Provided the weather is favourable, Merrilong Agricultural Company’s cotton crop could shape up nicely in time for its showcase at the 2026 Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day.

The 2025 Growers of the Year have planted a total of 1,800 hectares of cotton this season, including 350ha under irrigation and the remainder in dryland production.

Merrilong Agricultural Company operations manager Hugh Brownhill said this season is looking okay considering how hit and miss it’s been.

“It had a pretty tough start across the board, we had some cooler conditions after planting and we didn’t get a lot of rain to give us a hand in the first couple of months but we got lucky with some good rain in early January followed by some heat which progressed the plant well,” he said.

Hugh is hopeful that those attending next month’s Field Day will be impressed with how the crop has performed given its limited in-crop rainfall and a hot January.

“I think it’s done a lot of work considering the start it had and how dry it’s been, as well as two hail events, but some storms have kept it looking okay and I’m hoping people will see a reasonable looking crop, even though top end yields of last year are probably not achievable,” Hugh said.

“Hopefully we can match our average dryland yields from the last five or six years and the same with irrigation. I think the crops are holding on okay but really need some rain to finish nicely.”

Picking is expected to begin around Anzac Day.

The Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day will be held at “Gowrie”, 1226 Wilmott’s Road, Spring Ridge on Wednesday 18 March. The day will include a farm tour, guest speakers and a panel session featuring the Brownhill family, members of their advisory board, and key consultants to the business.

Attendee numbers are capped, register now to secure your free ticket.