2019 has been a year of challenges for the Australian cotton industry; but amongst the climatic, political and social issues we have faced, our industry and local communities have banded together to support and uplift each other.
At Cotton Seed Distributors, we’ve been focussed on supporting our customers, staff and local community through the drought, while continuing ‘business as usual’ with our seed increase, variety trial and research program; and the redevelopment of our seed processing facilities at ‘Shenstone’, Wee Waa.
The commissioning phase of our site redevelopment project is now complete, with the processing plant in use for the 2019-20 season. 
Although this season has seen a reduced demand for cotton planting seed, we’re optimistic for the future and have sufficient seed stock on hand to supply up to one million hectares of irrigated and dryland cotton, when the drought breaks. CSD is committed to retaining quality staff and we’re continuing to focus on driving industry expansion into Northern Australia, Southern NSW and new dryland markets (when seasonal conditions are suitable). 
Other key activities this year have included our popular Cotton Management Tour, with over 580 growers, advisors and industry representatives attending the tour throughout Queensland and New South Wales. We partnered with Bayer and Syngenta at the Cotton Collective in Griffith, to share resources and information on our industry support programs.  
We were proud to once again sponsor the Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award, which was awarded to Dr Linda Smith, cotton pathologist from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 
New additions to CSD’s team throughout the year included the appointment of Stewart Brotherton to a new Extension & Development Agronomist role for Central Queensland, as well as two new Junior Agronomists in Angus Marshall for Northern NSW and Ella Steinfort for Southern NSW. 
The next generation of agricultural professionals have kick started their careers at CSD, with a further five junior staff commencing new roles in 2019 – Jack Kinstler (Junior Farm Assistant), Mayah Bourke-Tindal (Laboratory Assistant), Dylan Dixon (Apprentice Fabricator), Tobin Hill (Apprentice Electrician) and Lara Schmiede (Receptionist).
We farewelled long-time employee Phil Steel, who retired after 22 years at CSD and a total of 34 years in the wider cotton industry. Phil joined CSD in 1996, at a time when the company was moving into genetically modified cotton, and has since held a number of roles including quality assurance and strategic product development. We thank Phil for his contribution to the industry and wish him all the best in retirement.
CSD would like to take this opportunity to thank our members, customers, partners and supporters for their continued support in 2019. We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, and may 2020 bring drought breaking rains!