Rural

The cotton industry forecasts the 2017 crop will be the second-largest on record, with favourable conditions, solid prices and a wider planting window even attracting new growers to the fibre.

Cotton growers have doubled their output in a season where consumption will outstrip production.

ABARES is forecasting a 6.1 per cent increase in Australia's agricultural production for 2016-17, driven by unexpectedly high grain yields.

A surprise cut to cotton stocks send futures prices higher, while grains prices sink.

A GM cotton trial in the Kimberley's Ord Irrigation Scheme has been destroyed just prior to harvest, under instructions from the company Bayer.

The 2016 cotton crop is forecast to continue expanding as rainfalls tempt irrigators and dryland farmers to plant more of the fibre.

There are great expectations for sugar and cotton exporters, while beef faces increasing competition: ABARES' latest farm forecast for 2016-17.

The value of irrigated agricultural production in Australia has hit more than $15 billion.

A $41 million redevelopment of Australia's only cotton seed provider's processing plant is due to start early next year, after the project gained State Government approval.

The controversial rhetoric of presumptive republican nominee Donald Trump has commodity traders nervous, according to one analyst.

Scott Morrison has granted Shandong Ruyi an extra three years to comply with an original condition of the sale, to sell down its stake from 80 per cent to 51 per cent. The Chinese company was unable to meet the October 2015 deadline.

There are hopes the Commonwealth's plans to boost research and development in the wine and cotton industries will help make producers more competitive.

Growers debate the merits of GM as Monsanto claims genetically modified cotton and canola have generated an extra $1.4 billion for farmers.

Queensland rural lobby groups say electricity price hikes of more than 10 per cent this year will spell doom for the agriculture sector.

Vote Compass data shows three in four Australians want more control over foreign ownership of farm lands.

The nation's only provider of cotton seeds is planning a $41.2 million redevelopment of its seed processing plant at Wee Waa, in northern New South Wales.

While Australian elections are often fought in the suburban marginals, the 2016 campaign kicked off in the regions.

Queensland farmers frustrated the National Party hasn't outlined a clear stance on the proposed backpacker tax slated to be introduced in July.

Queensland farmers welcome Federal Government's $5.9 million for research and development to boot cotton crop yields.

A fifth tender worth $10 million is announced for groundwater licence holders in the Upper Condamine Alluvium, to recover water for the environment as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Cotton and tomatoes might seem like an odd couple but one cropping group is succeeding in using both in a crop rotation.

The chairman of Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board says his role is a little like walking on a barbed-wire tightrope.

High temperatures and a lack of water have prevented a strong summer cropping finish in north west NSW.

Queensland irrigators are hoping the Murray Darling Basin Authority's northern basin review will find they can achieve balance for the river system, even with a reduced amount of water returned.

It's all in the genes as the latest weapon in the arsenal to keep Australia's cotton crops free of insect pests is launched.