In June this year, I spent three days in a light aircraft traversing what seemed like the length of the country, looking at cotton farms and meeting with the people who are making their living out of these enterprises. I have had a unique privilege of being invited to be on the judging panel for your cotton grower of the year awards. May I take the opportunity to thank the organisers of the awards for inviting me onto your panel. And can I especially thank the families who so kindly welcomed me onto your properties. It is truly a sign of the times that an industry such as yours cares to invite someone like me, who is pigeon holed as a greenie by many, to participate in this showcasing of your industry to the rest of the world It was an excellent opportunity to see first hand how your industry works on the ground.