Farmer petition against unfair EU Legislation, Cotton Conference a success and Ministers briefed on QLD Cotton grower priorities
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Cotton Matters
Cotton Australia has gone on the attack following another blatant anti-cotton effort by the ABC’s Four Corners program in their hatchet-job, titled ‘Water Grab’ on the emerging industry in the Northern Territory.
CEO Adam Kay hit back on behalf of the 13 growers in the NT, dispelling the myths and untruths presented by Four Corners in their program on Monday the 19th of August
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Cotton Australia Chair Nigel Burnett and General Manager Michael Murray visited Canberra this week where they were able to brief the new Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins on the Australia cotton industry.
A delegation from the Indian cotton industry visited Australia in early August, as part of a program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) aimed at strengthening trade relations between the two nations. The group attended the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast before embarking on a tour showcasing local cotton farms on the Darling Downs.
Thousands of visitors flocked to this year's EKKA in Brisbane, where Cotton Australia held a stand in the Ag Hall. The event, held right after the Australian Cotton Conference, attracted over 340,000 people over nine days, despite the wet weather.
SmartAg Queensland, a newly launched program managed by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) with support from the Queensland Government, is now offering accredited, non-accredited, and micro-credentialed training for agricultural industries, focusing on delivering high-quality, flexible training in rural and regional Queensland.
The most well-attended Cotton Conference ever held in the southern hemisphere is being remembered for its collaboration, ground-breaking presentations and forums, social networking, and incredible displays of innovation and technology.
Michelle Hutchinson of Moura was awarded the People's Choice Award at the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference for her photograph ‘Performance ready cotton,’ featuring her daughter Emily. The image, which also won the People Category prize in the Click 24 Photography Competition, resonated deeply with the cotton community.
On the cusp of completing her myBMP certification, Liz Stott, Deputy Chair of Cotton Australia and a Leeton cotton grower, shares her journey. Initially finding the process overwhelming, Liz soon realised her farm already met many of the required standards and that the program could help streamline paperwork, HR, and WHS management.
Fashion to Farmer Podcast features Cotton to Market team
Brooke Summers and Ashley Hollis from our Cotton to Market program are featured on the latest episode of the Fashion to Farmer podcast. In conversation with former international model turned farmer Vanessa Bell, they discuss the Australian cotton industry's sustainability achievements and how partnerships and collaboration are driving meaningful change and meeting consumer demand.
Significant changes to Australian employment law are set to take effect from August 26, 2024, under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024. These amendments will introduce new rights and protections for workers and are expected to impact how growers manage their workforce.
Following recent discussions at the Australian Cotton Conference on upcoming global legislation, growers are encouraged to sign a petition addressing the unequal treatment of natural fibres, particularly under the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) category rules.
News in brief
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Grower feedback is needed for an AgriFutures-funded research project on Australian farmers' people management practices and the support needed to implement a 'best practice' approach. |
3G network shutdown extended to OctoberThe National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has issued a reminder to Australian farmers and those living in rural areas to check their devices before the 3G network is officially shutdown on October 28. |
Cotton Awards - Nominees
2024 AgriRisk High Achiever recipients Steve and Bridget McVeigh, Dalby
Steve and Bridget McVeigh run Loch Eaton near Dalby where they grow more than a thousand hectares of irrigated and dryland cotton. Steve’s family has been involved in growing cotton for 44 years over three generations.
