Potential for Broadacre cropping in the Northern Territory

This project aims to support the development of viable broadacre cotton systems in the Northern Territory, through the collation of historical broadacre cropping data, natural resource information and an understanding of market opportunities. The initial focus of the project is on rain-fed and irrigated systems growing cotton and peanut crops, while maize, sorghum, rice and pulse crops are being investigated as possible 'break crop' options for cotton and peanut producers.

The project includes validating and calibrating modelling tools to understand short- and long-term risk profiles. Field trials and commercial on-farm demonstrations provide data for refining and validation of simulation models with locally relevant data, and build local grower and agronomist cropping experience and capacity. This collaborative project builds on the project, Science leadership for cotton development in Northern Australia (CSP1903).