Print This Page2009 Australian Cotton Industry Awards
Monsanto Grower of the Year Winner: Andrew Pursehouse
The 2009 Australian Cotton Industry Awards were held on Wednesday 12th of August at the Crossing Theatre in Narrabri. Throughout the evening the significant achievements of the cotton industry’s growers, researchers, young achievers, and other key individuals were showcased and celebrated.
The quality of participation in this event reflects the depth of skills, innovation and knowledge within the Australian cotton industry and demonstrates its vibrancy and pre-eminence within Australian agriculture.
Despite the ongoing drought conditions in several regions the overall mood of the Awards was positive and the dinner provided ample opportunity for growers, industry supporters, researchers to mingle throughout the night.
Monsanto is proud to have sponsored the awards for the last 4 years, an occasion for people to come together to acknowledge the positive contribution that all Awards nominees have made to the cotton industry and the communities in which they live.
This year’s deserving winner of the Monsanto Cotton Grower of the Year Award was Andrew Pursehouse.
About Andrew Pursehouse
Andrew Pursehouse considers cotton the most exciting and profitable crop to grow on his property “Breeza Station” and he believes that the “high risk and high reward” crop is well worth the challenge. Andrew rotates cotton with grain crops, and a typical summer sequence on the irrigation land is two thirds cotton and one third corn. To maximise crop quality Andrew maintains a high attention to detail to ensure quality issues are addressed. He uses an intensive agronomic service on Breeza Station that provides regular checks on every field and collates paddock histories.
Due to a reduction in groundwater allocations, Andrew has implemented a range of water use efficiency practices on Breeza Station including laser leveling on irrigation and dryland crop areas, long fallowing and implementing no-till and controlled traffic practices. He has also undertaken various soil improvement measures and fenced off riparian and native vegetation areas.
Andrew is proud to be part of an industry that is implementing best management practices and has worked with the team at Breeza Station to achieve BMP accreditation. By being aware of BMP procedures and requirements Andrew has implemented a variety of changes on the farm including pest management and farm safety measures.
Andrew is actively involved in the cotton community as President of the Breeza Progress Association, a member of the Upper Namoi Cotton Growers’ Association and was President of the Upper Namoi Water Users’ Association. He has been involved in the NSW groundwater reallocation process and is committed to the ongoing success of the irrigation industry. Andrew has also participated in Cotton Seed Distributors’ dryland variety trials and is a contributor with researchers from the Myall Vale Research Station.
Andrew believes that Australian cotton is some of the highest quality cotton in the world and is confident the industry will continue to improve in the years to come through research, investment and the innovation of committed growers.
