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Cotton News

April 25, 2025

Welcome to the April 25, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

Earth Day Should be Every Day

It’s Time to Get Serious About Pushing the Natural Fiber Message

By Kara Bishop

There are many contributing factors to cotton’s lackluster demand of late, but I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that aimless promotion is one of them. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put cotton at the forefront with the sustainability and environmentally friendly movement.

It’s time to seize it.

What’s crazy to me is the wealth of information and research we have on cotton’s biodegradability, sustainable nature and traceable infrastructure. Our promotion problems are not due to a lack of information. It’s just not readily available to consumers.

Last year on the Friday before Earth Day, I said we need to start screaming from the rooftops and maybe I should have been more specific.

We don’t need a special commemorative day to share this information. We don’t have to wait for Earth Day to come around the following year to push material. With the demand crisis we’ve been facing the last several years we need to be screaming every day. At this point, we cannot afford silence.

Are We in the Room?

Joe Nicosia, the 2024 National Cotton Council Chair, made some good points at PCG’s annual meeting at the beginning of this month concerning this issue.

I will sum it up in one sentence: “When opportunity knocks, we need to open the door.”

When a celebrity tells their story of cotton, we need to be there ready to capitalize on the momentum they generate.

When a high-level influencer posts a video about attending a denim and diamonds charity event,  we need to be in the comments reinforcing the cotton story.

When a scientist begins a national discussion on the danger of microplastics, we need to be “in the room” sharing our sustainability message.

When someone begins to talk about overconsumption, where are we? Our product is meant for intentional purchasing that outlasts other apparel. It’s easily recyclable rather than being dumped in a landfill to outlive us and our children. Do the people viewing and interacting with this particular content creator know that?

When a member of the President’s cabinet issues a movement to make us healthy again, we need to let him know how our product can play a role in human health.

If the wool industry can combat synthetic fibers and overconsumption, why can’t we? The title of their campaign is “Wear Wool, Not Waste” — sheer genius.

And the information needs to be easily accessible for all consumers. This means formatted for different platforms: traditional websites, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, X and traditional marketing channels like TV and radio.  Too often, when I go to look for cotton resources that will support cotton’s sustainability efforts, I can’t find them. I rarely find them on any digital platforms other than traditional websites (or digging through years of old Facebook videos). And I have to click through multiple sites and web pages. That’s just not acceptable anymore.

Building Bridges with Like-Minded Communities

We tend to resist connection with environmentalists and affiliated companies and organizations. We’ve often been at odds with one another, but now I think it’s time to realize that we have a very special commonality with this group. And it’s time to share the same space.

One thing that environmentalist groups do exceptionally well is tell the story. We have all these facts and numbers but often struggle to relay them in a way that inspires action.

Production agriculture and environmentalists won’t agree on everything, and we don’t have to. We just have to form beneficial partnerships that further both planet wellbeing and cotton demand.

Environmentalists are fully convinced that if we don’t make changes to save our planet now, then we won’t have a future. Are we as cotton producers convinced that if we don’t make changes now, there won’t be cotton production in the future? Because without demand, that’s where we’re headed.

It’s time to start brainstorming innovative ways to advance cotton’s agenda. It’s time to broaden our horizons and partner with other communities who have commonalities with our industry regardless of whether we are in total agreement.

Earth day should be every day. And cotton can no longer afford to stay on the sidelines and watch everyone out promote us.

I’m going to share the resources I have found so far, and I challenge all of us to find ways to make this information more available and digitally accessible for consumers. We’re spending money and effort to create powerful research and data, so it’s a shame to me that it’s so hard to find across all platforms. And I would love to embed the videos directly into this web page, so that you can easily watch them, but right now, that’s not an option.

Here’s a list of current cotton resources you can share with others:

Cotton Fiber Fragments Break Down in Water

Cotton Recycling and Sustainability

The Case for Cotton: A Natural Alternative to Synthetics

Cotton & Water

Microfibers in Water: Why Cotton is Better

Cotton to Compost: Transform Waste Management in the Textile Industry

This article isn’t meant to criticize anyone. It’s meant to inspire all of us to do better. We no longer have the luxury of time on our side.

