Home > Cotton Industry’s BIG DAY OUT is back!

Following in the footsteps of last year’s successful event at “Keytah” with Sundown Pastoral Company’s Andrew Parkes, CRDC and Cotton CRC are again joining forces to present a Big Day Out, with the 2009 winners of the Innovative Cotton Grower of the year, Jamie and Susie Grant at “Kielli”, Jimbour Qld.

The day will provide those who attend with an up-close look at how the Grant’s dryland farming business which has evolved over time to drought-proof itself and increase the reliability of annual operating profit.

The day will explore the pros and cons of having a highly routine crop rotation in which cotton the only income-bearing crop. The Grant’s have focused on marrying the principles of no-till farming with those of high yielding cotton production to minimise costs of production associated with crop nutrition and weed control.

“The outcome is a unique system that exemplifies the achievements that are possible through innovation and ingenuity,” said CRDC Farming Systems Manager Tracey Leven.

 “Whether you are from a dry land or an irrigated farming background, this year’s Big Day Out is sure to challenge your thinking.”

The BIG DAY OUT is a combined initiative of the CRDC and the Cotton CRC that not only aims to update current cotton growers, but hopes to appeal to those farmers who have not grown cotton recently, but might be looking to get back into the industry. The program offers value to a range of enterprise types that make up the cotton industry. Whether you have small acreages or large, you will find something to stimulate your thinking at the BIG DAY OUT.

The BIG DAY OUT presents the opportunity for anyone involved in the industry to see the inner workings of an innovative farming enterprise first hand. They day will showcase the links between research and farm practice and include topics such as:

• Growing millet cover crops to improve fallow efficiency;
• Glyphosate resistance risks with long fallow and Roundup Ready Flex cotton;
• Low risk farming – a banking perspective;
• Relying on soil mineralised N;
• Measuring soil water and making cotton planting decisions;
• Great Picker debate – the pros and cons of current module building systems and the new round bale picking technology.

The BIG DAY OUT will be held at “Kielli”, Jimbour on Wednesday, March 10 from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm Contact your local Cotton Extension Officer for details of group travel arrangements

For more information or to RSVP, phone Yvette Cunningham at the Cotton CRC; 02 6799 2471.

For an Interview please contact Tracey Leven on 02 6792 4088