Finalists for the 2026 Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year award and the AgriRisk High Achiever of the year award.
Mitch & Mariah Brimblecombe and Linton & Melinda Brimblecombe, 'Moira'
The Brimblecombe family has farmed at Forrest Hill, in the Lockyer Valley for more than 100 years, with Moira Farming now operated by Linton and Melinda Brimblecombe alongside their son Mitch and his wife Mariah.
Growing cotton in rotation with vegetable crops, the family combines a long farming history with a focus on continuous improvement, people and workplace culture. Moira Farming is myBMP certified and employs nine full-time staff, expanding to up to 50 during vegetable harvest.
The Brimblecombes are actively involved in cotton and vegetable research and trials, working with organisations including Cotton Seed Distributors, CSIRO, the Queensland DPI and Griffith University, while also running their own on-farm trials to support continuous improvement and innovation.
Farm facts
Area to Cotton: 550ha (Irrigated: 481, Dryland: 69)
Irrigation: Overhead irrigation (laterals and centre pivots) supported by trickle irrigation and flood irrigation in selected areas
Rhys Herbert & Trish Carroll , 'Warra Warra' Pastoral Properties
Pastoral Properties (Cropping) Pty Ltd at Warra Warra, operated by Rhys Herbert and Trish Carroll, places a strong focus on workplace culture, staff management and adaptability. The business values creating a positive and respectful team environment and sees capable, reliable staff as one of the operation’s greatest strengths. Flexibility is also central to the business, with plans regularly adjusted to respond to changing weather conditions, water availability and seasonal pressures.
The business has developed an integrated weed management strategy combining proactive planning, diverse control methods and precision technology, including camera spraying to improve application accuracy and reduce chemical use. Pastoral Properties achieved myBMP certification across the entire aggregation in February 2026 and has increased cotton yields by around two bales per hectare over the past five years, while also improving fibre quality through better planting timing and careful variety selection.
Farm facts
Area to Cotton: 2,780 ha (580 irrigated, 2200 dryland)
Irrigation: Furrow irrigation with two centre pivot irrigated paddocks.
Lucas Wuersching, 'Wuersching Acres'
Wuersching Acres at St George, operated by Lucas Wuersching, has focused on innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement to drive the business forward. Lucas, who is also President of the St George Cotton Growers Association, says a passion for growing cotton and building a future for his children is at the centre of the operation, alongside adopting new technology and “chasing the one percenters”.
The introduction of bankless irrigation and automation technology has significantly improved efficiency, sustainability and yields across the farm. Bankless irrigation has helped lift production on variable soil types, with the business now routinely achieving 14–15 bale yields compared to 12–13 bales under furrow irrigation. Automation systems also allow irrigation water to be managed more precisely, ensuring water is applied only when needed and for the right amount of time.
Farm facts
Area to Cotton: 505 ha irrigated
Irrigation: Bank pipe system and bankless irrigation.
Bruce Mennie, 'Myall Park’ Dalara Pastoral
Bruce Mennie, Farming Manager for Dalara Pastoral at “Myall Park” near Blackville, is a nominee for Cotton Grower of the Year. The business grows dryland cotton in rotation with wheat, sorghum and peas and places a strong focus on teamwork, workplace culture and attention to detail. Bruce says hard work and having the right people around you are central to the operation’s success, with the wider Blackville business employing around 10–12 staff across cropping, spraying, spreading and cattle operations.
Dalara Pastoral is a myBMP certified farm and has worked with Cotton Seed Distributors on variety trials for several years. The business also uses camera spraying technology for targeted applications, helping reduce chemical use and pressure, while maintaining a strong focus on creating a positive team culture with clear goals and an approachable management style.
Farm facts
Area to Cotton: 1558 Ha
Irrigation: Dryland
Matt & Angus Whittaker, 'Wingfield'
Brothers Matt and Angus Whittaker of Wingfield at Warren, NSW, have increased average cotton yields from around 10–11 bales to between 14.5–16.5 bales over the past two decades, driven by a strong focus on doing the basics well, including ground preparation and irrigation scheduling.
