Cotton Forum 16pp

VIRTUAL FORUM 2020

Mark your calendars

TR

AUG 3-5 2021

AD VIR T IN E D UA SI IS L DE PL AY

AUSTRALIAN COTTON CONFERENCE Gold Coast

The Australian Cottongrower Virtual Forum 2020 has been made possible thanks to all our advertisers and valued sponsors

Ag Leader

Bayer Crop Science

Corteva Agriscience

Innovate Ag & Growth Australia

John Deere

Orica

Queensland Cotton

Sumitomo

Syngenta

Yara Australia

CONTENTS

WELCOME

Virtual Cotton Forum Cotton Australia getting on with the job during pandemic 2 2

Cotton Conference – ‘Here for Good’ A tough year for the cotton market: But where to to The Australian from Welcome here?

Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Cotton Forum

Cottongrower’s Virtual Forum 2020 3

By David Dowling, Editor

The Australian Cottongrower Collaborative research delivers results for cotton – Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, a host of field days, exhibitions, forums and gatherings have 4 and other ag industries

been cancelled or postponed – most noticeably the 2020 Cotton Conference. This special print and

F

Northern multimedia Territory cotton industry gathers to momentum forum is designed showcase the5past, present future of companies thevictims cottonof Covid or theand cotton industry, one of the in main was the biennial Cotton Conference industry, the many things they’ve achieved6since the19world locked down.

David Dowling,scheduled Editor. for measurement Hand-held nitrogenand

6

Yield prediction using remote images

The for August-September of 7 Autonomous irrigation systems furrow irrigatedissue cotton The Australian Cottongrower will

Smarter irrigation in southern NSW have a special multi-media virtual8

August at the Gold Coast. Not only is the Cotton Conference a focal point for the latest information on research and issues affecting the industry, it provides a much needed opportunity interaction with clients, nor cover the breadth and depth for networking, to catch up with people from all sectors of the of knowledge available at the conference – we can offer andfor let’sexhibitors face it, a and chance to have aalike great anindustry; opportunity researchers to time. put

forum theme. It will be aimed

their greatest inthat frontthe of the delegates who will be Thelatest veryand good news is Cotton Conference

giving them an opportunity to

The great news is that the Cotton Conference postponed industry a little reminder of what we haveisall missed out on

industry.

a little reminder of what we have all missed out on in

8 would been attending the3event time the backhave in 2021 – from August to 5 at the same Gold Coast.

August-September edition hits their mail box. have exhibited at the Conference, Irrigation scheduling using canopy temperature 9 In the meantime, we hope this Virtual Forum gives the Case study: A siphon-less irrigation firstly atsystem companies who may

presentimproved information about their insect Sustainable management through and and everyone’s will most certainly betoback in the 2021 in NOT 2020cancelled, and to whet appetite make products and services to the resistance monitoring 9 2021.

In the meantime, we hope to give the industry Conference the biggest and best.

resistance update: Silverleaf whitefly 10 2020 Insecticide Over recent years, the Trade Displaytoarea hasthe become and to whet everyone’s appetite make 2021 the The current COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on venue where delegates gather for meals and chats and maybe Conference the biggest and best. a lot undies of things this year. For the cotton industry, one of 10 Soil your the main victims was the biennial Cotton Conference Visualscheduled inspection plastic removal (VIPR)Not system forand August at the Gold Coast. only for is the Cotton Conference a focal point for the latest information 11 seed cotton on research and issues affecting the industry, it provides Silverleaf whitefly: quality and colour a much neededImplications opportunityfor forlint networking, to catch up11 with people from all sectors of the industry; and let’s face in Australia 12 Fall armyworm it, a chance to have a great time.

– whyyears, you should care Inversions Over recent the Trade Exhibit area has become the12 heart of the conference in many ways. It is the area where

impacts on and our chats cottonand production Changes in climate delegates gather for meals many a drink 13 after a hardmanagement day of information gathering.

For growers 13 residue for disease control Cotton especially, it gives the opportunity to check out the latest

and technology the CottonInfo team all in one convenient location. 14 Meetproducts So for suppliers of goods and services to the industry, Virtual Trade Display starts Trade page 15 has a presence at the Cotton Conference Exhibit become a given part of all future planning, and is an integral part of the marketing strategy for many firms.