April 11, 2025

Welcome to the April 11, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

2024 National Cotton Council Chair Joe Nicosia presents on U.S. Cotton Competitiveness at the Plains Cotton Growers 68th Annual Meeting on April 1, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.

An Event To Remember Why We Move Forward

Plains Cotton Growers Hosts Successful Annual Meeting

By Kara Bishop

 “As a New York city guy, I didn’t know what it was like to have a real friend,” said keynote speaker Paul Mobley. “Not until I met a farmer.”

The agriculture industry has always been genuine. Genuine relationships, genuine passion for what we do and a genuine desire to leave this life knowing we gave everything we had to our God and our family. It’s a difference that you notice immediately if you’ve ever worked in other industries. A place where you get real hugs from real people who really care about you as a person rather than just what they can get out of you.

And the last three years have been really hard. It’s been hard to love what you do in this industry lately. This year’s annual meeting of Plains Cotton Growers helped us take our blinders off somewhat on an uncertain future and remember why we love this industry so much.

We tried to mix reality with encouragement and hope you feel we achieved that. From Joe Nicosia’s eye-opening depiction of what cotton production in America looks like now and must look like in the future to survive, to Paul Mobley’s appreciation for farmers from an outside urban world, the Texas High Plains cotton industry had their cups filled as they prepare for crop year 2025.

There may be hard days ahead, but for just one day, we got to gather together as one industry and remember why we do what we do. We’ve been called to a higher calling, one that isn’t always glamorous or rewarded, but one that the entire nation depends on.

Thank you for your contributions to the cotton industry and I hope you enjoy this video and these photos of my favorite day of the year: Annual Meeting Day.

March 7, 2025

Welcome to the March 7, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

PCG President Travis Mires, producer in Dawson and Lynn Counties, testified before the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on March 4, 2025, during the 89th Texas Legislature Cotton Day at the Capitol. 

Cotton Day at the Capitol 2025

Plains Cotton Growers joined other commodity groups in Texas to celebrate Cotton Day during the 89th Texas Legislature. Sen. Charles Perry (R-District 28) designated March 4, 2025 as Cotton Day to celebrate this industry that we all love. PCG highlighted key issues for 20 state representatives (including Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-District 83), four state senators as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s staff.

PCG President Travis Mires also testified before the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, highlighting the challenges that have burdened the Texas cotton industry for the last three years. At the end of his testimony, Mires stated: “I hate to paint such a bleak picture, but there’s no way around it. In my 45-year farming career, this is the worst year I’ve ever experienced.”

February 28, 2025

Welcome to the February 28, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

USDA Nominees and Appointments

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has hit the ground running since her confirmation February 13. Amid all the meetings and problem solving, she is setting up her department. The following is a list of nominees for deputy secretary, undersecretaries and senior staff appointments that have been named thus far.

USDA Deputy Secretary: Stephen Vaden

Information from ProFarmer

When announcing Vaden’s nomination in late December, Trump stated: “I am pleased to nominate Stephen Alexander Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, where he will work with our Great United States Secretary of Agriculture Nominee, Brooke Rollins,” Trump said in his announcement. “In my First Term, Stephen was the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture, and a Member of the Board of the Commodity Credit Corporation, where he won two cases before the United States Supreme Court, relocated and reorganized the Agencies that comprise the Department to better serve Rural America, and engaged in substantial regulatory reform. Stephen joined the USDA on Day One of my First Term, and left in December 2020 after I nominated him, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him, to continue to serve the American People as an Article III Judge on the Court of International Trade. Judge Stephen Vaden resides in Union City, Tennessee, where he helps manage his family farm. Congratulations Stephen!”

Background:

  • Vaden’s accomplishments include winning Supreme Court cases, leading USDA reforms, and implementing key policies such as the 2018 Farm Bill and hemp legalization.
  • Vaden holds a law degree from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University. Prior to his government service, Vaden worked at prominent Washington law firms, including Jones Day and Patton Boggs.
  • He currently serves as a judge on the United States Court of International Trade, a position he has held since December 2020.
  • During his tenure as USDA’s general counsel, Vaden achieved several notable successes: (1) Won two cases before the United States Supreme Court; (2) Oversaw the relocation and reorganization of USDA agencies to better serve rural America; (3) Engaged in substantial regulatory reform; (4) Implemented the 2018 Farm Bill; and (5) Managed rules for the legalization of industrial hemp and regulation of bioengineered crops.
  • Vaden maintains strong ties to agriculture, living in Union City, Tennessee, where he helps manage his family farm. This personal connection to farming likely provides him with valuable insights into the challenges and needs of rural America.
Confirmation Pending

UDSA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation: Richard Fordyce

Fordyce returns to USDA as the Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation, having previously served as the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency in the previous Trump Administration.

