WELCOME TO THE AUSTRALIAN SUPER COTTON WEBSITE.
The place where you will find - the longest, finest, softest, strongest threads of upland cotton in the world, grown under Best Management Practices.

Rogan Pastoral Co has been growing upland cotton at St George for 34 years, one of Australia’s most highly regarded cotton producing areas. For the past 7 years, we have been a dedicated grower of Australian Long Staple (ALS) premium cotton varieties. We have been a key grower in the Australian cotton industry's "Premuim Cotton Initiative" which started in 2007.

Have you ever wanted plush, durable, soft fabric that dries quickly?

Australian Super Cotton is the answer. It’s standout feature - long staple (fibre) length - means you can create a stronger garment or textile product out of less yarn. Fewer fibres in turn mean softness and a more luxurious feel. The raw premium cotton feels very soft and silky, with a bit of a shine about it, similar to wool.

Australian Super Cotton is premium cotton - so premium that it’s in a class of its own.

Producing premium cotton its much more than selecting the right varieties. Much of the characteristics are to do with the hot dry area of Australia it’s grown, but more importantly the management decisions made during the life cycle of the crop.

AUSTRALIAN COTTON CONFERENCE AUGUST 14-16, Australian Super Cotton grower Glenn Rogan available to speak direct with buyers and manufacturers at this years’s Cotton Conference. Conference exhibitor number 300 adjacent to Elders Delegate lounge.

SALE 2012 AUSTRALIAN SUPER COTTON Catalogue of Australian Longstaple Cotton can be seen in the sales section of this website.

This ALS cotton will be sold by Tender. Facilitated by Stuart Thompson First Class Pty Ltd. Bids will close by 4 pm on 16th August.

BLANC CANVAS - MARIE CLAIRE Marie Clair’s fashion shoot in our

back garden! Have a look at the new August edition. A strong silhouette, an array of textures and a crisp, fresh feel imbue the sweet innocence of white with an enviably modern aesthetic. Photographed by Corrie Bond. Styled by Kate Harrowsmith. Hair by Brad Mullins. Models; Victoria/Vivien’s; Vivian/Chadwick.

Special thanks to the “Benelong” cotton farm, St George, Queensland.

"Longest, finest, strongest threads of upland cotton in the world - grown under Best Management Practices."

- Producer Glenn Rogan

	THE FACTS Have you ever wanted plush, durable, soft fabric that dries quickly? Australian Super Cotton is the answer. It’s standout feature - long staple (fibre) length - means you can create a stronger garment or textile product out of less yarn. Fewer fibres in turn mean softness and a more luxurious feel. ................................... READ MORE
	TRACK RECORD The Rogan family farm 'Benelong' in St George, Queensland has one of the longest track records of growing premium cotton in the district. Innovative, sustainable farming practices and reciprocal industry support has led to the creation of Australian Super Cotton and superior garments and textiles. ...................................................................READ MORE
	OUR DRI.GLO PROJECT Australian made, Australian owned and Australian grown. Australian Weaving Mills created not just luxury towels, but also a compelling story of a passionate farmer wearing his heart on his cotton sleeve. ..................................................................READ MORE

"It would be like comparing expensive women's underwear to a hessian bag - that's the difference in the feel of the raw cotton,"

- Producer Glenn Rogan

WHAT MAKES AUSTRALIAN SUPER COTTON DIFFERENT

It is the longest, finest, strongest threads of upland cotton grown in the world [ALS],
Voluntary use of industry audited Best Management Practices ensures traceability and accountability; the cotton is able to be traced back to the farm it was grown on,
Grown in an environmentally friendly way,
Varieties used and management practices used are at the scientific leading edge for water use efficiency.

TECHNICAL FACTS AT A GLANCE

The best of Australian Long Staple upland cotton will be a class above “Egyptian” blended cotton in length, strength and fibre characteristics.

The difference is this: the end fibre result isn’t the only consideration when choosing yarn for your next project. The way we farm is an opportunity to conserve Earth’s natural resources. Australian cotton varieties beat Egyptian varieties for water efficiency, yield and other parameters particularly using the Best Management Practices scheme.

WHY YOU NEED IT

Cotton rose to commercial manufacture in Australia in the 1960’s and was initially of average quality and yield. Early in 2000, the Australian cotton industry raised the bar for fibre length, strength and micronaire. At that stage, Australia’s lowest length was already longer than the accepted World standard. We want to see Australia be the new world leader of premium cotton. In 2004 the cotton industry was developing a variety that would meet those needs.

Science has now taken premium cotton a step further, developing a new ‘strand’ of premium cotton. Australian Long Staple cotton varieties are available under the Premium Cotton Initiative, a collaborative projectthat began in 2007between:-

Cotton Research and Development Corporation,
Australian Cotton Growers Research Association,
Cotton Australia,
Australian Cotton Shippers Association,
Cotton Seed Distributors and
CSIRO .

