2011-12 Cotton Australia Anniversary Edition Annual Report

Transcription

C E L E B R A T I N G
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF COT TON AUSTRALIA · ANNUAL REPORT ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011/12
YEARS
40
SUITE 4.01
247 COWARD STREET
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AUSTRALIA
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FOLLOW US @COTTONAUSTRALIA
OF COTTON AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT
2011/12
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNIVERSARY EDITION
2011/12
“Watch Out! New Technology is Coming”, Estela Bonato, Click! Phot Comp
looking
back
HAMISH MILLAR
ACGRA member from 1998 - 2007
Youngest Chair of ACGRA 2004 - 2007
Director of Cotton Australia 2007 - 2011
Director of Cotton Research & Development
Corporation 2011 – present
“
In the past cotton has faced
many challenges and proved
resilient in responding to,
and overcoming threats to our
viability. Grower led research,
development and extension has
played a major role in advancing
the Australian cotton industry
into a competitive and
technically advanced agricultural
industry making a significant
contribution to the nation’s
economy. The industry’s
commitment to research has
a long history and this must
continue into the future to keep
cotton growers at the cutting
edge of profitable, sustainable
farming.
”
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 40 YEARS
contents
04 A Word from the Chairman
05 The CEO’s View
06 Cotton Australia – Celebrating 40 years
07 Financial Summary
08 Cotton Australia Board
09 Cotton Australia Staff
10 To Our Levy Payers – Thanks for Being On Our Team
11
An Industry in Resurgence – 2011-12 Crop Report
12 Making a Splash in Water Policy
13 Drift Campaign Protects Crops Again
14 One Voice for Policy
16 Reaching Out – Regional reports
20 40 Year Honour Roll
21 1972-2012 – The Timeline
26 Vintage Moments
29 Increased Focus on Jobs and Learning
30 Growers Come Online with myBMP
31 Telling Cotton Australia’s Story
33 Research, Development and Extension
34 Tools of the Trade – Stewardship
35 On the Road with Cotton Australia
37 Cotton Safe – Watching Out for Workers
38 Vintage Moments
41 A Climate of Change
42 Digging In – Mining and Coal Seam Gas
A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
I AM KEENLY AWARE THAT WHILE
IT WAS A GREAT SEASON FOR
MOST, SOME OF OUR GROWERS
WERE DEVASTATED BY FLOODS
AND SOME OF OUR MERCHANTS
FOUND THEMSELVES IN
DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. MAY
WE CONTINUE TO STAND
TOGETHER, PROVIDING A UNITED
VOICE FOR OUR GROWERS WELL
INTO THE NEXT 40 YEARS.
“Of all the fibre sold world-wide over 40% is cotton”, Hayley Caccianiga, Click! Photo Comp 2012
Cotton Australia Chairman and Cotton Grower from Boggabri, Andrew Watson
2012 IS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR
COTTON AUSTRALIA AS WE
CELEBRATE OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE AUSTRALIAN COTTON
FOUNDATION, AS IT WAS THEN
KNOWN, STARTED WITH VERY
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS A CLIENT
OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM PPR IN
1972. IN THAT VERY SAME YEAR THE
AUSTRALIAN COTTON GROWERS
RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (ACGRA)
WAS FORMED TO ENCOURAGE
GROWER PARTICIPATION IN THE
RESEARCH THAT UNDERPINNED
THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY IN
THOSE EARLY YEARS.
Cotton Australia has grown and developed
alongside an industry that has changed
enormously in that time. Interestingly, the
separation of roles with Cotton Australia as
primarily an advocacy body that dealt with
public perceptions and those of the ACGRA
as a grower-led body dealing with research
was quite deliberate. The two organisations
worked side-by-side for 36 years before the
two functions were combined when Cotton
Australia and the ACGRA merged in 2008 to
provide one united voice for our industry.
I’m very pleased to have been at the helm
of Cotton Australia over the last year as the
industry expanded and we produced back to
back record cotton crops of 4.1 million bales
in 2010-11 and a likely 4.8 million bales this
year. The recovery has been rapid, and Cotton
Australia has needed to be flexible in order to
support the many new growers entering our
industry during this expansion phase.
4 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF COTTON AUSTRALIA
During the year the Board undertook a
review of the current Strategic Plan 2009-13,
which is due to be upgraded at the end of this
year. Essentially this review found that we
remained focussed on the critical issues and
that we’re on the right track for achieving the
targets set down in the Plan.
Although the industry is rebuilding, the
Cotton Australia Board has taken a
precautionary approach to expansion, with
the first focus on rebuilding reserves that had
been depleted during the extended drought
period. While there has been some needed
additions made to the staff, we’ve been
careful not to rapidly increase spending to
make sure the organisation is best placed to
survive another downturn in the future.
In another strategic re-alignment, we’ve
recognised a gap in our knowledge in the
area of human capacity. Cotton Australia has
teamed up with the Cotton Research and
Development Corporation (CRDC) and other
industry groups to devise an overall human
capacity strategy for the industry that will
focus on attracting and retaining a cotton
workforce into the future. This strategy needs
to be based on research and so the first steps
are to gather data through CRDC-funded
research projects that will help inform where
our investments will be best made.
With the increase in research budget due to
the size of the crop, Cotton Australia’s research
advisory panels are playing an ever more
important role in directing industry research,
development and extension. And with the
Cotton CRC era closing we’ve been working
on some strategies to ensure the critical
extension function is filled post June 2012.
In terms of our environmental performance,
the Australian cotton industry continues to
lead the way with a 3rd Environmental
Assessment (Audit) underway to review our
progress against the recommendations made
back in 2005. This will show the industry is
on a trajectory of continual improvement but
will also document how important it is for
our growers to stay focussed on the myBMP
program that is being constantly improved
to provide a quality resource for our industry.
I’d like to personally thank the Board and
Staff of Cotton Australia for their efforts over
the last 12 months. In particular I’d like to
farewell and thank Hamish Millar and Cleave
Rogan who left the Board after many years of
dedicated service and to welcome our new
staff, who are helping reinvigorate our
organisation by providing an even greater
level of service to our growers in the regions.
This special Anniversary edition of our
Annual Report pays tribute to the people
past and present who have contributed to our
organisation during our 40 years of servicing
growers. We look at the highs and the lows,
some of the pivotal moments in our
organisation’s history and about many of the
achievements gained for our growers during
the last 40 years. I hope you enjoy the read as
much as I did.
Andrew Watson
Chairman
THE CEO’S VIEW
COTTON AUSTRALIA CONTINUES
TO PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP
WE NEED TO STEER THE INDUSTRY
AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO
MANY MORE YEARS OF POSITIVE
CONDITIONS FOR GROWING OUR
CROP THAT WILL ALLOW US TO
MAKE SOUND INVESTMENTS IN
OUR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE.
“Moon Shine Ginning!”, Jamie Condon, Click! Photo Comp 2012
Cotton Australia CEO, Adam Kay
THE RAPID RESURGENCE OF THE
AUSTRALIAN COTTON INDUSTRY
FROM PROLONGED DROUGHT TO
RECORD BACK TO BACK CROPS IN
THE LAST TWO SEASONS IS
FANTASTIC NEWS FOR OUR
GROWERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND
THEIR COMMUNITIES.
Our industry now stretches north to the
Burdekin region in Queensland and next year
may even creep across the border into
Victoria. Many growers entered the industry
for the first time, particularly in the south
and there was a large area of dryland cotton
produced by new and returning growers –
with stunning results.
Although it’s been a bumper season for most,
we must always remember that for some the
year wasn’t so positive. Flooding and heavy
rain again had an impact on the crop this
season with Central Queensland, St George
and Dirranbandi affected. The western
Gwydir and parts of the lower Namoi also
experienced bad flooding. These floods have
knocked yields and quality around in some
areas, but the overall result despite the floods
is a record crop of approximately 4.8 million
bales. We are proud that we were able to help
60 individual growers affected in the 2011
floods through the Cotton Industry Flood
Fund that raised over $2 million to help the
worst-affected.
As an organisation, Cotton Australia is
cautiously rebuilding after many years of
tough financial times. One of the most
exciting changes is the re-engagement of a
part-time field team located in all of the
major cotton growing regions. Nine Regional
Managers have been employed to provide
support to growers at the local level, assist
Cotton Grower Associations and deliver
myBMP and education activities.
As an industry we’ve recognised that a very
important turning point has been reached
with myBMP. The new system is in place and
an industry implementation team, including
Cotton Australia is steadily helping growers
move across to the web-based platform.
It’s a really simple process and one that
I encourage all growers to get involved with.
There’s plenty of support available and I can’t
stress enough the importance of the myBMP
program in our advocacy work. I believe that
myBMP has been our industry’s saviour,
providing the tangible evidence we need to
establish our environmental credentials with
the policy makers.
A renewed effort was also made in the area
of community education, with a number of
initiatives to engage students and educators
in cotton production and to promote positive
messages about our industry. We also explored
some new communication platforms such as
Facebook and Twitter, and revamped our
corporate website which is a huge repository
for cotton information, grower resources
and data.
While we’ve reinvigorated some areas of the
business that were reduced during the
drought, the organisation has remained
focused on its advocacy work. A very
professional team worked hard during 201112 to put forward the industry’s position and
influence public policy on critical issues such
as the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the
Carbon Tax, Coal Seam Gas and Mining
Exploration and Transport issues.
In looking back over Cotton Australia’s 40
years there are just too many achievements
and milestones to capture in one report.
I started in the industry in the mid 1980’s
when Cotton Australia’s main role was to
fight fires and face a roaringly disapproving
public. Thankfully we’ve come a long way
since those days of disaster headlines, taking
stock through the 1st Environmental Audit,
making real changes on farm through BMP,
investing in research and development to
help us innovate and quietly going about the
business of improvement.
Today’s modern cotton industry is almost
unrecognisable compared to 40 years ago.
I am so thankful for the wisdom of those
people sitting on the Boards of Auscott
Limited, the Queensland Marketing Board
and Namoi Cotton Cooperative who saw the
need for an advocacy organisation right back
then. I believe that Cotton Australia is as
relevant today as it was back then, if not
more so.
This special Anniversary edition of the
Annual Report is a trip down memory lane,
but I also hope that our growers get a sense
of our future direction and some of the
exiting initiatives that we’ve been able to
start up this year.
I would like to thank all of my dedicated
staff, both old and new, who every day take
to their work with passion, enthusiasm and
a huge amount of dedication to the cotton
industry. As our team grows, I am excited by
the prospects of being able to deliver an even
higher level of assistance to our supporters,
our growers.
Adam Kay
Chief Executive Officer
COTTON AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011/12 5
COTTON AUSTRALIA – CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
“Irragated Cotton”, Steve Burke, Click! Photo Comp 2012
COTTON AUSTRALIA IS THE PEAK
BODY FOR AUSTRALIA’S COTTON
GROWING INDUSTRY, SUPPORTING
OVER 1,500 COTTON FARMING
FAMILIES IN NSW AND QUEENSLAND.
WE FOSTER A WORLD CLASS
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY THAT’S
SUSTAINABLE, VALUED FOR ITS
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND PRODUCES
VERY HIGH QUALITY COTTON IN
DEMAND AROUND THE GLOBE.
Led by a Board of 10, Cotton Australia was
established in 1972 (as the Australian Cotton
Foundation) and in 2008 merged with the
Australian Cotton Growers Research
Association (also established in 1972) to
provide a united voice for cotton growers
across research, stewardship, natural resource
management and cotton production issues.
Cotton Australia helps the Australian cotton
industry to be world competitive, sustainable
and valued by the community. It drives the
industry’s strategic direction, retains a strong
focus on R&D, promotes the strengths of the
industry, reports its environmental credentials
and implements policy objectives.
Cotton Australia’s advocacy work starts in the
field, listening to grower concerns and issues,
and ends in Parliament House in Canberra,
Sydney and Brisbane where those messages
are taken to the policy makers that can have a
real impact on the business of growing cotton.
The organisation pushes for better funding
for rural R&D and provides grower-driven
feedback to the Cotton Research &
Development Corporation (CRDC) on where
they should invest their research dollars.
It also helps to safeguard the industry by
remaining vigilant and prepared for risks like
biosecurity threats and exotic pest incursions.
The myBMP program is led by Cotton Australia,
a practical on-farm management tool that
allows the industry to minimise its footprint
and establish its environmental credentials
with government and the community.
