Cotton news
News from Australia

Leading figures from the Australian fashion and textile sector recently toured Narrabri’s cotton industry – visiting a farm, gin and research station to learn first-hand about the raw materials that go into cotton garments and homewares. The event incorporated a tour of a fully certified myBMP cotton farm at Auscott’s Narrabri, where attendees saw cotton harvesting in action.

Cotton researchers learn by sharing new techniques and by interacting with other scientists around the world. Such was the case when Dr. Peng Chee of the University of Georgia and Dr. Don Jones from Cotton Incorporated visited Dr. Warwick Stiller, CSIRO Research Group Leader of Cotton Breeding in Australia.

Each year the Australian cotton industry works hard to ensure myBMP delivers more value for its growers. In just two decades the cotton industry’s best management practice (BMP) program has completely changed the way other industries, community, and government view cotton production in Australia.

The NSW Government in Australia last month announced a $14.7 million investment in training for the cotton and grain industries across the state. The funding is part of the NSW Government’s Ag Skilled strategy, developed in close consultation with Cotton Australia and will be allocated over a three-year period.

Two of Australia’s leading cotton researchers were recently recognised for their contributions to cotton. Dr Mike Bange of CSIRO was awarded the prestigious US Beltwide Award in January for his research in cotton physiology for more than 20 years – becoming the youngest recipient, and only the second Australian recipient.

he Cotton LEADS℠ program is pleased to announce that Gildan Activewear Inc. has recently joined the many partners that commit to responsibly produced cotton. “Gildan is well-known for its commitments to quality apparel and to responsible manufacturing,” says Mark Messura, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated.

Earlier this month the Australian Cotton Conference attracted 1,940 delegates to the Gold Coast, a gathering of all sectors of the Australian industry that focused on the theme “New Frontiers”. A broad range of topics relating to sustainability were covered by expert speakers from Australia and around the world, including the myBMP program, digital agriculture, ealthy soils and crop nutrition, precision technologies and sustainable cotton sourcing.

Recent additions to the growing list of Cotton LEADS℠ partners are Macy’s Merchandising Group, the American retailer’s private brands development group; Carter’s, a leading brand of children’s clothing; and Bossa Denim, a renowned Turkish textile company.