| The Australian Cotton
Shippers’ Association (ACSA) is keen for as many growers as possible
to attend their biennial conference to be held at Royal Pines Resort
on the Gold Coast on September 3–5. The conference will cover
a wide range of issues ‘beyond the cotton farm gate’ but
many of the quality issues have direct relevance for growers.
In fact, the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Accent
on quality.’
“The ACSA has a unique position in the industry,” says ACSA
Chairman Dorcen Walters. “Our members are vital links in the marketing
chain between producers and end-users. Part of our role is to communicate
market signals both ways and this conference is an ideal way to do it
by bringing growers together with other sectors of the industry such
as merchants, shipping lines, spinners and textile users here and overseas.”
The opening address will be given by Trade Minister Mark Vaille, while
the keynote speakers will be Nick Earlem, (managing director of Plexus
Cotton and president of the Liverpool Cotton Association) and Saul Eastlake,
chief economist with the ANZ bank.
Topics covered during the conference will include:
Plant breeding and research: Dr Greg Constable, CSIRO Plant Industry;
Fibre quality assessment: Dr Stuart Gordon, CSIRO Textile and Fibre
Technology;
Quality and best management practice: Alan Williams, ACGRA.
Growers’ perspective
Several growers will be asked to give their views on quality issues
including:
• Peter Cottle, Clyde Agriculture;
• Jeff Bidstrup, Darling Downs; and,
• John Seery, Moree, who will also bring a ginner’s perspective
as a principal of Brighann Ginning.
Spinners’ perspective
Speakers will include:
• Mr T Sriyuksiri, MD, K Cotton and Gauze Co, Thailand;
• Graham Burden, Cotton Specialist, Marks and Spencer, UK; and,
• Gordon Cherry, Dunavant Enterprises.
Other topics and speakers will include:
• Australia and world cotton trade — Christopher Ward;
• Shipping and transport issues — Tracee White, P &
O Ports; and,
• Cotton controlling — Bruno Widner, SGS Geneva.
The conference won’t all be serious business, with golfing opportunities
available on both Wednesday, September 3 and Friday, September 5.
The official dinner will be held on the Friday evening.
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