Managing crop maturity in Northern Australia's irrigated cotton involves timing cut-out to ensure at least 60% boll maturity before cool nights or frost risk, using historical temperature data and boll development models to balance yield potential and fibre quality, with region-specific guidance on optimal cut-out dates and consideration of factors like irrigation, nutrition, and variety characteristics to avoid quality losses and operational delays.
This fact sheet includes a table to assist growers and consultants to select a desired crop maturity date and then manage for cut-out accordingly.