Held in Narromine, the CottonInfo Red Soils Focus Group brought together 57 growers and industry members to discuss how to get the most out of your soil every season. The event addressed challenges in cultivating crops in red soils prone to crusting and water infiltration issues.

Topics included cover crops, stubble retention, and irrigation techniques. The focus is on forming smaller groups, holding periodic meetings throughout the season, and providing expert insights to overcome identified barriers.

The event featured soil pits, cover crops, and irrigation layouts on display for practical learning as well as the opportunity to hear from:

• Dr. Pat Hulme (Sustainable Soils Management): Discussed the key elements in soils that significantly impact soil management.
• Jon Baird (CottonInfo / DPI): Focused on irrigation management strategies to improve nitrogen use efficiency.
• Dr. Oliver Knox (CSD): Explored the relationship between soil structure, irrigation, and the integration of cover crops.
• Blake Palmer (DPI): Examined the impacts of soil compaction on agricultural practices.
• Lou Gall (CottonInfo): Played a pivotal role in capturing information during the event and contributed to planning the subsequent meeting on irrigating red soils.