As we enter full swing for defoliation and harvest on the 2026 cotton crop, we should probably reflect first on how we got to this point. Thank goodness, in 2026 you all got us back over 1 million acres planted. Planting was something of a roller coaster (too dry, followed by too wet), and then some parts of Georgia turned …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2026 Contact: Marjory Walker mwalker@cotton.org 901-274-9030 NCC Statement on U.S. – China Board of Trade Outcomes MEMPHIS, Tenn.  – The National Cotton Council appreciates the Trump Administration’s efforts to improve trade relations between the United States and China and welcomes the inclusion of cotton among the products identified for potential tariff adjustments. “Efforts to reduce …

It’s officially fall, and by the time you read this you may have already harvested your first field of cotton for the year, which means it won’t be long before it’s time to plant cover crops. With so many different types of covers/species/cultivars/mixes floating around now, it’s worth digging into how to make sure you are selecting the correct species …

My interest in entomology began in high school through FFA, where I first learned how much insects can influence agricultural production and became interested in helping farmers manage the problems they cause. I competed in the FFA entomology and creed speaking contests and was selected as a national agriscience finalist to present a research project—experiences that ultimately led me to …

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council (NCC) celebrates the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act (BACA) reaching 100 congressional co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, Representative James Gallagher (R-CA) became the 100th House co-sponsor of the legislation. This achievement is the latest sign of growing momentum for the bill in Congress. BACA is one of only two newly …

Harvest season is upon us again. While we are not into harvest fully, it will not be long. As we move into full harvest season there are few considerations for both our machines and safety so that we are ready. First I would start with equipment maintenance. We could focus most of a newsletter on the maintenance of the machine, …

Authors: Bart L. Fischer, Joe L. Outlaw, Henry L. Bryant, Hank R. Nelson, Natalie G. Stewart, J. Marc Raulston, Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. The ARC/PLC election & enrollment for 2026 is now live through December 11. You can access AFPC’s decision tool here. Earlier this week, USDA announced (link) that the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and …

Articles in this month’s issue include: 1. A Win for Deer Herd Management is a Win for Growers (Camp Hand) 2. 5Rs of Risk Management: A Framework for Understanding Risk and Resilience (Yangxuan Liu) 3. Cutout and Agronomic Maturity (John Snider, Amit Godara, and Camp Hand) 4. Terminating Insecticide Applications (Phillip Roberts) 5. End of Season Cotton Irrigation Management (Wes …

In late July, the Commodity Commission Ex-Officio Committee met to make appointments to the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors. Morgan County cotton farmer John Ruark, Toombs County cotton farmer Chris Hopkins, and Bulloch County cotton farmer Greg Sikes were each reappointed to another three-year term on the Commission’s board of directors. John Ruark is a multi-generational farmer, and farms …

Authors: Yangxuan Liu, Associate Professor, University of Georgia; Michael R Langemeier, Professor, Purdue University The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changes how U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) payment limitations apply to different farm business structures. On June 2, 2026, USDA released the final rule (link) explaining how this provision will be administered beginning with the 2026 program year. Prior …

PERRY/TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams, will co-sponsor a joint research field day on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Tifton, Georgia. The field day will start at 8:00 a.m. at the University of Georgia Lang Farm located at 230 Rigdon Aultman Road, Tifton, Georgia. After a …

The Senate Agriculture Committee is slated to markup The Agricultural Act of 2026 today (August 6, 2026), bringing Congress one step closer to long-anticipated passage of a new farm bill. During the markup, committee members propose, debate, and vote on amendments to legislation before sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The House passed its version of the farm …