The Grower’s Voice and Carbon Chat Tour is nearing its conclusion, with the CEO of Cotton Australia Adam Kay and Executive Director of CRDC Allan Williams, along with other senior staff available to hear directly from growers and industry next week.

Central Highlands CGA President Alex Doyle, who attended the recent event in Emerald, said the tour is a chance for both growers and industry members to speak up about a number of key topics that will affect their future.

“Growers really do need to come along to these events and share their voice. Both Cotton Australia and the CRDC can only work with what they know, so it’s important to take the opportunity to speak up and share your perspective,” Alex said.

She emphasised that each session is interactive, with short updates on key industry work – from traceability research and the myBMP review to social compliance, and the new industry data platform – followed by feedback sessions where growers can have their say. There’s also an ‘open mic’ session and a networking function at the end so that growers can raise any other local issues of concern with the leaders of the cotton industry’s grower bodies.

“It’s a real opportunity to come together with others from your region and see what’s happening across the bigger picture for our industry,” Alex added.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay backed Alex’s sentiment, saying the feedback so far has been valuable and varied across regions with 140 attending the Roadshow so far. “Following on from Central Queensland, growers in the Macquarie and Southern Valleys shared their views, ideas and concerns. We are gathering feedback from across different cotton-growing regions to ensure a range of perspectives helps shape projects under the Strategic Roadmap for Australian Cotton. We’re not done yet and we’re keen to double the number of total participants from other regions before the tour wraps up.”

Dates and locations

Gwydir Valley

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

Narrabri

• 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

Gunnedah

• 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

For more information contact your Cotton Australia Regional Manager or CottonInfo Regional Extension Officer.