Dryland trial is opening doors for Coalstoun Lakes

Coalstoun Lakes farmers have hailed the success of a dry-land cotton trial.

NEW VENTURE: Rackway farms is used to harvesting peanuts, but this year grew dryland cotton.

COALSTOUN Lakes farmers have hailed the success of a dry-land cotton trial, which they said proved the region's fertile soil could handle a more diverse range of crops than was previously thought.

Three dry-land varieties were tested in new configurations as part of an ongoing three year trial as the cotton industry looks to expand its sizeable footprint.

Mark Rackemann of Coalstoun Lakes Development Group put his hand up to participate and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

"We thought we would give it a go and it's grown here successfully and seems to be yielding alright,” Mr Rackemann said.

The two and a half hectare crop was planted last October with the help of 200ml of unseasonal rain and managed to survive a dry January.

A third generation farmer in the region, Mr Rackemann is accustomed to growing peanuts, corn and oats, but will now consider finding a place for cotton in his rotation.

"We'll need a crop of 200 acres plus to warrant a picker coming to the district, so a few growers in the area could share a crop,” he said.

"This is a very unique red soil valley. It's is so bloody fertile, you can grow anything here.

"It's so versatile - with some water it could be another food bowl and employ hundreds of families.”

Originally published as Dryland trial is opening doors for Coalstoun Lakes