The Grower’s Voice and Carbon Chat Tour will be stopping off in Moree, Narrabri, Walgett, Gunnedah, St George, Goondiwindi and Dalby in early September.

The tour recently wrapped up dates in the Macquarie and Southern Valleys with around 100 growers and industry members attending events.

A focus on data

One of the speakers on the tour is Merry Conaty, CRDC General Manager Innovation who will give an update on the industry data platform, with work underway to build the new Australian Cotton Data Platform.

“We’ve started the process of validating and designing what needs to go into the data platform,” she explains. “Right now, we’re seeking input from everyone across the supply chain about exactly what you want to see at the end of the project, so the software engineers can design a bespoke system that meets our needs.”

She says the platform is central to the industry’s plans for marketing cotton. “The data pillar of the roadmap underpins the delivery of all of the other platforms. We need to collect the right data and get it into the right place so we can show our sustainability credentials, prove our human rights record, and provide data for marketing.”

For growers, the potential benefits are wide-ranging. “The data platform as a piece of infrastructure can enable every cotton grower to do new things in their business, to access new markets, and to back up what they’re saying about their cotton,” Dr Conaty says.

She adds that workshops are now focused on shaping the platform to meet real needs. “What we need to know is: how do you want to engage with the data platform? What do you want to see at the end? What are the current pain points that we can build the infrastructure around to deliver value back to you?”

Gwydir Valley

• Monday 8 September: Moree Town and Country Club, 10am-1:30pm (followed by lunch and drinks) RSVP

Lower Namoi Valley

• Monday 8 September: Tourist Hotel Narrabri, 4pm-7:30pm (followed by dinner and drinks) RSVP

Walgett

• Tuesday 9 September: Barwon Inn Walgett, 9am-12:30pm (followed by lunch and drinks) RSVP

Upper Namoi Valley

• Tuesday 9 September: Gunnedah Bowling Club, 3:30pm-7pm (followed by dinner and drinks) RSVP

St George

• Wednesday 10 September: St George Cultural Centre, 9am-12:30pm (followed by lunch and drinks) RSVP

Macintyre Valley

• Wednesday 10 September: O’Sheas Royal Hotel Goondiwindi, 3:30pm-7pm (followed by dinner and drinks) RSVP

Darling Downs

• Thursday 11 September: The Russell Tavern Dalby, 9am-12:30pm (followed by lunch and drinks) RSVP

Find out more about the Grower’s Voice and Carbon Chat Tour.