Coleambally-based farm manager, John Durham said despite some early challenges, the season had yielded good results. 

“Generally speaking, I think it’s been a really good season. It’s definitely been above average for a lot of the southern valley,” he said. 

“There was some challenges early on with some rainfall events. We had a really good growing season and a really good harvest season. The weather was fantastic.” 

He says the overall quality of the cotton was great as well. 

“Last week the market was really strong. You could sell cotton for $650 for this year’s crop and next year’s crop. They’re really strong numbers,” he said.

“It’s definitely proving to be attractive for growers to get ready for next season, pending water allocations of course.” 

The only lingering concern for many growers and farm workers is water. Yenda farmer Chris Morsehead has just come off his first season growing cotton. He recently opted to grow it alongside rice. He says the decision to expand gave them a chance to diversify. 

“We wanted to do a little bit of everything. Every production system has advantages and disadvantages,” he said. 

“It allows us to take advantage of different markets when prices are high. Our rice yields were very good too. For all facets of summer cropping, we've had a good season.”

Mr Morsehead says lingering questions growers and farmers may have surround rainfall and water allocations. 

“Our summer cropping program for next year is, at this stage, non-committal. It could start raining tomorrow and I could be completely wrong, but the long term forecasts by the Bureau of Meteorology suggest drier months coming,” Mr Morsehead said. 

“Until we see what happens water-wise, obviously the forwards prices are very attractive.”

Mr Durham agreed. 

“It’s pretty much the lingering factor as to planting, especially for anyone who operates mostly off of surface water.”