Central Queensland (CQ) has had a long history of cotton production, with a modern industry spanning over 30 years. The hot tropical climate of CQ presents both constraints and opportunities for cotton production. Production constraints have traditionally included more severe insect problems and weather-related stresses relative to cooler growing areas. Grower records show that over the last 30 years cotton yields and profitability vary dramatically between seasons, among farms and even fields within farms. Reasons for this high variability are thought to include external factors such as variable weather conditions and variable crop management practices. On the flip side, the warm climate translates into a relatively long growing season, which in turn facilitates flexibility in sowing times and opportunities for compensatory yield.