Two well recognised and respected farming families in New South Wales are looking to again plant cotton this year, many decades after making an incredible mark on the history of the Australian cotton industry.

The birth of the modern cotton industry in Australia in the 1960’s is inexorably linked to two farmers from California who saw a massive amount of opportunity in a place their wives back home had ever heard of – Wee Waa.

Frank Hadley and Paul Kahl bought land, then called their wives to suggest they pack up and move to Australia because that’s where they could see their futures in farming.

In 1962 they put on a Field Day, and it seems almost everyone in Agriculture across Australia was interested. It was a monumental moment in Australian cotton, and it resulted in many people deciding they too could grow cotton like the Americans.

One of those men was Pat Carberry, then in his 30’s, now 96 years old – and still involved in cotton as he plots his cotton crop for this season, assisted by his son Mike and grandson Sam.

Another grower looking to plant cotton very soon is James Kahl – the son of Paul Kahl – a leading cotton grower who runs the family farm with his three sons, Matt, Sam and Daniel.

During the week that celebrates World Cotton Day, we take a look back as the Industry looks to the future.