Andrew O'Connor

Coleambally cotton grower

In search of a crop with the highest return per megalitre, the Coleambally grower converted to cotton in 2014. After a conservative start, cotton has since become his predominant crop.

Andrew O'Connor describes the "water factor" as the driving force behind his decision to grow cotton for the first time, dedicating 80 hectares to the crop on his Coleambally farm.

While Andrew could see the potential of planting cotton on rotation, it took some convincing to get his dad and business partner, Peter, across the line.

"We were long-time rice growers when I talked Dad into diversifying into cotton because our water could go a bit further," Andrew said.

The father-and-son own and operate four farms, covering 2400 acres.

Growing cotton has been a wise move for the O'Connors, who have steadily increased the number of hectares they've planted over the last four years, up to 330 hectares this season. They have secured contracts for the next three years.

According to Andrew, no other crop compares to cotton, when you consider the excellent return and ongoing support from Southern Cotton.

"Ginning with Southern Cotton has been a positive experience," said Andrew.

"The sharing of knowledge and information in the pre-season, the walkthrough farm tours, and access to data research results has helped us learn more about growing cotton."

The cotton industry's dedication to research and development is advancing yield returns, at a time when cotton prices are the highest they've been in eight years.

For Andrew and his family, there are many reasons to continue growing cotton.

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