EpAg’s Peter Ricardo, Scott White from Thalaba Farming, Hugh Ricardo of EpAg and Nowley Pastoral Company Angus Moore.

A RECORD crowd of more than 3000 people packed the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre for the first day of the biennial Australian Cotton Conference on Tuesday.

The conference is uniting growers, researchers, agronomists, supply-chain partners and industry leaders from across Australia and beyond for three days of learning, networking and industry celebration.

Under the theme Future Fit Cotton, the 2026 conference’s focus is how Australian cotton can adapt, innovate and thrive in a changing production, market and policy environment, while continuing to lead globally with a sustainable, high-quality fibre of choice.

Conference chair and Cotton Australia deputy chair, Warren grower Gus O’Brien, said he was pleased to see the large attendance at this year’s event, given the Middle East conflict, domestic water policy and dry conditions had made this season harder than most.

“We were initially sort of expecting the worst a bit because times are a bit tougher than they were a few years ago and things are not as rosy, but the industry has come out in droves and that’s awesome to see,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There’s still a confidence and I think people probably want to get away and as well as that there’s still the hangers on or the rest of industry that gets around it and we’ve got them to thank I think for our big numbers.”

Australian Cotton Conference chair Gus O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien said events like the Australian Cotton Conference were key for keeping growers, businesses and industry groups connected and working towards one goal.

He said this happens through the sessions as well as by catching up during lunch and outside the event.

“A lot of the good stuff at these sort of things doesn’t happen in the sessions, it happens outside, it happens in the conversations.

“It’s about connecting with people and talking to people and that’s I think where the real value is.”

A major highlight of the event is the Cotton Trade Hall, which serves as a hub for industry engagement.

With more than 150 exhibitors, the hall showcases the latest machinery, technology, products and services supporting Australian cotton.

The conference will culminate in a celebration of the industry’s highest achievers at the Australian Cotton Industry Awards Dinner on Thursday, with comedian Vince Sorrenti as master of ceremonies.

A number of awards will be announced at the dinner, including: Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year; AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year; Cotton Research and Development Corporation Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year; Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year, and the Incitec Pivot Fertiliser Services to Industry.

Jamie Deshon, Australian Cotton Ginners’ chair Ben Suttor and Booligar Ag’s James Thomas.

Boolah Farm’s Stuart Tighe with Maree Crawford and Graham Page from Terragen Biotech.

Craig Hopkins and Martin Engberink from Fendt.

Shaun Chesterfield and Greg McCalman of Entegra with Wilson Statham (cenre) of Statham Pastoral Company.

Benjamin Blevin of John Deere, John Travers of RDO Equipment and Jason McNeice from PTx

Madeleine Lovell from Woods Group with Bean Growers Australia’s David Thompson.

DataFarming’s Tim Neale and Shane Fitzgerald of Metagen.

Dwain (left) and Amanda Platts (right) of PlattsAg with Ben Edwards from Ultra Lubricants and Nutrien Ag Solutions John Galagher.

Andrew Ryan and James O’Connor of ADAMA with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Darren Young

Ian Laurie Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Ali Smith Times News Group and Charles Clift of Tathra Farming

AgBiTech’s Kerry McKenzie, Nutrien Ag Solutions Murray Boshammer, Sheree Lawrence of Big Bag Recovery and Weedsmart northern extension agronomist Paul McIntosh.

Matt and Stacy Norrie from Mollee Partnership with Sean McColley from CaseIH

Queensland Cotton’s Will Choice with James Traill and Will D’Hudson from Parraweena Pty Ltd.

Isaac Brosnan from Wanolga Pty Ltd, Alex Jakins from JH Farming Company, Strong Ag’s Tom McDonnell and Angus Jakins from JH Farming Company.

Meldora Land Management’s Shanon Williams, Shane Fitzgerald of Metagen and Peter Johnston and Campbell Underwood of Precision Ag.

Rod Dean of ABG Trading Fertiliser, Holly Cosgrove from SW Pastoral Company, Toby Polkinghorne of ABG Trading Fertiliser and Clancy Cosgrove from AgriShed.

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