While we cannot replicate the benefits of face-to-face

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a drink after a hard day of information gathering. For growers

The other aim will be to have some short presentations especially, it giveslike theCotton opportunity to ACSA checkand out the the latest from organisations Australia, products and technology all in one convenient location.

Conference organisers to cover some of the issues that would have been presented the Gold Coast, Our Virtual Trade Display at starts on page 15.and provide a ‘teaser’ for the 2021 event. All presentations would take Allform presentations in the section forum have a short written the of a short written accompanied by a QR section accompanied by a QR code which linksFor to a video code which will link to a short video presentation. presentation – viewing instructions are included on this example, we may get Mike Murray to give an update on page.

The videos range from amateur hand-held jobs some water issues, Adam Kay to talk about other CA issues,(like mine) throughfrom to slick presentations.

Most the research a representative the ACSA to talk about theofinfluence of presentations COVID-19 on the market anddone Conference arecotton existing videos

by PaulChair and Tonia Fleur Anderson to cover the projected details the 2021 Grundy for CottonInfo and presented withofpermission.

Conference.

Others come from a range of sources including the Smarter

Irrigation forinProfit site and Northern This feature is no way a replacement of the wonderful Territory Farmers.

We thank them– all for an event that is the Cotton Conference rather their cooperation opportunity to assureand ourhelp. readers (who make up a large percentage of the conference delegates) that, even So get out the smart phones and start though the world might have been brought to a standstill exploring the Virtual Cotton Forum. for a little while, the cotton industry is moving forward.

You’ll note there’s a host of QR Codes in this publication (like the one you can see in this Infographic) which we’re using to give a personal touch to this feature. Every QR code has a short video from exhibitors or sponsors which gives you a brief highlight of the work that’s been happening to advance the cotton industry. To make the most of this – just get out your mobile phone, open the camera and point it at any QR Code you see.

Viewing Tip: When you hold your camera over the QR Code a link will appear on your screen. Just select the link and then hit play – we recommend to view in full screen mode where possible.

Virtual Cotton Forum 2020 — 1

COTTON AUSTRALIA

Cotton Australia getting on with the job during pandemic

By Adam Kay, CEO – Cotton Australia

W

hile this insidious virus has robbed us of many things this year, it has also forced us to see life with fresh clarity and adjust our thinking to achieve our goals in different ways, even when the going gets tough.

I have been exceptionally proud of the way Cotton Australia and the Australian cotton industry has adapted and adjusted to the inertia of the times and still recorded significant results despite the challenges.

Throughout the pandemic, the Cotton Australia team has adhered to the government’s health advice, and for many of our staff, that meant working from home. While we have not been on farm as much as usual, our team has continued to connect with our growers through virtual meetings and webinars. Cotton Australia also successfully held its biannual General Meeting in May online, which provided our Member representatives the opportunity to connect with us, hear about our work and achievements, and ask our team their questions.

We have continued to proactively advocate on behalf of our industry, particularly through virtual meetings with key politicians and stakeholders as we discussed the issues impacting our industry. In mid-July, with restrictions having eased, we were able to meet with key Queensland Government ministers, as well as the federal Water Minister, Keith Pitt, in face-to-face meetings.

While some of our projects and events were derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, our team was agile in adjusting their workload and priorities to suit the times we’re in. For example, our communications team continued to share our industry’s story and advocate for Australian cotton on digital platforms and through the media; while our education team developed a suite of new resources and activities for teachers and students to use to boost their knowledge of our industry.

This pandemic is not over, and we do not know what is to come. But one thing is for sure, our Cotton Australia team will continue to be there for our growers and industry moving forward. Together, we can navigate the challenges thrown our way, and together, we will continue to advocate for the Australian cotton industry.

Adam Kay talks about the response of Cotton Australia to the extraordinary challenges of 2020.

2 — Virtual Cotton Forum 2020

COTTON CONFERENCE 2021

Cotton Conference – ‘Here for Good’

By Fleur Anderson, Chair – Cotton Conference Organising Committee

T

he Australian Cotton Conference Organising Committee is devastated that we are not gathering on the Gold Coast as planned. When we had our first meeting about a year ago we could never have imagined the world we now find ourselves in, dealing with a pandemic that is wreaking havoc all over the globe.

