MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council is pleased to announce the nine U.S. cotton industry members chosen to participate in the NCC’s Emerging Leaders Program for 2026-27. Participants include: PRODUCERS – Broc Cardoza, Tipton, CA; Austin Warbington, Vienna, GA; Charles Williams, Crawfordsville, AR; Carson Vinyard, Altus, OK; GINNER – Haydn Maddox, May, TX; MERCHANT – Diego Lozada, Cordova, TN; …

(Higginsville, MO, April 24, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today in Missouri announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is maximizing disaster assistance support for producers by issuing a second Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) payment to eligible producers who have approved program applications for losses due to natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. USDA’s …

ATLANTA, GA – Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that the deadline for impacted producers to submit applications to the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program has been extended by two weeks to May 11, 2026, at midnight due to the current state of emergency. “We will always do everything in our power to support Georgia farm families when disaster …

Athens, Ga. – April 16, 2026 – The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Georgia USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s Farmers First commitment, members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight …

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – This Tax Day, the National Cotton Council (NCC) is highlighting how the tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provide benefits for cotton growers and the broader rural economy. “At a time when cotton producers are facing continued pressure from high input costs and a challenging economic environment, sound tax policy matters,” said NCC …

Articles in this month’s issue include: Irrigation System Prep and Early Season Water Requirements for Cotton Production (Wes Porter, David Hall, Jason Mallard, Phillip Edwards, and Savannah Beasley) Early Season Disease and Nematode Issues for Cotton Farmers: You Get One Chance (Bob Kemerait) A Few Preplant and At-planting Thoughts for Weed Control (Stanley Culpepper and Jenna Vance) Dry Weather Persists …

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council commends today’s announcement by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlining new actions to advance research and public health efforts related to microplastics in drinking water and the human body. NCC is encouraged by EPA’s decision to designate microplastics as …

For Immediate Release March 26, 2026 Perry, GA – The Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $725,875 in research for the 2027 crop year during the March board meeting. The money will fund 17 projects that will be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and extension specialists. Projects range from funding for the UGA cotton team to research on …

Douglas Amaral, Assistant Professor & Extension Soil Fertility Specialist Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, University of Georgia Cotton production in Georgia has always required careful management of multiple moving pieces such as variety selection, planting conditions, pest pressure, and weather. But one factor that quietly influences every one of those decisions is soil fertility. As the newest soil fertility …

It is remarkable to see how most Georgia farmers have evolved into the ultimate stewards in pesticide use. By ensuring the products they apply go on target and remain there, our farmers are better protecting workers, consumers, pollinators, endangered species, and the environment. Science consistently documents that having access to safe and effective pesticides helps farmers reduce input costs required …

By now, likely everyone has seen the news articles – the last several years have brought up a lot of conservation surrounding pesticide use from a safety and human health perspective. Using pesticide products in a way that’s safe and healthy for applicators, our families, the consumer, and the environment is one of the absolute best ways we can steward …

My path in agriculture was not straightforward. I grew up going to my grandparents’ cattle ranch in south Texas on the weekends. When I was very small, my Pappy would put me in a wheelbarrow to not only keep me somewhat contained, but to keep me safe from the cacti and rattlesnakes. As we walked around, he would talk about …