Cotton to citrus: Eather family opens orchard, sharing opportunities and challenges with farming community

THE future of farming was in focus when the award-winning Eather family welcomed farmers, industry experts, regional stakeholders and agricultural professionals to their Tarriaro orchard, near Narrabri, for the J & T Hort Citrus Open Day.

Held on 11 August, the event was hosted by Julia and Tom Eather’s family-owned citrus business for producers interested in how a change in farming direction could suit their own operations.

Tom Eather said the open day was about providing practical information.

“We made the call to replace some of our cotton with citrus and it wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” Tom said.

“There were hard questions around water, capital, infrastructure and markets.

 

“This field day was about putting all of those questions on the table, with real numbers and people who’ve been through it, so others could make an informed decision for their own operation.”

The open day attracted a good roll-up of attendees from across the region keen to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of converting from cotton to citrus, with the program combining practical on-farm insights, financial analysis and market information.

When the Eather family replaced a selection of their cotton with a citrus orchard on their Narrabri-region property, they said they didn’t just change crops but had to rethink everything: water productivity, input costs, long-term asset value and what a viable farming enterprise looks like in this region for the next generation.

That decision has since been recognised nationally.

 

Readers might remember previous reports about the Eathers of Bellevue Pastoral Company being named 2025 Weekly Times Coles Farmers of the Year, with the Innovation Award specifically recognising J & T Hort, their citrus operation, as a standout example of new thinking in Australian agriculture.

The local farming family was praised for ‘transforming their property into an agricultural powerhouse’.

Julia and Tom, with their parents Darren and Leanne Eather, operate Bellevue Pastoral Company.

The Eathers conduct their operations at Tarriaro as well as in the Riverina near Carrathool and Deniliquin, supported by an energetic team.

 

Combined, they employ roughly 55 permanent employees as well as 20–30 contractors growing cotton, almonds, winter crops and citrus.

Speaking to The Courier after receiving the 2025 awards, Darren said it was completely unexpected.

“We don’t do it for the accolades,” he said. “To be recognised is a real honour.”

Darren said it was particularly special to be featured in the innovation category.

 

“I’ve never thought of myself as an innovator,” he said.

The third generation on the farm, Darren, the son of Warren and Lyn Eather, is proud of the continued advancement and diversification of their operations.

Coming from a livestock background, the Eathers embraced cotton and now have advanced again into horticulture.

Regenerative activities also form a big part of what the Eathers do.

Inspired to give back, the family opened their orchard to share what they know.

 

It’s a generous and collaborative approach and a familiar experience to those in the cotton industry, where growers and experts are known for being happy to help each other, discussing both the benefits and challenges faced.

Tom and Julia Eather were open to sharing with attendees what the shift looked like for them, on paper and on the ground, as well as the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

The day’s agenda homed in on three key questions for producers considering a farm shift: Why does the financial and market case stack up right now? How can they build a water-efficient and scalable operation? And what does conversion actually look like from those who have already done it?

 

Presentations covered market demand, financial modelling, irrigation infrastructure, long-term water security, regional development, workforce, route-to-market opportunities and grower experiences, with interactive panel sessions encouraging producers to ask questions and share ideas.

Among the speakers were representatives from Citrus Australia, agricultural valuation specialists, irrigation engineers, Narrabri Shire Council, and growers who have already diversified from cotton into citrus production, including Moree’s Dick Estens, who gave an engaging and impressive presentation.

Narrabri Shire Council’s Bill Birch discussed the role local government could play in supporting regional economic growth, while James Thomas from Nutrien Harcourts spoke about the long-term water security outlook.

Nathan Hancock from Citrus Australia examined market outlook and demand confidence.

 

Other presentations explored irrigation design, water efficiency, financial returns, freight and export opportunities.

The event highlighted how the Eather family has embraced innovation in recent years.

J & T Hort was established in 2025 as part of the broader Eather family agricultural enterprise and has since planted a large-scale citrus orchard focused on premium export-quality oranges using modern irrigation systems and sustainable production practices.

Their willingness to think outside the box extends beyond horticulture.

 

The family also recently purchased the historic Baan Baa Hotel, formerly the Railway Hotel, marking another exciting pivot – this time to hospitality, driven by the need to secure accommodation for seasonal workers while ensuring the small community retained its much-loved pub and meeting place.

By opening their orchard and laying out both the pros and cons of establishing a citrus enterprise, the Eather family reinforced the message that informed decision-making, collaboration and innovation will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of agriculture across the region. More on page 20.

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