Grower of the Year Field Day: Six decades at “Merrilong" from the Brownhills
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Cotton Matters
Cotton picking has begun in central Queensland, with Emerald growers Denis and Aaron Kiely among the first to start. Picking is also underway in the Brisbane Valley this week. Despite mixed conditions across regions, the 2025–26 crop is forecast to reach around 4.4 million bales, pointing to a steady season ahead.
Latest News
“Merrilong” near Spring Ridge has been home to the Brownhill family for more than six decades.
Now the location of the upcoming Australian Grower of the Year Field Day, the history of “Merrilong” and the Brownhills dates back to 1959 when a postponed land deal and a fateful gap year overseas marked the start of the family’s four-generation legacy on the Liverpool Plains.
Myles Byrnes has joined the Cotton Australia team as Regional Manager for the Southern Valleys, based in Leeton. With a combination of hands-on farm experience and WHS expertise, Myles will be a valuable addition to the Southern Valleys region.
More than 150 people came together to celebrate 30 years of biotech cotton at the 2026 Bayer ‘Locharba’ Field Day in Narrabri this week.
NSW Farmers is hosting information sessions with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Local Land Services to help landholders understand the Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) Map and how it applies to their properties.
The sessions are open to both NSW Farmers members and non-members.
Cotton Australia is preparing for the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, the largest ticketed event in the Southern Hemisphere, and is looking for growers and industry members who can help tell the story of Australian cotton on the Cotton Australia stand.
On Friday 6 February, the Central Highlands Cotton Growers & Irrigators Association hosted the first Teach the Teacher event for 2026, welcoming a group of local teachers and health professionals for an afternoon exploring agriculture across the region.
Two cotton farming families from opposite ends of the country have been named as finalists in the prestigious The Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year Awards.
Take 10 minutes to listen to the CottonInfo Crop to Top podcast on why record keeping matters when using chemicals. In this episode, Geoff Cahill, Queensland DPI Manager for agvet chemicals and contaminants, shares practical tips for keeping good records during spray season, and a few simple ways you might improve your approach to get more value from the records you already keep.
Opportunities for growers
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Applications are now open for the Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust Leadership Program, designed to support emerging water, climate and environment leaders to build their leadership and communication skills and strengthen their ability to drive lasting change. Applications close on 24 May for the 2026 program. |
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The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and Woolworths have opened applications for the second round of the AgriEmpower Scholarship Program. The program is open to people aged 25–40 committed to advancing the agriculture industry, with each scholarship valued at $20,000. |
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The fund supports grassroots initiatives that strengthen the vitality and sustainability of rural and regional communities across Australia. It focuses on projects that address key agribusiness and community challenges, including long-term industry capacity and agricultural education, environmental sustainability, rural–urban connection, natural disaster resilience, rural wellbeing, and adaptation to change. |
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Through the Farm Business Resilience Program, QFF is hosting a free two-part online masterclass with family business consultant Marina Skinner to support growers strengthen their businesses. The sessions will look at how business values, vision and mission guide decision-making, and when they may need to change. |
myBMP
Bellevue Pastoral Company operates out of Narrabri, with farms also in the Riverina near Deniliquin. The business has been myBMP certified for many years and is now accredited across all farms, including the southern operations. With three generations involved, the focus is on working together and keeping practices consistent across the business.
