A recent visit to the Queensland Central Highlands gave Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay the chance to meet with local growers and industry leaders to hear firsthand about regional priorities and challenges.

The tour was coordinated by Cotton Australia’s Regional Manager for the Central Highlands, Robyn Lehmann, and began with discussions with Queensland Farmers’ Federation President Aaron Kiely and Cotton Australia Chair Nigel Burnett, where local and broader industry issues were on the agenda.

During the visit, Adam toured the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre (CQSCC), an emerging hub for research, development and extension in the region. He met with CQSCC Director Alicia Dunbar to talk through opportunities to increase grower and industry involvement with the facility, which is currently progressing through the myBMP certification process. The centre is due to undertake an audit in June as part of its commitment to demonstrating best practice cropping methods.

Adam toured several of the centre’s facilities, including the wand tower and glasshouse, and offered support to help strengthen connections with the wider cotton industry.

He also toured the CQ Inland Port and met with Central Highlands Cotton Growers Association (CHCGA) President Alex Doyle at the nearby LDC Gin, before visiting Ross Burnett’s farm. The visit provided an opportunity to view the crop ahead of picking and discuss the next steps in the myBMP review process.

The trip concluded with a Central Highlands CGA meeting attended by more than 35 growers. Among the key issues raised was the need for stronger advocacy around fairer rural and irrigation rates.

Growers welcomed the opportunity to share their views directly with Cotton Australia.