Bumper cotton crop forecast despite floods

Cotton growers have stretched their planting windows to “unheard of” dates to grow an expected bumper crop.

The cotton industry is forecasting a bumper 2023 crop despite widespread flooding across NSW.

Cotton Australia estimates, released on Thursday, put this summer’s crop at about five million bales — slightly down from the 2022 record of 5.6 million bales.

If realised, the results would be extremely valuable to Australian growers, with cotton prices at historic highs.

Coleambally grower Joe Briggs said he had managed to plant 100 per cent of his cotton crop this year despite torrential rain in October and November.

Mr Briggs finished planting on November 13, a date that was “unheard of” among southern growers, and would likely lead to decreased yields.

This season the grower expected yields of about eight bales to the hectare across his 270ha crop — a significant drop on his 2021-22 average of 10 bales/ha.

“The planting season was extremely wet. We’re just looking for temperature now. As long as (the summer is) hot and sunny, we should be OK,” Mr Briggs said.

Coleambally cotton grower Joe Briggs. Picture: Supplied

While the picture across the country looked positive for a large 2023 crop, growers in southern NSW, where the planting window for cotton is shorter than in warmer climates, had been hit harder by the La Nina season.

CottonInfo Regional Extension Officer Kieran O’Keefe estimated in November Riverina growers had managed to plant just 30 per cent of their available land to cotton due to the wet weather.

Around Coleambally, growers had succeeded in planting about 70 per cent of their hoped-for cotton crops, Mr Briggs said. Some who couldn’t access paddocks early enough had substituted the crop for corn or sunflowers.

Coleambally cotton grower Joe Briggs planed 100 per cent of his cotton crop this year, but neighbours weren't so lucky. Picture: Supplied

With water cheap and plentiful and cotton prices at historic highs, Mr Briggs was confident he would be able to meet his financial commitments despite anticipated lower yields.

Cotton prices have fluctuated wildly this year. As of December 22, they were sitting at about $600 per bale. Prices started the year at about $740 per bale, and peaked at an 11-year high of just under $1000 per bale.

Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch said reduced global production driven by drought in the US, combined with strong retail sales, had kept prices up.