Picking update, Sydney Royal Easter Show wrap-up and tribute to Bruce Connolly
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Cotton Matters
Cotton picking builds momentum with favourable dry conditions
Cotton picking is well underway across most cotton growing regions in Australia, with favourable dry conditions supporting strong progress.
Latest News
Vale Bruce Connolly
Cotton Australia’s Board, staff and the broader cotton community are deeply saddened by the passing of our Director Bruce Connolly, following an accident last month. Bruce passed away peacefully in a hospital in Brisbane, surrounded by his family.
Water policy update - webinar recording now live
Cotton Australia hosted a webinar this week to keep growers informed of its water advocacy on several major policy issues, including the Murray–Darling Basin Plan Review, the Northern NSW Connectivity Review, and Queensland water pricing reforms.
AgSkilled funding boost welcomed by Cotton Australia
Cotton Australia has welcomed a $15 million funding commitment from the NSW Government to secure the future of the AgSkilled program, supporting skills and workforce development across regional communities, following ongoing meetings with NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan to advocate for long-term funding certainty.
Landmark forum to unite Australia’s natural fibre leaders
Australia’s cotton and wool industries will come together for the first time to deliver the Australian Natural Fibres Forum, marking a significant step towards collaboration, education and alignment across the natural fibre sector.
The forum will bring together growers with brands, retailers and supply‑chain partners from 18 different countries to explore how natural fibres can work together to support sustainability, performance and transparency in a global market still dominated by synthetics.
Cotton Australia was in Canberra last month for the launch of the National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026–2036 at Parliament House. Bringing together industry and government, the event marked a significant step toward strengthening local manufacturing and shaping the future of Australia’s textile and apparel sector.
Cotton Australia's Education Manager Jenny Hughes has had a busy start to the year, leading a number of incursions with primary and secondary school students aimed at building the next generation of Australia's cotton workforce.
John Deere to sponsor Service to Industry Award
Cotton Australia is pleased to announce John Deere as the official sponsor of the prestigious Service to Industry Award, to be presented as part of the 2026 Cotton Industry Awards at this year’s Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast.
Capturing the people behind cotton – Click 26 photo competition opens
After attracting hundreds of entries from across Australia and capturing life on cotton farms in 2024, our Click photo competition is back for 2026. This year’s theme, The people behind Australian cotton, focuses on the individuals, places and everyday moments that shape the industry
Growers encouraged to take on gap year workers
Growers are encouraged to sign up to take part in the AgCAREERSTART program, connecting young people who are interested in an agricultural ‘gap-year’ with farmers in need of workers.
Advocacy and Leadership Opportunities
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Applications are open for the Farmsafe Australia Safer Farmers Ambassadors Network, a program designed to help farmers strengthen their voice and contribute to positive change across agriculture. The program builds skills in communication, leadership and engagement, with a focus on farm safety, wellbeing and culture. Participants will gain experience working with industry leaders, media and safety experts. |
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In response to concerns about fuel and fertiliser supply, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation has released a statement outlining what the cotton industry is doing, with a focus on getting the crop off efficiently, moving cotton to the gin and keeping harvest on track. It also includes advice on improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure to fertiliser price and supply volatility. |
Sydney Royal Easter Show wrap-up
City audiences connect with cotton at Sydney Royal Easter Show
Cotton Australia wrapped up a highly successful Sydney Royal Easter Show, engaging and educating thousands of visitors over 12 days through an immersive, end‑to‑end cotton experience.
This year, the story of Australian cotton was made easier to tell with the inclusion of a full cotton module and mini gin for the first time ever, enabling Cotton Australia to showcase the cotton journey from the paddock right through to the bale of lint that we export, strengthening people’s understanding of the production process.
