THE Narrabri Cotton Collective conference opens tomorrow with packed sessions run by experts from within the cotton industry, so big things could easily emerge, according to Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay.
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“It will cover a range of topics, like positioning Australian cotton in the world fibre market, Big Data and how it can benefit growers, new crop varieties, access to water and securing the industry’s workforce of the future,” he said.
Every two years the industry stages its major cotton conference on the Gold Coast, while the Cotton Collective, run in conjunction with the industry’s AGM and awards presentation evening, occurs in Narrabri every other year.
“Doing it that way lessens the cost of those attending – have all the eggs in one basket so to speak,” Mr Kay said.
“Last year’s Gold Coast conference catered for 1800 people. It was massive. So we’re hoping for big turn up to Narrabri. We already have 350 booked for the awards evening.
“This year a two-day trade show has been added to the program. That should be interesting.”
The Cotton Collective will feature national and international speakers who are experts in their field.
Positioning Australian cotton in the world fibre market will be high on the agenda, as will new crop varieties and even securing the industry’s workforce for the future.
“As we sit now, we sell every bale we produce to spinning mills in Asia. Last year we engaged in taking our story of cotton to a broader overseas market. They loved it, starting a big demand for more cotton.
“The Big Data is basically the next frontier in big genetics in agriculture with farm equipment. Our new crop variety is a success story in itself driven by the CSIRO, which should be an interesting session. And we’re looking ahead to make sure we’ve got the workforce needed for the future, that they’re properly trained and we have things in place to better the industry.”
Following the Cotton Collective and AGM at the Crossing Theatre will be the 12th annual awards presentation from 6.30pm.
Locals within the cotton industry feature on the finalists’ list, including Gunnedah farmers Scott and Jo McCalman (Grower of the Year/High Achiever of the Year), Moree agronomist Ben Dawson (Young Achiever of the Year), and Narrabri CSIRO scientists Sandra Williams, Geoff Baker and Colin Tann (Researcher of the Year).