DIRRANBANDI appears on track for above average yielding cotton crops, despite significantly a reduced area being planted.
Douglas Crothers and his daughter Lauren were checking out their Bollgard3 747 crop on Booligar, which is located on the Narran River between Dirranbandi and Hebel.
Despite a run of 40 dec C plus days and some hot nights the crop had produced up to 24 nodes on each plant and was about a week off cut-off when Queensland Country Life called in last week.
The hot weather has pushed Booligar to a seven day irrigation cycle, compared to a more usual nine day pattern to ensure the growing crop is supplied with sufficient moisture.
Mr Crothers said this season was notable for the reduced insect pressure.
“There certainly has been some excessive heat but the crop is looking good,” Mr Crothers said. “Fingers crossed we should have a pretty handy crop.”
Commonwealth Bank economist Tobin Gorey said the ongoing dry weather was becoming particularly worrisome for unirrigated crops.
“Hot temperatures and scant rainfall will soon start to impact irrigated crops if a decent rain event does not occur in the near‑term,” Mr Gorey said. “Weather models offer little hope that will occur for the next couple of weeks.”