Cotton Australia positively promotes the
industry to external audiences including the
media, educators, students and cotton
communities and plays an important role in
keeping growers informed of activities and
issues that affect them.
Cotton Australia has offices in Sydney, Narrabri
and Toowoomba and field staff in most of the
cotton production regions. The activities of
Board and Staff are directed by an Annual
Operating Plan, underpinned by a 2009-13
Strategic Plan that sets out priorities and core
areas of business.
OUR VISION
A sustainable Australian cotton industry that
is valued for its environmental, economic and
social contribution.
OUR PURPOSE
To advance the interests of the Australian
cotton growing industry.
OUR KEY PORTFOLIOS
1. Member Services and Capacity Building
2. Research Direction and Stewardship
3. Policy and Advocacy
4. Communication and Engagement
With thanks to Cotton Australia’s valued
Members for their input throughout
the year
> Auscott Limited
> Brighann Ginning
> Caroll Cotton
> Central Highlands Cotton Growers &
Irrigators Association Inc
> Cotton Seed Distributors
> Crop Consultants Australia Ltd
> Darling Downs Cotton Growers’ Inc
> Darling River Cotton Pty Limited
> Darling River Food and Fibre
> Dawson Valley Cotton Growers’
Association
> Dirranbandi Cotton Growers’ Association
> Dunavent Ginning
> Gwydir Valley Cotton Growers’ Association
> Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Cotton
Growers’ Association
> Lower Namoi Cotton Growers’ Association
> Macintyre Valley Cotton Growers’
Association
> Macquarie Cotton Growers’ Association
> Menindee and Lower Darling Cotton
> Mungindi Water Users’ and Cotton
> Namoi Cotton Co-op
> North Bourke Growers Ginning
> North West Ginning Pty Limited
> Queensland Cotton Corporation Limited
> St George Cotton Growers’ Association
> Tandou Ltd
> Twynam Cotton Pty Ltd
> Upper Namoi Cotton Growers Association
> Walgett Cotton Growers’ Association
> Wathagar Ginning Company
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
INCOME
YEAR
2005/2006
2006/2007
2007/2008
2008/2009
2009/2010
2010/2011
2011/2012
LEVY
OTHER INCOME
$3,866,199
$3,888,766
$2,012,114
$944,100
$2,203,624
$2,513,893
$5,706,234
$338,220
$251,101
$303,394
$1,482,015
$654,326
$124,593
$182,635
OPERATING
CAPITAL
$3,551,831
$3,212,645
$2,211,566
$1,940,928
$2,085,648
$2,187,757
$2,948,431
$139,888
$237,193
$49,312
$8,924
$5,726
$3,220
$79,202
OPERATING VS CAPITAL
YEAR
2005/2006
2006/2007
2007/2008
2008/2009
2009/2010
2010/2011
2011/2012
OPERATING EXPENDITURE
BY PROGRAM
2011/12
2010/11
2009/10
Board and Executive
Policy and Advocacy
Affiliations
Public Affairs
Grower Services/myBMP
Office Overheads
Administration
Research
$557,587
$888,685
$117,176
$328,602
$381,830
$452,765
$177,906
$43,880
$391,943
$371,816
$113,997
$309,623
$415,192
$370,100
$172,850
$42,236
$442,296
$395,077
$109,977
$224,607
$332,871
$367,371
$161,749
$51,700
$2,948,431
$2,187,757
$2,085,648
TOTAL
GROWER LEVY CONTRIBUTION RATE
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
68%
67%
68%
69%
68%
68%
62%
NOTE: THE REDUCTION IN LEVY COLLECTION WAS
LARGELY DUE TO SEVERELY FLOOD -AFFECTED REGIONS.
COTTON AUSTRALIA
ANDREW WATSON
LYNDON MULLIGAN
Chairman
Cotton Grower, Boggabri, NSW
Deputy Chairman
Cotton Grower, Moree, QLD
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
STUART ARMITAGE
JEREMY CALLACHOR
Agri-Business Consultant
Emerald, Queensland
Cotton Grower
Darling Downs, QLD
Namoi Cotton
SIMON CORISH
BOB DALL’ALBA
GEORGE GALLACHER
Cotton Grower
Goondiwindi, QLD
Chief Marketing Officer
Queensland Cotton
General Manager – Cotton Marketing
Auscott
HAMISH MCINTYRE
ANDREW PARKES
Cotton Grower
St George and Dirranbandi, QLD
Agri-Business Consultant
Moree, NSW
COTTON AUSTRALIA STAFF
ADAM KAY
Based: Sydney
GREG KAUTER
Policy Manager –
Research Direction
and Stewardship
Based: Sydney
DAVID BONE
National Communications
Manager
Based: Sydney
THERESE WOODEN
Finance Manager
Based: Sydney
ANGELA BRADBURN
Policy Officer
Based: Sydney
SAHIL PRASAD
Policy Officer - Coal Seam
Gas And Mining
Based: Sydney
SOPHIE DAVIDSON
Education Coordinator
Based: Sydney
BROOKE SUMMERS
Communication Consultant
Based: Sydney
CHRIS O'HARE
Administration Assistant
Based: Sydney
ROCHELLE ZAKHER
Executive Assistant
Based: Sydney
MICHAEL MURRAY
Policy Manager –
Queensland and Water
Based: Toowoomba
JAMES HOULAHAN
Field Policy Manager
Regional Manager Gwydir
Based: Moree
GEOFF HUNTER
Regional Manager
Namoi/Walgett/Bourke
Based: Narrabri
MARIE-LOUISE OFFNER
Regional Manager
Darling Downs
Based: Toowoomba
JULIE WISE
Regional Manager
Macquarie Valley
Based: Warren
RENEE ANDERSON
Regional Manager
Central Highlands
Based: Emerald
REBECCA FING
Regional Manager
Macintyre
Based: Goondiwindi
JAMES HILL
Regional Manager
Lachlan/Murrumbidgee
Based: Hay
JANE HILL
Regional Manager
St George/Dirranbandi
Based: St George
BRONWYN CHRISTENSEN
Regional Manager
Dawson Valley
Based: Theodore
TO OUR LEVY PAYERS –
THANKS FOR BEING ON OUR TEAM
“The Beauty of Farming”, Jenni Seigmeier, Click! Photo Comp 2012
To all of the cotton growers who continue
to support us year after year by paying their
voluntary levy, we say thank you. Some of you
are large corporate farms, the majority are
small family operations and most have stuck
by us through the ups and downs of our
40 year history. You are our organisation.
Cotton Australia doesn’t exist without you.
Thanks for your support.
AN INDUSTRY IN RESURGENCE
2011-12 CROP REPORT
“Look How Far Technology Has Come”, Joanne Campbell, Click! Photo Comp 2012
THIS YEAR THE SEASON SETTLED
INTO WHAT HAS ALMOST BECOME
THE STANDARD FOR THE POST
DROUGHT AUSTRALIAN COTTON
INDUSTRY - A RECORD AREA OF
640,000 HECTARES PLANTED,
FLOODS IN SOME AREAS AND
A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST.
Despite tough, flooded conditions in a
number of cotton regions that affected yield
and quality, Cotton Australia estimates a
record cotton crop of around 4.8 million
bales, worth upwards of $2.5 billion dollars
for the national economy will be harvested.
With water abundant, we hope given
reasonable prices that cotton will again be the
crop of choice for many irrigated and dryland
farmers in regions stretching from Emerald
in the North to Hay in the South.
While some areas suffered yield losses due to
flooding and a prolonged overcast finish,
other areas reported record yields, with some
dryland crops doing particularly well.
For those flood affected in 2011, Cotton
Australia was able to deliver much-needed
funds via the Cotton Industry Flood Relief
Fund. It took a while to overcome the hurdles
of government regulations, but in the end
cash support payments were made to
60 severely affected growers from a total of
85 applications. The funding was allocated by
an independent fund administrator who
assessed applications in order of need.
Another Cotton Australia service provided
again this year, and especially important with
such a large crop, was Pick N Match.
Designed to bring picking contractors and
growers together, the program aimed to
ensure all growers had access to reliable
picking contractors if they needed them.
The vast majority of assistance was provided
on the Darling Downs, where 57% of the $2
million plus fund was allocated and 28%
went to family farms in the Theodore region.
The Cotton Industry Flood Relief Fund
also approved assistance for growers in
the Central Highlands, Macintyre and
Macquarie Valleys.
Flooded cotton fields between St George and
Dirranbandi.
WATER POLICY
“Watering Time”, Karen Sullivan, Click! Photo Comp 2012
WATER POLICY AT NATIONAL
AND STATE LEVELS REMAINED
A MAJOR ADVOCACY AREA FOR
COTTON AUSTRALIA, WITH ACTIVITY
FOCUSED IN THREE MAIN AREAS.
and environmental water management,
Menindee Lakes re-configuration and aquifer
interference policies.
Direct lobbying of government
These included the Basin Plan, water pricing,
floodplain harvesting and amendments to
the Environmental Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act amendments.
This included full participation in Federal
Water Minister Tony Burke’s Roundtable
discussions and meetings with State Water
Ministers covering a wide range of issues
including the Basin Plan, floodplain
harvesting and supplementary licencing.
Numerous meetings were also held with
key bureaucrats in Queensland, NSW and
Canberra on issues including metering projects
Development and lodgement of
submissions on key issues
Memberships of like-minded
organisations to develop strategies in
partnership
Membership and active support in the National
Irrigators Council, National Farmer’s Federation
Water Committee, NSW Irrigators Council
and Queensland Farmers Federation Water
committee allowed cotton’s policy positions
to be incorporated into those of the sector.
MURRAY-DARLING BASIN PLAN
Cotton Australia continued to direct
substantial efforts to influence outcomes of
the Draft Plan, that has the potential to
negatively impact several cotton communities
across the Basin. Strategies included:
Cotton Australia Policy Manager Michael
Murray (right) at one of many meetings with
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke on
the Basin Plan.
> Numerous face-to-face meetings with key
players including Murray-Darling Basin
Authority Chairman Craig Knowles,
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke,
Federal Opposition Spokesman Senator
Barnaby Joyce and key public servants
such as the Prime Minister’s water advisor
> A key role in ensuring co-ordination
between peak irrigator groups
> Attendance at numerous community
meetings on the Basin Plan in both
Queensland and NSW
> Numerous submissions, culminating in
a comprehensive final submission in
mid-April that encapsulated all key
positions and industry data
The final Murray-Darling Basin Plan report
is expected during 2012.
SUNWATER PRICING
Significant resources were invested in the
Queensland Competition Authority’s
SunWater pricing process, with final
prices for the period 2012 to 2017 released
mid-2012. Cotton Australia worked very
closely with Queensland Farmers Federation,
in particular Ian Johnson, on this issue as
well as engaging Emerald based consultant
Geoff Kavanagh to provide specialist
input. While prices will rise, Cotton Australia
is confident that its work has limited
those increases.
DRIFT CAMPAIGN PROTECTS CROPS AGAIN
“It Just Goes On and On and On”, Carly Donnelly, Click! Photo Comp 2012
WITH RECORD PLANTINGS AND
A LARGE NUMBER OF NEW
GROWERS THIS SEASON, THERE
WAS POTENTIAL FOR WIDE-SCALE
DAMAGE TO COTTON CROPS
FROM POOR SPRAY APPLICATIONS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING
TO THE PHENOXY GROUP OF
HERBICIDES.
Darling Downs growers attend a chemical
application training workshop held by
Bill Gordon.
Across the cotton regions there were isolated
incidents and a few cases of significant
damage, with approximately 7,000 hectares
of Group I herbicide damage reported to
Cotton Australia. While down on the longterm incident rate it shows there is still a
need for increased awareness of correct
application conditions for drift reduction.
The CottonMap website proved highly
successful once again in alerting potential
users of Phenoxy products to the proximity
of planted cotton fields and, as a
management tool, is now firmly established
as the corner stone of the cotton industry’s
spray drift management program.
Further development and improved features
resulted in CottonMap being made accessible
on smart phones and tablet devices, thanks
to a joint effort between Cotton Australia, the
Cotton Research and Development
Corporation (CRDC), Grains Research
Development Corporation and Nufarm.
In 2011 a record total of 5,381 fields were
mapped by 368 users accounting for
640,393 field hectares.
