The interest and enthusiasm of cotton growers preparing for the coming season has not reduced despite heavily reduced harvest last season, and continually evaporating water supplies.

CSD general manager Adam Kay, participating in the annual Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) information tour, said attendance at Mungindi, Emerald, Theodore, St George, Dalby and Goondiwindi had been above expectations, with keen interest shown in trial data on new varieties and new Bollgard II technology. CSD has 22 varieties available this year, plus a further 12 available on request for specific plantings situations.

These include a suite of eight conventional, four Ingard, three Roundup Ready Ingard, and two Roundup Ready varieties, as well as two new conventional varieties and four new Bollgard II varieties. Mr Kay said growers were showing most interest in varieties with good fusarium and verticillium resistance rankings.