The Adama Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year winner Emma Ayliffe is an experienced cotton agronomist who recently started her own consulting business, Summit Ag Services.
Griffith-based Ms Ayliff has been actively involved in the southern expansion of the cotton industry with a focus on efficiencies and sustainability, backed by on farm research and development. She is involved in grassroots projects in compaction and irrigation and manages CRDC projects for whitefly.
Information is provided to research organisations to assist development in new products and technologies, which includes the southern development work for Xtend Flex. Ms Ayliff has also been highly involved in the Irrigation Research Extension Committee volunteering her time as an advisor and helping to design and manage trials, as well as sourcing in-kind operational support.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said Ms Ayliff was an outstanding contributor to the cotton industry in different ways and with significant potential to improve the industry over many years.
"Emma is showing how fresh ideas and hard work can benefit all the growers in her region and other regions. I am particularly impressed with Emma's commitment to improving the social licence of cotton and that will have benefits for the country as more people hear how our cotton is among the world's best in quality and sustainability."
The 2021 winner of the prestigious Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) Researcher of the Year Award is Dr Iain Wilson, a research scientist with the CSIRO in Canberra.
CSIRO's Wilson is a role model for sector
Dr Wilson was announced the winner at the Crop Consultants Australia dinner in Narrabri.
He was recognised for his efforts in innovation, his professional commitment to the industry and the impact he has had and continues to have on the cotton sector.
The judging panel noted: "Dr Wilson's pivotal role in the advancement of germplasm with enhanced Verticillium Wilt resistance through the development of molecular tools employed by the CSIRO cotton breeding program".
"This germplasm will dramatically improve productivity in regions affected by the Verticillium Wilt pathogen, as well as maintain the sustainability of other cotton production regions ..."
During the judging process, Dr Wilson said his focus on developing resistance markers for Black Root Rot, Fusarium Wilt and Cotton Bunchy Top had been driven by his desire to improve economic and environmental benefits to the industry.
"It's been a team effort, working to solve interesting but important problems, and there's nothing better in science." CSD general manager Growth and Development, James Quinn, said his organisation had continuously recognised the importance of innovation, research and development. He said Dr Wilson was an outstanding role model and advocate.
Simon Chamberlain
I have comprehensive experience in rural and regional journalism, as well as more than six years as a media officer for several politicians and worked in local government. I rejoined The Land in May 2022 and have loved being back in harness, reporting on a massive range of topics.
I have comprehensive experience in rural and regional journalism, as well as more than six years as a media officer for several politicians and worked in local government. I rejoined The Land in May 2022 and have loved being back in harness, reporting on a massive range of topics.
