Brendan Ostwald runs a mixed farming operation on the Bogan River at Branglebar, The Marra, western NSW—a very different site to where cotton is more commonly grown.

Cotton, cattle and dryland cropping all form part of the system. Cotton seed is fed to the cattle, with manure then spread back across the cultivated country.

“We’re seeing soil organic carbon levels lift, which helps with things like water retention,” Brendan said. “We see it more as improving soil condition rather than using it as a fertiliser.”

Irrigation is another area where Brendan is trialling a different approach. A kilometre-wide lateral irrigator currently services around 180 hectares of summer crops. The system has been designed alongside a bankless layout, with the aim of using both together.

At this stage, cotton hasn’t yet been planted into the bankless fields. The plan is to do that next season, using the lateral irrigator over the top to help manage water more efficiently. The lateral would be used to maintain moisture and top up the profile, with the bankless system available when a full flush is needed.

“If it works the way we expect, there should be some real gains in water efficiency,” Brendan said.