There has been good news for Cotton Australia, which helped conduct  spray application workshops at Mungindi, Toobeah and Goondiwindi last week. “Usually they’d be out on the tractors working, but the rain has meant they can take time out,” Bec Fing, from Cotton Australia, said.

It also means that growers can take a time out to think about their options. The rain, despite concerns about the impact on chickpea crops, has opened the door for those set up for cotton. Far Manager, Peter Paesler, said some growers have sprayed out areas of wheat so they can  plant more cotton. 

“We would often get this type of rain later in the year or early in January.,” he said. “You can’t plan for that. It’s come early so we will look at how much more cotton we want to plant. Which means it’s going to be a busy time for farmers as some prepare to plant more cotton and gear up for harvest.

“There’s going to be lots of work around,” he said. “The rain can stay away for awhile now though,” Mr Paesler said. He said their chickpea crop was looking “okay” but the next two weeks would tell.