The Australian cotton industry has launched its annual awards programme at the field day hosted by the 2022 Bayer Grower of the Year, Sundown Pastoral Co’s ‘Keytah’ near Moree in New South Wales. With a record year for cotton in 2022 and predictions of another significant crop in 2023, the Australian cotton industry is calling for growers to nominate themselves, or other growers who are doing an efficient job.
“The awards process drives innovation and knowledge sharing, both within and outside the industry. The awards recognise the best and brightest in different categories from the early entrant to the most experienced. These are people we can showcase outside the industry, and they really show people the modern Australian cotton industry and just how successful they are globally,” Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay, said in a report by the organisation.
Nominations are open in the Bayer Grower of the Year, AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year, CRDC Young Cotton Achiever of the Year, Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year, and IPF Service to Industry Award categories for 2023.
“The Australian Cotton Grower awards process is important. I encourage growers to come forward. I feel proud as a leader within the industry to see just how good these people are,” said Nigel Burnett, Chair of the Cotton Australia board.
The awards recognise the innovation, hard work, commitment, and research that go into the production of cotton and also demonstrate the leading position Australian cotton growers are taking on sustainability, which Kay acknowledges is increasingly important to consumers.
“We are doing a lot of work connecting our growers to brands and retailers who are demanding transparency and traceability right across the cotton value chain. We are able to show the steps we are taking to become even better in environmental stewardship and sustainability and that is driving even more demand from global companies who want to share that success,” added Kay.
“It was a real honour to host the field day and encourage new nominees for the award. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the benefits of a lot of farming families throughout the region. We’re stronger together than what we are apart. We learned a lot from other people early on, so I have no issue in sharing any information with any grower throughout the region or any cotton grower,” said David Statham, Co-Owner of Sundown Pastoral Company.
Individuals and teams can nominate others, or themselves, for the 2023 Australian Cotton Industry Awards through the online nomination form on Cotton Australia’s website. Cotton Australia is the peak representative body for Australia’s cotton growing industry.