The effectiveness of Cotton Australia’s
spray drift management strategy has been
built on a broad range of integrated activities
including:
> Lobbying the APVMA, state pesticide
regulatory agencies and politicians
> Direct marketing to farmers via chemical
resellers, machinery sales and spray
applicators
> A targeted advertising, media and
awareness campaign, also utilising direct
text messaging to growers and consultants
> Strengthening networks with grains
industry, aerial applicators and
agribusiness organisations
> Logging reports with affected growers
and in some instances regulatory agencies
following drift incidents
> Promoting chemical application training
through Bill Gordon Consulting, a
project jointly funded by the Cotton
and Grains Research and Development
Corporations. In the past 12 months
17 spray application workshops have been
conducted for cotton growers with
participants including 312 growers and
103 crop consultants or advisors
ONE VOICE
CEO ADAM KAY (LEFT) WITH
INTERNATIONAL COTTON
ADVISORY COMMITTEE HEAD
TERRY TOWNSEND AT THE ICAC
MEETING IN BUENOS AIRES,
ARGENTINA.
COTTON AUSTRALIA PROVIDES A
UNITED VOICE FOR THE COTTON
INDUSTRY, AND HAS HAD THIS
FUNCTION FOR ITS ENTIRE 40 YEAR
HISTORY. AS AN ADVOCACY BODY
COTTON AUSTRALIA HAS EARNED
THE RESPECT OF POLITICIANS
AND SENIOR BUREAUCRATS ON
ALL SIDES OF POLITICS AND MAKES
IT A PRIORITY TO KEEP KEY
DECISION MAKERS UP TO DATE
ON COTTON INDUSTRY ISSUES AND
POLICY POSITIONS.
This is achieved mainly by a sustained
lobbying campaign and rounds of briefings
with journalists, politicians and advisors at
state and federal levels. Throughout the year
Cotton Australia worked both independently
and in partnership with other peak
organisations such as the National Farmers
Federation (NFF) and the National Irrigators
Council (NIC). Cotton Australia is also a
member of the Queensland Farmers
Federation and the NSW Irrigators Council
and works closely with these bodies to
ensure the cotton industry’s position is
understood and incorporated into
agricultural policy making.
Cotton Australia estimates that over
100 briefing meetings were conducted
throughout the year, focused on topics as
broad ranging as flood relief, the Carbon
Farming Initiative, the Murray-Darling Basin
Plan, coal seam gas and mining and funding
for rural research and development.
ACSA delegation in China.
Cotton Australia also influences public
policy through the drafting of submissions
to government on important issues for
our industry. During 2011-12 some key
submissions included:
> Clean Energy Legislative Package,
August 2011
> Coal Seam Gas Inquiry, September 2011
> Strategic Cropping Land Bill,
November 2011
> Murray-Darling Basin Association Draft
Basin Plan, April 2012
> Draft Agricultural and Veterinary
Chemicals Legislation Amendment
Bill 2011, Feb 2012
Cotton Australia’s advocacy efforts extended
internationally this year. Directors Lyndon
Mulligan and Simon Corish joined an
Australian Cotton Shippers Association
delegation to China where seminars were
held in Qingdao in Shandong province and
Shanghai. Over 400 spinners, warehouse
managers and traders attended to get an
update on Australia’s positive production
outlook, ginning and shipping capacity,
quality improvements, classing system, the
role of Cotton Australia, myBMP and an
update on our plant breeding program.
CEO Adam Kay also represented Cotton
Australia at the 70th ICAC Plenary Meeting
in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he made
presentations about biotechnology and seed
production as well as an update on the
Australian cotton industry.
PAUL KAHL
Pioneer Cotton Grower, one of the ginning
representatives (Namoi Cotton Co-op) to conceive
the need for an industry advocacy body, eventually
becoming the Australian Cotton Foundation.
looking
back
“
The cotton industry in Australia
set itself up in its formative years
to control its own destiny free
of government controls. In the
process it separated research
from politics. These structures
have been of inestimable value
to future growers and they along
with past and present growers
owe those who put a great deal of
time and effort into accomplishing
this task a tremendous vote of
thanks. It should also be
remembered that the time put
in to get these structures up and
running was largely volunteer
...and what’s more, the
achievements were still standing
thirty – forty years later.
”
Excerpt from Paul Kahl Autobiography
Cotton Pickin Pioneer
REACHING OUT - REGIONAL REPORTS
“Cotton Farms”, Daniel Skerman, Click! Photo Comp 2012
COTTON AUSTRALIA THIS YEAR
EXTENDED ITS ON-GROUND
SUPPORT FOR GROWERS BY
EXPANDING ITS TEAM OF PART-TIME
FIELD OFFICERS TO NINE, LOCATED
FROM EMERALD IN THE NORTH TO
HAY IN THE SOUTH. THIS TEAM,
REDUCED DURING THE DROUGHT,
PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN DELIVERING
THE VIEWS OF GROWERS TO THE
STAFF AT HEAD OFFICE TO
FORMULATE POLICY, SET STRATEGIC
DIRECTION AND DETERMINE
THE ISSUES ON WHICH COTTON
AUSTRALIA SHOULD FOCUS.
THE FOLLOWING REPORTS GIVE
A VALLEY-BY-VALLEY WRAP UP
FROM THE FIELD.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
DAWSON VALLEY
The start of this cotton season saw 29,000
hectares of cotton planted in the region.
A reasonable start to the season was
interrupted in January when Fairbairn Dam
spilled and the valley was again in flood.
The commencement of the 2011-2012 planting
season in the Dawson Valley saw frenetic
activity as growers battled time and financial
commitment to be ready for planting after
the devastation of the January 2011 floods.
Throughout the Dawson and Callide Valleys
more than 8,000 hectares of cotton was
planted and until mid-January 2012 growers
were looking forward to an outstanding crop.
However cloud coverage and then long periods
of rain resulted in significant top fruit loss and
boll rot that saw the season finish with lower
than expected yields and quality.
To support our growers through this time,
Cotton Australia provided as much assistance
as possible through a series of financial
workshops and area wide meetings.
Due to the floods many politicians were keen
to visit and Regional Manager Renee Anderson
helped host MP’s Campbell Newman, Vaughan
Johnson, Ray Hopper and Tim Mulherin.
They were most interested in post flood
recovery but were also briefed about the
importance of biosecurity on farms and the
impact of coal exploration.
Many myBMP workshops with groups of
10 to 20 people were held throughout the
year, in conjunction with local extension, the
Fitzroy Basin Association and local businesses.
Another key area of focus was a cotton
education program that included a hands
on program for four local schools and
kindergartens and over 800 school children
visiting a cotton stall at the Natural Resource
Management Expo.
Regional Manager Renee Anderson participates
in a television interview about IPM.
Flooding around Queensland in early 2012
saw several workshops and seminars
postponed, however thanks to funding from
the Fitzroy Basin Association and the
Dawson Callide Catchment Association, two
myBMP workshops with Liz Alexander of
Blue Dog Agribusiness as well as further
training for potential myBMP Advisors with
myBMP Manager Jim Wark were held.
In February 2012 Cotton Australia appointed
Bronwyn Christensen as a dedicated Regional
Manager for the Dawson and Callide Valleys
and is looking forward to a number of planned
grower and education initiatives this year.
Cotton grower Lester Anderson of
'Cosmos' Theodore.
Photo courtesy of the Central Telegraph
“Days End”, Julieanne Rogan, Click! Photo Comp 2012
DARLING DOWNS
Darling Downs growers were understandably
relieved to have a much better start to the
season after experiencing the disastrous floods
of 2011. The season got off to a slow start with
approximately 15% of the 88,000 hectare crop
requiring replanting due to scattered rain
events and low temperatures but growers
were generally pleased with the end result.
Cotton Australia’s newly appointed Regional
Manager Marie-Louise Offner spent time
supporting the Darling Downs Cotton
Growers’ Association and getting to know
growers. A number of initiatives were
supported during the year including:
> A Cotton Australia road show to update
growers on policy positions and provide
information about mental health
> Increasing involvement with local schools
through the Gateway to Agriculture Program
> Three myBMP workshops, with interest
very high
> Four Bill Gordon Spray Management
workshops which were very well attended
A critical issue for growers is Arrow Energy’s
Surat Basin Coal Seam Gas Project, affecting
a large area of the Darling Downs. Cotton
Australia was very involved in supporting
growers to advocate their objections.
Cotton Australia Regional Manager MarieLouise Offner joins the judging panel for the
Darling Downs Crop Competition.
ST GEORGE AND
DIRRANBANDI
65,000 hectares was planted in the region,
but cold weather at the start of the season
meant that up to 30% of the crop required
replanting. The season got worse when the
crops were waterlogged by heavy rain, with
some areas recording as much as 550mm for
January – March. This led to major flooding
with the Balonne River peaking at a record
high 13.95m in February at St George, 3,000
hectares unable to be picked and a further
5,000 hectares inundated. This affected yield
and quality, with boll rot an issue.
As a result of all hands on deck to manage
the floods, many Cotton Grower Association
activities such as Field Days, Meetings and
Dinners were postponed or cancelled.
However a highlight of the year was the 2011
Monsanto Cotton Grower of the Year Farm
Walk held on the Willis’ property ‘Bullamon
Plains’ that saw over 100 people take a look
at the Bankless Channel Irrigation System
and other farm features. Cotton Australia’s
newly appointed Regional Manager Jane Hill
supported this important event.
BORDER RIVERS
103,000 hectares of cotton was planted in
the Border Rivers. Rain late in the season
resulted in some quality issues, but it was a
relatively positive season with yields
especially high in the dryland crops.
Newly appointed Regional Manager Bec
Fing worked closely with the local Cotton
Grower Associations on a number of
projects including:
> The “Pushing the Boundaries” education
program to educate and inform school
students about cotton
> A Community Support and Funding
Workshop run by Sally Hunter
> A Marketing and Industrial Relations
Workshop hosted by Pete Johnson and
Rob Imray from the Cotton Compass and
Bob Kellow from Industrial Mediation
> An introductory myBMP workshop
> The Macintyre Valley Cotton Field Day
attended by 120 growers and industry
personnel with a theme of “Post Farm Gate”
Over 100 industry people attend the 2011
Monsanto Cotton Grower of the Year Farm
Walk held on the Willis’s property ‘Bullamon
Plains’, St George.
REACHING OUT - REGIONAL REPORTS (cont)
“Another Big Day of Picking Nears Completion at Waterloo”, Darling Downs QLD, Brad Pffefer, Click! Photo Comp 2012
GWYDIR
NAMOI
WALGETT
It was a season of mixed fortunes in the
Gwydir Valley, with a difficult start, two floods
and a sensational finish. The biggest challenge
in the season came with a flood in November
and then a major flood in February that
inundated vast areas of cotton within the
Moree Plains district. Approximately 20%
of the crop was either severely impacted or
wasn’t economically viable and there was also
significant infrastructure damage including
roads and on-farm. Despite these issues, the
season had a very fortunate ending with the
crops not severely flood-affected producing
astonishing yields and the valley set to
produce over 620,000 bales.
A total of 84,000 hectares was planted in the
Namoi Valley, 55 000ha in the Lower and
29 000ha in the Upper parts of the region.
Yield results have been mixed in various parts
of the valley, with flooding in the Lower Namoi
in November and then again in January
affecting both yield and quality. In areas not
affected by flooding, yields and quality have
been some of the best ever experienced.
Gwydir Regional Manager James Houlahan
spent significant time during the year
supporting the Gwydir Valley Cotton
Growers Association and growers through:
> Attendance at grower meetings and local
industry forums
> Gathering post-flood information for
Cotton Australia
> Negotiating special transport permits and
load concessions
> Participation at the ‘Considering Cotton’
breakfast forum targeted at new cotton
growers
Cotton Australia’s phenoxy herbicide
campaign was implemented at the local level,
with CottonMap widely promoted, awareness
raised among retailers and growers and a
number of unfortunate drift incidents
documented and followed up.
Yields in the Walgett region were very good
with the average between 9 to 11 bales per
hectare, one grower averaging 12.3 bales to
the hectare across the board and some very
good dryland crops. Quality was good as
most of the crop was picked during the fine
dry weather the area experienced in April and
May. The Walgett CGA hosted Sally Hunter
in August last year in order to get advice
about funding through the CRDC. Through
this process they were able to install a
weather station with access to the Irrisat
programme, software that will enable them
to more accurately determine irrigation
timings in order to increase productivity.
There were 10,000 hectares of cotton grown
in the region with some damage from
flooding in February. This did affect some
growers but overall yields were still mostly
very pleasing.
