The 2024 Darling Downs Cotton Grower of the Year award was presented to Tyson and Rosie Armitage at the annual Darling Downs Cotton Grower Awards Dinner in September. This week, they hosted a field day at their property, Wamara Farming, Cecil Plains.

More than 100 attendees, including growers and industry representatives, gathered for the event. Members of the Cotton Australia Board, CEO Adam Kay, and staff including General Manager Michael Murray, Rob Crothers, Nicole Scott, and Howard Coggan were present.

The field day featured a range of presentations. Metagen led a discussion on soil health, while attendees also received an update on fire ant eradication efforts, which included a live fire ant display and model nests. Matt Richards, the 2024 Darling Downs High Achiever Award winner from RDS Farming in Nobby, shared insights on his approach to farming. Cotton Seed Distributors provided an overview of cotton variety performance and upcoming trials. Tyson Armitage and Matt Holding (Meteora Ag) discussed key on-farm practices, including soil nutrition, water management, and crop rotation.

Following the field day, the Board was hosted by Greg and Maryann Bender at Chinchilla, where they met with growers and discussed industry issues, with the day rounded out with a dinner with growers at Dalby.

The Cotton Australia Board is committed to regular regional Board meetings, giving them the opportunity to engage directly with growers.

The evening before the field day, Cotton Australia Board members and senior staff attended an informal dinner with Queensland LNP members and key staff as part of Cotton Australia’s annual engagement plan. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also made an appearance, commenting on the strong relationship the industry has developed with his government over the years, and his excitement to try an ensure Queensland cotton plays a significant role in the 2032 Olympic Games.

Key ministers in attendance included Tony Perrett, Minister for Primary Industries; Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism Science and Innovation; Dale Last, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg; and the Parliamentary Speaker Pat Weir.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay and GM Michael Murray provided briefings on issues affecting growers, reinforcing Cotton Australia’s commitment to engaging with political leaders. These discussions help build understanding of industry challenges and strengthen relationships with policymakers.

Key topics included water, and water pricing, the success of the training program Smartag Queensland, and the management of the subsidence risk that is associated with the extraction of Coal Seam gas.

These annual dinners are an important opportunity for Cotton Australia to engage with both the Queensland Government and the Opposition, ensuring ongoing dialogue on matters impacting cotton growers.

Following the field day, a Cotton Australia Board meeting was held in Toowoomba, with the board aiming to meet at least twice a year in a cotton-growing region.