Cotton

Cotton champions showcase farming practices

Grain Central, March 21, 2017

THE Monsanto National Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day hosted by recipients Ian, Marilyn and Harry Carter on their Liverpool Plains property, ‘Connamara’, at Pine Ridge near Quirindi in northern NSW attracted 150 cotton growers and industry representatives.

Cotton growers of the year Ian, Marilyn and Harry Carter, ‘Connamara’, Pine Ridge with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce (second left). (Photo: Virginia Tapscott)

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the strong turn-out was testament to the Carters’ sophisticated farm operation and hard work.

“The Carters had plenty to offer visitors to their farm, demonstrating several of their innovative on-farm techniques,” Mr Kay said.

“This included no-till farming to conserve soil moisture and water injection at planting to get better establishment, despite erratic seasonal conditions.

“The Carters also innovate with machinery, and fellow growers were impressed to see their sophisticated conversion of a cotton picker into a forklift, amongst other machinery on farm.

“Growers left the event with new ideas they can apply to their own operations, and many commented on the great care and attention to detail the Carters apply to their operation, and the outstanding results it produces.”

Program highlights from the field day included:

  • Farm tours to see the Carters’ techniques in action in fields
  • Presentations by experts on climate, moisture attractants, seed soaking and microwave weed control
  • Precision machinery displays
  • Headline presentations by Tony Mahar (National Farmers’ Federation CEO), Tony May (Monsanto Australia managing director), Adam Kay (Cotton Australia CEO) and Ag Skilled representative Rebecca Fing (Cotton Australia regional manager)

Mr Kay said the event highlighted the value of the Australian Cotton Industry Awards program, nominations for which have now opened for the 2017 program.

“The annual Australian Cotton Industry Awards acknowledge the hard work of everyone in the industry, from growers and ginners to product suppliers, consultants, agronomists, researchers and others,” he said.

“The Awards are a great way to celebrate our industry’s achievements and acknowledge the tremendous work and commitment of people throughout the cotton supply chain.”

“I encourage everyone in our industry to nominate those around them who deserve recognition.

“Importantly, we stress that the Awards program is not designed to indicate who is ‘best’ – it is simply a way to recognise those who have made enormous efforts to better our industry.”

Cash prizes are on offer for the successful recipients of the 2017 Australian Cotton Industry Awards, which has five categories:

  • Monsanto Grower of the Year
  • AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year
  • ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year
  • Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year
  • IPF Service to Industry Award

Individuals and teams can nominate others or themselves through the online nomination form at www.australiancottonawards.com

Entries for the 2017 Australian Cotton Industry Awards close at 5pm on 24 March, 2017.

Recipients will be announced at the Awards Dinner on July 26, 2017 – held in conjunction with the Australian Cotton Collective and Cotton Trade Show (July 26 & 27) in Griffith, southern NSW.

Source: Cotton Australia

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your comment will not appear until it has been moderated.
Contributions that contravene our Comments Policy will not be published.

Comments

Get Grain Central's news headlines emailed to you -
FREE!