Australian cotton isn’t just a premium fibre - it’s the result of decades of science, research, and collaboration.
In this episode of Australian Cotton Stories, Dr Warren Conaty, Research Scientist at CSIRO, shares how cutting-edge work in plant breeding and technology development continues to improve efficiency, sustainability, and fibre performance across the industry.
Research in Australian cotton spans a wide range of fields - from pest, weed, and disease management to soil health and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This work is led by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), often in collaboration with government agencies, tertiary institutions, and many independent researchers.
Cotton Australia is proud to highlight the exceptional research driving the industry forward - and to illustrate to our brand partners that Australian cotton is constantly evolving through continuous research and collaboration.
At this year’s Australian Cotton Forum, attendees heard from CSIRO’s Xiaoqing Li, who shared progress on a potential plant-based method for fibre traceability - a homegrown innovation designed to meet growing consumer demand for transparency and trust in sustainability claims.
In the same ‘Innovation Showcase’ panel, attendees heard from Jason McNiece of Swarmfarm Robotics who is helping farmers spend more time with their families and reduce inputs by deploying robots capable of hyper accurate spraying and weed control.
From lab trials to field testing, these researchers and innovators help Australian growers adapt to changing conditions, use resources more efficiently, and stay competitive in global markets. Together, they’re ensuring that every advancement - from new seed varieties to precision farming tools - delivers measurable benefits on-farm and keeps Australian cotton at the forefront of responsible and innovative agriculture.
Future installments of Australian Cotton Stories will explore themes including sustainability, data, farming families, and more. Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube so you don’t miss an episode.
Australian Cotton Stories is produced by Cotton Australia
Directed by Sam Weight
November 2025