Cotton Australia’s James Houlahan (left) and
Wayne Clissold, General Manager - North West
Ginning Pty Ltd.
New Regional Manager Geoff Hunter has
been busy getting to know growers,
consultants and agronomists, many of
whom were starting to get back on their feet
after many dry years, were new growers or
planting cotton after a long hiatus.
Cotton Australia Regional Manager Geoff
Hunter (right) with Dath Mita and Joe Carroll
from the USDA during a farm tour to survey
flood damage from Narrabri to Moree.
“The Golden Crop, Janet Dampney”, Click! Photo Comp 2012
MACQUARIE
BOURKE
The 2011-12 season saw the Macquarie Valley
return to form with 44,000 hectares of
cotton planted, the majority of this under
irrigation. Cool, wet and cloudy conditions
over summer and heavy rainfall in some areas
saw yields affected across the valley.
The Bourke area experienced one of the best
crops in many years with full water
allocations following a number of dry years.
There was 10,000 hectares of cotton grown
in the area and yields were generally in excess
of 10 bales per hectare with flooding not
really being an issue but more so the cool
cloudy weather experienced at peak flowering
time. The Bourke growers although small in
number are very keen to get involved in some
education and labour initiatives in order to
encourage people to come and live in the
area. Water is still the major issue for Bourke
growers as without it they have no crop and
to this end, Regional Manager Geoff Hunter
will be working with the local CGA to ensure
that growers concerns are heard.
With a new Regional Manager in Julie Wise,
Cotton Australia again became active in the
region facilitating a number of workshops and
field days in conjunction with the Cotton
Cooperative Research Centre and the Macquarie
Cotton Growers Association including:
> A bug-checker training day for cotton
industry and schools that was very popular
and will evolve into an annual workshop
> A myBMP workshop to introduce growers
to the on-line version of the program,
allowing growers to discover and navigate
this powerful resource while working on
their own farm assessments
> The Macquarie Cotton Growers
Association Annual Field Day focused on
innovative cotton configurations
Cotton Australia Regional Manager Julie Wise at
Bug Checking Training Day in the Macquarie.
LACHLAN AND
MURRUMBIDGEE
There was a record area of cotton planted in
Southern NSW with 55,000 hectares across
the Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Lower
Darling areas including crops close to the
Victorian border. Despite a cool season yield
expectations were positive due to no extremes
in terms of heat and cold and very little insect
pressure. Most of the area experienced
significant rain fall and flooding yet fortunately
it was timed so that most crops had mature
bolls and therefore little fruit loss occurred.
Over 200 growers and industry people
attended the first Southern NSW Cotton
Expo that highlighted many aspects of cotton
production, research and the local industry.
A number of well attended field walks covering
practical issues were also held during the
season to support new growers and members
of the International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF) also visited the region.
With the rapid expansion of cotton in the
south, a local group of growers built a large
capacity four stand gin in a very short space
of time that will process its first cotton this
season. This gin is essential for continued
expansion in terms of both cotton hectares
grown and its geographical spread.
From left to right, Mike Bange, Tim Commins,
Roger Commins, Lewis Wilson, Cotton
Australia’s James Houlahan and Cotton
Australia’s James Hill.
40
COTTON AUSTRALIA
STAFF
CHRISTINE RICHARDS
1999 - 2001
RALPH SCHULTZE
1986 - 1990
DAN GALLIGAN
1999 - 2008
MAREE MCCASKILL
1989 - 1996
GAVIN INGLIS
1999 - 2002
HENRY PEPPER
1990 - 1995
CHASELY LEADBETTER
(ROSS)
1999 - 2007
HARVEY BAKER
1990 - 1998
PETER CONE
1990 - 2008
STUART GORDON
1990 - 1995
LINDSAY BENNETT
1990 - 2000
BARBARA BOUSTANI
1990 - 1992
SUSAN HUGHES
1990 - 1997
DENISE RAYNOR
1990 - 1993
ERICA ADLAM
1990 - 1996
JOHN WOODS
1995 - 1999
GRAHAM PEARCEY
1995 - 1999
SHELLEY SPRIGGS
1995 - 1997
COLLEEN WOODS
1995 - 1997
RENAY MCMILLAN
1999 - 2000
EVELYN BIRCH
2000 - 2000
FELICITY MCDOUGALL
1999 - 2000
PHILIP RUSSELL
1999 - 2006
DON KNOWLES
1998 - 2001
AMANDA GRANT
1999 - 2000
RALPH LEUTTON
1999 - 2007
CHRISTINA CLEAVER
1999 - 2003
ANDREW LUHRS
2000 - 2004
NICK GOODHEW
2000 - 2001
DUNCAN CAMPBELL
2000 - 2003
RACHEL JEE
1995 - 1997
BROOKE SUMMERS
2000 - 2004 - Present
(as Consultant)
ROBYN BASTON
1995 - 1996
THERESE WOODEN
2000 - Present
LUCY MCKERROW
1995 - 1997
LYNLEY REID
2000 - 2002
CLAIRE BRAUND
1996 - 1998
IAN JOHNSON
2000 - 2004
SUSAN CUSH (WRIGHT)
1996 - 2001
ROULA ARGIRATOS
(UASI)
2000 - 2003
GREG ISBESTER
1996 - 1997
YEARS
HONOUR
ROLL
THANK YOU TO THE
BOARD & STAFF OF THE
AUSTRALIAN COTTON
FOUNDATION AND
COTTON AUSTRALIA
ROSS BROWN
2001 - 2005
RENEE ANDERSON
2010 - Present
MIKE LOGAN
1996 - 2000
JAMES HILL
2010 - 2012
PETER COTTLE
1996 - 2003
GEOFF HUNTER
2011 - Present
ALAN JONES
1997 - 2001
ANGELA BRADBURN
2011 - Present
ROSS FREE
1998 - 2003
MARIE-LOUISE
THORNE
2011 - Present
BERNIE GEORGE
(CHAIRMAN)
1998 - 2007
JULIE WISE
2011 - Present
CHRISTINE CAMPBELL
(CHAIRMAN)
1999 - 2005
VJ WIGNEY
2001 - 2005
REBECCA FING
2011 - Present
JULIE MARTIN
2002 - 2003
JANE HILL
2012 - Present
PETER HOLLINGWORTH
2003 - 2006
BRONWYN CHRISTENSEN
2012 - Present
LIZ OTTO
2003 - 2005
SOPHIE DAVIDSON
2012 - Present
JANESE BOOTS
2003 - 2003
SAHIL PRASAD
2012 - Present
NINA BLOCK
2004 - 2006
DAN HICKEY
2004 - 2007
RACHEL MCDOWALL
2004 - 2006
KELLY CHAPMAN
2004 - 2006
KYLIE CHRISTOPHER
2005 - 2006
POLLY GIBBONS
2005 - 2007
TYSON HOSIE
2005 - 2007
GUS MACRAE
2005 - 2008
LIVIA INGHAM
2006 - 2007
ADAM KAY
2007 - Present
HARVEY GAYNOR
2000 - 2003
KERRY GIBSON
2000 - 2003
BOB BELL
2001 - 2010
GEOFF HEWITT
(CHAIRMAN)
2001 - 2007
TOM SIDDINS
2001 - 2007
COTTON AUSTRALIA
DIRECTORS AND
CHAIRMEN
MIKE CARBERRY
2002 - 2008
ALAN BRIMBLECOMBE
(CHAIRMAN)
1988 - 1999
JOANNE GRAINGER
(CHAIRMAN)
2002 - 2010
FRED BARLOW
1991 - 1997
GREG JENSEN
2003 - 2007
JIM BEALE
1990 - 1998
DAVID ROBINSON
2003 - 2008
DAVID BOYD
1988 - 1999
PHIL SLOAN
2003 - 2008
DAVID FARLEY
1991 - 1996
ANDREW WATSON
(CHAIRMAN)
2003 - Present
RICHARD HAIRE
1991 - 2005
IAN WALTON
2007 - 2008
BRUCE LODER
(CHAIRMAN)
1991 - 1996
SIMON CORISH
2007 - Present
DAVID MONTGOMERY
1988 - 2000
HAMISH MILLAR
2007 - 2010
JOHN SEERY
1991 - 1993
BOB DALL’ALBA
2008 - Present
LYNDON MULLIGAN
2008 - Present
MATTHEW VAGULANS
2000 - 2004
LOUISE ADCOCK
2007 - 2008
SARAH MURRAY
2000 - 2002
REBECCA SMITH
2007 - 2008
LEXA GREEN
2000 - 2001
GREG KAUTER
2007 - Present
BOB SMITH
1991 - 1993
1996 - 2001
REBECCA ROTGANS
2000 - 2001
JAMES HOULAHAN
2007 - Present
JACK WARNOCK
1991 - 1996
SUZANNE BUSCH
2000 - 2000
ROCHELLE ZAKHER
2008 - Present
DAVID WRIGHT
1991 - 1993
SHARON FARLEY
1997 - 2000
NERIDA CHIN
2001 - 2003
GORDON BAKER
2009 - 2010
HUGH HOLMES
1991 - 1993
SIMON MCINNES
1997 - 2008
BRONWYN BURR
2001 - 2002
BRAD PFEFFER
2009 - 2009
BOB YOUNG
1997 - 2000
SUSANNE TONKIN
2001 - 2002
ALLISON DAVIS
2009 - 2010
PETER CORISH
(CHAIRMAN)
1993 - 2003
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
2011 - Present
GARY PUNCH
1997 - 1999
CATHY BERNASCONI
2001 - 2003
CHRISTINA O’HARE
2009 - Present
HARLEY BLIGH
1993 - 2002
STUART ARMITAGE
2011 - Present
CATHERINE PAYNE
1998 - 1999
LINDY EVANS
2001 - 2003
STU HIGGINS
2009 - 2010
JEFF CAROLAN
1993 - 1996
JEREMY CALLACHOR
2011 - Present
ADAM COLEMAN
1999 - 1999
LIZ ALEXANDER
2001 - 2004
DAVID BONE
2010 - Present
ELIZABETH COWLISHAW
1999 - 2003
MIKE BEESTON
2001 - 2006
MICHAEL MURRAY
2010 - Present
JANSON STONE
1996 - 1997
JAMIE MILNE
1997 - 2000
JOANNE PARKER
1997 - 1999
ROB CAIRNS
1997 - 2002
2009 - 2010
ALICE SCOTT
1993 - 2002
CHARLIE WILSON
(CHAIRMAN)
1996 - 2001
ANDREW PARKES
2008 - Present
CLEAVE ROGAN
2008 - 2011
BEN STEPHENS
2008 - 2010
GEORGE GALLACHER
2010 - Present
40
YEARS
HONOUR
ROLL
HARLEY BLIGH
1992 - 2006
TONY THOMPSON
2006 - Present
DICK BROWNE
1976 - 2006
DON CROTHERS
2010 - Present
GEOFF BROWNLIE
1992 - Present
TOBIN CHERRY
2011 - Present
DON CAMPBELL
2006 - 2006
TONY BAILEY
2009 - Present
ROBERT COLLINS
2006 - Present
GAVIN DAL BROI
2012 - Present
STEPHAN MULLIGAN
1992 - 2002
DAMIEN ERBACHER
2002 - Present
ANDREW GRESTE
2006 - Present
TERRY NAUGHTIN
1988 - 1989
ROBERT EVELEIGH
2003 - 2006
PHIL FIRTH
2009 - Present
KIM PACKER
1988 - 1992
JOHN FERGUSSON
2004 - 2009
NIGEL CORISH
2009 - Present
ROB PENGELLY
1984 - 1988
GLENN FRESSER
1995 - 2006
ROB LOWE
2001 - Present
GREG PHELPS
1988 - 1988
JOHN HAMPARSUM
2004 - 2008
LYNDON MULLIGAN
2002 - Present
TERRY PHELPS
1974 - 1988
ROBERT LOWE
2001 - Present
BOB DALL’ALBA
2003 - Present
KEN PLATT
2001 - 2001
JOHN MARSHALL
2003 - 2009
GLENN ROGAN
2010 - Present
GLENN PRICE
1992 - 1994
TONY MAY
2003 - 2007
DAVID MCCLURE
2009 - Present
DAVE REVELL
1983 - 1988
MIKE MCCOSKER
1995 - 2006
ROB COLINS
2006 - Present
JOHN RICHARDS
1992 - 1992
PAUL MCVEIGH
2003 - 2008
ROD SMITH
2011 - Present
ROB JOHNSTONE
1999 - 2001
ALISTAIR
SHEPHERDSON
1972 - 1974
HAMISH MILLAR
1998 - 2009
TOBY MOORE
2012 - Present
WILL KIRKBY
1993 - 1999
RALPH SCHULZE
1972 - 2002
MATTHEW MITCHELL
2001 - 2008
ANDREW PARKES
2004 - Present
IAN LITTLE
1992 - 1992
JOHN STEWART
1993 - 1995
SALLY CEENEY(MORGAN)
2005 - 2007
WAL FRIEND
2009 - 2011
IAN BRIMBLECOMBE
1992 - 1998
BRUCE LODER
1974 - 1974
ALEX SULLIVAN
1995 - 1997
