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The article discusses the harvesting experiences of cotton growers in March 2007 in various districts in Australia. In Central Highlands, a grower shares that majority of the crops in the area were harvested in two to three weeks. In Dawson Callide, a grower reports that the valley have grown 3,200 hectares of cotton for the 2006-2007 season. In Darling Downs, a grower comments that the temperature durng the last growing season was very favorable.

The article presents three case studies which highlighted problems with center pivot and lateral move overhead irrigation machines in Australia. In the first case, several issues were discovered in such machines, including the incorrect placement of the pressure regulators at the top of the dropper instead directly above the sprinkler. It was also found that the center pivot machine had lost end pressure that resulted to more water releases at its head ditch whenever the machine reaches the highest point of a field.

Answers several frequently asked questions from participants attending the Lateral Move and Centre Pivot Pre-purchase Decision workshops delivered by the Cotton CRC Extension Water Team in Australia. Possibility of hassles in maintaining the flow rate to the end of a center pivot; Information on the idea behind Low Energy Precision Application systems; Effectiveness of the quick release for a bubbler.

The article provides information on several siphon-less irrigation systems commonly employed in the cotton industry in Australia. The definitions of water use efficiency indices are cited. Increased waterlogging and a decline in water for irrigation are among the possible results of a compaction in a bank-less irrigation system.

The article reports on the status of the cotton industry in Macintyre Valley, New South Wales. The cotton planted has been divided between Bollgard and conventional varieties. It is said that the dry season has benefited crops by developing a strong ad healthy root system. Most growers plan and implement limited water irrigation strategies due to warm conditions.

This article provides information on the 2004-05 cotton season in Macintyre Valley and Mungindi, New South Wales. The 2004-05 season provided some outstanding results, with farm averages ranging from 9.4 bales per hectare in a water limited situation up to 11.4 bales per hectare under full irrigation. The average across the Border Rivers is estimated to be 10.4 bales per hectare. The season started with The Irrigation Association of Australia field day held in Goondiwindi, which showcased the latest technology available to irrigators to improve their irrigation practice and maximize the return per megaliter. The Border Rivers is currently prepared for approximately 50 percent of the production area to go into cotton for the 2005-2006 season.

The article offers observation on the continuous monitoring of water storage levels at Milo cotton farm in Australia. According to Tony Bailey, who manages the irrigated cotton at Milo, water is the most valuable resource for them. And with the increasing pressure on water security, they need to measure the resource to enable them to better manage it. In doing so, they can ensure the longevity of a sustainable irrigated cotton production system. The drought, although devastating for most, offered the farm an opportunity to start the process of measuring their water stored on-farm. The team set about Beelining, the dry water storages, using their own equipment to determine the volume of the dams. The volume of the water stores in the dams is calibrated to an Odyssey pressure sensor which enables the storage depth, in-flows and out-flows to be continuously monitored. Knowing how much water the producers have in on-farm storages empowers the grower and creates opportunities to fine its use. The monitoring of levels in storages adds another dimension to the management of water on-farm at Milo. Improved water budgets with accurate water balances enables Milo to fine tune their area of production, the amount of tail-water recovered and the amount of water applied in-field.

Focuses on alternative irrigation systems in the cotton industry. Percentage of labor that can be reduced using alternative systems according to some reports; List of current commercial alternative irrigation systems employed throughout the industry in 2006; Information on the siphon-less irrigation project under the management of Sarah Hood of Sustainable Irrigation Systems Saint George and Emma Carrigan of DPI&E.