Maurice William Holtze, a German- born botanist, played a pivotal role in the agricultural development of the Northern Territory in the late 19th century. Appointed as the Government gardener in 1878, he established the Botanical Gardens in Darwin. It was here that he conducted extensive experiments to assess the viability of various crops, including cotton for commercial production in the tropics.

In 1891, Holtze left the Territory to become the Director of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, leaving agricultural experimentation in the Territory to his son, Nicholas Holtze, who succeeded him as curator of the Darwin Botanical Gardens.

A small cotton gin was built in Darwin in the 1920s, and in 1926, the Northern Territory Times reported that 42 bales of cotton were exported to Manchester, with the bales weighing 200lbs having been processed at The Ginnery in Darwin.

Without a doubt, the cotton industry is seen as a potential driver for regional development. It provides employment and opportunities for diversification on cattle stations and Indigenous land.

However, industry growth needs to be balanced with community consultation and ecological sustainability. Water efficiency and conservation is a priority for every Australian farmer. NT Farmers state that about 80 percent of a future Territory cotton industry is estimated to be grown by rain- fed farming systems. Thanks to better genetics and improved agronomy, modern Australian cotton growers now use 40 per cent less water to produce one tonne of cotton lint than 10-15 years ago.

The establishment of the WANT cotton gin outside of Katherine opened in 2023 and marks a milestone in the region’s cotton industry.

The $70 million facility has directly employed more than 30 people and is projected to support directly and indirectly about 88 full-time equivalent jobs. It eliminates the need to transport crops over 3000 kilometres for processing, which enhances the economic viability.

The gin is equipped with a two-stand Lummus gin, capable of processing more than 1000 bales per day.

The first bale of cotton processed was from Tipperary Station with observers saying the 2023 crop was in demand because of its high quality, and clean and white appearance.

Cotton is a natural fibre that grows on a plant. It is both a food for stock and fibre crop and is the most widely produced natural fibre in the world, representing about 31 percent of the world textile market.

Dryland (rain fed) cotton is more suitable for large-scale, low-input farming, while irrigated cotton offers higher productivity that relies on water and expensive infrastructure. Dryland cotton is successful as a commercial crop because the Top End has distinct wet and dry seasons, with the wet season (November–April) providing sufficient rainfall for cotton to grow without irrigation.

Cotton is planted in the wet season and matures as the dry season begins, allowing natural drying of the crop before harvest. No irrigation infrastructure is required, reducing capital investment in dams, bores, and pumps and fewer inputs make it a cost-effective farming option.

Dryland cotton and irrigated cotton generally come from the same cotton varieties, but they are managed differently to suit their growing conditions.

Dryland cotton is typically shorter and more compact, with fewer bolls, as the plant adapts to limited water and has a shorter growing cycle, allowing crops to mature before the dry season fully sets in. Most of the cotton grown in the Territory is genetically modified cotton varieties, which are designed to be pest-resistant and reduce the need for chemical spraying.

The Territory has vast areas of fertile land, suitable for large-scale broad acre farming and suitable for dryland and sustainable irrigated cotton production. Trials and commercial-scale projects, like those at Tipperary Station, show that cotton can produce competitive yields.

Tipperary Station, which spans more than 200,000 hectares in the Daly River region, is a flagship example of the Territory’s ambition to develop a commercial cotton industry.

Traditionally used for cattle grazing, the station has been gradually developed for mixed agricultural use, with a focus on cotton expanding significantly from 2020 onward.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I admit I was puzzled at what the little white tuffs were on the side of the Stuart Highway between Douglas Daly and Katherine that started appearing about five years ago – they are bolls of raw cotton that have escaped the large round yellow bails being transported the gin.

While Tipperary showcases the economic potential of tropical cropping, it also stands at the centre of significant environmental, social, and cultural discussions. Its future will likely play a defining role in shaping how cotton is managed in the Top End and whether that growth can be sustainable.

As of 2024–2025, Tipperary remains a key player in the NT’s cotton industry, with increasing production and contribution to policy discussions about land use, water management, and the long-term viability of broadacre cropping in the north.

While proponents state that cotton will boost the Territory economy, others voice concerns about large scale land clearing and downstream effects on biodiversity and water systems.

There is plenty of scaremongering about water when cotton is involved so get educated about how it is grown and whether it is dry cotton or irrigated. And remember, regardless of the crop, there will always be a need for transparency, scientific oversight and respect for long-term land management practices.