Advertise on podcast: CottonInfo: Crop to Top

Carbon is one of the biggest topics in agriculture right now, but what does it actually mean for cotton growers? In this live recording from the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference, we break it down with practical insights and real grower experiences - no hype, just the conversation that matters. This panel discussion brings together growers, researchers and industry experts as they explore the link between soil health, productivity, water use efficiency and profitability. Panel particpants: Dr Susan Orgill, Hugh McCormack, Nigel Corish, Grace Griffiths, Ben Wark, Guna Nachimuthu and Sledge Taylor. Hosted by CottonInfo’s Megan Woodward & moderated by grower and Cotton Australia Board member, Daniel Kahl. You can watch the panel discussion and the two session presentations from Dr Susan Orgill and Hugh McCormack that preceded the panel here.

There's a lot more to cotton classification than meets the eye! In this episode, we unpack how fibre quality is measured and why those results matter for processing, spinning performance and your bottom line - and how a brand new Australian-first CottonInfo guide is breaking it all down. A Comprehensive Guide to the Classification of Upland Cotton by CottonInfo Technical Lead for Fibre Quality René van der Sluijs is available on the CottonInfo website now.

Modern fish screens are proving to be a win-win for both the environment and farm operations, helping protect native fish populations while improving irrigation efficiency. In this episode, Rod Price (NSW DPI) and Stacey Vogel (CottonInfo/CRDC) discuss how modern fish screens are helping reduce native fish losses, improve river health and deliver on-farm benefits such as reduced debris, lower maintenance and improved pumping efficiency. Tune in to hear the latest research, grower experiences and what fish screens could mean for your operation. Resources Natural resource management | CottonInfo Fish Screens Australia website: Better Farming, Better Fishing.

Introducing the new CottonInfo Nutrition and Plant Physiology Technical Lead - Tim Weaver. From school teacher to cotton researcher, Tim Weaver joins CottonInfo with plenty of insight into what really matters in crop nutrition. Tim shares his passion for working in cotton, how the industry has evolved, and what’s next in the nutrition space, including some exciting developments in real-time crop monitoring that could help growers make faster, smarter decisions. It’s a great listen to get to know Tim, hear what drives him, and what he’s most keen to tackle for industry.

Introducing the new CottonInfo Weeds Technical Lead - Graham Charles. From humble beginnings on a mixed farm and an unexpected entry into cotton, Graham shares how a passion for pastures evolved into a leading role in weed management for the cotton industry that has culminated in his new position as CottonInfo’s Weeds Technical Lead. We cover some key milestones along the way, including the development of the WAMITT (Weed Action Management Threshold Tool) and its potential to help growers make more informed decisions in-season. Graham also reflects on the growing challenge of herbicide resistance and reinforces the importance of the industry’s “no survivors” approach to prevent weed seed set.

In this episode, CRDC’s Susan Maas joins the podcast to update us on the progress of CRDC's 'Clever Cotton' Strategic Plan at the halfway mark. From big investments in a new industry data platform and the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration, to hands-on work in Northern Australia and across CottonInfo, it’s all about turning research into real on-farm impact. We discuss how the industry is building skills and capability through the CRDC Cotton Course, and tackling big-picture challenges like water efficiency, soil health, carbon and circular economy. With plenty underway and plenty still to deliver, there's a clear focus on productivity, profitability and sustainability at farm level. Hit play to hear where things are up to, and what it means for the Australian cotton industry.

Thinking about getting more value from the data you’re already collecting on‑farm – or not sure where to start? Then the CRDC Cotton Course microcredential Digital and Data Solutions for Cotton Systems is for you. In this episode, we're joined by Ian Simpson and Stephen Cattle from the University of Sydney to unpack what growers and consultants can expect to learn in the upcoming microcredential being offered in Narrabri in July 2026. It’s practical, hands‑on learning – from soil maps to variable rate tech – and enrolments are open now. For more information and to enrol visit CRDC Cotton Course 2: Digital and Data Solutions for Cotton Systems - Sydney Short Courses *Early bird discount open until 31 May 2026. The CRDC Cotton Course is delivered by CRDC in partnership with the University of Sydney, CottonInfo & CSD.

