Since the colonial days, trade has been vitally important for Southern agriculture. Historical records reveal that agricultural products accounted for 60-75% of Southern exports leading up to the American Revolution. In more recent times, USDA Economic Research Service trade data indicates that, despite recent trade challenges, agricultural exports from the Southern region have more than doubled (in nominal values) over the …
The Cotton Research and Promotion Program welcomes USDA’s announcement of the Great American Cotton Plan and its support for the Plant Not Plastic initiative. This effort is essential not only to strengthening the U.S. cotton industry, but also to advancing meaningful progress in human and environmental health. USDA’s announcement states, “Nearly 70 percent of the world’s textile fibers are now …
Articles in this month’s issue include: Cotton Jassid Update (Phillip Roberts) Plant Bug Management (Phillip Roberts) June Cotton Irrigation Update (Wes Porter) Sulfur Considerations for Georgia Cotton Production (Doug Amaral) Early-season Growth and the Squaring Stage (John Snider, Comfort Adegbenro, Amit Godara, and Camp Hand) Evaluating Cotton Stands and Varieties entering June (Camp Hand) Residual at-plant herbicides pack a punch …
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council (NCC) commends Secretary Brooke Rollins and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement today of the Great American Cotton Plan and welcomes the support of America’s cotton farmers. NCC also thanks President Trump and congressional leaders for the cotton and tax provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and other recent actions …
May 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Georgia Cotton Commission Welcomes USDA’s Great American Cotton Plan View the Great American Cotton Plan Here Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced The Great American Cotton Plan, an initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the cotton industry. The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) applauds Secretary Rollins’ announcement and is appreciative …
(MEMPHIS, TN) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 10 producer members, 10 producer alternate members, four importer members, seven alternate members and one advisor to serve three-year terms on the Cotton Board from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. Additionally, USDA appointed four individuals to fill board vacancies. Newly appointed members: John Newby, …
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) publishes weekly “Commitment of Traders” (COT) data on the positions of index funds and hedge funds in agricultural futures markets (Figure 1). The changes in these speculative futures positions have near term value in explaining fluctuations in ICE cotton futures. For roughly two years, the hedge fund (or “non-commercial” or “managed money”) speculative position has …
Articles in this month’s issue include: Cotton Market Update: Understanding the Recent Surge in Cotton Prices (Dr. Jody Campiche, National Cotton Council) Strategies for Managing High Fertilizer Costs in Cotton Production (Doug Amaral) Cotton, Peanut, and Soybean Insect Scout Schools (Phillip Roberts) Grasshoppers: An Unpredictable Pest (Phillip Roberts) Stand Establishment (John Snider and Camp Hand) Early Season Irrigation Requirements for …
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created volatility in fertilizer prices. While the duration of the conflict is hard to predict, the prolonged rise in energy prices (crude oil and natural gas) can have an impact on the price that U.S. agriculture producers pay for fertilizer. In turn, this can impact farm profitability at a time when margins …
On May 6th, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a number of bills related to agriculture, forestry, and natural resources into law at an event in Monroe County. These included HB 1310, introduced by Representatives Jaclyn Ford (170th – Alapaha), Robert Dickey (144th – Musella), Steven Meeks (178th – Screven), Angie O’Steen (169th – Ambrose), Al Williams (168th – Midway), and …
In their April 8, 2026, Southern Ag Today article, Will Maples and Wendiam Sawadgo explained why futures markets matter for producers. Futures markets help farmers manage price risk, but speculators also play a useful role. Speculators add liquidity and take the “other side” of hedges, assuming price risk. But there is a second question worth asking. What happens when large amounts …
May 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE This summer, certified producer/producer interest organizations will caucus to nominate individuals to represent Georgia producers to serve as directors and alternates on the board of Cotton Incorporated, delegates and alternates to the National Cotton Council of America, and directors on the board of Southern Cotton Growers. Each of these organizations serves cotton producers and the …