Australia : Poor season leads to cancellation of cotton trade show

The continuing poor season has led to the cancellation of the 2008 National Australian Cotton Trade Show in Moree, with plantings this summer expected to be just 10 percent of the average cotton crop.
The National Australian Cotton Trade Show is usually held on the last Wednesday and Thursday of May. National Australia Bank (NAB) has been the major sponsor for the past nine years.
Coordinator Brian O’Connell says the decision will allow growers and potential exhibitors to concentrate on getting their businesses through these challenging times.
“We’ve had ten successful years of the Cotton Trade Show, and thank everyone for their support over the time. “However, the drought has hit the industry pretty hard in recent years and at this time we believe a year off is the right thing to do.
Mind you, if we get drought breaking rains over summer; and the storages are full; and cotton goes to $600 a bale then a rejuvenated industry may well demand a trade show in 2008!
“Failing a flood, the industry will still have a chance to come together in August 2008 at the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast,” Mr O’Connell said.
NAB Regional Agribusiness Manager for the Border Plains, Shane Dowton, said the Bank’s support will continue into 2009.
“Although plantings are well down this season, I have every confidence the industry will bounce back if there is decent rain early next year and through winter to fill storages and restore water allocations.
“Many growers have made the most of what water they have had this year to grow winter wheat or to plant sorghum, and although things are tough they are still in reasonable shape financially,” Mr Dowton said.
“We consider the long term viability of our customers rather than season by season volatility, and believe our cotton growers – and the industry in general – have a strong future.”