GREG MORRIS
1999 - Present
JONATHAN BURRELL
2009 - 2010
WAL BROWNLIE
1981 - 1983
BRUCE MACKEY
1972 - 1982
IAN THOMAS
1984 - 2000
JOE ROBINSON
2003 - Present
DAVID KELLY
2008 - 2010
STEVE BUSTER
1995 - 1997
BARRY MACKAY
1988 - 1993
MATT TOLMACHOFF
1992 - 1996
CLEAVE ROGAN
1998 - 2009
ANDREW GARNSEY
2008 - 2011
MICHAEL CARBERRY
1998 - 2000
MATTHEW MAUGHAM
1983 - 1995
CAM TURNER
2002 - 2004
BEN STEPHENS
2004 - 2007
MIKE BEESTON
2008 - 2011
PAT CARBERRY
1972 - 1981
TONY MCALARY
1992 - 1998
DAVE TURNER
1989 - 1999
BILL TYRWHITT
2003 - Present
WILL KIRKBY
2008 - 2010
JEFF CAROLAN
1993 - 1994
DAVE MCCULLAGH
1993 - 1994
GRAHAM VOLCK
1992 - 1993
MATTHEW WARD
2005 - 2010
TIM RICHARDS
2007 - 2009
GORDON CHERRY
1997 - 2004
ANDREW MCGOWN
2004 - 2006
GEOFF WASHINGTON
1997 - 1999
JOHN WATSON
1993 - 2008
MAL PRITCHARD
2008 - 2012
EVAN CLELAND
1994 - 2002
PAUL MCVEIGH
1993 - 1995
JOHN WETTENHALL
1995 - 1988
TONY TAYLOR
2007 - Present
PETER WATSON
2009 - 2011
ROB COLLINS
2001 - 2005
LEE-ANN MELBOURNE
2003 - 2003
RICHARD WILLIAMS
1972 - 1990
PETER CORISH
1992 - 1993
JACK MESSICK
1972 - 1976
RICHARD WILLIAMS
1991 - 1991
PETER COTTLE
1992 - 1995
BILL MOFFATT
2002 - 2003
HENRY WILSON
1975 - 1978
PETER CROSS
2002 - 2004
JAMES MOORE
2000 - 2005
MITCH ABBO
1999 - Present
TONY CUSH
2001 - 2005
PETER MORRISON
1995 - 2003
HUGH BALL
2005 - Present
BILL FINDLEY
1972 - 1974
JAMES MULLIGAN
1983 - 1988
1991 - 1992
ANDREW BLAIR
2005 - 2009
ACGRA STAFF
DAVID SWALLOW
1972 - 1995
ALLAN WILLIAMS
1995 - 2005
GREG KAUTER
2005 - 2009
ACGRA MEMBERS
REPRESENTATIVES
JIM ANDERSON
1994 - 2001
M ANDERSON
1999 - 2000
DAVE ANTHONY
1983 - 2000
GRAHAM ARMSTRONG
2001 - 2003
ROB ARMSTRONG
1975 - 1992
ALAN AUSTIN
1984 - 1987
FRED BARLOW
1990 - 1992
JON BENNETT
2003 - 2006
DAVID BLOWS
1989 - 1990
SHANE BODIAM
2003 - 2005
PETER O’BRIEN
1998 - 2003
ALAN BRIMBLECOMBE
1974 - 1975
CHARLES
BRIMBLECOMBE
1994 - 1995
BRUCE FINNEY
1993 - 2004
MOSTYN FLETCHER
1978 - 1980
1987 - 1998
JOHN FORREST
1989 - 1991
PETER FRENCH
1992 - 1994
JASON FRITSCH
1997 - 2005
BERNIE GEORGE
1994 - 1998
PETER GLENNIE
1982 - 1994
JOHN GRELLMAN
1990 - 2000
IAN HAMPARSUM
1992 - 1998
KEITH HARRIS
2000 - 2004
TONY HECKENDORF
1998 - 2003
STEVEN HENGGELER
2000 - 2004
CHRIS HOGENDYK
1994 - 2003
HUGH HOLLAND
2000 - 2002
CHRIS HUMPHRIES
1998 - 2003
IAN HUNT
1989 - 1992
THANK YOU TO THE
STAFF AND MEMBERS
OF ACGRA
WAYNE TOWNS
2009 - Present
NEEK MORAWITZ
2009 - Present
STEPHEN AINSWORTH
2009 - Present
MATT HOLDING
2011 - Present
JAMIE STREET
2009 - 2011
NEVILLE WALTON
2006 - Present
JOHN CAMERON
2007 - Present
1972-2012 – THE TIMELINE
1975
ACF’s major focus during the
70s is managing media issues
relating to agricultrual
chemicals and workers and
ramping up positive promotion
of Australian cotton products.
Australian Cotton
Foundation (ACF)
established by
Namoi Cotton
Cooperative,
Auscott Limited
and Queensland
Cotton Marketing
Board. These
organisations
financed ACF,
along with a
23c per bale grower
levy. ACF began
as a client of public
relations firm
Professional Public
Relations that
provided issues
management
advice and
arranged
promotional
activities.
1980
Cotton promotions
featuring giant tshirts, Easter Show
Displays and giveaways like
“Wrapped in
Cotton” stickers
and posters.
Industry is focused on
securing investments
in capital infrastructure
such as roads, rail, electricity
and water to support a
growing industry.
Cotton production reaches
110,000 bales.
Cotton production
reaches 435,000
bales.
1973
Insect plague
destroys 30%
of the crop.
1973-76
Widespread
floods throughout
the major
cotton regions
in Northern
NSW for
a number
of years running.
1976
Short subject film
produced by ACF
about Cotton
growing in
Australia, wins
Best Agricultural
Film from New
York film and
TV Awards.
1978
1972
Severe and
widespread
drought hits.
1980
1975
Australian Cotton
Growers Research
Association
(ACGRA) formed
with Richard
Williams as
Chairman and
funded by a
voluntary levy of 25c
per bale. Members
were Namoi Cotton
Cooperative,
Auscott Limited,
Queensland Cotton
Marketing Board,
Cotton Seed
Distributors and
the Ord River
Cooperative. ACGRA
was established to
raise and invest
grower dollars in
research projects.
1982
Australian Cotton
Mark launched at
the Opera House,
Sydney.
1972-73
CSIRO moves its
cotton research
work at Yanco
and the Ord to
Narrabri NSW,
following 8 years
of lobbying by
many – Richard
Williams a major
force for this
change.
Industry’s first
major attempt
at IPM with
the release of
the
Trichogramma
(wasp).
1977
Early funding
for irrigation
scheduling work.
1979
1981
Major funding
for development
of SIRATAC
(CSIRO) and
Extension.
R&D levy raised to
$1.00 per bale.
1978
1976
First PHD funded,
Peter Twine.
Grant for
Verticillium
resistance
breeding and
bacterial blight
awarded.
ACGRA grants
$50,000 for
Australian Cotton
Research Institute
insectory facility at
Myall Vale and
insect resistance
studies.
Cotton Research
Council
established
(Australian
government
matches grower
R&D levy).
1982
First Australian
Cotton
Conference
held in
Goondiwindi,
with an overhead
projector the
main form of
technology.
1990
1st Industry
Environmental
Audit ever
undertaken by an
agricultural
industry in the
southern
hemisphere.
1987
ACF produces
first chemical
safety chart.
1985
Cotton production
reaches
1.1 million bales.
1983
Pyrethyroid
resistance
detected.
1989
Maree
McCaskill
appointed as
first CEO of
the ACF,
establishing
itself as a
stand-alone
organisation.
1985
500,000 people
witness
73 “Wrapped in
Natural Fibres”
fashion parades at
the Sydney Royal
Easter Show, with
reports of the
event running in
300 newspapers
across the
country.
Cotton production
reaches 1.287
million bales.
1994
First Wrapped in
Cotton Fashion
parades at the
Brisbane Show
(EKKA) showcase
the work of
Australia’s leading
designers to
70,000 people.
1991
Insecticide
residues found in
gin trash fed to beef
cattle, prompting
an industry and
government
crisis – leads to
growing
community
concerns.
Promotional
activities
ramped up:
Wrapped in
Cotton poster
and TV
campaign,
education kit
developed,
launch of a
distinctive
new
Cottonmark
and brand
owners start
attaching
cotton swing
tags to
products.
1996
New Slogan
introduced.
“Growing Better All
the Time” along
with major TV
advertising
campaign.
194 registered
users of the
CottonMark.
Ingard Cotton
grown
commercially for
the first time,
Australia’s first
transgenic cotton
variety, making up
8% of cotton area.
1993
ACF staff hold
shed meetings
to talk about
safe work
practices.
1995
Drought causes
harvest to fall to
1.5 million bales.
1990
1995
1992
1983
Darling River
Cotton
Company
becomes a new
member of
ACGRA and
ACF, the
start of a new
wave of gins
to join.
1986
1990
R&D budget
doubles in one
year to $2 million,
reflecting rapid
industry
expansion.
CRDC established,
replacing the
Cotton Research
Council with an
R&D budget of
$3.5 million.
First Cotton CRC
bid successful,
under the banner
of Sustainable
Cotton Production.
1991
1st Industry
Development
Officer employed
in the Macquarie.
Cotton Australia
ACGRA
General
Cotton Australia and ACGRA
Cotton Australia and ACGRA merger
1996
ACF Board votes
to review its
membership to
take into account
the recently
formed Cotton
Grower
Associations –
10 new CGAs also
join ACGRA.
All major
processors and all
Cotton Grower
Associations are
now members of
Cotton Australia
and ACGRA.
1995
Allan Williams
appointed as
Executive Officer
of ACGRA,
replacing longserving Secretary
David Swallow.
1994
TIMS Committee
formed for
industry oversight
of insecticides and
transgenic
cotton varieties.
Dick Browne
is the first Chair.
THIS TIMELINE REPRESENTS A NUMBER OF HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 40 YEARS OF COTTON AUSTR
1998
1999
Pesticide use
reaches crisis
point with a
shipment
of beef bound for
Korea found to
be contaminated
with endosulfan.
97% of all
growers
introduced to the
BMP program at
300 workshops
attended by 3,000
industry people.
2003
60 local Aboriginal
Federal
workers placed
Agriculture
by the cotton
Minister Mark
industry’s
270 independent
Vaile issues a
Aboriginal
audits of grower’s
blunt warning to
Employment
spray drift
the cotton industry
Strategy in
management
to “get it right”,
the Gwydir,
plans show
that contamination
sponsored by
97% compliance
of the beef
Cotton Australia.
with new
industry would not
endosulfan label
Policy
and
be tolerated.
requirements.
Legislation team
The Cotton Store
broadened to
Cotton Australia
opens at Darling
focus lobbying
and ICAC
Harbour, Sydney – efforts on gaining
host the
the first retail
legally enshrined
International
outlet in the world and fully tradable Cotton Advisory
to showcase a
water
Committee
product from
entitlements
meeting in Cairns.
farm to fashion,
granted in
with an education
perpetuity.
centre.
Phillip Russell
appointed as CEO.
2002
2000
1997
ACF changes
its name to
Cotton Australia,
in part to avoid
confusion with the
Australian
Conservation
Foundation.
NSW Government
announces plans
to cut access to
water for irrigators
by 10%.
Gary Punch
appointed as CEO.
1998
1998
2001
National
Registration
Authority
announces ULV
endosulfan
withdrawn from
the market.
2003/04
Second Cotton
Industry
Environmental
Audit shows
the BMP
Program has
driven massive
cultural change
on farm, with
improvements
across almost all
areas of cotton
production.
First fully
accredited BMP
cotton bale is
produced by the
Austin Family at
“Badminton” in
Theodore, QLD.
2003
ACGRA becomes
foundation
member of Plant
Health Australia.
