Production
- John Davis of AgWired.com reports for AgWired.com that FMC is offering a new post-direct herbicide for cotton growers to help manage resistant pigweed and offer residual long-term control of other grass weeds. Additionally, FMC provided information and demonstrations of its new 3RIVE 3D planting technology. AgWired also got an interview with FMC’s Rusty Mitchell at the Farm & Gin Show which is available as an mp3 along with photos and a video of 3RIVE 3D in action.
Markets/Trade
- AgriMoney.com reports that the Abares commodity group predicts cotton futures hitting a 9-year low next season based on the Cotlook A index. Large world stocks, particularly in China, will continue to pressure prices, while cheap synthetic fibers will limit demand recovery.
- Amelia Wiliams reports for The Land that while Australia’s cotton acreage fell to only 205,000 hectares this season, the crop is looking good and is expected to pay of well for growers. Quality is high and local prices are at a comfortable level, though production will still be the lowest since the 2009-10 season.
- Vernon Graham reports for The Land that after falling 43% this season, Australia’s cotton acreage is expected to rebound to an estimated 250,000 hectares next season. Prices are expected to remain low in 2015-16, but are forecast to rise from 17-16 onward.
- Compared to other nations that grow cotton, Barbados is a miniscule player – 400 acres this year. But the government has been promoting the highly valued Sea Island cotton that the island produces. This year, even with such a small acreage, it’s hard to find pickers for harvest, reports Heather-Lynn Evanson at NationNews.Com. People who picked the previous crop were offered an extra incentive to work in the harvest, but the bonus payments evidently were never made, which may be one factor in the lack of interest.
Textiles
- Rich McEachran of The Guardian reports that cotton may have increased competition in the clothing markets as several companies experiment with using fibers from other plants in the fashion industry. Banana stems, pineapple leaves, and coconut husks, all throw away parts of food crops, are being tested as sustainable, natural alternatives to cotton and synthetic fibers, and while it’s unlikely they’ll be taking up any major market shares soon preliminary results are looking good for fruit based clothing.