In his role, he will oversee key agencies that directly serve farmers and ranchers, including the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency.

Background:

  • Lifelong farmer
  • Former Farm Service Agency Administrator
  • Has worked with FSA for acreage reporting
  • Collaborated with NRCS on conservation efforts
  • Has relied on RMA for crop insurance
Confirmation Pending

USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs: Dudley Hoskins

Background:

  • Chief of Staff for USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs (2017-2019)
  • Senior Advisor for USDA (2019-2021)
  • Public policy counsel for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
  • Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the American Horse Council
  • Manager of Regulatory Policy for RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
  • Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M University School of Law
Confirmation Pending

USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs: Luke Lindberg

Lindberg served as the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. As the agency’s second-highest ranking official, he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of EXIM and advancing strategic initiatives such as the program on “China and Transformational Exports”, opening new markets for American Liquified Natural Gas, securing America’s supply of Critical Minerals & Rare Earths, and protecting allies in the race to deploy 5G globally. He also led EXIM’s involvement in the execution of the ground-breaking Abraham Accords. Mr. Lindberg earned the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes distinctive accomplishment and leadership that significantly benefit EXIM and the nation.

Lindberg Serves on the board of directors of the National Association of District Export Councils, and the Children’s Home Society. He holds advisory roles with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Additionally, Lindberg is a Senior Fellow at the America First Policy Institute and has been featured by Fox News, The Washington Times, The Hill, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, and The Farm Journal, for his ‘Thought Leadership’ on international affairs and agriculture policy. Lindberg earned a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government & Politics, all from the University of Maryland.

 

Confirmation Pending

USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment: Michael Boren

Background:

  • Owns Hell Roaring Ranch in Stanley, Idaho
  • Co-founder of multibillion-dollar tech company Clearwater Analytics, headquartered in Boise, Idaho
  • Volunteer firefighter for Sawtooth Valley Rural Fire Department
  • Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation board member
Confirmation Pending

USDA Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics: Scott Hutchins

This was Hutchins’ biography from the first time he held this appointment in 2019.

Dr. Scott Hutchins is the deputy under secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Research, Education and Economics mission area, which is comprised of the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Together these agencies cut across every USDA department and have unique federal leadership responsibility to advance agriculture research, extension and education. He was sworn-in by Secretary Perdue on January 29, 2019.

Hutchins retired from CortevaTM AgriScience after almost 32 years, where he held many roles in Program Management, Human Resources, Six Sigma, R&D Portfolio Management and Global Administration. In addition, he is a board-certified entomologist, adjunct professor of entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, past president of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), Fellow and Honorary Member of the ESA.

Hutchins received a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Auburn University, a master’s degree in entomology from Mississippi State University and a doctorate degree in entomology from Iowa State University. He and his wife Janet have three children and seven grandchildren.

Confirmation Pending

Kailee Tkacz Buller: Chief of Staff at USDA

  • Previous positions:
    • President and CEO of the National Oilseed Producers Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association
    • Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and numerous other leadership roles within the department during the first Trump Administration
    • 8th Congressional District Representative of the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Preston Parry: Deputy Chief of Staff

  • Previous positions:
    • Strategic Assistant to the President and CEO at the America First Policy Institute
    • Executive Assistant to the Director for the Domestic Policy Council (during the first Trump Administration) where he supported operations and served as Policy Coordinator and primary liaison to the Office of the Staff Secretary

Jennifer Tiller: Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

  • Previous positions:
    • Deputy Staff Director for the House Committee on Agriculture

Dominic Restuccia: White House Liaison for USDA

  • Previous positions:
    • Legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Mike Bishop and U.S. Senator Mike Lee

