Talbragar Park ties in cotton to diversify crops

After purchasing 'Talbragar Park', just south of Dunedoo in 2011, Mr Frampton established a mixed farming operation of summer and winter crops, prime lamb and cattle.

His agronomist said that the property could also be well suited for cotton production, and so began a collaborative effort of research and crop trials.

"It was very much driven from grassroots," Mr Frampton said. "[We had] Bayer, CSD [Cotton Seed Distributors] and our agronomist all together, helping me to get into it."

"We did probably three years of research, putting in a weather station and getting weather data to prove we could grow cotton."

He said Bayer staff were instrumental in the change over early on before CSD came to the party with various seeds to trial.

Mr Frampton was also supported by cotton growers from other regions, who were keen to share their knowledge and experiences.

"When we first kicked off in the cotton industry, people were very keen to help. Even other farmers were very willing to help because no matter how much cotton I grow here, I can never affect the price in Australia."

The journey from research, to trial, to commercial cotton production has been a steep learning curve, but Mr Frampton takes pleasure from it.

"Cotton is, for me, a fun process because I've learned a lot and I've become a better farmer, because I've understood the mechanics of growing a crop," he said.

The success is spurring other farmers to consider cotton for the 2021-22 season.

Mr Frampton said he was now seeing the benefits of cotton as part of the variety of crops his farm yields.

"We've kept a good rotation, we haven't put cotton back onto cotton."

"We're not just a cotton farm. We try very hard to spread our risk with our cattle, lambs, cropping, irrigation - it's not just one industry. Moving forward, cotton is definitely part of our model in our very diverse operation."

"Growing cotton has definitely made me a better farmer - 100 per cent."

Brett Yeo also took up a bit of cotton on his neighbouring property with an aim to reach "critical mass" and produce enough to attract a picker to the area, he said in 2019.

Mr Yeo said his farm had suffered some weed problems in its grass crops, but that cotton as part of his rotation had largely been able to remedy that.

"I've found it very enjoyable to wipe out a few problems there."

Both Mr Frampton and Mr Yeo said it was remarkable the wealth of experience and knowledge that was being shared with them in their cotton-growing endeavours.

"Eveyone has told me what a positive atmosphere the cotton industry is and the support that is about there is terrific, it's marvellous," Mr Yeo said.

"And linking in to the other growers is much more forthcoming than most traditional areas of farming."