The excellence and achievements of the Australian cotton industry over the past year were recognised last night at the 2019 Australian Cotton Industry Awards.
The recipients of the 2019 Australian Cotton Industry Awards.
Tom and Charm Arnott from Boggabilla in New South Wales received the Bayer Grower of the Year award, recognising their efficient and effective farm management practices at their properties “Fairfield” and “Tambalaka”.
Australian Food and Fibre’s Moree farm manager, Murray Connor, was recognised for his commitment to innovation and passion for the cotton industry by receiving the ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year award.
One Tree Agriculture farm managers Jamie Traill and Ashley Tunks, of Warra in Queensland, were awarded the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year award for their excellence and innovation in the cotton industry.
The Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd Researcher of the Year award was presented to Dr Linda Smith from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for her work studying cotton pathology.
The IPF Service to Industry award was presented to one of the industry’s longest serving regionally-based cotton extension officers, Kieran O’Keeffe.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay congratulated the finalists and award recipients on their achievements.
“The finalists for the 2019 Australian Cotton Industry Awards are all outstanding role models and advocates for our world-leading industry and are congratulated for their contributions to Australian cotton,” Mr Kay said.
“Particular congratulations must go to the recipients of the Awards. Our industry is incredibly proud of their achievements, and we applaud them for the work they do in keeping Australian cotton at the cutting-edge of agriculture.”
Mr Kay said the 2019 Australian Cotton Industry Awards had shone a light on the sector’s resilience during what had been a tough season.
“Despite this terrible drought, the Australian cotton industry has made significant gains across all areas, particularly around our sustainability targets and efficiency measures,” Mr Kay said.
“Our growers continue to produce the best and highest-yielding cotton in the world, and are supported by leading scientists and researchers right across the supply chain.”
“One of the strengths of our industry is our commitment to achieving excellence; with that in mind, I look forward to seeing what our Awards recipients and finalists achieve next,” Mr Kay said.
