2022 in Review: Making Cotton More Competitive
In 2022, the National Cotton Council (NCC) was very active on matters affecting cotton growers’ competitiveness.
The NCC testified at multiple Congressional hearings about what is working in the current farm law, including crop insurance policy, and what are the needs in upcoming 2023 farm law reauthorization. NCC Chairman Ted Schneider, a Louisiana producer, also appointed an NCC Farm Policy Task Force with representation from the seven segments. This panel is charged with developing our farm bill priorities by early next year.
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2022 Cotton Crop Recap
Cotton harvest in Louisiana is wrapping up and was around 98% completed as of Nov. 4, which is around 10% greater than our five-year average. We couldn’t have asked for better weather during harvest this year. Hot and dry conditions throughout the growing season and excessive rainfall in August resulted in extremely variable yields throughout the state. Average yields for the state are projected to be around 850 lbs. of lint per acre, which is below the 2021 state average.
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House Passes Rail Bill
National Cotton Council Chairman Ted Schneider said the U.S. cotton industry appreciates the House for its approval today of legislation that would force a tentative rail labor agreement and avert a national strike or lockout.
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November 2022 Crop Market Report
This month’s 2022/23 U.S. corn outlook is for higher production, larger feed and residual use, and greater ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 13.930 billion bushels, up 35 million from last month on a 0.4-bushel increase in yield to 172.3 bushels per acre. Feed and residual use is higher based on a larger crop. With supply rising more than use, corn ending stocks are raised 10 million bushels.
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U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Report Shows Increased Acreage and Improved Environmental Performance
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has published its second annual report, detailing the results for the 2021-22 period (August 1st, 2021-July 31st, 2022). The farm-level, science-based sustainability program today reports significant improvements in the sustainability metrics measured; an increase in membership across the value chain; the completion of nine successful pilots; and its growing international recognition by independent and government bodies.
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2023 Beltwide Cotton Consultants Conference
This year’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 10-12 at the New Orleans Marriott. The Cotton Consultants session will be held during the afternoon Jan. 10 and continue the morning of Jan. 11. The session is open to all registered attendees.
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6 American Cotton Farmers Are Making Half a Million Pairs of Luxury Jeans
Marshall Hardwick is chatting with me from his truck, parked in front of his cotton field in Northeast Louisiana. After our call, he’ll begin harvesting the crop. Most years, he has no idea what the cotton will become: a T-shirt or a blanket, perhaps. But in a few months, these particular bolls will be transformed into thousands of pairs of luxury jeans.
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2022 Midsouth Harvest Overview
Despite the many challenges of 2022, the October USDA production forecasts released during harvest did not paint the grim picture many were dreading. For the Midsouth area, average yields of major row crops were down, as most would expect.
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'23 Beltwide Cotton Conferences In New Orleans Offering Insight On Latest Innovative Technology, Research
The 2023 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC), set for January 10-12 at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, La., will offer attendees timely updates on the latest research, technology and issues affecting U.S. cotton production and processing.
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October 2022 Crop Market Update for Corn, Soybeans, Rice, and Cotton
This month’s 2022/23 U.S. corn outlook is for reduced supplies, greater feed and residual use, lower exports and corn used for ethanol, and smaller ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 13.895 billion bushels, down 49 million on a reduction in yield to 171.9 bushels per acre. Corn supplies are forecast at 15.322 billion bushels, a decline of 172 million bushels from last month, as lower production and beginning stocks are partially offset by higher imports.
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USDA Agribusiness Firms Join Growers in Search for More Sustainable Cotton
The Agriculture Department, along with major agribusiness firms and foundations, are joining with U.S. cotton growers in a series of efforts aimed at filling a growing global demand for textiles that can be produced with a much smaller environmental footprint.
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Louisiana Cotton Festival Begins Oct. 14
The Louisiana Cotton Festival will take place Oct. 14-16.
There will be many events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy.
All Cotton Festival events are held at the North Side Civic Center on 704 N. Soileau Street.
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USDA Announces 2023 Upland Cotton Marketing Assistance Loan Rate
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced that the marketing assistance loan rate for 2023-crop base quality upland cotton is 52.00 cents per pound.
Marketing assistance loans provide interim financing to producers so that commodities can be stored upon harvest when market prices are typically low and sold later when price conditions are more favorable.
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NCC Welcomes USDA's Climate Smart Pilot Projects
National Cotton Council Chairman Ted Schneider said the U.S. cotton industry applauds USDA for promoting sustainable farming practices through its Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities — including the new Climate Smart Cotton Program led by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol®.
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Document Damage to Help La. Farm Bureau Help You
As Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation continues to work with agencies and government officials to quantify the losses from August rain events, summer drought, and other weather related losses to this 2022 crop, we have received word from Louisiana’s Farm Service Agency that they are actively documenting the production losses from 2022 natural disasters.
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