A recent visit to Emerald by the Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett and the Member for Gregory and Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland Sean Dillon, gave cotton growers the opportunity to raise issues impacting their region and the industry.

Cotton Australia played a key role during the visit, with Chairman Nigel Burnett hosting discussions at the Inland Port in Yamala on improving road and rail infrastructure to support cotton and grain exports.

Later, a luncheon at the Emerald Star Hotel brought together Cotton Australia, the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association (CHCG&IA), Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), AgForce, and local growers to address water pricing for irrigators and the need to retain strategic water reserves in the Dawson Valley.

Cotton Australia used the luncheon to highlight the importance of funding SmartAg QLD to build the agricultural workforce and called for the reinstatement of the Agriculture and Environment Committee to strengthen support for growers.