Dr Chris Sarra and senior department staff met Cotton Australia policy officer Paul Sloman before heading out to visit Jamie and Suzie Grant at Macalister, where they did a farm tour and heard about the importance of myBMP and cotton innovations including row configurations and riparian zone conservation areas.

Mr Sloman said the visit was an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to growers. “We discussed how successful cotton growing is in the region and how many jobs are generated on and off farm. We also highlighted water use efficiencies in the region as well as the reduced reliance on synthetic chemicals. We also raised spray drift, the costs of workforce training and the impact of CSG.”

The group enjoyed lunch with the Darling Downs Cotton Growers Association before visiting Dave Walton east of Dalby, followed by a gin tour.

While at Louis Dreyfus Gin the touring party received a ginning update and opportunities for the ginning industry.