In this episode, we unpack the rapid and unexpected spread of the Indian cotton jassid across the US Cotton Belt, just 18 months after first being detected. Dr Scott Graham - who featured in a recent episode on his visit to Australian cotton farms on the Darling Downs - shares firsthand insights into how the pest likely arrived, how quickly it moved through the southeastern United States, and the challenges growers faced as familiar symptoms were initially mistaken for nutrient stress or spider mites. We discuss real-world yield impacts, why early detection and timely action are critical, and how management approaches are evolving. Drawing on hard-earned experience, the conversation closes with practical lessons and biosecurity advice for Australian cotton growers should this high‑risk pest ever arrive in our own backyard.

Megan Woodward chats with CottonInfo Technical Lead and climate specialist Jon Welsh about why eastern cotton regions are starting dry, how El Niño events really behave behind the headlines, and what growers can do now to manage risk using history, not hysteria. Resources and information Subscribe or update your details to ensure you receive the CottonInfo Moisture Manager here. Article by Dr Kim Reid mentioned: Why the phrase ‘Super El Niño’ makes Australian climate scientists roll their eyes.

In early March, Extension Agronomist Eddie McGriff from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Dr Scott Graham, Extension Entomologist at Alabama's Auburn University, travelled to Australia to tour key cropping systems - with Australian cotton high on their list. Joined by members of the CottonInfo team on Queensland's Darling Downs, the visit to local farms became a genuine two‑way exchange of ideas, from pest management to extension models and grower decision‑making. Now back in the US, Eddie and Scott reflect on what they saw, what surprised them, and the insights both countries can take from each other.

In this episode, Megan is joined by CottonInfo Technical Lead Sharna Holman, and state disease pathologists Dr Dinesh Kafle (QLD) and Dr Chi Nguyen (NSW) - who are both part of the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration - to unpack what the 2025–26 cotton disease season has really been telling us across NSW and Queensland. We chat about the big jump in disease samples coming in, what growers are seeing more (and less) of in the paddock, and a few emerging issues that are now on the radar. The conversation also dives into why sending in samples still matters — even when you think you know the answer — plus some practical tips on how to collect and post samples so they’re actually useful. A great listen for anyone wanting to stay ahead of cotton disease trends and make the most of the diagnostic support available. For more information Disease management | CottonInfo Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration | UniSQ

It's official - CottonInfo has a Regional Extension Officer in northern Australia! In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Bell, CottonInfo’s first-ever REO for the region, based in Kununurra. Nicole shares her winding path into the cotton industry — from growing up in Narrabri and studying zoology, to working in research, pest management and on-farm trials across the country. We chat about what drew Nicole to the new role, the excitement of bringing research closer to growers, and why northern Australia offers such a unique and resilient cotton-growing environment. It’s a great chat about people, passion and the future of cotton in the north.

In this episode, we sit down with fatigue experts Professor Sally Ferguson (CQ University) and Kerri-Lynn Peachey (University of Sydney) to unpack the CRDC-supported research project Farming and Fatigue: Growing Sensible Solutions. Sally and Kerri-Lynn explore why fatigue is a major risk during peak farming periods (like picking!) and how practical, farmer‑designed tools can help make fatigue manageable - not inevitable. This conversation focuses on real-world strategies that support safety, productivity, and better decision-making on farm. You can find out more about the research project here: Farming and Fatigue

As part of the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC), Dr Cassy Percy from UniSQ is leading a project that's working to create the Australian Cotton Pathogen Collection. The project aims to fill gaps in knowledge around key cotton pathogens that will help Australian cotton growers make better disease management decisions. In this chat, Cassy gives an overview of exactly what that means and how the collection will help to predict disease potential in the future, as well as inform breeding programs and support resistance management.

The brand new CRDC Cotton Course offers flexible, targeted learning for people across the Australian cotton industry. Delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with CottonInfo and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD), the course consists of three microcredentials designed to build knowledge and skills without traditional university requirements. Ahead of the first microcredential starting in March 2026, we speak with Ian Simpson and Stephen Cattle from The University of Sydney to find out some more about the opportunities on offer. For more information: CRDC Cotton Course | CRDC