GM Seed Paves the Way for Record Australian Crop

The investments Australian cotton growers have been making in technology over the last few decades are paying dividends now in the form of record production. With about half of the crop harvested, it looks as though the totals could exceed 4.7 million bales, according to an article posted on Stock & Land.

Much of the credit for the bumper crop should go to the increasing use of genetically modified (GM) cotton seed, which Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay calls a “very positive” experience and “one of the things that’s helped transform the industry.”

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Just a few months ago, it appeared that heavy rains and flooding would severely downgrade this season’s overall production figures – perhaps by as much as 500,000 bales, a financial loss of about $250 million. But drier weather has prevailed since then, resulting in the 4.7 million bale estimate, up from 4.4 million bales predicted when the flooding took place.

If the numbers prove true, it will mark the second consecutive year that Australian production has hit an all-time high, breaking the record of 4.1 million bales set last year. The future looks bright as well, with excess soil moisture and healthy water supplies pointing toward a positive outlook for the next two years.

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