The 2025/26 Australian cotton season has officially begun, with the first plantings underway around Emerald in Queensland’s Central Highlands. In a unique twist, many growers in the region have only just finished picking last season’s cotton
Emerald grower Aaron Kiely has already planted 70 hectares of an initial 95 hectares due to soil moisture levels and increasing temperatures after deciding to grow-on part of his cotton crop last season.
“I started planting last Friday because the timing was right for us. The seed beds are in great condition with good moisture levels, and soil health has been enhanced by the rotation of mung beans.
Other growers are expected to begin planting cotton over the coming days as temperatures increase with higher temperatures both at night and during the day, helping seeds to germinate.
Ross Burnett is planning on planting around 840 hectares of cotton across two farms however with no water allocation yet, he is hopeful of some rain.
“We have some water saved and carried on from last year and we will use that for some of the cotton, but we have to take a calculated risk and hope that rainfall, inflows and a possible allocation will help the rest of the crop.”
Typically, cotton planting in New South Wales and Queensland takes place in October, with picking starting in late March or April. However, timing can vary significantly as cotton is now grown in different regions across Australia throughout the year.
Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray said the early signs for the season are positive, with Australia’s 1,500 cotton growers - 90% of them family farmers - expecting to generate around four million bales this year, contributing close to $2.7 billion to the national economy.
“This year we are expecting about 400,000 green hectares to be planted, predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland with crops also being planted in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.”
August 2025