CottonInfo Field Demonstration Trial: Autumn cover crop trial

The principal outcome of the CottonInfo program is to provide an efficient and effective pathway for the delivery of the results of research and development and innovation more broadly to industry. The CottonInfo program is designed to deliver the information needs of growers where commercial provision of information is not currently viable and includes activities that support efforts to improve practices, productivity, competitiveness and environmental performance.

This investment focuses on cover cropping options for growers in southern NSW experiencing water constraints and have fields prepared for cotton planting but have been left fallow. Fields still need to be kept clean using herbicides and cultivation during this time. Currently only a small percentage of cotton growers practice cover cropping due to a range of system constraints. The timing of sowing of the autumn cover crop potentially leads to improved soil health, wind protection from standing stubble leading to better establishment and increased cotton yields compared to bare fallow