Almost 200 people attended the Macintyre Valley Cotton Growers Association (MVCGA) annual awards night to recognise outstanding achievements in the past year and thank those who’ve contributed to the industry.

MVCGA Chairman Ben Coulton said there was a lot more optimism in the industry now, with the cotton area predicted to more than double in the upcoming planting season but still a long way behind the seasons in the late 1990s.

“Back in 1998/99 the district produced about 440,000 bales from almost 70,000 hectares, a yield of about 6.2 bales per hectare. This season we will produce about 180,000 bales from 19,000 hectares, a yield of almost 9.5 bales per hectare,” Mr Coulton said.

Winner of the Irrigated Crop of the Year, based on yield and agronomic management was Bruce and Dell Bailey, ‘Hazeldene’, Boomi, with a crop of Sicot 71BRF that yielded 12.95 bales per hectare.

In accepting the award, Bruce Bailey paid special tribute to farm manager Michael Schipp, who sadly passed away just after this season’s crop had been harvested.
Taking the Dryland Crop of the Year, also based on yield and agronomic management was Boardman Agriculture, ‘Backspear’, Tulloona with a crop of Sicot 70BRF yielding 6.3 bales per hectare.

Allan Boardman said this was the best dryland cotton crop they had produced since his family moved to the area from Victoria in the 1980s and he paid special tribute to the Bollgard II, Roundup Ready Flex technologies as well as new varieties.

Local agronomist Jim O’Connor was presented to the service of the industry award following more than 20 years of involvement in cotton in the Macintyre.

In presenting the award, long-time friend and client Peter Corish paid tribute to Jim’s outstanding contribution to the local industry and also to the Cotton Consultants Association, of which he was president for two years.

He said Jim is someone that isn’t afraid to express his thoughts, even if it’s against popular opinion – an valuable quality.

The Patricia Coulton Memorial Award that recognise the unsung heroes of the industry - those who play very important roles in ‘keeping the wheels’ turning but are rarely recognised was presented to Steve Ellis.

David Coulton presented the award and said Steve had a long history in the industry, starting in spare parts at ‘Alcheringa’ before buying his own truck and starting the successful transport business which he runs today.

“Steve is a true professional and a man of his word - even if he does grizzle a bit. There are lots of unsung heroes in our industry and Steve is definitely one of them,” he said.

The night also raised over $600 for the Goondiwindi State High School Student Bursary.

Further Information

David Kelly
Extension and Development Agronomist

Cotton Seed Distributors
Border Rivers Region
PO Box 1121
Goondiwindi QLD 4390
Phone 0428 950021
Fax 0746 715538

http://www.csd.net.au