Cotton is an annual, summer crop. It prefers hot summers with low humidity and a maximum amount of sunshine.
In general, cotton grows quicker as the average temperature rises and the longer and hotter the season, the greater the yield.
The growing season from planting to picking lasts approximately six months, as outlined below.
The growing season from planting to picking lasts approximately six months, as outlined below.
Soil prepared for planting, weeds removed, nutrients added if necessary
Soil moisture levels checked, pre-watering if necessary
Soil moisture levels checked, pre-watering if necessary
Soil temperature checked
Cottonseed planted when soil is warm enough for satisfactory seed germination and crop establishment (i.e. soil temperature reaches 14°C at a depth of 10cm for at least three days)
Cotton seeds sprout 4-5 weeks after planting
Cottonseed planted when soil is warm enough for satisfactory seed germination and crop establishment (i.e. soil temperature reaches 14°C at a depth of 10cm for at least three days)
Cotton seeds sprout 4-5 weeks after planting
Flower buds develop a few weeks after the plant starts to grow, then flowers appear a few weeks later. The flowers then fall off leaving a ripening seed pod that becomes the cotton boll (the fruit)
Ongoing checks for pests, soil moisture level tests and weed removal
On irrigated cotton farms the initial irrigation (watering) is usually followed by a further four to five irrigations, at two to three week intervals, from mid-December to late-February. This differs depending on the region and on natural rainfall levels.
Approximately fourth months of growing is needed for the cotton bolls to ripen and split open
Cotton growers use a range of natural and soft chemical options to control the pests that attack cotton (called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM)
Ongoing checks for pests, soil moisture level tests and weed removal
On irrigated cotton farms the initial irrigation (watering) is usually followed by a further four to five irrigations, at two to three week intervals, from mid-December to late-February. This differs depending on the region and on natural rainfall levels.
Approximately fourth months of growing is needed for the cotton bolls to ripen and split open
Cotton growers use a range of natural and soft chemical options to control the pests that attack cotton (called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM)
Crop checked by agronomists to make sure it is ready to pick
Large mechanical cotton pickers are used to pick the crop
Growers usually choose to pick the cotton crop once most bolls have opened and fully matured. It is extremely important that cotton is picked dry or discoloration may occur and reduce quality
Cotton is packed onto trucks and sent to the ‘gin’ where it is ginned – a process separating lint (raw cotton fibre), cottonseed and trash
The cotton lint is tightly pressed into bales, each weighing 227kg – these are then sent to ports for shipping to overseas markets
Large mechanical cotton pickers are used to pick the crop
Growers usually choose to pick the cotton crop once most bolls have opened and fully matured. It is extremely important that cotton is picked dry or discoloration may occur and reduce quality
Cotton is packed onto trucks and sent to the ‘gin’ where it is ginned – a process separating lint (raw cotton fibre), cottonseed and trash
The cotton lint is tightly pressed into bales, each weighing 227kg – these are then sent to ports for shipping to overseas markets
Classing and marketing activities undertaken
Growers plant winter crops and/or graze sheep and cattle
Growers make improvements on-farm for next season
Farm maintenance
Growers plant winter crops and/or graze sheep and cattle
Growers make improvements on-farm for next season
Farm maintenance
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