New learning opportunities are being offered to people across the cotton industry in 2026, ensuring a vibrant, knowledgeable and well-connected industry.
CRDC supported the University of New England to deliver the Cotton Production Course from 2012 until the final year in 2023. Well respected and regarded by the industry, some 630 students enrolled in the course over the decade.
The concept of delivering a university-level qualification in cotton production was reviewed by CRDC during 2024-25. Clear feedback from the industry has resulted in the development a new micro-credentialled approach – the CRDC Cotton Course.
The course will be delivered as a series of microcredentials by the University of Sydney (USYD), in partnership with CottonInfo and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD). Unlike traditional university courses, there are no previous educational requirements, exams, assignments or long days in the classroom.
There are three courses on offer in 2026, with Microcredential 1 kicking off in March. It will be run by USYD course coordinator Ian Simpson, who is based at the USYD Narrabri campus, the IA Watson Grains Research Centre.
Concise and targeted
The CRDC Cotton Course microcredentials are designed as concise, targeted learning experiences, each requiring around 50 hours to complete. The delivery format for the microcredentials is hybrid, featuring a blend of self-directed learning using online resources, live and recorded online sessions and in-person ‘intensives’ at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre.
Aimed at growers, consultants, researchers and professionals supporting the cotton industry from the field to the supply chain, the courses contain material on specific areas of cotton farming, such as best practice agronomy, stewardship and sustainability, as well as broader topics like data, technology, business and farm management.
A hybrid learning approach enables participants to access course material remotely while also benefiting from hands-on, practical learning in a key cotton-producing region.
“The cotton industry is heavily reliant on the professional sector – specialist advisors, farm managers and researchers – to share knowledge and implement the innovative practices that drive a constantly changing industry,” said CRDC Acting General Manager of Innovation, Susan Maas.
“There is a huge amount of information available to the cotton industry already through CRDC, CottonInfo and CSD, but we recognise that a course provides a framework for people to build their knowledge and have it acknowledged as part of their career pathway.
“We had feedback from the industry that formal university courses can be difficult to access for those who are working full time or have different educational backgrounds, so we chose to prioritise flexible learning and target different areas of knowledge in the three microcredential courses.”
CSD General Manager Growth and Development James Quinn says sharing industry knowledge will ensure the Australian cotton industry continues on its path of success.
"CSD is proud to support the CRDC Cotton Course, to keep building our already thriving cotton industry in Australia,” he said.
“At CSD we want to make sure growers and their advisors can produce the most desirable, profitable and sustainable cotton – what better way than through learning from the best in the business."
Three microcredentials on offer
Microcredential 1 is the first of the three microcredentials to be developed and will be run from 10-12 March 2026 in Narrabri. It is a gateway course for new entrants to the industry and contains fundamental information about cotton growing, using the comprehensive and continually updated CottonInfo-CRDC Australian Cotton Production Manual as a guide.
Enrolments will be open to anyone in cotton interested in gaining a strong foundational understanding of the industry, particularly new or early career growers, consultants and other industry members. The course will provide a unique opportunity for participants through an immersive three-day intensive with a combination of presentations, field walks and facilitated group activities and discussions at other cotton locations around Narrabri.
Learning activities will be group-based with informal networking opportunities, giving participants the opportunity to learn more from industry experts, academics and their peers.
The intention is for the course to run annually, and potentially in other cotton growing regions, dependent on demand.
Microcredential 2 is for those who are keen to better understand data in cotton systems and how to collect and use it, with the aim of equipping participants with the skills to interpret information and manage technology hardware and software.
Microcredential 3 is about taking cotton production systems ‘to the next level’ – for growers looking to take a deep dive into the more challenging elements of cotton farming and decision-making. It’s based more around experiential learning, looking at their farm, the plant and their management style.
Professor Stephen Cattle from USYD is developing the courses with CRDC, CottonInfo and CSD. He is involved in CRDC’s dryland cotton partnership at the university’s Narrabri farm ‘Llara’ and Spring Ridge farm ‘Nowley’ (both Kamilaroi country).
“The microcredentials will each be standalone courses, so that people at different stages of their careers can chose to do the course most applicable to them,” Stephen said.
“We are offering an entry level course through to a third microcredential, Optimising Cotton Growing which is ideal for those looking to move into management or challenge their thinking.
“We’re really excited about the opportunities these new courses offer and will bring really useful knowledge back to other universities, research labs and farms.
“Deepening knowledge of cotton growing, current technology, data and farm management can only lead to better outcomes for Australian cotton.”
Enrolments for Microcredential 1 are now open via the USYD website. This first microcredential is limited to 22 people and costs $950, including tuition, catering and in-course transport during the three-day intensive. The price has been kept to a minimum via CRDC support, and a 10 per cent early bird discount applies for registrations prior to February 1, 2026. For those travelling vast distances to attend, CRDC travel support may also be available.
Find out more here.
