Updated advice on optimum soil temperature at planting time

Growers have been utilising the FastStart™ Field Forecast tool for several of years. This system combines actual soil temperatures and air temperature forecasts to provide site specific soil temperature forecasts for the next 7 days.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season, we've reviewed the average soil temperature evaluations to ensure they reflect the physiology of low and normal density seed types and promote best practice.  As a result, slight adjustments have been made to the soil temperature recommendations.

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What's changed?

• Average soil temperatures for the week after planting of less than16̊ C will be noted as 'unsuitable for planting cotton', rather than poor. This change is to strengthen the messaging and avoid the possible misconception that this category is the lower level of the acceptable planting range.
• Average soil temperatures for the week after planting in the range 18- 20̊ C  previously characterised as 'good' for all seed types, will now be considered 'marginal' for low density seed type.

Why make the change?

We want to provide clear information and the most up-to-date recommendations to assist growers to make informed decisions at planting.

While previous thresholds accurately represented the relationship between temperature and cotton seed development, the influence of seed energy has been further incorporated in the evaluation with additional differentiation between recommendations based on seed type.

This is important since most of our varieties are low density seed type, built to deliver a higher lint yield at the end of the season. This advice aims to give you the best chance to establish a successful crop first time.

Have you got the green light for planting?