New face for CSD in Border Rivers

With the cotton industry swinging into action for possibly its biggest season on record, agronomist Alex North has come back to the industry as the Border Rivers Extension Agronomist for Cotton Seed Distributors.

Having grown up on his family’s cotton farm near Goondiwindi and worked extensively throughout the region, Alex is perfectly placed for his new role as CSD’s representative in the Border Rivers region – one of the country’s most vibrant and progressive cotton growing areas.

Alex comes to CSD with considerable agronomy and technical experience in cotton production and also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agronomy from the University of Queensland.

Obviously not afraid of a challenge, with the biggest cotton planting ever likely, Alex is stepping into a role with Australia’s largest cotton seed supplier after 10 years of general agronomy.

I’m really looking forward to re-joining the industry, Alex said.

I’m very keen to get involved in the industry again, and am looking forward to working closely with the growers and consultants throughout the region in trialling our new and existing varieties under different scenarios and developing management packages for these varieties, to ensure that growers can maximise their yields and remain profitable into the future.

Having spent most of my life in this region, I’m looking forward to what should hopefully be a relatively easy transition as I already have established relationships with growers and consultants in the region and am really looking forward to working with them again.

Alex’s familiarity with the region’s cotton growing industry is extensive, having worked on the Darling Downs and throughout the St George and Macintyre valleys where he was strongly focused on cotton agronomy and production. During this time Alex worked for organisations which included the QLD Department of Primary Industry, Queensland Cotton, McGregor Gourlay Agricultural Services, leading cotton growers and more recently, Total Ag Services, Croppa Creek.

This has given him a broad experience base covering both research and in-field agronomics along with having on-farm experience.

Fortunately for us, we have been able to welcome Alex to CSD and he started working with us in early October, says CSD General Manager Steve Ainsworth.

We are really looking forward to utilising his extensive knowledge and experience of the industry and in this particular region of Border Rivers. This region is one of the most highly productive cotton growing areas of Australia and encompasses a large area from Bonshaw to Dirranbandi and we really look forward to Alex becoming a regular figure on that landscape.

Alex will be based in Goondiwindi and takes over from Dave Kelly, a well-known figure in the industry and has been a huge asset, not just to CSD but the cotton industry as a whole.

His dedication and passion for the industry will be missed by CSD, Steve Ainsworth said.

We wish him every success in his new venture and are pleased he is staying in the industry, He has given great service to cotton growers while at CSD and we thank him for that.