R&D levy raised
to $2.25.
1997
2002
2000
First Roundup
Ready cotton
grown
commercially.
Cotton production
reaches 3.202
million bales.
Major outbreak
of bunchy
top disease.
Ultra Narrow Row
cotton trails and
small commercial
areas planted in
southern NSW.
2004
Cotton Australia
welcomes
National Water
Initiative that
contains long
sought after
outcomes: water
access rights
granted in
perpetuity,
issues of
structural
adjustment for
those affected by
reform addressed
and tradable
rights.
2003
2001
1999
Cross-industry
Heliothis Working
Group secures
$4.5 million from
the QLD
government to
explore non-toxic
options for
heliothis control.
Cotton education
program winds
down after directly
reaching over
Silverleaf
40,000 students
Whitefly emerges
and close to
as a cotton pest
100,000 students
for the first time.
through its
outreach programs
over five years.
First Bollgard II
cotton grown
commercially.
2000
Endosulfan, used
to control the
Heliothis
caterpillar, makes
Re-bid for Cotton
up 70% of all
chemicals used by CRC successful,
becomes the
the cotton
Australian
industry,
Cotton CRC.
increasing
community
Formation of
ACGRA and
concerns around
FUSCOM
Cotton Australia
pesticides.
(Fusarium
join forces to
Committee)
Over 500,000
manage media
as disease spreads
hectares of cotton
relations
through
planted for the
for the ninth
the industry.
first time.
Australian
Cotton
Severe and major
Conference.
insect pressure
across the whole
industry result in
Area Wide
Management
groups to
implement
Integrated Pest
Management
(IPM).
Department of
Agriculture,
Fisheries and
Forestry recognises
Cotton BMP as a
world-leading
environmental
management
system.
Cotton research
finds that truck
wash (Farm
Cleanse) is
effective in
disinfecting farms
for Fusarium.
Rural Water
Use Efficiency
Financial Incentive
Scheme – helps
growers fund WUE
equipment.
With the
encouragement
of Cotton Australia
and NFF,
the Australian
government joins
Brazil in
challenging US
cotton subsidy
programs through
the WTO.
2004
Transgenic
varieties make up
50% of Australia’s
cotton area.
RALIA AND ACGRA. FOR THE WHOLE STORY, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.COTTONAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
2010
2009
2007
$700,000 in
DAFF funding
secured for Tools
for Managing the
Drought Project.
16,000 hectares of
cotton affected by
phenoxy herbicide
(Group I) drift,
costing the
industry $9 million
in lost production.
First round
modules produced.
$10 billion National
Plan for Water
Security
announced, setting
a new Federal
policy platform for
water reform.
Cotton Australia
successful
in having current
Water Sharing
Plans recognised
as part of the Plan.
Cotton Industry
2029 Vision
developed with
input from all
industry sectors.
By 2029 the
industry wants to
be Differentiated,
Responsible,
Tough, Successful,
Respected,
Capable.
Decade long
drought recedes
with widespread
flooding that
caused severe
damage to cotton
crops in some
areas.
2005
World Trade
Organisation
rules in favour of
Brazil in dispute
with the USA and
orders the US
Government to
bring its cotton
programs into
line with WTO
rules.
Australian crop
sets new
world record
yield, leading
to 2.9 million
bale crop.
Cotton production
reaches 1.594
million bales –
still severely
drought affected.
Adam Kay
appointed as CEO.
2006
Roundup Ready
FLEX cotton grown
commercially for
the first time.
2008
The lowest
point in the worst
drought in 100
years - drought
affected crop
harvested
of just
601,810 bales.
Solenopsis
Mealybug, a new
exotic pest, found
in cotton for the
first time.
2008
MERGER
2007
2005
2005
New Cotton
Catchment
Communities CRC
commences, with
Cotton Australia
and ACGRA as
partners.
2006
Formal
participation in
the national
framework for
biosecurity by
signing the
Emergency Plant
Pest Response
Deed and
developing the
first cotton
Biosecurity Plan.
2008
Cotton Australia
and ACGRA
merge to provide
one, united voice
for cotton
growers across
all policy and
research areas.
Members are
12 ginning
companies,
16 Cotton Grower
Associations and
two Service and
Industry
Members
(30 members in
total). A Board
of ginners
and grower
representatives
oversees the
organisation.
“Guide” to the Draft
Murray-Darling
Basin Plan
recommends cuts
in diversions across
Basin between
3000GL – 4000GL,
and predicts just
800 jobs would be
lost – community
outrage follows
and CRC research
used to counter
this claim.
2012
Cotton Australia
celebrates its 40th
Anniversary with an
anniversary dinner
in Narromine, a
special issue of the
Annual Report, a
YouTube video
Cotton planted
series and a cotton
area reaches
conference display
over 600,000
looking back over
hectares for
40 years.
the first time.
Record crop,
estimated between
4.7 and 5.0 million
bales produced.
2011
2012
2010
2010
Liberty
Link
transgenic
cotton grown
commercially for
the first time.
Greg Kauter
appointed as
ACGRA
Executive Officer.
Cotton dryland
plantings reach a
record 35% of the
total crop planted.
2009
Agriculture
excluded from
the federal
government’s
draft Carbon
Pollution
Reduction
Scheme
legislation as
part of a
Coalition deal,
reflecting
Cotton Australia’s
policy position.
85% of cotton
fields mapped on
cottonmap.com.au
as part of a
broader strategy
to reduce
incidence of
2,4D drift.
Productivity
Commision Review
threatens rural R&D.
Cotton Australia
coordinates crosssectoral group of over
20 commodity groups.
Federal Ag Minister
pledges not to change
funding
arrangements,
a major win.
Federal government
announces it would
only purchase water
entitlements from
willing sellers at full
market value in
regard to MurrayDarling Basin
adjustments –
a major win.
“Cotton Safe”
program launched to
promote work health
and safety issues.
Revised myBMP
program launched,
a web-based system
making it easier for
growers to use and
bringing all of the
industry’s
sustainability
resources and
knowledge together.
2011
3rd
Environmental
Assessment
(Audit)
Cotton CRC ends
commences.
with 19 years of
In role of
cotton research,
Representative
$320 million
Organisation to
invested in
CRDC, Cotton R&D, resulting in
Australia
at least $2 billion
selects new
worth of value.
CRDC Board
candidates for
98.6% of cotton
the first time.
crop made up
of transgenic
Round modules
varieties.
represent
85% of the
harvested area. Cotton Australia
Transport Guide
updated to
Cotton
include round
Australia
modules.
negotiates
outcomes
to alleviate
equipment
movement
restrictions
during
critical harvest
period.
2012
ng
Australian Cotton Foundation Tradi
the public
Merchandise sold to industry and
.
until 2000. This pic taken in 1990
Early cotton fashion parades, 1979.
Photo courtesy of Auscott.
mbe, with
ACF’s 1st chairman Alan Brimbleco opening
at the
QLD premier Joh Bjelke Petersen
of the Cecil Plains Gin in 1985.
First intake of students to the UNE Cotton
Production Course, on the steps of ACRI, built
with an ACGRA grant in 1978.
Cotton Australia’s Education
Programs reach over 140,000 students
between 1999 and 2003.
Early cotton display, 1970s.
Two-row pickers were in use when
ACF & ACGRA were established in 1972,
revolutionising the cotton harvest.
Module handling equipment like this
Moonbuggy,
produced in 1977, revolutionised the
way cotton
was transported to the gin.
Maree
ACF staff Julie Linsley (left) and CEO
onmental
McCaskill cotton pillows for the Envir
te Hospital.
Allergy Clinic at Manly Waters Priva
The industry moved from trailers to
modules in 1976.
was originally
The Australian Cotton Foundation
, Auscott and
established by Namoi Cotton Co-op
Board.
the Queensland Cotton Marketing
the
ACGRA Chairman David Turner at
1992.
6th ACGRA Cotton Conference in
l-r ACGs
1st Environmental Audit in 1991, from
Hogendyk,
Peter Cone, Jim Beale, Auscotts Chris
Harvey Baker.
ecologist Dr Tom Woollard and ACFs
2005 launch of the industry’s
2nd Environmental Audit.
Punch
Cotton Australia’s second CEO Gary
saw the organisation through its most
difficult time, 1997 - 1999.
VINTAGE
MOMENTS
Twynam’s Christine Campbell was
man,
Cotton Australias first female Chair
5.
serving on the Board from 1999-200
Queensland Cotton’s (OLAM) Richard Haire is
Cotton Australia’s longest serving director.
Cotton Australias Grower Services
Manager Team in 2000.
Cotton fashion parades at the EKKA saw over
70,000 show-goers attend. People queued
for miles to get in to these parades.
Members of the Australian Cotton Foundation
discuss the development of a new
cotton mark, 1975.
St George cotton grower, the late Ian
Thomas, one
of the longest serving ACGRA mem
bers from
1984-2000, a great CSIRO research
collborator.
ACF Media Training in Mungindi.
the
Journalist, Alan Eagar, president of
Munginidi Cotton Growers Associationston,
King
Geoff Brownlie, camera operator Neal
and
QLD Field Officer Stuart Gordon ACF
Namoi Director Fred Barlow.
cotton-clad
The NSW Premier, Neville Wran, with al launch
offici
the
for
e
Hous
a
Oper
the
at
ls
mode
mber 13, 1978.
of the Australian Cotton Mark Nove
looking
back
PETER LAZAR
Chairman, Professional Public Relations.
Responsible for the idea of an Australian Cotton
Foundation to positively promote the industry.
“
I had just started up my own
public relations firm when Jack
Messick came into my office and
announced he represented the
cotton industry. That was early
in 1972. He felt that the industry
was being unfairly attacked by
the media and that I should stop
them from writing these things
against an industry that was
relatively new, and trying hard to
establish itself. The only way to
fix the media issues was for the
growers to change their methods
of operation, and we worked
together in those early days to do
just that. At the same time we
created the Australian Cotton
Foundation to promote Australian
Cotton. The Foundation was a
client of mine for 17 years, until
the industry established Cotton
Australia in 1991.
”
INCREASED FOCUS ON JOBS AND LEARNING
HUMAN CAPACITY AND EDUCATION
“Alistar Haire in a Sunset Profile”, Shanna Rowlands, Click! Photo Comp 2012
COTTON AUSTRALIA HAS LONG
RECOGNISED THAT PEOPLE ARE
FUNDAMENTAL TO THE FUTURE
SUCCESS OF THE INDUSTRY.
ATTRACTING AND RETAINING A
SKILLED WORKFORCE REMAINS
AN ONGOING CHALLENGE FOR ALL
OF AGRICULTURE, A MESSAGE
REINFORCED BY INDUSTRY FORUMS
AND RECENT REPORTS.
To service the needs of an increased program
of activity and huge potential for further reach
and impact, Cotton Australia moved to create
a full-time Education Coordinator position.
This extra capacity will ensure the effective
management and delivery of Cotton
Australia’s new and existing education
initiatives and resources, support regional
education activities and network educators
and key people in the cotton industry.
One major national study confirmed the lack
of understanding of agriculture among
school children and teachers across Australia
and a Senate Inquiry to explore higher
education and skills support future demand
in agriculture and agribusiness in Australia
commenced (Cotton Australia contributed
a submission on behalf of the industry).
Cotton Australia is in a more positive position
to invest in these areas following the drought
years that saw education programs scaled
back. Activities during 2011-12 included:
> Support for the Primary Industry
Education Foundation (PIEF) in
association with CRDC. PIEF is working
actively to represent agriculture’s needs to
government at the highest levels and is
influencing the national curriculum to
ensure the inclusion of primary industries
> Sponsorship of the Art4Agriculture
program, along with other primary
industry bodies and Research Development
Corporations. An increasingly popular
school based competition for primary
and secondary schools, Art4Agriculture
will ensure positive messages about the
cotton industry are delivered in the
classrooms of over 50 metropolitan
schools across Australia
With an increased focus across the industry
on human capacity, Cotton Australia is
considering what should be done to address
the industry’s needs in the medium to long
term, more proactively and strategically.
Cotton Australia has actively participated in
these discussions and has worked with the
Cotton Research and Development
Corporation (CRDC) to commit to continued
funding for some existing industry initiatives
as well as co-funding a number of new
projects in the areas of school education,
curriculum development, career path
development and industry leadership.
