Cotton prices and yields show promise

Cotton crops are yielding a whopping 14-plus bales a hectare as harvest gets underway in southern NSW.

Cotton prices have surged to a lucrative $627 a bale, giving growers in southern NSW an added boost as they prepare to harvest what is shaping up to be a high-yielding crop.

Prices rose 1.6 per cent over the past week after many growers had been expecting prices to settle closer to $600 a bale. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences is forecasting an average price of $611 a bale for the 2024–25 season.

CottonInfo regional extension officer Kieran O’Keeffe, from Griffith in southern NSW, said picking had already started in parts of the southern valleys, with some excellent yields being reported.

“We are seeing crops yielding 14-plus bales a hectare (in places like) Benerembah and Whitton,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

He said it was the earliest start to cotton picking he had witnessed in the region.

“I have never seen picking in March,” he said.

The early start and good yields have been attributed to warmer daytime temperatures during the growing season.

Mr O’Keeffe said constant daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high 30Cs were ideal for cotton.

Cotton picking at the Briggs family property at Coleambally. Picture: Supplied

He said the main round of cotton picking would kick off in the next couple of weeks.

“There will be a lot of activity and most people will make a start in April,” he said.

Despite the constant concerns about dry conditions, Mr O’Keeffe said the fact that there was no rain on the forecast in the near future meant cotton picking would not be disrupted.

Further northwest at Hillston in the Lachlan Valley, farmer Paul Cleton said he was around two weeks away from starting picking on his property.

“I reckon we will start picking in 10 days to two weeks,” he said.

Mr Cleton said the weather had been ideal for cotton with more temperatures in the mid 30Cs forecast for later this week.

“Cotton needs to stay dry,” he said. “I’m sure we will start to see a lot of pickers get going in the Riverina this week.”

Mr Cleton said he was hoping for yields of 12 bales/ha.

“That would be beautiful, and we are hearing of some good prices, too,” he said.

“The price has been up above $600 a bale, and it did come back a bit in the past couple of days, but good yields and good prices are welcome,” he said.

“Everyone is looking for cash flow this season.”