THE cotton industry has boomed in the MIA over recent years and growers have been singled out for their efforts.
The Southern Valleys Cotton Growers Association (SVCGA) Awards were held in Griffith last week, with Southern Cotton general manager Kate O’Callaghan taking home a top gong.
She was handed the Greg Toole Memorial Award for service to the industry.
Other MIA residents were also among those honoured on the night.
The aim of the biennial event was to celebrate the highest performing growers in the cotton industry across the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons.
SVCGA chairman John Durham was delighted with the results.
“I would like to congratulate all the award winners,” he said.
“Cotton is a relatively new crop in the southern region and to see the incredible yields that growers are achieving is really exciting for the future of our industry.
“Nine to 10 bales per hectare is considered profitable and to see our local growers achieving up to 17 bales per hectare is exceptional.
“Our growers are some of the most efficient and sustainable in the world and I think these results are a reflection of that.”
“I would also like to congratulate Kate O’Callaghan on her service to the industry recognition.
“Kate is a wonderful ambassador for the cotton industry and goes above and beyond to ensure the industry’s credentials are promoted at every opportunity.
Award winners
2014/2015 Ginned Yield Awards
- Highest Yielding Grower Farm Average – Lachlan Valley: Steve and Tanya Ellis, Westgate Irrigation ‘Mulga’ via Hillston – average 14.64 bales/ha, across 210ha
- Highest Yielding Grower Farm Average – Murrumbidgee: Ron Potter Farms ‘Garrong” via Tabbita – average 15.69 bales/ha, across 149 ha
- Highest Individual Field – Lachlan Valley: Laird Family ‘Mountview’ via Hillston – 16.55 bales/ha, 37.3ha
- Highest Individual Field – Murrumbidgee: Ron Potter Farms ‘Garrong” via Tabbita – 16.54 bales/ha, 32.9 ha
2015/2016 Ginned Yield Awards
- Highest Yielding Grower Farm Average – Lachlan Valley: Tony Hamilton, Merriment Rural Investments ‘Wallah Wallah’ via Forbes – 16.37 bales/ha, across 93.83 ha
- Highest Yielding Grower Farm Average – Murrumbidgee: Stott Farming, Dallas and Liz Stott via Whitton – 14.03 bales/ha, across 712 ha
- Highest Individual Field – Lachlan Valley: Riverview Farming, Storrier Family via Hillston – 17.15 bales/ha, across 55.5 ha
- Highest Individual Field – Murrumbidgee: Adam Harris ‘Ramps Ridge’, via Ravensworth – 16.4 bales/ha, across 130ha
- Greg Toole Memorial Award for service to the industry: Kate O’Callaghan