Glenn Rogan, of ‘Benelong’ St George, has grown Sicala 60BRF, Sicala 350B and Sicala 340BRF. He wass one of the first six producers in the country to grow and trial Sicala 350B as part of the industry Premium Cotton Initiative.

“Australian Weaving Mills promotional material highlights the benefits of buying premium Australian cotton as grown under Best Management Practice Programs that lead to less water and chemical use.”

- Morgan Bronwyn, AWM

IN FARMING PRACTICE

St George in South West Queensland is the ideal place to grow specialty cotton. With water allocations most years from the Balonne River, at the intersection of two major transport routes, and access to two ginning plants within less than 50km’s, ‘Benelong’ is situated in a winning spot.

Glenn voluntarily uses Best Management Practices whilst growing his cotton. One very appealing feature of this leading industry initiative is that it enables full traceability - from end product right back to which paddock the cotton was grown in by individual farmers. It also ensures that cotton is produced on farm with the best farming techniques, technology and in an environmentally sustainable way.

Part of that environmental sustainability process involves water management, with Sicala 340BRF performing well in dryland situations. Premium cotton comes with its own hidden costs though; unfortunately to have longer fibre length and fibre fineness often means lower yields. “We grow this variety for a specific market and reason, however the yield drag is noticeable. The first year we planted Sicala 350B we noticed a 15% drag, ” says Glenn.

TRACK RECORD

Graeme Rogan, Glenn’s father, first grew cotton at ‘Benelong’ in 1976. A strong desire not only to be part of an industry, but also to give back to it, lead to participation in trialling various varieties of cotton over more than 25 years.

“In 2007, we noticed this one particular variety we were trialling had an exceptionally long staple length. At the same time we’re in the middle of our drought and hadn’t grown a full crop for 8 years,” says Glenn. “During that period, we searched for a way forward. Was there anything more that we could do to set ourselves up as an industry to stand out in the world market and still be a significant player?”

“To be involved in the premium cotton initiative at that time meant a 20% yield drag. Any cotton that we grow with that level of yield drag, we actually lose money on. The first lot we grew was a 38 bale lot. The following 3 years we grew 10 – 15 hectares to make a parcel of cotton that was economical to ship in container loads.”

“The release of these products is a great outcome - to finally see quality Australian branded cotton products being marketed in a major retail outlet.” “The release of these products is a great outcome - to finally see quality Australian branded cotton products being marketed in a major retail outlet.”

- Pete Johnson, Left Field Solutions

OUR DRI.GlO PROJECT Dri.glo, a brand produced by Australian Weaving Mills (AWM) first produced 100% Australian made, owned and grown towels and bed linen in 2011 and is sold through quality retail outlets as Myer, David Jones, Harris Scarfe and Pillow Talk. Glenn’s premium cotton found its way to AWM because he participated in the Best Management Practices scheme, which promotes sustainable, traceable farming. So the idea of producing premium quality towels under the DriGlo label and linking them back to the farm they originated from was born. The result is “less lint, a long staple length, the ability to make a stronger yarn out of less fibres. That makes it a lighter towel, and lighter towels dry easily.” DriGlo’s towel project is wholly Australian grown, Australian made and Australian owned. “What I particularly like about the towels is that its 100% Australian cotton from my farm, not blended with anything else. As a farmer I didn’t imagine I was going to be standing in my paddock holding towels. But I definitely imagined something good would come of it.”

"Cotton has always been the mainstay for Benelong,
with between 400 and 1000 hectares under cultivation most years."

- Glenn Rogan "Outback Magazine"

	THE BENELONG FARM "Benelong" farm the birthplace of Australian Super Cotton lies on the southern edge of St George Irrigation Area. It is a long established and highly regarded irrigation area.READ MORE
	STORY OF FAMILY Glenn Rogan, the family man and farmer behind Australian Super Cotton, dri.glo towels and "Benelong" farm takes us back to where it all began… because standing in a cotton field with fluffy towels isn’t a typical days’ work. READ MORE
	ST GEORGE - QUEENSLAND St George is situated on the mighty Balonne river in south west Queensland, 500 kms west of Brisbane. St George is known as the inland fishing capital of Qld. It is the major business centre of the Balonne Shire. The district population is 5.000 people. READ MORE

"Benelong has been a carefully balanced development of irrigation and grazing on prime agriculture land."

- Taylors Byrne, Valuers.

BENELONG FARM

The aggregation “Benelong”, “Willandra” and Harlequin” comprises of three adjoining properties with the central property “Benelong” located 22km south-east of St George. The property is a combined area of 2,760ha.
The initial farm "Benelong" (240ha irrigation) was acquired in 1973 through a ballot process which promoted the irrigation development in western QLD. The property was fully timbered without buildings or cultivation. "Benelong" grew its first cotton crop in 1976.

