2017-18 cotton harvest underway in the MIA

Southern Cotton at Whitton started receiving its first modules of the harvest in mid-April, with ginning now officially underway. 

In 2017-2018, cotton production has increased to 90,000 hectares across the southern valleys, with the company expecting to process 250,000 of these bales in their upgraded ginning facility.

Last season Southern Cotton processed its one millionth bale in just six seasons, with many industry stalwarts predicting this year will be the year the southern region produces one million bales in the season.

Grower Larry Walsh was the first to have his modules delivered to Southern Cotton for ginning in 2018. 

“It’s been a very good season … growing conditions have been really good,” he said. 

“In terms of the growth of cotton in our region it’s a combination of a variety of things – new growers, the water and growing conditions. 

“It’s really great for the region and for farmers. They have another option they can go to.”

As picking really starts to motor along and more farmers invest in planting the crop, Southern Cotton knew it had more work to do. 

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This year it has installed two new gin stands and lint cleaners. 

The stands increase Southern Cotton’s ginning capacity and allow the gin to consistently run at a greater rate of bales per hour.

Two new pickers have also been purchased to assist new and small growers who are not looking to purchase a harvester yet.

A warehousing facility has also been built on sit to ensure growers can store their cotton locally, with contract storage now also an option. 

“Since 2011, cotton production has exploded in the region,” Southern Cotton general manager Kate O’Callaghan said. 

“We’re assisting lots of new growers with converting to cotton and we’ve expanded our ginning capacity and service offering to meet the increasing needs – from the paddock, right through to the finished bale and beyond.”

The first bale of the season was officially ginned on April 28.