road last week.

The ‘Growing better Namoi Valley field day’ had an earlier start time this year, with the breakfast event and presentations organised by CSD extension team members Emma Chorley of CottonInfo and CSD’s Natalie Aquilina, who said: “We have had some excellent feedback on the format, speakers, and topics covered on the day.

“We are very happy with the event.

“We would describe it as an opportunity to showcase the new varieties containing XtendFlex as well as connecting some industry experts with local growers and providing them with a platform to engage with growers.”

Every year the event attracts a crowd from both near and far.

“The attendees were largely from the Lower Namoi Valley, but some had travelled from the Upper Namoi, Toowoomba, Bourke, Griffith, and Darlington Point,” said organiser Emma Chorley.

“A good mix of growers, agronomists, and industry.

“It was fantastic to see so many people attend.

“We were really happy with the turn out, good discussion throughout the day, and pleased with the interest in the cotton varieties – most people walked into the field to look.

“And we had some really good interaction with the speakers too.

“There was great discussion on integrating varieties into the farming system.

“Having speakers there in person is a way of ensuring they can deliver their messages directly to growers in a format that helps growers to understand and to connect researchers and growers.

Mark Cathcart, Steve Windress and Pete Swansbra.

“Some speakers had never been to this event before, so it was great to have them involved.”

Speakers at the field day included: commercial research manager Dr Michael Bange, who discussed CSDs commercial research initiatives (Richard Williams Initiative) and the money invested into these initiatives so far.

CSD chief executive officer Dr Ian Taylor opened up a discussion on all areas of CSD, from production through to business.

Emma Chorley of CottonInfo provided an update on the Disease Action Research Initiative.

Blake Palmer from the NSW Department of Primary Industries discussed soil micronutrients in cotton.

Dr Jamie Hopkinson, from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries spoke about Silverleaf Whitefly resistance and management options.

Dr Hopkinson is also the 2023 CSD Cotton Researcher of the Year Award recipient.

CSIRO’s research group leader Dr Warwick Stiller discussed the XtendFlex® varieties as there is a move towards the varieties containing XtendFlex® becoming commercially available.

CSD extension and development agronomists Natalie Aquilina and Nick Stewart gave a presentation on variety trial results.

Irrigation tech lead for CottonInfo Lou Gall gave a presentation, she is also currently in the role of interim executive officer of the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association.

Jack Sharp, territory business manager for Bayer in the Namoi and Walgett areas, provided an update on XtendFlex® technology.