Just when we thought the year couldn’t get a lot worse with continued drought conditions in many valleys, along comes a virus that has affected our customers, our markets and our personal lives. Much has already been written about the impact of Covid-19 on cotton, but the issues are continuing to evolve and we are likely to remain in very uncertain times for a while yet.

The Australian Cotton Conference is such an important event for our industry, not only to hear the latest research and development and learn from our peers, but to be challenged by those outside the industry as well. It brings us together, and this year we needed it more than most. The smallest crop harvested in over 40 years, widespread public condemnation of the industry and ongoing issues over water management in particular.

These past few weeks your Committee should have been madly packing boxes, putting lanyards together, ironing out last minute issues, polishing the silverwear and getting ready for you all to arrive on the Gold Coast.

Our theme “Here for Good” was about focusing industry attention on the issues that matter most, motivating us to do our bit to regain the trust of our stakeholders and communities and sending a message that we’re not going anywhere. Thankfully this work continues regardless and we are hoping that in 2021 we can put on an even bigger and better event than the one we had planned.

And while yes, we’re disappointed not to be meeting you all for the Australian Cotton Conference this year, we need to remember there are far bigger issues in the world to worry about, with millions of lives and families devastated by this horrible virus. While it’s a tough time for sure, we are luckier than many living here in Australia.

Please stay safe and do your bit to make sure we can get together this time next year. We’re looking forward to it.

Fleur Anderson with a view towards 2021.

AUSTRALIAN COTTON SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION

INDUSTRY

A tough year for the cotton market: But where to from here?

By Michael O’Rielley, Chairman – Australian Cotton Shippers Association

H

ow nice it would have been to see you in person at the Cotton Conference this year and have the opportunity to share with you the many positives of the global cotton industry. Alas, this is 2020 in a Covid-19 world and the challenges are plenty!

It’s a question we’ve posed many times before, but where to from here?

If we cast our minds back to February – which seems eons ago now – the Futures market was hovering around 65.00 cents and China had a problem with a virus that seemed similar to SARS and we all thought that would be managed and we would continue with business as we have always done. Quite quickly we started using the term ‘pandemic’ and markets started to react dramatically. ICE Futures fell below 50.00 cents at the end of March and countries were in lockdown with entire populations staying indoors and manufacturing around the world grinding to a halt.

What we do know and cannot dispute is that demand destruction has occurred. Recent data from the US Census revealed total retail sales were down 16.4 per cent in April, worse than the 12.3 per cent predicted and higher than the March decline of 8.3 per cent (which set a record going back to 1992). But strikingly, by far the worst hit was to the clothing and accessories sector – down 78.8 per cent.

A discretionary spend This crisis has really highlighted the fact that textiles are largely a discretionary spend. Once in lockdown and not out and about, people have stopped spending money on clothing. Also, if people’s incomes are reduced, as is the case for many in this crisis, it is spending on things such as clothing which will be sacrificed first.

having such a small crop means we are proportionally less affected. The flipside to that is that we are less visible at a time when the world is awash with US, Brazil and Indian cotton.

As we contemplate the way forward, discretionary spend will be where we search for signs of confidence in downstream demand. The media report a potential death to fast fashion and a trend to provenance, traceability and sustainable fibres.

The myBMP program is a great start to Australian cotton’s proof of sustainable and ethical cotton production; perhaps we will all need to focus on the benefits that these measurables may give us or at least be able to draw on the data to support our price premium – whatever that may look like against the competitive nature of other growths.

How this impacts long term Australian cotton prices is still yet to play out but the lack of demand has resulted in Australian basis levels falling back to more sustainable levels after a few years of very lofty levels.

Prices for new crop cotton remain attractive, largely due to support for ICE Futures on the back of diminishing crop prospects in the US (recovering more than 10 cents in this time). Cotton is also a comfortable fabric that is a dominant fibre in leisure clothing. We could see an increase in demand for such apparel as the global workforce transitions into a more work from home model.

