Resilience and Recovery in Northern Territory Cotton Farming Amidst Adverse Weather
COTTON picking in the Northern Territory (NT) has commenced amidst significant challenges posed by adverse weather conditions. Despite facing over two meters of rainfall in some areas and weeks of limited sunlight, cotton crops in the region are showing resilience and promising yields.
Better-performing crops are expected to yield between 4 to 5 bales per hectare, which is commendable considering the target range of 5 to 7 bales per hectare for the region. The picking season began a month after the Katherine gin initiated processing using cotton stored from the 2023 crop, marking a critical phase in the local cotton industry.
Operated as a joint venture between WANT (Western Australia Northern Territory) Cotton and Louis Dreyfus Company, the Katherine gin has been pivotal in processing the region’s cotton. David Connolly, chairman of WANT Cotton and general manager of Tipperary Station, noted the gin’s efficient operation and expects the completion of processing for the 2023 lint by the end of June.
Reflecting on the challenging weather conditions earlier in the season, Connolly highlighted the resilience of cotton plants, which rebounded during the critical boll fill and opening stages despite enduring a prolonged period of overcast weather and excessive rainfall. Angus Marshall, an agronomist specializing in NT and Western Australia, emphasized growers’ satisfaction with the current crop outcomes, underscoring the challenging nature of the season with some areas experiencing the wettest conditions in three decades.
Despite initial setbacks with planting schedules due to fluctuating weather patterns, including dry spells in December followed by monsoonal rains in January, growers around Katherine managed to navigate these challenges, albeit with reduced planting compared to projections. Across the border in Western Australia’s Ord region, similar difficulties were reported, with the planting season delayed until February due to exceptionally wet conditions.
Looking ahead, the progress of the cotton industry in Western Australia remains promising, with the construction of a new cotton gin in Katherine on track for completion by mid-2025. Supported by government investments, including substantial grants and infrastructure upgrades, the facility is expected to significantly bolster cotton processing capacity in the region and foster sustainable economic growth.
In conclusion, despite the daunting weather conditions and planting challenges faced during the 2023-2024 season, the resilience and adaptive capacity of NT and WA cotton growers underscore the potential for continued growth in the region’s cotton industry.
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