Cotton Grains Cattle program: Addressing the fundamentals of cropping-systems in the Northern Territory

Improving productivity and profitability of the Northern Territory cropping system is crucial for sustainable growth of the Territory’s agriculture sector and topical research and development efforts and major infrastructure developments are supportive of establishing a self-sustained cotton industry in the Top End. However, knowledge gaps in crop establishment, agronomy, biosecurity, technical skills, and an in-depth understanding of the social aspects associated with barriers to growth of broadacre cropping in the Northern Territory need to be adequately addressed, if the sector is to fully realise its potential. This project will combine cropping trials with efforts to  characterise and map  soil types and water holding capacity in the participating trial sites as well as new potential cotton growing areas in the Northern Territory. Scenario planning will also be undertaken to better understand the economic and environmental impact of the project recommendations.  

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