Ralph Linden: Principal Deputy General Counsel

  • Previous positions:
    • Served in various capacities in the Office of the General Counsel from 1982 to 2021
    • Acting Deputy General Counsel during the first Trump Administration

Audra Weeks: Deputy Director of Communications

  • Previous Positions:
    • USDA Deputy Press Secretary during the first Trump Administration
    • National press team for President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign
    • Press secretary for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS)

Brooke Appleton: Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation

  • Previous Positions:
    • Vice President of Public Policy for the National Corn Growers Association
    • Chief of Staff to the Deputy Agriculture Secretary during the first Trump Administration
    • Director of Government Affairs for Risk Management for the National Association of Wheat Growers
    • Legislative Assistant in the Office of then-House Ag committee member Sam Graves (R-MO)

Ricki Schroeder: Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics

  • Previous Positions:
    • Professional Staff for the House Agriculture Committee
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Cotton in the Market: BÉIS Launches New 100% Cotton Utility and Kids Collections

Editor’s Note: While we’re bringing this to your attention now, this partnership was actually announced in August of last year.

Product photo is from beistravel.com

BÉIS, the brand synonymous with stylish and functional travel gear, is once again making waves with the launch of two new collections. The Utility Collection, inspired by the rugged beauty of America’s National Parks, is designed for adventurers who demand both style and durability in their travel essentials.

The Kids Collection is designed to capture the essence of playful exploration while ensuring durability and style. And in a move that highlights their commitment to natural fibers, BÉIS has incorporated several items made with 100% cotton, ensuring that these pieces are as practical as they are comfortable.

Look for the Seal of Cotton on BÉIS utility totes for adults and kids!

Key Highlights of the Collections Include:

  • Durable 100% Cotton: In collaboration with Cotton Incorporated, the new bags are made of heavy duty, machine-washable 100% Cotton Canvas that improves with age, softening with wear, wash, and use.
  • Versatile Designs: From collapsible lunch boxes to multifunctional duffels, the Utility Collection is designed to adapt to your needs, making it easy to carry your essentials, no matter where your journey takes you.
  • Earth-Toned Palettes: Inspired by the natural landscapes of national parks, the collection features a color scheme that blends seamlessly with the great outdoors, making it the perfect companion for any adventure.

This announcement was originally published in “Cotton in the Market” from Cotton Works by Cotton Incorporated. The inclusion of BÉIS in “Cotton in the Market” is for illustrative purposes only, and does not imply endorsement by Cotton Incorporated.

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February 21, 2025

Welcome to the February 21, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

Floyd County Producer Dane Sanders, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and PCG CEO Kody Bessent.

House Republicans Advocate for Strong Farm Policy in 2025

This week Plains Cotton Growers met with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. Jake Ellzey Sr. (R-TX) at different events to learn how farm policy is shaping up in 2025.

“My goal is to have a farm bill done in the first half of this year,” Thompson said. “This farm bill is so important and we’ve got to invest in our farmers and increase their safety net.”

We appreciate the ag champions we have in Congress and look forward to working with them this year to enact strong farm policy for producers.

PCG Vice President and Lamb County Producer Brent Coker and Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX).

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ARC/PLC Decision Aid Updated for 2025

The Texas A&M University Agricultural Food and Policy Center developed a decision making tool in 2018 to provide producers with potential USDA-FSA program outcomes alongside federal crop insurance coverage options. This tool has been updated to help producers make their farm program elections and enrollments in 2025.

Any changes to insurance policy selections through the federal crop insurance program must be made by the sales closing date for the Texas High Plains region, which is March 15. FSA Farm Program elections (like the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Lose Coverage programs) need to be turned in to your local FSA office by April 15.

Since these deadlines are 30 days apart this year, the USDA Risk Management Agency determined that growers who include either SCO or STAX as part of their 2025 insurance coverage at sales closing will be considered eligible to purchase these products based on enrollment selections they make at FSA as of April 15.

For example:

  • If you decide to purchase STAX on March 15, then enroll in the Price Loss Coverage Program or the Agricultural Risk Coverage Program on April 15, the USDA Risk Management Agency will ignore your STAX selection and not attach it to your policy.
  • If you decide to purchase SCO on March 15, then enroll in the Price Loss Coverage Program on April 15, RMA will attach SCO to your insurance coverage. However, if you elect ARC, RMA will not attach your SCO coverage selection to your policy.

