Cotton prices in 2022 were like a roller coaster ride, including increased volatility and the highest price achieved for the past decade. Multiple rapid market rallies in the cotton market were observed in 2022, followed by a quick withdrawal of speculative money, resulting in an immediate plunge in cotton prices after the rally.
Read MoreThe assistance, included in the FY23 omnibus spending package, includes US$3.74bn for disaster assistance for US ranchers and farmers, including cotton and other row crop producers.
Schneider, a Louisiana producer, said the industry appreciates that the package includes $15.45m for cotton pest management activities, $4m for USDA’s cotton classing laboratories, and increased funding for cotton genetics and fibre quality research programmes within the Agriculture Research Service.
Read MoreThe 26th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference, the Southern Soybean & Corn Conference, the Delta States Irrigation Conference and the Southern Precision Ag Conference are headed to Baton Rouge, LA. The conferences are sponsored by Cotton Incorporated and US Rice Producers Association.
Read MoreFor most of my childhood, I grew up about 10 miles west of Vidalia, Louisiana, where the Mississippi River bridge crossed over to Natchez, Mississippi. But when I was about 2 years old, we actually lived in Vidalia for a couple years in a little eggplant-colored house close to the levee. Later on, the houses on that side of the street were torn down to make way for the new bridge that was completed in 1988. So, then there were two — eastbound and westbound.
Read MoreWhen drought conditions set in across Louisiana this summer, many farmers resorted to irrigation to try to save their crops. While it helped preserve yields and quality in some cases, the sharp uptick in irrigation raised an alarm among those who monitor water usage in agriculture.
Read MoreLouisiana cotton production and yields were both higher in November while sugarcane production and yield were both down.
Read MoreThe 2022 Cotton On-Farm Demonstrations spreadsheet provides a summary of the core block demonstrations at nine locations identified by parish.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreCotton 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.
Read MoreNational 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreMarshall 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.
Read MoreDespite 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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