Wishing you all lots of rain, a good plant and looking forward to 2021 and the Australian Cotton Conference.

Michael O’Rielley on the market outlook in uncertain times.

It is believed we have lost three to four months of cotton consumption thus far in this crisis. This is consumption that will never be made up so the backlog and surplus that has been created will take time to work through the supply chain.

Much of the pain for textile mills is yet to come as brands and retailers put goods into warehouse and look to sell them later rather than placing any new orders.

Typically, if one market is lacking demand then we as merchants work with other markets to replace that volume, but the depth of the destruction is beyond what any of us have seen previously and it is across all markets.

If there is one sliver of silver lining to this cloud it is that Virtual Cotton Forum 2020 — 3

NUTRITION

Hand-held nitrogen measurement

By Tim Weaver, CSIRO Agriculture & Food, Narrabri

T

he emergence of handheld NIR devices and cloudbased machine/deep learning models has created an opportunity for real-time and in-situ nutrient analysis of cotton crops.

Over the past three years, research using handheld NIR devices developed by an Australian company – HoneAg – has indicated that portable NIR spectrometry in combination with cloud chemometrics has strong capabilities in determining petiole and soil Total N. New Bollgard 3 varieties are high yielding and demand a strategic nitrogen management strategy. Cotton nutrient models, such as NutriLOGIC, are commonly used by consultants and growers to manage crop nitrogen application rates.

Measuring soil and petiole Total N in real-time would allow consultants to address deficiencies proactively, increasing their ability to budget nitrogen more efficiently. The Hone NIR device captures spectra from 1300 to 2600 nm at 2 nm increments with the ability for any user to build models in the Hone Create environment. The built and published models can then be used to analyse petiole or soil samples using a smart phone as the user interface. The models built over the past three years have included wet (field conditions), and dry and finely ground soil as well as fresh petiole and dried, fine ground samples.

The petiole and soil samples were scanned with 10 replicates each and then analysed for Total N using the Dumas method.

A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to check accuracy of Total N input into NutriLOGIC (NIR vs wet lab analysis). The analysis indicated Total N NIR was within the tolerance. The models (Cubist and Partial Least Squares) built under wet field conditions produced an R-squared value of 0.83 whilst dry ground prepared samples had an R-squared value of 0.92.

Development of newer devices is currently underway and will provide further opportunities to research the capabilities of handheld NIR devices.

Tim Weaver demonstrates the effectiveness of the handheld device.

YIELD PREDICTION

Yield prediction using remote images

By Alison McCarthy, University of Southern Qld

A

ccurate cotton yield prediction enhances growers’ abilities to safely market known quantities of cotton they forward sell. Currently, yield is often estimated using experience and rules of thumb by counting bolls or assessing the look of the field. But the accuracy of yield estimations using these methods may be not be transferrable between seasons and fields.

An alternative yield prediction approach links soil-plantatmosphere models or remote sensing observations with machine learning or industry crop production models (e.g.

APSIM, OZCOT). Existing reported modelling approaches estimating harvested yield at picking from imagery data gave accuracies from 67 to 95 per cent. These techniques could be applied during the season to provide accurate in-season yield forecasts and incorporate higher resolution temporal and spatial in-field imagery and machine vision (e.g. from UAVs) to calibrate the models.

USQ has developed software ‘VARIwise’ for yield prediction throughout the season combining these models with: • Plant parameters extracted from UAV imagery using image analysis; • Online soil and weather data; and, • On-farm management information.

Fieldwork and model analyses have been conducted over three seasons to identify the calibration and machine vision system requirements needed to calibrate the crop model for yield. The machine vision system that was developed and the VARIwise software, were evaluated at 17 CottonInfo sites in Goondiwindi and Griffith.

Management zones in each field were identified from vegetation index surveys, yield maps or satellite images. UAV imagery was collected monthly in each management zone at each site between January and picking, to calibrate the crop model. The range in yield prediction accuracies at four, three, two and one month prior to picking were 81–90%, 91–94%, 90–98% and 90–100% respectively. The variation in performance within each sampling period was due to the different levels of fruit removal, hail damage, and heat stress, across the sites.