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Announcements

New BOI Reporting Deadline

FINCEN has updated the BOI reporting deadline to March 21, 2025.

EQUIP Funds Released by USDA

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced yesterday (February 20, 2025) that USDA will honor contracts that were already made directly to farmers. Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 billion in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

New PCG Cotton News Series: Cotton Friendly Stores

You may have seen images of cotton apparel at select stores in Lubbock, Texas, on PCG’s social media channels. This will become a featured series in this newsletter where we will highlight stores that promote cotton clothing and keep a high level of cotton inventory. The goal is to walk in a store and see that it would be harder to NOT purchase cotton when shopping!

While we are headquartered in Lubbock, we hope to promote stores that are throughout the Texas High Plains. If you know of a cotton friendly store in your area, please send the information to Kara Bishop or call the office: 806-792-4904. Let’s all support the cotton industry together!

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February 17, 2025

Welcome to the February 17, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

National Cotton Council (NCC) delegates from the Plains Cotton Growers region at the NCC Annual Meeting. Pictured: PCG CEO Kody Bessent, Rhett Mimms, Thomas Kennedy, Stacy Smith, Glen Phipps, Rex Kennedy, Mark Howard, PCG President Travis Mires, PCG Chairman Martin Stoerner, Bryan Patterson, PCG Vice President Brent Coker, Justin Cave, PCG Secretary/Treasurer Jon Jones, Steve Olson. Not pictured: Katy Holladay and Brent Nelson.

‘Compete or Get Beat’

National Cotton Council Sounds the Alarm at Their Annual Meeting in Dallas

While the NCC planting intention results were grim like the rest of the issues facing the U.S. cotton industry, NCC Chair Joe Nicosia illustrated the resolve of cotton people with a powerful conclusion of the general session on the last day of the meeting:

“We may be seven segments, but we are one industry. As disciples of this amazing fiber, we are called to build a following of loyal believers that will make cotton great again.”

General Session on the last day of the NCC Annual Meeting.

The resilience of this industry was illustrated in some uplifting ways this week as Plains Cotton Growers traveled to Dallas to represent the Texas High Plains at the biggest industry event of the year. For every challenge, there was an uplifting focal point that provides hope that U.S. cotton will overcome its current circumstances.

When Cotton Council International Executive Director Bruce Atherley discussed U.S. cotton competitiveness, he stated the mission of CCI is to: 

  • Focus on what Brazil cannot do rather than what they are doing
    • CCI’s Mill Performance Index is a powerful evaluation tool that enhances mill success in using our nation’s fiber. This product is patented and cannot be copied by Brazil.
  • Innovate or die
    • “Rather than trying to figure out how to solve the maze, we should simply jump out of it,” Atherley said. “That’s what it’s going to take to get back on top, which is why we’re offering technology, education and outreach experiences that enhance the perception of U.S. cotton.”

Bryan Patterson, Thomas Kennedy, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Brent Coker at the NCC Farm Program and Economic Committee meeting.

When House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) addressed the Farm Program and Economic Policy Committee, he reiterated his dedication to American farmers. 

  • The dynamics of Rep. Thompson and his committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) are collaborative and productive.
  • Rep. Thompson’s relationship with Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) — chair of the Senate Ag Committee — is strong and they are aligned on farm policy for farmers. Both are motivated to provide legislation that will make production agriculture profitable and competitive.
  • Sen. Boozman’s Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is willing to work across the aisle to produce strong farm policy and understands the urgency of providing an adequate safety net for producers.

The NCC Committee for the Advancement for Cotton (CAC PAC) raised a record amount of money, which Nicosia acknowledged was incredible considering the past three production years.

