Grower, advisor and industry representatives from across the Australian cotton industry met for the first time as part of Cotton Seed Distributors’ (CSD) new Advisory Panel, held at the company’s headquarters in Wee Waa, NSW this month. 

CSD Chief Executive Officer Dr Ian Taylor said 24 representatives from cotton grower associations, growing areas and broader industry took a day out of their work to get an in-depth introduction on how CSD delivers the best seed possible into every bag. 

“The role of the CSD Advisory Panel is to provide perspectives from industry to inform and shape our key strategic and operational priorities, keeping our seed quality, varieties, technologies and activities closely aligned with the evolving needs of the Australian cotton industry,” Dr Taylor said.   

“The Panel is part of our strong commitment to work together with industry – it is in addition to the conversations we have daily working with customers and at our field days and grower meetings across the country.”  

Dr Taylor said now the Advisory Panel has a firmer knowledge of CSD operations, they are encouraged to share that with their growing areas and bring feedback and thoughts to future meetings.  

 

Changes and celebrations at CSD’s recent annual general meeting 

CSD’s majority-grower Board saw some changes earlier this year with Queensland cotton and grain producer Lauren Roellgen elected as Director, Tony Quigley re-elected as Director, and long-serving Director Juanita Hamparsum stepping down after 13 years service to the CSD Board.  

At the Annual General Meeting in June, CSD Chair Tony Quigley welcomed Lauren’s appointment, saying her experience would bring a fresh perspective to the Board.  

“Lauren brings a strong understanding of the issues facing the next generation of cotton growers, along with insight into what matters to young people coming through the industry,” said Mr Quigley. 

The AGM also marked the departure of Director Juanita Hamparsum, who during her 13-year term served as the longstanding Chair of the CSD Board Audit and Risk Committee, inaugural Chair of the CSD Investment Committee, a member of the CSD People and Culture Committee and a Director of subsidiary companies Cotton Seed International Ltd and Cotton Seed Holdings Ltd. 

Chair Tony Quigley acknowledged Juanita’s significant contribution to CSD during her time on the Board.  

“Juanita has made an outstanding contribution to CSD, providing strong leadership, insight and commitment to the organisation and the broader Australian cotton industry,” said Mr Quigley.  

“We thank Juanita for her dedication and contribution to CSD and wish her all the best for the next chapter.” 

A special part of the AGM was recognising former CSD General Manager David Swallow, who was welcomed as an Honorary Member of CSD. 

David previously served as CSD General Manager and was Secretary of the Australian Cotton Growers Research Association, playing an important role in the development of the Australian cotton industry throughout his career. 

For more information on CSD’s Honorary Members and other initiatives, visit csd.net.au.

Media contact: Liz Warden, 0467 755 917 

 

Members of the CSD Advisory Panel

[Download image of CSD Advisory Panel in September 2026]

Industry	Name	Organisation
Grower	Alexandria Doyle	Central Highlands Cotton Growers & Irrigators Association
Grower	Ben Turner	Macintyre Valley Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Ben Warby	Mungindi Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Bernie Bierhoff	Walgett Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Dallas King	St George Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Jake Cutcliffe	Australian Food and Fibre (area: Gwydir)
Grower	James Toscan	Southern Valley Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Mick Humphries	Gwydir Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Richard Malone	Southern NSW
Grower	Richard Quigley	Macquarie Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Rob Davies	Upper Namoi
Grower	Samuel Kahl	Lower Namoi Cotton Growers Association
Grower	Simon Green	Dawson Valley Cotton Growers Association INC
Grower	Tyson Armitage	Darling Downs Cotton Growers Inc.
Grower	Will Killen	Dirranbandi Cotton Growers Association
Advisor	Bradley Cogan	Cogan Agronomy Services
Advisor	Dean Hamblin	OutlookAg
Advisor	Elizabeth Lobsey	Meteora Agronomic Consulting
Advisor	Hayden Petty	Summit Ag – Agricultural Consulting
Advisor	Jamie Street	CGS
Advisor	Jodie Pengel	Ord River District Co-operative
Advisor	Kate Lumber	Poole Ag Consulting
Advisor	Robert Holmes	HMAg Pty Ltd
Advisor	Tim Richards	MCA Ag
Industry	Arthur Spellson	Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA)
Industry	Scott Davies	Australian Cotton Ginners Association

 

Information on new CSD Director Lauren Roellgen

[Download image of Lauren Roellgen]

Lauren joins the CSD Board with a strong combination of agricultural, financial and commercial experience. Based on the Darling Downs, she is part of her family’s cotton and grains business; has previously worked in corporate agribusiness across national mergers and acquisitions, and analyst roles; and is currently Chair of the Future Farmers Network and Secretary of Darling Downs Cotton Growers Inc. 

Information on Honorary Member David Swallow

[Download image of David Swallow]

David Swallow is a respected contributor to the Australian cotton industry for more than three decades. After joining Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) in 1970 as a Quality Control Officer, he played an important role in the industry’s development during a period of significant growth and innovation. In 1985, David was appointed Secretary of the Australian Cotton Growers Research Association (ACGRA), a position he held for 23 years, working closely with industry leaders and helping to establish the Australian Cotton Conference as one of the sector’s premier events. Together with his wife Judy, he dedicated many years to supporting the cotton industry’s advancement through collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing. In recognition of his outstanding service and lasting contribution to both CSD and the broader Australian cotton industry, David was awarded Honorary Membership of Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd in 2026.