Cotton production can be financially stressful and for many cotton producers in Oklahoma and Texas, the 2022 crop was a disappointment. Price and yield prospects withered like cooked cabbage as the hot and dry growing season wore on. However, it is not too early to be thinking about plans for the 2023 cotton crop with most of the short crop harvest just behind us. 

The visionary cotton producers who formed the Cotton Research and Promotion Program in the 1960s knew that to stay relevant in our industry they had to come together to tell the story of U.S. cotton.

Over the years, the story of cotton’s advantages over synthetic fibers has evolved, expanded and become multi-faceted with different messages targeting different audiences. One of the most important messages recently has been that U.S. cotton farmers are committed to sustainability and continuous improvement on their farms.

The Cotton Board has promoted Emily Wyonzek to Vice President of Operations for the organization.

Bill Gillon, President and CEO of The Cotton Board, stated, “Emily has demonstrated the kind of dedication, management skills, and commitment to innovation that are the hallmarks of successful leaders. Among other things, she has directed the Human Resource operations of The Cotton Board, managed our four Regional Communications Managers, and helped guide the strategic priorities of the organization. Specifically, along with our Director of Communications, Emily and her team have used the Cotton & Coffee platform and strong Cotton Incorporated tour participation to ensure producer stakeholders in the Cotton Research and Promotion Program are more aware of the great work being done by Cotton Incorporated.”

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.

For 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.