"Harlequin" was purchased in 1977, also fully timbered without improvements. Today it has 750ha of irrigated cotton, 850megalitre dam, 3 homesteads, paddocks for 30 horses and 1500ha cattle grazing country. Another grazing property "Cressent Vale" west of St George was owned between 1983 and 1995 for wool and cattle.

"Bookamerrie" located in the centre of the St George Irrigation Area was purchased in 1989 and is now owned and operated by Cleave and Johnelle Rogan. "Willandra" 185ha irrigated cotton joined the aggregation in 1995. The farms major water storage 1250ML was completed in 2000.

WHO ARE WE?

Glenn Rogan is an ordinary man growing extraordinary cotton. Working on the farm from cultivation, bed renovation, planting, fertilizing, harvest and then back to cultivation - there’s always something to be done.

Family partriarch Graeme and his wife Robyn moved their young family (aged 4-9 at the time) to ‘Benelong’ in 1973, droving sheep and cattle up for 3 months on horseback. (see Glenn’s story in Outback magazine) The move into cotton came with the development of the St George Irrigation project.

Graeme included the children in the family business very early on. Glenn had only just left school when he was included into the partnership. That partnership continues today, with Glenn taking over the bulk of the management of the farm. Glenn's brother Cleave runs his own family’s cotton farm, brother Wayne his own earthmoving business, sister Gayle and husband Richard have been an integral part of Australia’s largest privately owned cotton farm ‘Cubbie Station’ for more than 25 years. And youngest sister Denise is an accomplished dressage rider in Sydney.

To craft the farm from acres of scrub to the thriving cotton farm it is today, Glenn studied Applied Science. "In going to university my desire was primarily to give me the background of science and the knowledge we needed to be better farmers.” Glenn's daughter Rebecca, 24 years followed in Glenn's footsteps also studying Agricultural Science. She currently works with Cotton Australia and the Best Management Practice program.

Glenn's wife Julieanne is a Brisbane girl who came to St George in 1999 to work as a Speech Pathologist at the local hospital. They have two children Edward, 7yrs and Annabelle, 5. Along with cotton and his family Glenn's other passion is horses. He is an avid polocrosse rider and a strong St George Polocrosse Club Committee member.

ABOUT ST GEORGE QUEENSLAND

St George is a large primary producing district including cotton, grain, beef cattle and table grapes.
Jack Taylor weir and Andrew Nixon bridge (which forms part of the Balonne Hwy) commenced construction in 1948. It provides water for the town and farms in the first section of the St George Irrigation area via a series of gravity fed channels. Beardmore Dam 16km north of town was completed in 1972 to further promote the planting of irrigated crops.

In 1851 the Brisbane Courier described the Maranoa District as 'almost unoccupied'. Today St George boasts education and health services; childcare, kindergarten, 2 primary schools, high school and a skills center. Two medical centres, hospital, allied health services, visiting medical specialists, home and community care and a retirement village.

Local weather - mostly it's sunny. You can expect hot summer days (34.2 + degrees) and cold winter nights (5.5 - degrees). In this region, rainfall is highly variable, our annual average is 516mm. The weather pattern is one of droughts and flooding rains. Rain is more likely in the summer months.

A range of lifestyle and sporting activities are available. Team sports - football of various codes, cricket, bowls, dragon-boating and netball. Individual sports - tennis, squash and golf. Horse sports - races, pony club, campdrafting and polocrosse are available.

www.balonne.qld.gov.au
www.stgeorgeqld.com

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We would like to thank MARIE CLAIRE, DANA GLUZDE and many more for their support & talent in creating these images.

GENERAL THANKS TO

Outback Magazine
Fellow cotton industry & farming associates
Especially to my family

Upcoming sales: harvest 2012, the first container loads of "Australian Super Cotton" are currently available for sale.

AUSTRALIAN SUPER COTTON TENDER

The 3 first container loads of "Australian Super Cotton 2012" are currently available for sale. Classing summeries available on request ..........................................................................DOWNLOAD TENDER

AUSTRALIAN SUPER COTTON SALES

We will be having products available soon. The DRI. GLO towels will be available online, posted direct from point of manufacturer (Australian Weaving Mills).

Currently developing other cotton products (sneak peak coming soon!)

STOCK SALES

Hereford and Brangus cattle available for sale each year.
Enquiries Graeme Rogan Ph: 0746 252 156

	"SPOTLIGHT" - CRDC Grown in Australia's backyard (Spring 2011) Iconic brands warm to an Aussie-grown story (Summer 2010) Premium fibre. Producers and industry answer the call (Spring 2008)
	"OUTBACK MAGAZINE" Dry ideas: partnership with an Australian towel manufacturer has allowed the Rogan family to become premium cotton producers on their souther Queensland farm (Apr/May 2012).
	"COTTON CATCHMENT COMMUNITIES" Weaving a future for Australia's cotton, catchments and communities Cotton Catchment Communities CRC Annual Report 2011-2012 Cotton Catchment Communities CRC Annual Report 2010-2011 FIBREpak, a guide to improving Australian cotton fibre quality