More than 200 growers, industry representatives, sponsors and suppliers attended the 2025 Cotton Collective in Toowoomba, with feedback suggesting the event was a great success.

The three-day event started with an optional innovation bus tour to several locations, including the new RDO facility, a visit to see Swarmbots being made, the Bayer Labs and Excel Agriculture.

The two days of sessions were highly popular, including Megatrends and the Australian Cotton Industry, Growing a Successful Family Farm Business, Practical Tech on the Farm, and Beyond the Farm Gate – Australian Cotton in the Wider World.

Some of the presentations sparked debate and questions, including on the role of artificial intelligence in farming businesses and how to maximise returns for growers.

Organiser Michael Murray said the level of engagement and collaboration was typical of the deep connection between industry participants.

“The social and personal learning elements of the Cotton Collective cannot be overstated. Growers share their own journeys in an informal setting, and the industry gains overall because those lessons make their way back to individual farms.

“I must give special mention to the team from Cotton Grower magazine for the trade exhibition this year, which featured around 75 exhibitors with everything from farm investment ideas to new irrigation technology.

“It was good to wander the pavilion and see growers interacting with sponsors and suppliers and taking away information to assist them in their own businesses.”