Cotton Grain Cattle program: Supporting sustainable diversification of ORIA cropping systems

Project locations: Kununurra, WA

Project partners: Northern Australia Crop Research Alliance Pty Ltd (NACRA) ; Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) ; Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) ; The University of Queensland ; WA Govt Dept. Primary Industries and Regional Development ; Advanced Agricultural Systems Pty Ltd (SwarmFarm)

Project summary and impacts

Research in Western Australia’s Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) has demonstrated opportunities to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of irrigated cropping systems through crop diversification and improved agronomic practices.

Delivered through the CRCNA’s Cotton, Grains and Cattle Program, the project investigated the integration of chickpea and mungbean rotations into cotton production, more efficient nitrogen fertiliser management and innovative approaches to weed control.

Field trials demonstrated that legume rotations can improve soil nitrogen availability, while optimising nitrogen fertiliser application timing increased cotton lint yields by approximately 3.5 bales per hectare in one trial. The research also explored precision, non-chemical weed management technologies to support more sustainable production systems.

The findings provide growers with practical evidence to inform cropping decisions, improve resource-use efficiency and manage production risks. They also contribute to the knowledge base supporting continued agricultural investment, diversification and development in the East Kimberley.