Cotton news
News from Australia

The 2015-16 cotton season is underway across Australia’s cotton-growing valleys, stretching from Emerald in Queensland’s Central Highlands district to the NSW Riverina and southern valleys. Warm Spring temperatures in a number of districts are providing the majority of cotton growers with ideal planting conditions. Cotton Australia CEO, Adam Kay, says growers are optimistic and expect high average yields to continue this season.

The cotton industries of Australia and the United States collaborated to promote the Cotton LEADS℠ program at the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics trade show, October 13-15, 2015. The Intertextile show attracted over 4,500 exhibitors and 75,000 visitors from more than 30 countries, from all sectors of the textile supply chain – and many Cotton LEADS℠ Partners also exhibited during the show.

As part of Cotton Australia’s ongoing support to make cotton farms in Australia safe places to live and work, the Cotton Industry Guide to Safety 2015/16 poster has been made available free of charge to all growers. This practical tool that growers display in farm sheds and offices promotes an awareness of work health and safety.

The 2015 Australian Cotton Production Manual is a one-stop-shop for Australia’s cotton growers, outlining all the various decisions that need to be made on-farm in preparation for, and during, cotton production. The manual provides an understanding of cotton physiology, and outlines important considerations for both productivity and profitability.

Excellent growing conditions in many Australian cotton growing valleys has led to record yields this season. Cotton Australia CEO, Adam Kay, says a national harvest of 2.2 million bales is expected for the 2014-15 season.

To help Australia’s cotton growers cut costs and improve their on-farm energy efficiency, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, NCEA and CottonInfo have been delivering the “Improving energy efficiency on irrigated cotton farms” project over the past two years, including delivering on-farm energy-audits to growers.

Bruce Finney, Allan Williams and Dr. Ian Taylor, from Australia’s Cotton Research and Development Center (CRDC) and Mike Bange, CSIRO Cotton Research Unit, visited Cotton Incorporated July 20 -23 to explore areas of future collaboration in agricultural research and textile manufacturing.

In a bid to continuously improve its on-farm sustainability, the Australian cotton industry is embarking on a full review of its myBMP (best management practices) program. The voluntary on-farm program includes over 500 checklist items across 11 modules that cover all aspects of cotton production from crop to people management.