Regional Manager for the Darling Downs Howard Coggan recently assisted Toowoomba Deputy Mayor to get a better grasp of the cotton industry by hosting a farm and gin tour.

Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff accompanied Howard to the property of Justin Yarrow where the key focus was the plant lifecycle, input requirements, water efficiency, chemical and fertiliser requirements and farm economics in general.

Then onto Qld Cotton’s Gin at Cecil Plains where the Councillor was introduced to the ginning process and what happens to the seed, trash and lint when separated. Also, covered was the recycling of cotton module wrap, the cost of electricity and staffing requirements. 

Howard noted that the yard had an estimated $30m in raw cotton sitting there ready for ginning which made for an impressive sight.

‘The yard will be filled 3 times during the season which should give an indication of the value of the cotton industry to the Darling Downs region.”