  • The CAC raised $662,000 in 2024 and $118,000 this January alone, while the Night of Cotton event held during the meeting raised $173,465.
  • The CAC recognized the efforts of Plains Cotton Growers’ own political action committee, PCG PAC, for their help in fundraising to secure cotton’s position with Congress as we work toward updated farm policy in 2025.
  • Johnie Reed, producer in Swisher County and PCG board member, was named the vice chair of the CAC.
  • The importance of these dollars for cotton policy advancement cannot be overstated. This is what will help us secure policy that puts farming back in the farm bill.
  • If you’re a member of PCG, please consider donating to our PAC as we begin the uphill process of a new farm bill for the third time. Click here to donate (must be a PCG member).

We came together multiple times to pray for a productive and robust year for the U.S. cotton industry over this weekend, and that we would weather the storm (or lack of one) in 2025 to survive another year.

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Planted Acreage Estimates Comparison

Editor’s Note: These are compiled estimates based on data from multiple sources, including USDA-FSA and USDA-NASS data, National Cotton Council producer surveys and the Cotton Grower readership survey. These estimates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change. 

National Cotton Council released the results of their 2025 planted intentions survey on the last day of the NCC Annual Meeting February 16. Today, PCG is going to compare our own estimate with the survey results, as well as the projections released in Cotton Grower’s January issue.

Cotton Grower

Cotton Grower Magazine releases a planted acres projection every year in their January issue. According to editor Jim Steadman, the 2025 number was the most complicated calculation thus far. With producers facing uncertainty for the third year in a row, Steadman called his process “akin to creating something tangible from an incomplete data set.”

Cotton Grower’s disclaimer: These acreage projections are based on input and conversations with multiple stakeholders in the cotton industry  our readers, state cotton specialists, economists, and others related to U.S. cotton. It’s nothing more than a reporting job with math involved, and we try to do our best with the information we get.  

That said  and based on the information in hand as they went to press in early December – U.S. cotton growers are projected to plant a total (upland and Pima) of 11.04 million acres in 2025. That’s a decrease of roughly 5.4% from USDA’s final reported 2024 plantings of 11.7 million acres.  

Credit: Cotton Grower Magazine

For the Southwest, based on Cotton Grower’s survey input, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas growers anticipate planting a combined 6,600,000 cotton acres in 2025  relatively steady from final 2024 planted acres. 

National Cotton Council

Yesterday (February 16), NCC released their 2025 Planted Intentions Survey with results that were significantly lower than Cotton Grower. While Cotton Grower’s survey was conducted in November/December, NCC’s survey took place from January 1 through January 31. NCC Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis Jody Campiche emphasized the timing of the survey due to market price playing a role in the results presented.

“History has shown that U.S. farmers respond to relative prices when making planting decisions. As compared to average futures prices during the first quarter of 2024, all commodity prices were lower during the survey period, but cotton had the largest decline,” Campiche said. “As a result, the price ratios of cotton to corn and soybeans were lower than in 2024. Based on historical price relationships, this would generally suggest a decline in cotton acreage.”

And, if the results of this survey are realized, planted acreage will definitely decline.

  • U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 9.6 million cotton acres this spring, down 14.5% from 2024, according to the National Cotton Council’s 44th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.
  • Upland cotton intentions are 9.4 million acres, down 14.4% from 2024, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 158,000 acres represent a 23.5% decline.
  • Based on ten-year average abandonment rates along with a few state-level adjustments, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 7.8 million acres for 2025.
  • Using the five-year average yield for each state generates a cotton crop of 13.9 million bales, with 13.5 million upland bales and 392,000 ELS bales.
Regional Planting Intentions:

Southeast respondents indicate a 19.3% decline in cotton acreage to 1.9 million acres. According to the survey responses from Southeast growers, the expected decline in cotton acres is due to an increase in corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and peanuts.

Mid-South growers intend to plant 1.8 million acres, a decline of 8.2% from the previous year. Survey responses suggest an increase in corn, peanuts, and other crops. Growers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri also expect to plant fewer soybeans, while Tennessee growers indicated an increase in soybean acreage.

In the West, upland cotton acreage is expected to decline by 12.3%.

Growers in the Southwest intend to plant 14.5% less cotton. Kansas growers expect to plant 12.5% more cotton at the expense of wheat and soybeans. Oklahoma producers expect to reduce cotton acreage by 5% and plant more corn, sorghum and other crops. Texas acreage is expected to decline by 15.8%. South Texas growers expect to plant more sorghum and other crops. In the Blacklands, growers intend to plant more corn, wheat and sorghum. West Texas growers reported an increase in wheat, sorghum, corn, peanuts, and other crops. Texas growers also expect to plant 18.2% less ELS cotton.

