Rain gives cotton a boost

COTTON growers have an extra spring in their step following recent rain, which is expected to boost crop yields.

Cotton Australia general manager Michael Murray said the rain came just at the right time for some dryland cotton growers who otherwise might not have planted a crop.

“We have enjoyed two excellent years due to the rain, but growers have been concerned about the last few dry months in winter and spring when decisions were being made about the best crops to plant,” Mr Murray said.

“That has changed over the last few weeks and many of those who rely on rain have received precious millimetres just at the right time.”

Yields were expected to be bolstered by at least 100,000 bales with potential for up to 500,000 bales.

While many dryland growers have made the decision to plant cotton over the past few weeks, those with water allocations have also benefited, with many now able to save their water because the rain has done the job for them.

“With the dry conditions we were looking at reducing the crop forecast for 2023-24 to below four million bales but we now expect that we may be closer to 4.1 million bales with the potential to exceed that,” Mr Murray said.

Two years ago, good rainfall assisted growers to produce a crop of around 5.6 million bales with around 5.5 million bales produced last year.

“We may be able to achieve 4.5 million bales this season, however much will depend on the ability of farmers to access their wet paddocks and plant over the coming weeks, and also how much more rain we get over the next few weeks and months.”

While the rain has been welcomed in most growing regions, some missed out or received very little rain and conditions overall remain challenging.

Cotton Outlook’s latest forecasts of global raw cotton production declined by more than half a million tonnes, reflecting falls in China, India, Turkey and Australia.

In a positive development, the expected global cotton surplus dropped from 787,000 tonnes last month to 188,000 tonnes.

“The combination of a drop in both overseas production and stock levels is positive for Australian cotton growers, who last season produced one of the highest-quality crops ever seen,” Mr Murray said.

“Buyers of quality and sustainable cotton are looking to Australia, particularly in those areas where there is a geographic advantage for transport to the mill.”