Supported by major sponsors CRDC & CSD, the Association of Australian Cotton Scientists held its fifth biennial Australian Cotton Research Conference this week in Toowoomba.
Nearly 200 people attended the three-day program, which offered the latest insights, updates and breakthroughs in cotton science. All presentations were offered against the themes of plant, paddock, people, tech and next gen.
CRDC was strongly represented with more than 20 CRDC-supported researchers presenting, and five CRDC Innovation Brokers in attendance. CRDC's Acting General Manager, Innovation, Dr Merry Conaty presented in the opening session of on CRDC’s digital strategy for the industry.
The conference was underpinned by a strong focus on supporting early career researchers entering the cotton industry, with CRDC Innovation Broker Rachel Holloway leading a break-out program the day prior to the event. This included a field trip to cotton farms and gins on the Darling Downs, concluding with a networking dinner on the Monday night. The first day of the conference also included a ‘Cotton 101’ lunch for early career researchers to 'speed date' with industry mentors.
A special science communications panel session was led by CottonInfo Communications Lead Megan Woodward, featuring ABC Landline’s Pip Courtney, scientists from CSIRO and a communications expert from UniSQ (pictured).
Pip Courtney stayed on to host the Conference Awards Dinner, which recognised award winners Dr Lucy Egan of CSIRO (AACS Early Career Scientist Encouragement Award), Drs Hiz Jamali, Goona Nachimuthu, Blake Palmer, Darin Hodgson, Andy Hundt, Christopher Nunn & Michael Braunack (collectively awarded the AACS Scientific Publication Award), Tonia Grundy of Qld DAF (AACS Service to Cotton Science Award) and Danny Llewellyn, Liz Dennis, David Larsen, Mary Whitehouse and Peter Gregg (AACS Life Members).