Alison McCarthy outlines the VARIwise yield prediction system.

6 — Virtual Cotton Forum 2020

V I R T UA L

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Sumitomo Chemical

Civil Ag Design (CAD)

Syngenta

Cotton Grower Services (CGS)

Yara Australia

iOR Rural

AGCO Challenger

PCT Agcloud

AGCO Fendt

PCT Agservices

Chesterfield Australia

Raw Cotton Australia

Essential Energy

Warrego Water Services Virtual Cotton Forum 2020 — 15

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What’s to Admire?

Give Silverleaf whitefly the send-off it deserves with Applaud Insecticide Silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) is a major pest in cotton. It has the ability to contaminate cotton lint with honeydew, has a large host range, can rapidly reproduce and can develop resistance to many insecticides.

Silverleaf whitefly feed on the vessels that transport the sugar rich products of photosynthesis around the plant.

During digestion, a proportion of plant sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose) are altered into new sugars e.g. trehalulose and melezitose, resulting in a combination of sugars passed out of the Silverleaf whitefly in the form of honeydew.

Applaud Insecticide PENDING REGISTRATION 2020 for control of SLWF in cotton

Applaud

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INSECTICIDE

Give Silverleaf Whitefly the send-off it deserves.

Silverleaf whitefly is a major pest in cotton, it has the ability to contaminate and downgrade lint quality.

Help protect the reputation of Australian cotton and rotate to Applaud® Insecticide to manage whitefly resistance.

• Unique Mode of Action for SLWF • No known resistance in cotton crops • Selective to key beneficial insects • Won’t flare secondary pests • Use early as part of a resistance management strategy

Compared with aphid honeydew, which is evident as thick, wet, sticky honeydew coating leaves and bolls, SLWF honeydew often dries to an almost lacquer-like consistency and is not as visible on the leaves and bolls and may be dry to touch.

At the gin, this visually ‘clean’ cotton can cause problems as heat generated through friction causes the sugar to melt. It then attracts moisture and sticks to machinery, eventually necessitating shutdown for cleaning. Consequently, cotton producing regions that develop a reputation for supplying honeydew contaminated lint risk incurring significant discounts.

In recent years, growing resistance to pyriproxyfen, has left many growers searching for alternate solutions for the control of SLWF in their crops.

It is well understood that the use of broad spectrum ‘disruptive’ chemistries early in the crop production cycle is detrimental to SLWF management. Early disruption of beneficial insects as a result of the use of broad spectrum insecticides can have serious knock on effects resulting in population explosions of SLWF. Good SLWF management can be achieved by seasonlong Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the use of ‘soft’ insecticides, monitoring and taking action when required.

Applaud Insecticide from Corteva Agriscience™ is pending registration for the 2020/21 season and is anticipated be the insecticide solution that growers have been looking for.

Applaud is highly effective at controlling SLWF whilst at the same time having a low overall ranking for its impact on beneficial insects, meaning it is ideally suited for use in IPM systems and won’t flare secondary pests such as mites.

Applaud is best positioned early in the control program allowing for effective control of SLWF and Solenopsis mealybug. Maintaining beneficial insects early will assist in controlling SLWF populations throughout the season. Where pyriproxyfen resistance is known to be a problem it is advisable to use an alternate mode of action such as Applaud.

Applaud, containing the active ingredient buprofezin, is an insect growth regulator belonging to IRAC Group 16 – Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis.

Applaud insecticide has no known resistance in cotton crops making it an ideal rotation option from current chemistries.

The pending registration of Applaud insecticide is part of Corteva Agriscience’s commitment to developing IPM compatible, sustainable products for the Australian cotton industry.

Transform® Isoclast® active Insecticide new label updates Transform Insecticide has been granted additional registrations for Solenopsis mealybug and Rutherglen bug in cotton.

Solenopsis mealybug are widespread throughout QLD and confirmed in WA, NT and VIC. Adults and nymphs pierce and suck the sap from both soft and hard plant tissue. Feeding damage can include yellowing of leaves, stunting, distorted growth, defoliation and even plant death.

Rutherglen bug are an occasional pest in cotton and may survive through winter in cotton fields and feed on cotton seedlings resulting in establishment problems and gappy stands.