The business employs four full-time staff along with seasonal workers and contractors across harvest, cartage and earthworks. Matt and Angus place a strong focus on creating a flexible and supportive workplace, valuing staff input and encouraging involvement in decision-making. They also credit long-standing relationships with agronomists, staff, merchants and advisers, along with their different agricultural backgrounds, as key strengths behind the success of the operation.
Farm facts
Area to Cotton: 600ha
Irrigation: 2.5 inch Siphons in 1m row configuration.
Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year
Dr. Katie Broughton, Research Scientist at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Narrabri NSW
Dr. Katie Broughton is a research scientist at CSIRO Agriculture and Food in Narrabri, NSW, Australia. Her world leading research has focussed on understanding the impacts of climate change on cotton production and developing sustainable agronomic practices.
Currently she leads projects that explore innovative solutions, such as the use of novel plant growth hormones, to enhance cotton yield and resilience. Her work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also provides practical strategies for farmers to adapt to environmental challenges.
Dr Shiming Liu, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Narrabri NSW
Dr Shiming Liu has played a pivotal role in advancing Australia’s cotton breeding program over more than 20 years, contributing to the development of many of the industry’s commercial varieties. His leadership in developing the new Sicala 320B3XF variety represents a major breakthrough, delivering both high yield and world-leading fibre quality - strengthening Australia’s position in premium global markets. He has also pioneered innovative trial designs and developed a novel seed vigour assay, improving the accuracy of breeding decisions and helping growers achieve more reliable crop establishment.
Dr Gunasekhar Nachimuthu, Senior Research Scientist (Sustainable Soils), Climate and Natural Resources, NSW DPI, Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri NSW
Dr Guna Nachimuthu is an internationally recognised soil and systems scientist whose work has transformed how soil health, carbon and climate resilience are managed in Australian cotton production. His research over more than 20 years has delivered practical, long-term systems-based insights that improve productivity and sustainability, including soil carbon benchmarking, resilient crop rotations and more efficient use of water and nutrients.
CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year
Natalie Aquilina – Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD)
Natalie is a Technical Agronomist with CSD in the Namoi Valley, supporting growers and agronomists through her work in extension, research trials and industry service. She is currently Treasurer of the Upper Namoi Cotton Growers Association and President of the Narrabri Ag Collective and has contributed to crop judging and industry events including the 2026 Grower of the Year Field Day and the 2024 Australian Cotton Conference Committee. Natalie is a 2026 Australian Future Cotton Leader and her leadership and commitment to the industry was most recently recognised when she was named the Upper Namoi CGA 2026 Young Achiever of the Year.
Alexandria Doyle – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) Grower Services Representative, Emerald QLD
Alexandria is a Grower Services Representative with Louis Dreyfus Company, based in Emerald Queensland, and President of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association. Her contribution to the industry spans agronomy, grower engagement and community leadership, with a strong focus on strengthening cotton communities, encouraging participation from the next generation and supporting growers through practical advocacy and connection. Alexandria has also contributed through volunteer roles with Wincott, the Cotton Awards Dinner Committee and is a 2021 graduate of the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program.
Lauren Roellgen – Cotton grower, Darling Downs QLD
Lauren works full-time on her family’s farm “Tyunga” on the Darling Downs and has become a strong voice for the cotton industry and agriculture more broadly. Alongside helping drive best practice on-farm, Lauren serves as secretary of the Darling Downs Cotton Growers Association, chairs the Future Farmers Network Board and is Deputy Vice Chair of the RNA Future Directions Committee. She has helped deliver industry events, foster collaboration for young growers and advocate for the importance of leadership renewal, innovation and strong community connections across agriculture. Lauren was last year named the Darling Downs CGA’s Young Achiever of the Year and is currently a 2026 Australian Future Cotton Leader.
