Cotton Australia calls for nominations for industry awards 2022

The awards, acknowledging the resilience of the industry and innovation throughout the cotton supply chain, were put on hold in 2020 and while nominations were received and judging took place in 2021, COVID prevented growers from coming together and the awards ceremony was put on hold, Cotton Australia said in a press release.

Nominations are open in the following categories for 2022: Bayer Grower of the Year, AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year, ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year, Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year and IPF Service to Industry Award.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said cotton growers excelled throughout the pandemic and their resilience was rewarded with a sell-out crop in 2021 and forecasts of a near record crop in 2022.

“We have lots to celebrate this year and it appears that we will now be able to come together to show how proud we are of our outstanding contributors. I think that 2022 presents a unique opportunity and I want to see growers and other industry leaders putting their names forward in an historic year. The awards programme is not only about the hard work, commitment, research and innovation that goes into the production of our cotton but it also demonstrates how the up and comers can learn from the best,” Kay explained.

Cotton Australia chairman Nigel Burnett said the COVID delays mean the 2021 and 2022 Cotton Industry award winners will all receive due recognition in what will be one of the largest crop years Australia has ever seen.

“We will announce the 2021 winners at fitting events across our growing communities and then again at the 2022 Cotton Conference where this year’s winners will also be revealed. Growers don’t do what they do for awards but they are proud of the recognition of farming innovation and excellence in their production systems and are keen to showcase the quality and leading sustainability of Australian cotton,” added Burnett.

Burnett said it’s pleasing that the broader industry is partnering with Cotton Australia to ensure our outstanding operators are duly recognised. “Our award sponsors have traversed the bumpy world of COVID with us and we thank Bayer, ADAMA, AgriRisk, Cotton Seed Distributors and Incitec Pivot Fertilisers for their ongoing support.”

Individuals and teams can nominate others, or themselves, for the 2022 Australian Cotton Industry Awards through the online nomination form. Nominations close on March 25, 2022.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)