New Regional Manager for Northern Australia
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Cotton Matters
Three emerging leaders from Narrabri, Emerald and the Darling Downs have been named finalists for the 2026 Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award, recognising their significant contribution to the Australian cotton industry.
Latest News
Water was front and centre when Cotton Australia hosted its annual Board and NSW Government Dinner in Sydney recently. The dinner, hosted by Cotton Australia Chair Liz Stott, was attended by the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, the Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, along with other ministers and advisers. Key topics included the extraordinarily dire consequences of the Northern NSW Connectivity Review should its recommendations be implemented.
Join us for an update on the key issues discussed at Cotton Australia's General Meeting in Sydney and what they mean for growers.
This webinar will also cover what we heard from growers during the strategic plan review, and updates on important projects including water advocacy and the Roadmap for Australian cotton.
Cotton Australia welcomes Abaigh Gleeson as its new Regional Manager, Northern Australia.
Based in Kununurra for the past three years, Abaigh has worked across both commercial and research agronomy, building strong knowledge of northern farming systems and the opportunities and challenges facing growers in the region.
If you’re under 35 and heading to the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference, you don’t want to miss out on the Next Gen event – the perfect opportunity to catch up and connect with old friends and new before the main program officially begins.
The Next Gen event, proudly sponsored by PCT AgCloud, will be held at 6pm on Monday 3 August at the Broadbeach Surf Club, providing a relaxed setting for younger growers and agronomists, emerging professionals and future leaders to kick off the week right.
Cotton Australia has recently updated several of its Load Restraint Engineering Reports for un-ginned cotton, providing growers and transport operators with current guidance aligned with the latest national standards.
Cotton Australia has wrapped up a busy period of education and industry engagement activities, connecting with teachers, students and future workforce employees. Events over the past few months have included Teach the Teacher sessions, school excursions, careers expos and networking nights.
Funding from Queensland’s Biosecurity Boost Grants Program will support an emergency incursion exercise led by Cotton Australia. The simulation will help industry and government practise responding to serious biosecurity threats in Queensland, including a possible boll weevil incursion, which is a major risk for the cotton industry.
News in Brief
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An agricultural trade apprenticeship is being considered to help improve career pathways, attract new workers and address skills shortages in agriculture. Work led by the National Farmers' Federation and Skills Insight shows strong industry interest, with some concerns about how it would fit with existing training. Growers are invited to complete a short 4–5 minute survey to show support for the idea. |
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The Queensland Competition Authority has set regulated electricity prices for regional Queensland for 2026–27. The good news is that most customers should see some relief. However, according to Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray, the real opportunity to save money comes from regularly reviewing your electricity bills and ensuring you are on the optimum tariff. |
2026 Bayer Grower of the Year Nominees
2026 Cotton Grower of the Year Nominees – Rhys Herbert & Trish Carroll, Warra, Darling Downs
Rhys Herbert and Trish Carroll run Warra Warra, a mixed irrigation and dryland farming aggregation on the Darling Downs. They focus on adapting their cropping program to seasonal conditions and using new technology to keep improving the farm. Retaining staff and creating a workplace where people feel supported is a major part of how they operate.
