Drastic drop in local cotton crop this year
Story by Tricia Duffield
While the short burst of rainy conditions across some of the western region was welcome relief, it will have little effect on this year’s cotton season, which has seen a reduction in crop planting – including a massive drop in plantings between Walgett and Bourke on the Barwon-Darling River.
The Bourke-Brewarrina area had up to 10,000ha planted last season but – without more rainfall this week or good flows down the river, this season will be limited to 1,000ha at best.
CEO of Cotton Australia Adam Kay says the last four seasons in northern NSW had been excellent, which makes this year’s prospects look underwhelming.
“This year’s prospects have been affected by a dry winter and dry spring, which means we’ll see a reduction in plantings across the northwest,” Mr Kay said.
“We’re still anticipating around about 2.7 million bales, down from about four and a half last year, but still a sizable crop, still worth about $2 billion to the national economy.
“We’ll always welcome the rain, and some growers will be able to plant onto that moisture and some of the dryland growers will be able to plant as well,” he said.[…]
Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald. To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition https://www.outbackradio.com.au/shop/
Comments