> The development of new classroom
resources including a reinvigorated
“How to Grow a Pair of Jeans” brochure,
“Pocket Guide to Cotton” and a new
“Cotton Classroom” section on a revamped
Cotton Australia website
> A number of regional activities
implemented by Cotton Australia’s new
Regional Managers who worked with
their Cotton Grower Associations to
strengthen links with local schools and
provided cotton-based learning and work
experience opportunities
> Co-funding (with CRDC) programs to
foster future industry leaders, including
the Nuffield scholarship, the Australian
Rural Leadership Program, Trail Blazer
Scholarships and the Future Cotton
Leaders Program
2011 Young Farming Champions including
cotton champion Hollie Baillieu, (front centre).
GROWERS COME ONLINE
“Harvesting the Rorato Family's Crop Just Outside Jerilderie”, Nick Robinson, Click! Photo Comp 2012
MYBMP IS THE AUSTRALIAN COTTON
INDUSTRY’S WEB-BASED BEST
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES SYSTEM
THAT PROVIDES AUSTRALIAN
COTTON GROWERS WITH A
CENTRALISED LOCATION TO ACCESS
THE INDUSTRY’S BEST PRACTICE
STANDARDS. THESE STANDARDS ARE
FULLY SUPPORTED BY SCIENTIFIC
KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES AND
TECHNICAL SUPPORT.
The myBMP program is an extremely
important industry initiative that offers a
simple, easy to use system to find industry
resources and information while allowing the
industry to measure and demonstrate its
environmental stewardship credentials as an
industry advocacy tool.
Since being re-launched Cotton Australia
has received extensive feedback from users
and the most pleasing thing has been the
overwhelming number of growers
commenting about how easy it is to
both get started and work through the
myBMP program.
Many were also surprised by the level and
extent of information and resources that
are now available in one place and believe
that myBMP is an invaluable tool for any
cotton grower.
Over the last 12 months, there has been
considerable increase in the use of myBMP
amongst growers. This is a good result and
helps to demonstrate the broader industry
commitment to best practice and the
principles of continual improvement that
have contributed to the Australian cotton
industry’s success.
Cotton Australia staff, the D&D extension
team and the myBMP support team to help
growers participate in the program, right
through to certification.
If at any time you have questions about
myBMP, you can either email the myBMP
Service Manager via [email protected]
or call 1800 COTTON for over the phone
support and training or details of a support
person in your local area.
Certification is one of a number of
participation options for growers using
myBMP and already a small number of
farms who achieved both Level 1 and
2 status with self assessments have requested
an on-farm audit to complete the process
and are now certified as complying with
myBMP standards.
Another successful 2012 myBMP project
was Agribusiness Advisor Training,
implemented to assist growers in a smooth
transition to the new system. myBMP now
has trained Agribusiness Advisors available in
all key cotton producing areas as part of the
larger myBMP support team which included
myBMP grower Matt Norrie from the Lower
Namoi has moved to the new online system
this year.
TELLING COTTON AUSTRALIA’S STORY
COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
“It Was All Yellow, Erin Ryan”, Click! Photo Comp 2012
IN THE LAST YEAR COTTON AUSTRALIA
HAS USED NEW TECHNOLOGIES
AND PLATFORMS TO REACH
COTTON GROWERS AND POTENTIAL
NEW AUDIENCES. IN PARTICULAR,
COTTON AUSTRALIA RE-FOCUSED
ITS WEB-PLATFORM AND ENTERED
THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA
THROUGH A FACEBOOK PAGE AND
TWITTER ACCOUNT.
A newly revamped website remains the key
portal for Cotton Australia’s information
resources. The new website is packed full
of up to date industry information, facts,
resources and tools to support growers as
well as teachers in the classroom.
While Cotton Australia’s social media
strategy is relatively new, it has already met
a number of objectives and is delivering
up-to-date news and information directly
to Cotton Australia’s primary target
audiences, in particular growers and their
families and decision makers like politicians.
The Facebook page has proved popular, with
the number of fans and reach growing
steadily and new content uploaded regularly.
Cotton growers remain Cotton Australia’s
key audience and this year Cotton Australia
engaged in an exciting venture with Rural
Press, publishers of The Land and Queensland
Country Life newspapers. “Cotton Xtra” was
a one page feature in both these important
rural publications, containing a number of
sections including a profile story on a leading
cotton industry figure.
Media relations remains a cost effective and
important tool for reaching cotton growers
and the wider community with positive
and accurate messages about our industry.
A steady stream of newsworthy articles were
released throughout the year, journalist’s
enquiries answered and one-on-one briefings
with reporters were held to background these
opinion leaders.
Cotton Matters email newsletter remains
Cotton Australia’s main, regular form of
communication with the cotton industry.
Distributed fortnightly, Cotton Matters
provides factual and timely information
directly to growers. This year its frequency
was increased to weekly during the busiest
part of the cotton season.
Four times a year the members of Cotton
Australia gather to consider policy issues
facing the industry and the organisation at
Member’s General Meetings. Cotton
Australia’s Members Memo provides a full
and detailed account of these meetings so
that representatives can report back to their
local Cotton Grower Associations or Boards.
A television interview to promote Harvest Help
with Mike Beeston, part of Cotton Australia’s
media strategy during the year.
looking
back
ALAN BRIMBLECOMBE
First Chairman of the Australian Cotton Foundation,
from 1988 - 1994
Served on the Board from 1988 - 1999
“
I spent a lot of my time as
Chairman travelling around
trying to convince the cotton
growers that the Australian
Cotton Foundation was a
worthwhile organisation to
support, the pressure was on
us to prove we were delivering
the goods. It was hard work
because we were dealing with
a lot of issues, environmental
issues like chemicals, that were
affecting the lives of cotton
farmers to a very great degree
at that time. I liken some of the
issues we were dealing with then
as spot fires. Whereas some of
the issues we’re dealing with
today like coal seam gas and
water are real bush fires.
”
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION
MEMBERS OF THE NEW COTTON
INNOVATION NETWORK,
INCLUDING COTTON AUSTRALIA’S
GREG KAUTER (FOURTH FROM
THE RIGHT).
COTTON SECTOR RESEARCH,
DEVELOPMENT & EXTENSION
PLAN AND INNOVATION
NETWORK
During 2011 the Cotton Sector RD&E
Strategy was agreed as part of the National
Primary Industries Research Development
& Extension Framework. The Strategy was
development with input from the Cotton
Research and Development Corporation
(CRDC) , Cotton Seed Distributors, CSIRO,
NSW Department of Primary Industries,
Queensland Department of Employment
Economic Development and Innovation
and Sydney University. It sets out priorities
for the sector’s RD&E organisations and
industry to cooperate on a national basis to
address the strategic needs of the cotton
industry. The Strategy will be implemented
by the Cotton Innovation Network, initially
Chaired by Cotton Australia nominee and
cotton grower Juanita Hamparsum from
Breeza (pictured).
COTTON AUSTRALIA ADVISORY
PANELS – PROVIDING ADVICE
TO CRDC
COTTON COOPERATIVE
RESEARCH CENTRE – THE END
OF AN ERA
Cotton Australia provides advice to the
CRDC on grower priorities for research and
development investments. To facilitate
detailed understanding, Cotton Australia has
four advisory panels that focus on the major
CRDC strategies of Value Chain, Farming
Systems, Biosecurity and Human Capacity.
During 2011, these panels spent the
equivalent of four working weeks in
discussions considering CRDC research
proposals and current projects.
In late 2011 the Cotton Catchment
Communities CRC was unsuccessful in its
bid for continued funding, bringing an end
to 19 years of cotton research under the
Australian Government’s Cooperative
Research Centre program.
NEW CRDC BOARD APPOINTED
Under the PIERD Act (1989), Cotton
Australia is responsible for providing the
selection panel for the CRDC Board.
This was the first new Board appointed
since the 2009 merger of ACGRA and
Cotton Australia and included cotton
industry participants Richard Haire
(Queensland Cotton), Hamish Millar
(Emerald cotton grower) and Cleave Rogan
(St George cotton grower).
Over this time the Cotton CRCs have
brought together industry organisations
(including Cotton Australia), government
agencies, universities, farmers, catchment
bodies, local government and private
businesses to invest over $320 million in
research and development, resulting in at
least $2 billion worth of value.
The Cotton CRC formally closed its doors on
the 30th June 2012. Cotton Australia
appreciates the significant positive difference
that its investments have made to the industry.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE:
“Reflections, Noni McCarthy”, Click! Photo Comp 2012
THE TIMS PROCESS IS STRONGLY
SUPPORTED BY A DEDICATED
TEAM OF COTTON INDUSTRY AND
GOVERNMENT FUNDED SCIENTISTS.
THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGED AND
APPRECIATED BY COTTON AUSTRALIA
ON BEHALF OF ALL GROWERS.
CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS
UNDER REVIEW
Cotton Australia made representations to the
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
Medicines Authority (APVMA) throughout
its Diuron review that commenced in 2005,
encouraged the Cotton Research and
Development Corporation (CRDC) to invest
in further research and hosted a meeting
with the APVMA Diuron Review team in
August 2011 to present data. In early 2012
the APVMA issued a revised registration
label for cotton defoliants containing Diuron
and extended the suspension use permit
for Diuron herbicide use rates for a further
12 months.
TRANSGENIC AND
INSECTICIDES MANAGEMENT
(TIMS) COMMITTEE
The cotton industry TIMS Committee is
charged with the development of the major
industry resistance management strategies
and is convened by Cotton Australia.
Key activities for 2011-12 included:
> Major reviews of the regional Insecticide
Resistance Management Strategies (IRMS)
> Support for eight Cotton Grower
Associations to vary Bollgard II planting
windows
> Proactively addressing a number of
difficult situations that developed for
grower compliance to the Bollgard II
RMP through successful applications for
APVMA minor use permits
The Dimethoate Review, initiated in 2004,
resulted in the suspension of most uses of
these products in October 2011. The use of
Dimethoate continues under permit for the
2012-13 season while product registrants
provide the APVMA with additional residue
data to support current withholding periods.
The TIMS process is strongly supported by
a dedicated team of cotton industry and
government funded scientists. This is
acknowledged and appreciated by Cotton
Australia on behalf of all growers.
BIOSECURITY
Cotton Australia leads the industry’s
biosecurity responsibilities. A pilot training
day was held with Cotton Australia Directors
and staff in September 2011 delivered
through Plant Health Australia’s Emergency
Plant Pest Preparedness Training Program
with funding from CRDC. It included an
overview of the national biosecurity
framework and a visit to the Sydney
headquarters of AQIS.
Cotton Australia and CRDC jointly hosted an industry visit of 18 APVMA staff to give the regulators first
hand experience of growing and processing the cotton crop. Lower Namoi Cotton Grower Matt Norrie
hosts part of the visit.
ON THE ROAD WITH COTTON AUSTRALIA
“The Dusty Road to Work”, Dana Gludze, Click! Photo Comp 2012
COTTON AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO
TAKE THE LEAD IN COORDINATING
A WHOLE OF INDUSTRY PRO-ACTIVE
APPROACH TOWARDS MANAGING
SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE
COTTON TRANSPORT SUPPLY
CHAIN AND HELPING GROWERS
AND THEIR TRANSPORT OPERATORS
AVOID COSTLY TRANSPORT
INFRINGEMENT PENALTIES.
The introduction and wide adoption of
round bale cotton pickers has revolutionised
cotton harvesting in Australia. It has also
brought with it some major transport logistic
and regulatory challenges, most notably
those relating to the movement on roads of
the round bale pickers themselves and the
loading, restraint and transport of the round
modules from farms to gins.
Convened by Cotton Australia, the ‘Cotton
Transport Industry Working Group’ is
representative of all industry stakeholders
in the cotton transport supply chain and
has continued to engage directly with the
relevant state transport authorities and their
enforcement agencies to lobby for mutually
acceptable standards and rules for the
transport of cotton modules, bales and
machinery on roads.
The significant successes that the cotton
industry has achieved in minimising the road
transport regulatory burden, in many
instances gaining special exemptions or
concessions against current road transport
laws, was heavily based on a demonstrated
commitment towards continual improvement
of our own industry standards. This included
subjecting the cotton industry’s best
management transport guidelines to the
scrutiny and evaluation of relevant
independent experts.
Cotton Australia sponsored the Australian
Rural Roads Group, a consortium
representative of local rural regional
governments that formed to strengthen
advocacy efforts for fairer and enhanced road
maintenance and road improvement funding
through state and federal governments.
