PIONEERING cotton growers have been recognised for their efforts during a special awards function.
Held last Friday in Griffith, the Southern Valleys Cotton Growers Association (SVCGA) celebrated the recent success of the crop in the region.
Cotton crops in the region have flourished and increased in recent years, with the Southern Cotton gin aiding growers in the Leeton shire. More than 300 people attended the annual dinner, with SVCGA vice president Scott Hogan recognising the efforts of stakeholders.
“The regional awards provide a great opportunity for the wider cotton industry to come together and celebrate outstanding achievement over the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons,” he said.
“Cotton production in the southern valley now represents over a quarter of Australia’s total crop. Our returns are second-to-none.
“The highest yielding field over the award period in the south returned an incredible 15.26 bales per hectare.”
The SVCGA is made up of growers and industry representatives based in the cotton region of southern NSW and northern Victoria.
The crowd also heard from guest speakers Sam and Jenny Bailey on the night, who inspired them with their story of tragedy, triumph,determination and romance in the Australian bush.
Award winners on the night included:
-2012-13 Lachlan Valley highest farm average yield - Edward Jones (Roeta), 14.29b/ha.
-2012-13 Murrumbidgee Valley highest farm average yield – Mathew and Tony Toscan (Cavasco), 13.39 b/ha.
-2012-13 Lachlan Valley highest yielding field – Tim and Sally Watson (Morants) 15.24 b/ha.
-2012-13 Murrumbidgee Valley highest yielding field – Peter Tuohey and Anthony Webber (Coonara), 15.26 b/ha.
-2013-14 Lachlan Valley highest farm average yield – SunlandAg (Tim and Sally Watson, Lanes Bridge), 12.6 b/ha.
-2013-14 Murrumbidgee Valley highest farm average yield – Shaw family (Uri Park), 11.69 b/ha.
-2013-14 Murrumbidgee Valley Highest yielding field - Tim and Sally Watson, (Lanes Bridge), 14.04 b/ha.
-2013-14 Murrumbidgee Valley highest yielding field – Commins Partnership (Karwar), 13.53 b/ha.
-Greg Toole Memorial Award for service to the industry – Allan Jones (ABS).
