Meet the New Cotton Australia Chair Liz Stott
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Cotton Matters
The 2025/26 cotton season has begun for some growers with the first planting underway around Emerald in the Central Highlands, and in an interesting twist, many have just finished picking last season’s cotton.
Emerald grower Aaron Kiely has already planted 70 hectares of an initial 95 hectares due to soil moisture levels and increasing temperatures after deciding to grow-on part of his cotton crop last season.
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The long-awaited Kununurra cotton gin has officially opened, bringing jobs and economic prosperity and a new era for cotton into the region. WA Cotton farmer Fritz Bolten praised all involved in the project. “It’s taken time, resilience, and vision to establish a base crop and enterprise in this remote part of northern Australia.
The Grower’s Voice and Carbon Chat Tour will be stopping off in Moree, Narrabri, Walgett, Gunnedah, St George, Goondiwindi and Dalby in early September. The tour recently wrapped up dates in the Macquarie and Southern Valleys.
Liz Stott has stepped into the role of Chair of the Cotton Australia Board after two years as Deputy Chair. She’s gained an appreciation for the work that happens behind the scenes and was elected Chair at the recent AGM in Toowoomba. Liz will work alongside new Deputy Chair Angus O’Brien and says she’s honoured to lead the Board and excited to see the ongoing projects through.
The 2025 Cotton Collective in Toowoomba brought hundreds of growers together to explore the latest in cotton technology, innovation, and industry trends. Speakers covered topics from artificial intelligence in farming to global challenges like competing with man-made fibres.
Agricultural leaders met in Brisbane at the Unlocking Productivity in Australian Agriculture roundtable. Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray attended the event, which was hosted by Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins and Assistant Agricultural Minister Senator Anthony Chisholm.
A morning at Kununurra’s Cotton Blooms & Tea Tales event saw 37 attendees take part in a farm visit and hear stories from people involved in Western Australia’s northern cotton industry.
Each year, we’re lucky to welcome growers to the Cotton Australia stand at the Brisbane Ekka. This year, with the highest visitor numbers since 2008, three growers share their experience helping to showcase the story of Australian cotton.
Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray, and Board Member April Cavanagh have joined Queensland Farmers Federation CEO Jo Sheppard to attend a small workshop on Climate Adaptation co-hosted by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and the University of Southern Queensland.
News in brief
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The Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture will host a Cattle & Cotton Open Day in Kununurra on Monday 1 September 2025, from 2–5 pm. The afternoon program includes a tour of the station’s cattle facilities and an overview of current projects, followed by a sundowner and BBQ with staff and guests. |
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Safe Ag Systems is hosting free workplace health and safety sessions this September across Hillston, Condobolin, Narromine and Orange. The events will cover key WHS updates, including industrial manslaughter and psychosocial hazards, along with practical tips to strengthen compliance and safety culture. |
Cotton Industry Awards
Missed the 2025 Cotton Awards in Toowoomba? Watch the highlights as Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year went to Merrilong Agricultural Company. Other winners included growers Tyson and Rosie Armitage, Grace Griffiths, and Andrew Watson, as well as researcher Dr Murray Sharman.