During 2011-12, Cotton Australia successfully
negotiated with NSW Roads and Maritime
Services and QLD Transport and Main
Roads for:
> A cotton bale load width exemption that
now allows road-trains to operate on
NSW roads with loads of cotton bales out
to a maximum width of 2.6m or 2.7m for
B-doubles and single trailers
> Seasonal permits for both the ‘floating’
and ‘walking’ of the JD 7760 round bale
cotton pickers and special concessions to
limit the impact of state-wide road
transport curfews during Easter
Cotton Australia commissioned the
independent testing and assessment of load
restraint systems for both cotton round
modules and cotton bales. The engineer’s
reports have been used to inform and update
the Cotton Australia ‘Transport Guide’ and
other relevant resources easily accessible on
the Cotton Australia website.
Data from rigorous independent testing and
assessment of load restraint systems was used to
update the Cotton Australia “Transport Guide.”
COTTON AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 35
looking
back
MAREE McCASKILL
First Chief Executive Officer
Australian Cotton Foundation
1989 - 1996
“
The cotton industry in the 90s
successfully started to change
public perceptions because it
was open minded, flexible and
had the capacity to listen and
act on advice from outside the
industry. The growers banded
together as a team and got
on with the on-farm changes
that were required, and all of
that started with the 1991
Environmental Audit, the first
of its kind. During my time as
CEO we really got on the front
foot in terms of positive industry
promotion with a number of
successful fashion events and
the launch of the cotton mark.
At the same time we were
battling community concerns
and spent a lot of time fronting
regional towns and the media to
try to balance the debate.
”
COTTON SAFE WATCHING OUT FOR WORKERS
“Simply Cotton”, Matt Ryan, Click! Photo Comp 2012
JANUARY 2012 SAW THE ADOPTION
OF NEW HARMONISED NATIONAL
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS)
LEGISLATION ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
BOTH NSW AND QLD WERE AMONGST
THE FIRST TWO STATES TO EMBRACE
NATIONAL WHS UNIFORMITY
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF
THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK HEALTH
SAFETY ACTS.
Cotton Australia’s Cotton Safe Wall Chart was
distributed free of charge to cotton growers and
industry stakeholders.
Under the banner of ‘CottonSafe’, Cotton
Australia launched its latest initiative to
promote a greater awareness of relevant
WHS issues, deliver evidence based
guidelines, tools and other resources to
growers. The aim is to help growers
effectively manage their WHS responsibilities
and mitigate injury, legal and financial risks
known to be associated with poor safety
performance.
Outcomes achieved over the past year
included:
> A second CottonSafe safety wall chart
produced and mailed free of charge to all
cotton growers, contractors, cotton gins
and other industry stakeholders
> A Cotton Harvest Worker Induction DVD,
revised with the technical assistance of
Cotton Australia
> A new Cotton Harvest Worker selfinduction on-line resource tool, produced
by Tocal Ag College, funded by the Cotton
Research and Development Corporation
(CRDC) and technical content support by
Cotton Australia
> Regular safety updates, practical advice
and Farmsafe statistics provided via
Cotton Matters e-newsletter
> Collaborative media releases and grower
WHS alerts, guidance notes with such
partners as NSW Country Energy
QLD Ergon Energy for targeted seasonal
safety risks like accidental contact with
overhead powerlines during cotton
picking operations
> Review and greater integration of relevant
WHS standards into all pre-existing and
new modules of myBMP
> A partnership with the Australian Centre
for Agricultural Health and Safety to
revise existing cotton industry WHS
resources and develop new tools
Cotton Australia has also established a
dedicated ‘CottonSafe’ section on its website,
designed for growers and their workers to
access relevant information, guidance and
resources for managing WHS risks on
cotton farms.
1998 - The Cotton Store opens at
ct
Darling Harbour showcasing produ
from farm to fashion.
Education Manager, Christina Cleaver (left)
takes teachers and students through the
Cotton Store education facilities.
Cotton Australia Cotton Grower Association
Forums annually to collect the views of growers.
This one around 2001.
Cotton, Community and You work
shops
taught CGA reps media training and
other
community relations skills.
Brimblecombe,
ACF Board 1990, chaired by Alan
Deputy Chairman Bruce Loder.
ention – photo
March 1975 – Cotton Grower Conv
taken by the North Western Courier.
Howes.
On the left is Namoi Cotton’s John
VINTAGE
MOMENTS
dation
In 1991, the Australian Cotton Foun
in Waterloo,
purchased this head office building
later selling it for $800,000.
Garments designed by Ken Done Art
and Design Activewear (Cotton).
BMP Workshops in 1999 introduce
of growers to the program.
Cotton Australia Fashions, Circa mid 90s.
97%
“Now Australian Cotton has reach
aign,
Mammoth Proportions” - ACF Camp
November 13, 1978.
ey,
ACF Promotions, Martin Place, Sydn
some time in the 80s.
Wrapped in Natural Fibres, Alan Brimblecombe,
Chairman of the ACF (left), Kim Farrell and
Sir William Vines of the Wool Revies Committee.
on Parade
“Wrapped in Natural Fibres” Fashi
.
Royal Easter Show, 2-13 April 1993
Noreen Coulton, Auscott’s John Cameron, Media
Personality Roger Climpson and PPR’s
Peter Lazar at a PRIA Awards Event circa 1972
David Swallow, ACGRA Secretary
from 1972 - 1995.
Opening of the new Cotton Australia
offices in
Crown Street, Surry Hills 1998. Char
lie Wilson
with Deputy PM John Anderson.
The ACF logo modelled on this t-shirt
made a very short appearance in the industry,
following concerns it looked like a sombrero
Cotton Australia’s longest serving staff
member,
Peter Cone, 1990-2008.
view with
CEO Maree McCashill at a media inter s.
journalist Michael Pascoe, early 1990
Premier
QLD Premier Peter Beattie and NSW
bours
Bob Carr launching the Good Neigh
Program in 1998.
orium
Cotton Australia sponsored this audit years.
at the Brisbane Showgrounds for many
Wilson
Cotton Australia Chairman Charlie
fronts the media in October 1999 abut
s.
effort
the industry’s sustainability
PETER CORISH
Chairman of Cotton Australia 1995-1999
Chairman of Australian Cotton
Industry Council 1998-2001
President of the National Farmers Federation in 2002
looking
back
“
Around 1990-91 when a number
of Cotton Grower Associations
formed, the growers decided
they wanted more direct
representation on the Cotton
Australia Board and that was
a substantial change. There is
no doubt that having growers,
ginners and marketers all sitting
around the same Board table has
been a very positive thing for our
industry. Cotton Australia has
a very important place in the
future of our industry because
it’s the grower’s representative
body and it’s also become the
industry’s voice.
”
A CLIMATE OF CHANGE
“Looks Like Rain!”, Jamie Condon, Click! Photo Comp 2012
IN JUNE 2011 THE GILLARD
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS PLAN
TO INTRODUCE A CARBON TAX FROM
JULY 2012, IN A BOLD STEP TO ENACT
ITS COMMITMENT TO REDUCING
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. FOR
AGRICULTURE THIS MEANT COST
INCREASES ON ENERGY INPUTS SUCH
AS FUEL, FERTILISER AND
ELECTRICITY, COMPOUNDING
EXISTING ECONOMIC PRESSURES.
The ‘Clean Energy Package’ also included
targeted investments and compensation,
including substantial funding for agriculture
and environmental programs. The Carbon
Farming Initiative (CFI) was also established
to provide opportunities for farmers to
benefit from carbon markets.
During 2011-12 Cotton Australia increased
efforts in this policy area, enabled by the
commencement of Policy Officer Angela
Bradburn. Representative positions were also
taken up by Cotton Australia on the NFF
Carbon Taskforce.
Activities included:
> Briefing government, directly and through
affiliations, to push for fair treatment in
policy decisions, stressing the cost of a tax
on industry and highlighting the progress
already made by industry and growers
through research and development
> Drawing on industry research,
development and extension networks to
help understand implications for cotton
businesses
> Funded modeling by the Australian Farm
Institute of the impacts of a carbon tax
on farm businesses. In the absence of any
other modelling effort by government
at that time, this provided critical
information on the scale and nature of
costs that growers would face
> Delivering key messages to government
via letters and written submissions on
carbon tax regulations and the CFI
> Full participation in the NFF Carbon
Taskforce, with Cotton Australia Director
Hamish McIntyre a delegate
> Providing policy and technical
information on the carbon tax package
and CFI to growers via Background
Briefing documents
Angela Bradburn secured a place in a ‘PIARN
Master Class’ (Primary Industries Adaptation
Research Network), which further enhanced
Cotton Australia’s capacity in climate change
research and policy.
MINING DIGGING IN:
“One of the Gifts of Working on a Cotton Farm”, Estela Bonato, Click! Photo Comp 2012
WHILE ONCE MINING WAS AN
ACTIVITY LARGELY CONFINED TO
THE “BACKBLOCKS”, IT IS NOW
INCREASINGLY COMPETING FOR THE
LAND AND WATER RESOURCES THAT
UNDERPIN THE AUSTRALIAN
COTTON INDUSTRY. COTTON
AUSTRALIA HAS RECOGNISED THIS
AS A PRIORITY ISSUE AND OVER THE
PAST 12 MONTHS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASED CAPACITY IN THIS
POLICY AREA, IN SUPPORT OF THE
SIGNIFICANT WORK ALREADY
ACHIEVED BY GROWERS.
Cotton Australia does not oppose mining
or coal seam gas extraction, but is focused
on ensuring it does not damage our water
and soil resources. In taking this position
it also recognises that there are areas,
which at least with present knowledge
and technology, are incompatible for the
co-existence of mining or coal seam gas
extraction and cotton production.
Work in 2011-12 focused on a number
of areas:
> The decision by the Board to allocate
resources to employ a full-time Mining
and Coal Seam Gas Policy Officer.
> The formation of a Mining and Coal Seam
Gas Advisory Committee to the Cotton
Australia Board, made up of growers from
the cotton regions currently impacted by
mining and coal seam gas extraction
> Hosting a mini-forum to increase Board
and Staff capacity to engage in the debate
and ensure growers have access to the
resources they require
Cotton Australia’s Michael Murray visits a
Hunter Valley Coal Mine.
> Prepared a submission to, and appeared as
a witness at, the Australian Senate Inquiry
into the Management of Murray-Darling
Basin – Coal Seam Gas, legislative review
into the Queensland Strategic Cropping
Land Act and NSW Upper House Inquiry
into Coal Seam Gas
> Hosted land holder access rights legal
seminars in Emerald
> Participated in the Queensland Land
Access Review
> Active participation in the National
Farmers Federation Mining and Coal
Seam Gas Taskforce
> Engaged with SunWater to oppose the
proposed Tennyson Creek Coal mine
which could see mining under the
Emerald Irrigation Area
> Worked closely with Darling Downs
growers with particular concerns over the
Arrow Energy Surat Basin development
and active member of the Dalby – Surat
Basin committee and land and water subcommittees
> Worked co-operatively with Queensland
Farmers Federation, Agforce and NSW
Farmers Association to achieve beneficial
outcomes for growers
“Watch Out! New Technology is Coming”, Estela Bonato, Click! Phot Comp
looking
back
HAMISH MILLAR
ACGRA member from 1998 - 2007
Youngest Chair of ACGRA 2004 - 2007
Director of Cotton Australia 2007 - 2011
Director of Cotton Research & Development
Corporation 2011 – present
“
In the past cotton has faced
many challenges and proved
resilient in responding to,
and overcoming threats to our
viability. Grower led research,
development and extension has
played a major role in advancing
the Australian cotton industry
into a competitive and
technically advanced agricultural
industry making a significant
contribution to the nation’s
economy. The industry’s
commitment to research has
a long history and this must
continue into the future to keep
cotton growers at the cutting
edge of profitable, sustainable
farming.
”
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 40 YEARS
C E L E B R A T I N G
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF COT TON AUSTRALIA · ANNUAL REPORT ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2011/12
YEARS
40
SUITE 4.01
247 COWARD STREET
MASCOT NSW 2020
AUSTRALIA
P: +61 2 9669 5222
F: +61 2 9669 5511
[email protected]
WWW.COTTONAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/COTTONAUSTRALIA
FOLLOW US @COTTONAUSTRALIA
OF COTTON AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT
2011/12
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNIVERSARY EDITION
2011/12

2011-12 Cotton Australia Anniversary Edition Annual Report

Transcription

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