“This year we are expecting about 393,000 green hectares to be planted, predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland with crops also being planted in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
“If expectations are accurate, we will see more than $2.7 billion generated for the national economy with most of that money filtering down into the 249 communities that benefit directly from cotton growing.”
October is the month when most growers kick-off planting cotton however with the cotton footprint spreading across Australia, particularly in the north, planting and picking dates can vary considerably due to differing conditions while in some regions picking and planting is taking place in the same month.
The global outlook for cotton is stable, and while the price is flat, demand for Australian cotton is expected to continue due to our geographic position close to the main buyers and the quality and strength of our fibre.
“We have witnessed prices of up to $1000 per bale but the latest trends show the price hovering around the $550 per bale with the price outlook suggesting a $600 per bale is possible in the next 12 months.
“We export everything we produce, and thankfully demand is still strong with recent figures from cotton marketing news service Cotton Compass revealing that in July 26 per cent of bales exported went to China, 19 per cent to India, 15 per cent Vietnam and 13 per cent both to Bangladesh and Indonesia.
“In general, our growers remain positive on this season’s crop, and while it varies from region to region many are reporting good conditions including soil profiles and moisture content. The availability of water is still an issue with some regions like the Central Highlands of Queensland having no new allocations, relying on existing supplies and the prospect of new allocations if rainfall increases dam levels.”
While it’s early, the season has started positively In the Central Highlands, where growers began planting in early August, with most already experiencing healthy plant growth, reflecting good moisture in soil profiles and warn ground temperatures.
Emerald grower Ross Burnett, said with no allocation this season but with some carryover from last season, they are hopeful of a good crop.
“We have taken a calculated risk to be planting with the limited water we have so we are somewhat hedging our bets on the spring rain and hoping that arrives earlier rather than later.
“If we get enough rain by November/December and achieve inflows into the dam, then things can turn around quite quickly, and any allocation will help us to grow economic yields.”
Cotton Australia’s regional managers, based in each of the cotton growing regions, have provided up to date reports on each region:
Central Highlands:
Cotton planting has been underway for several weeks with cotton already out of the ground in some areas and some growers already undertaking first irrigations. The cotton is looking healthy, pleasing growers with plant stand looking strong.
Although there has been an announced water allocation of 0 per cent for growers so far this year, around 14,000 hectares of irrigated cotton is still expected due to ‘carry-over’ irrigation water from the previous season, and with the hope of follow-up rain. Around 4000 hectares of dryland is also expected. Ginning will continue through to November, with some cotton still being carted into the gin from northern QLD growers.
Dawson and Callide Valleys
Some growers have started planting the expected 8500 hectares of irrigated cotton with some already finished planting, while others will plant in October. Dryland growers are expected to plant in November. There has been a good start to planting with full allocations helping growers with a positive start to the cotton season.
Darling Downs
At the time of writing, no planting had yet occurred on the Darling Downs with growers waiting on soil temperatures to rise. The main planting window opens in October and extends until the end of November. At this stage, anticipating 36,000ha of irrigated crop and a further 12,000ha of dryland crop to be planted in this coming 2025/26 season.
Rainfall over the winter months has led to mostly full water storages and good soil moisture profiles.
Ginning from the 2024/25 crop is anticipated to be finished by the end of October.
In the Brisbane Valley some planting began on the 28 th of August with seedlings emerging seven days later due to good conditions.
Macintyre Valley
In the Macintyre, growers will be looking to start planting after the long weekend when soil temperatures increase.
Growers are expected to plant about 20,000 hectares irrigated and 8000 hectares dryland. There has been recent rainfall but this won’t affect cotton plant at the moment.
St George/ Dirranbandi and Mungindi
September temperatures have been following the averages and the CSD FastStart Soil temperature sites in the region are all suggesting "good" soil temperature conditions for planting. Most growers are wary of historical cool/cold snaps in September so are holding off putting seeds in the ground. That said, there are a few who have started to plant cotton and conditions thus far have been favourable for them.
Estimates are St George and Dirranbandi will plant around 18,000ha (all irrigated) and Mungindi around 15,000ha irrigated plus 5,000ha dryland.
Northern NSW
Unsettled and an interrupted preparation for this season due to a wet and above average rain fall this winter caused delays in ground prep, resulting in growers still busy pulling up hills and fertiliser etc. Recent rainfall last month saw flooding in the Namoi system and flowing rivers in the Gwydir, seeing growers taking opportunity to capture precious water to fill dams on farm and added to many of the storages around the Namoi which are at near capacity and Gwydir Valley at 81 per cent .
Cotton hectares forecast indicated to be down from last season and many of the gins have finished or will be done in early October, and while there has been some early planting in late September, the majority will have kicked off by the second week in October.
Macquarie Valley
There has been some rainfall, but with ground rapidly drying, some pre-watering and planting is expected to start for most growers from the 12th of October onwards. The majority of picking was completed late April/early May with conditions being ideal.
Ginning is still ongoing but will be finished by early Nov. Close to 25,000 hectares is expected to be planted in the Macquarie Valley.
Southern NSW
On the back of a stellar 2024/25 season, which delivered exceptional yields, planting for the upcoming season is expected to commence in early to mid-October. However, with reduced water allocations this year, the total planted area is forecast to be significantly lower, with an anticipated 40–50 per cent of last year’s area.
Northern Australia
Isolated showers were seen across the NT in the tail end of September with temperatures and build up feels continuing to rise.
Crop destruction is well under way and will be completed before mid-October. Planting windows typically commence on December 1st for the NT/FNQ and January 1st for the Ord.
At this early time for the commencement of next season, predictions for the 2025/2026 plantings remain similar for the NT, around 10,000ha. The Ord will most likely increase area to around 15,000ha and FNQ growers remain optimistic for an increase in plantings, up to 5,000ha, on the back end of a successful season.