Plains Cotton Growers

Our in-house estimates are based on Farm Service Agency certified acreage reports and historical averages.

 

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January 31, 2025

Welcome to the January 31, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

Get to Know Ag’s Champions in Congress, Part 3

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) – Chair of the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee

Editor’s Note: We are introducing a short series of articles in the next few issues of Cotton News detailing the Representatives and Senators serving on the House Agriculture Committee, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the House Ag Appropriations and Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittees.

This issue will feature the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations. This subcommittee will be referred to as “Senate Ag Appropriations” through the rest of the article.

This subcommittee is tasked with writing legislation that allocates federal funds to government agencies, departments and organizations for the agriculture industry.

Part 3: Senate Ag Appropriations

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), Senate Ag Appropriations Chair

  • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2011
  • Served 10 years as North Dakota Governor
  • Member of the House Ag Committee and played a crucial role in crafting and passing the 2014 Farm Bill
  • Vice President of First Western Bank from 1986-2000
  • President and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota from 1993-2000

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senate Ag Appropriations Ranking Member

  • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2009
  • Former governor of New Hampshire
  • Served in the New Hampshire Senate
  • One of 12 Senate Democrats to vote for the Laken Riley Act
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Texas State Support Projects Win Big at 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Megan Mills Singletary and Matthew Cole Woodard

We’re excited to announce that the following students took home banners at the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences for their projects, which are partially funded by Cotton Incorporated’s State Support Program (Texas State Support).

Megan Mills Singletary — “Strategies for Controlling Dicamba-Resistant Palmer Amaranth in Texas and Tennessee”

First Place — Ph.D. oral presentation competition, Weed Science Conference

Project Funded by USDA NIFA and the Texas State Support Committee

Matthew Cole Woolard — “Does adjuvant selection impact AxantTM Flex cotton response when tank-mixed with topramezone and Liberty ULTRA?”

First Place — Ph.D. poster presentation competition, Weed Science Conference

Funded by BASF Corporation and the Texas State Support Committee

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2024 Cotton Quality Report

Lamesa’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 624. The office is currently 99% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lubbock’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 5,060. The office is 99% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lamesa Report

Lubbock Report

Reminder for Gins:

If gins are submitting samples for the Four Bale Module Averaging pilot program, the submitted modules must be designated with a R and they must be in multiples of 4. (4, 8, 12, 16 up to 48).

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January 24, 2025

Chairman Boozman’s Opening Statement at Hearing on Nomination of Brooke Rollins to Serve as Secretary of Agriculture

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PCIP and Texas State Support Projects Win Big at 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

We’re excited to announce that the following students took home banners at the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences for their projects, which are funded by the Plains Cotton Improvement Program (PCIP) and Cotton Incorporated’s State Support Program (Texas State Support).

Rebekah Ortiz-Pustejovsky — “Planting Pattern Effects on Physiology, Yield and Fiber Quality”

Brooke Shumate, Ph.D., Rebekah Ortiz-Pustejovsky and Jonathon Salgado.

Third-Place — student oral presentation competition, Cotton Agronomy, Physiology, and Soils Conference

Project funded by PCIP and Texas State Support

Brooke Shumate, Ph.D. — “Environmental Impacts of Growing Environment on Post-Harvest Processing of Cotton”

First Place — student oral presentation competition, Cotton Engineering-Systems Conference

Project funded by PCIP

Jonathon Salgado — “Cotton Response to Different Planting Dates, Seeding Rates, and Varieties on the Southern High Plains of Texas”

First Place — undergraduate student poster competition, Cotton Agronomy, Physiology, and Soils Conference

Project funded by Texas State Support

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2024 Cotton Quality Report

Abilene’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 3,160. The office is currently 95.97% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lamesa’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 932. The office is currently 98% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lubbock’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 4,080. The office is 98% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples. (The gin estimate has been revised to 1,980,000.)

