DESPITE strict water allocations and an unfavourable cotton growing season the Dugan family are stoked with their first bale of the season, coming off without a hitch.
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Mark and Sarah Dugan farm "Maroondah", near Trangie, with Mark's father Barry.
Allocated only six per cent of their usual water allocations for growing the crop, the outlook at sowing hadn't been "ultra-positive".
"We normally grow 600 hectares of cotton but due to the water allocation this year we have only grown 170ha," Mrs Dugan said.
A hot summer and little in-crop rain, followed by a wet finish, has affected the yield and quality.
"The cotton hasn't been ginned yet but we are hoping for an average of between 11 and 12 bales from this farm," Mrs Dugan said.
Rebecca Sharpe
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