The addition of these pests to the Transform label is yet another example of Corteva’s commitment to the cotton industry, adding additional value for farmers already using Transform for mirids and aphids.

Transform has minimal impact on beneficial insects and is an ideal tool to use early in an IPM program.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN Tell us in 50 words or less why Transform and Applaud are effective IPM tools for the control of Mirids and SLWF and we will send you a powerful LED torch valued at $90 and a limited edition truckers cap.

Log onto cotton.corteva.com.au and fill out your contact information. Items are limited and will be sent out to cotton growers, consultants and agronomists on a first come first serve basis.

Visit us at corteva.com.au ®™ Trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or respective owners.

Copyright © 2020 Corteva Agriscience.

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Where we’ve been Currently our dealer network consists of 13 branches - all providing sales, parts and service support of turf and agricultural equipment to metropolitan and regional communities – as well as offering support and services in the precision ag space. We work with customers in many and varied applications – from commercial broadacre operations down to boutique producers – and take immense pride in being able to offer personalised, professional service to all.

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WHO we are: Ag Spray Centre, located in Goondiwindi QLD, is your one stop shop for all your spraying equipment needs. We are a family run business with lifelong experience in farming, contract spraying and retail sales and service. In store you will find a range of quality products from brands such as Banjo, Teejet, Arag, Udor, Hypro, Shurflo and Raven at competitive prices. We have been importing the US built Apache sprayers for over 10 years, selling them Australia wide. We manufacture Flash Vat mixing equipment and build custom chemical mixing trailers. We also sell Stoll’s Spraying Equipment, WeedSeeker2, TTQ. With freight leaving daily to all areas of Australia, we can service all your spraying needs!

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WHERE we’ve been: Importing the Apache self-propelled sprayer from 2010, the business has expanded to require a retail premises and workshop. In 2017 the current location at 48 Russell Street Goondiwindi was purchased and renovated to continue support for Apache owners all over Australia. Our new premises allowed us to expand our range of parts and accessories to suit a wide range of sprayers. We have grown from selling one brand of sprayer to manufacturing chemical mixing equipment and supplying a range of quality machinery and parts.

WHERE we’re going: In an industry where technology is constantly evolving and upgrading, we aim to continue to provide the latest and best products to suit our clients needs.

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Who we are: Raw Cotton Australia offers a new and innovative marketing option for cotton growers. We enable growers to sell post ginning with no time pressure via our warehouses in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Raw Cotton Australia is owned and operated by the directors of Rain Agribusiness.

Where we’ve been: We responded to feedback from our customers who wanted more control and more options when it came to selling their cotton.

With a good understanding of the supply chain both in cotton and other commodities we were able to break free of some of the shackles of the past and in 2015 we launched Raw Cotton Australia. The concept worked just as we had hoped and we have built the volumes up over the past few seasons. Growers have realised full value for the quality they have produced and have often taken advantage of shorts in the market. Buyers have relished the opportunity to purchase spot cotton at convenient locations.

Our payment terms have protected title of the growers cotton and allowed them to maintain full control despite being put to the ultimate test in the recent 2020 season.

Independent Fully insured Retain Title Payment prior to transfer All costs covered including ginning Unparalleled market intelligence Professional selling service

the best raw cotton in the world

www.rawcotton.com.au

Where we’re going: Our vision is for Raw Cotton Australia to become the “Supermarket of Australian Cotton”. Technology will play a big role in the service we provide going forward and we are fully committed to making the experience interactive, efficient and effective. We will develop further selling options for growers including forward marketing opportunities. Raw Cotton Australia will continue to develop the product by interacting with and taking feedback from buyers and sellers. Recent feedback from growers has propelled us to restructure the finance component of our offering to allow the title of the cotton to be kept in the growers name while in warehouse.

This change will be implemented for next season and we encourage all stakeholders to communicate with us to ensure we are continually improving our offering.

→

SCAN HERE

Grower contacts Tim Whan 0448444015 Peter Horton 0448777358 Trade contact Ian Grellman 0448333959

The Australian Cottongrower Virtual Forum 2020 has been made possible thanks to all our advertisers and valued sponsors

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