Abilene Report

Lamesa Report

Lubbock Report

Reminder for Gins:

If gins are submitting samples for the Four Bale Module Averaging pilot program, the submitted modules must be designated with a R and they must be in multiples of 4. (4, 8, 12, 16 up to 48).

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January 10, 2025

Welcome to the January 10, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

Get to Know Ag’s Champions in Congress

Editor’s Note: We are introducing a short series of articles in the next few issues of Cotton News detailing the Representatives and Senators serving on the House Agriculture Committee, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the House Ag Appropriations and Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittees.

This issue will feature the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry — commonly referred to as the “Four Corners.”

Part 1: The Four Corners

PCG Past President Brent Nelson, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), PCG Director of Communications Kara Bishop, PCCA President and CEO Kevin Brinkley.

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Senate Ag Committee Chair

Background

  • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010
  • Fifth-generation Arkansan
  • Played football for the University of Arkansas
  • Entered private practice as an optometrist with his brother
  • Established the low vision program at the Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Volunteer optometrist at an area clinic that provides medical services to low-income families
  • Successfully raised Polled Herefords with his children
Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), House Ag Committee Chair
GT visiting Four Sixes Ranch

PCG CEO Kody Bessent and PCG President Travis Mires attend a fundraiser for House Ag Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) with Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), at the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas.

Background

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), House Ag Committee Ranking Member

Background

  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018
  • Born and raised in Arkansas – moved to Minnesota in 2005
  • Worked as a reporter and in human resources and communications
  • Member of the Minnesota party affiliate Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
  • Replaced Rep. David Scott (D-GA) as the Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee for the 119th Congress 
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member

Background

  • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2007
  • Partner at two Minneapolis law firms before being elected county attorney of Hennepin County
  • Member of the Minnesota party affiliate Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
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2025 PCG Seed Cost Calculator Now Available

The PCG seed cost calculator is an interactive Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that allows producers to calculate an estimated cost per acre, for both seed and technology, based on published suggested retail prices. The calculator has become a popular tool among producers interested in comparing seed and technology prices as they work to finalize their cotton variety selections.

The 2025 spreadsheet includes updated listings for 115 conventional, Axant Flex, XtendFlex, GlyTol, Bollgard II, Bollgard 3 XtendFlex, Bollgard 3 Thryvon, TwinLink, Enlist and Widestrike varieties, including stacked gene versions of these technologies that are available for sale in West Texas.

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2024 Cotton Quality Report

Lamesa’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 4,107. The office is currently 89% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lubbock’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 8,325. The office is 96% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples. (The gin estimate has been revised to 1,960,000.)

Lamesa Report

Lubbock Report

Reminder for Gins:

If gins are submitting samples for the Four Bale Module Averaging pilot program, the submitted modules must be designated with a R and they must be in multiples of 4. (4, 8, 12, 16 up to 48).

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January 3, 2025

Welcome to the January 3, 2025 issue of Cotton News, a service provided by Plains Cotton Growers Inc. for the cotton industry in the Texas High Plains and beyond.

Corporate Transparency Act Update — Injunction Reinstated

After some confusing back and forth, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an Order on December 26, 2024 reinstating the injunction preventing the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirement form going into effect.

As of December 26, 2024, the nationwide injunction preventing the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirement from being enforced is in effect. There is currently no enforceable deadline for reporting beneficial ownership during the existence of this stay while the litigation proceeds.

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Producer Economic Assistance Payment Calculators Available

The University of Missouri Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute has developed two calculators for the American Relief Act of 2025 Economic Assistance payments.

Disclaimer: Many provisions in the legislative text allow or require the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture in determining certainty of the relevant variables (prices, costs, yields, etc.) used in payment calculations. The final values determined by the Secretary and used in the actual payment calculations could be different from the estimates used here.

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2024 Cotton Quality Report

Abilene’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 7,472. The office is currently 88.28% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lamesa’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 3,590. The office is currently 83% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Lubbock’s average daily number of cotton samples received this week is 12,900. The office is 96% complete in the classing of their season estimate of samples.

Abilene Report

Lamesa Report

Lubbock Report

Reminder for Gins:

If gins are submitting samples for the Four Bale Module Averaging pilot program, the submitted modules must be designated with a R and they must be in multiples of 4. (4, 8, 12, 16 up to 48).

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