Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) today honours the outstanding contribution and service made by Mr Ralph Schulze to the Australian cotton industry, following his recent passing. Ralph served as a founding Director on the CSD Board from 1967 to 2005.

Ralph dedicated his life to working in the cotton industry, recognised when awarded a Member of the Order of Australia honour for “significant service to primary industry through research and innovation in a range of executive roles in the cotton sector”.

Dr Ian Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of CSD said that Mr Schulze brought his on-ground knowledge and experience as an agronomist, both in NSW and California, to the first 38 years of the company being in existence.

“CSD is built on the foresight of our founding members, including Ralph, and it is to those people we continue on the legacy of providing high-quality seed that enables growers to produce the best cotton they can,” Dr Taylor said.

“It’s individuals like Ralph, and the dedication he put in to building the production of cotton in Australia, that makes our industry such a pleasure to work in.”

Mr Schulze was instrumental in facilitating collaboration and ways to connect (such as the World Cotton Research Conference and the Australian Cotton Conference) across the cotton industry both on a national and global level.