Delungra (NSW) cotton grower Simon Blyth has been named a 2026 scholar of the Nuffield Australia Scholarship program, with support from CRDC, Cotton Australia, and AgriFutures Australia.
Exploring innovation in the cotton industry
Simon grew up on his family’s farm near Delungra and carries a longstanding interest in the intersection of agriculture and technology. He is motivated to explore how practical, human-centred innovation can address on-farm challenges.
Supported by the scholarship, Simon will investigate how the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), automation and robotics can unlock the next frontier of farming performance. His study will particularly focus on the cotton industry, where he sees growers as pragmatic early adopters of new technology.
In his research, Simon will delve into smart irrigation, autonomous crop inspections, AI applications, spray-drift control and robotic use cases, all with an emphasis on how such tools can be practically deployed on-farm in Australia. His international research journey will include visits to the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan and Germany.
CRDC’s ongoing support for grower leadership
CRDC is a proud supporter of the Nuffield Scholarship program, supporting one cotton grower annually to undertake the program in partnership with Cotton Australia.
The 2026 cohort of Nuffield scholars was announced at a gala presentation dinner at the Adelaide Oval. Over the next 18 months, the 19 scholars will undertake 15 weeks of international travel, exploring cutting-edge agricultural practices and sharing their insights with industry stakeholders. The theme for this year’s scholarships is “Be curious, drive change.”
Full scholar profiles and updates on their research journeys are available at Nuffield Australia.
