The Cotton Research and Promotion Program (the Program) has received a report card, of sorts, providing strong evidence of a remarkable return on the industry’s investment.
The report shows the Program is enhancing revenue, improving profitability for growers and importers, and helping reduce the costs of government commodity programs.
Read MoreThe May NY/ICE contract tested the lower end of its range between 78 and 88 cents/lb, which has held values since November. After failing to break below 80 cents/lb in the middle of February, prices rebounded to levels near 85 cents/lb. before the end of last month and have traded between 82 and 85 cents/lb through early March.
Read MoreScientists with the LSU AgCenter annually evaluate cotton varieties in official variety trials (OVTs) at several locations across the state. Cotton varieties are managed using practices that follow LSU AgCenter recommendations and demonstrate commercial operations as closely as possible. All entries in the trials are replicated four times, and results are compiled for average performance after one or two years of testing.
Read MoreLaunched in 2020, the Trust Protocol was designed to set a new standard in making U.S. cotton more sustainably grown. However, producers enrolled in the Trust Protocol can realize another benefit — they are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which will provide technical and financial assistance to 1,650 U.S. cotton producers with acres available for Climate Smart practice changes.
Read MoreWith cotton planting just around the corner, now is a great time to review a few, key recommendations to ensure the 2023 season gets off to a great start. In Louisiana, cotton is generally planted mid-April to mid-May, but planting decisions should be based on soil temperature and not the calendar. Early planting is a key component of successful cotton production; however, if planted too early, yield potential can be reduced. Before deciding to plant, it is important to consider factors such as soil temperature and heat units (DD60s).
Read MoreCotton Incorporated announces the appointment of William Kimbrell as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. This new position was created by Cotton Incorporated’s Board of Directors following the current President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Berrye Worsham’s retirement announcement effective December 2024. The position is in alignment with Cotton Incorporated’s Succession Plan toward the transition to be potentially named President and CEO, which requires a Board vote in December 2024.
Read MoreIn areas of the state that predominately raise cotton, a typical rotation includes soybeans and corn. Although farmers like to keep cotton in the mix, sometimes it’s difficult to do when the price drops and input costs increase. One potential solution is to grow cotton on 60-inch rows instead of Louisiana’s popular 38-inch row configuration.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture held its Agriculture Outlook Forum Feb. 23-24 in Washington, D.C. The forum provides a forecast for the 2023 crop year.
Matt Foster, LSU AgCenter state specialist for cotton, corn and grain sorghum, was a featured speaker at the forum and discussed Louisiana cotton. He started by looking back over the previous decade.
Read MoreThe U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol reminds growers to enroll and complete data entry for their 2022 crop as the March 31, 2023, deadline quickly approaches.
Launched in 2020, the Trust Protocol was designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. Producers enrolled in the Trust Protocol are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which will provide technical and financial assistance to 1,650 U.S. cotton farmers with acres available for Climate Smart practice changes.
Read MoreFrom walking the fields with farmer Cecil Parker in Vidalia and working alongside longtime LSU AgCenter Agent Glen Daniels while a student at Vidalia High and Copiah-Lincoln, Matt Foster is now representing the state of Louisiana as an LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor and cotton, corn and grain sorghum specialist.
Foster will be a featured speaker at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Outlook Forum on Friday in Washington D.C.
Read MoreKody Beavers and Louisiana State University AgCenter are the 2023 recipients of the Agricultural Achievement Award.
The award is presented each year to a farming operation and university that have worked together cooperatively to promote innovation, efficiency, quality, safety, conservation, and environmental practices. The award is presented at the Southern Cotton Ginners Association annual meeting.
Read MoreLSU AgCenter’s cotton, corn and grain sorghum specialist Matt Foster will be a featured speaker at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Outlook Forum on Feb. 23-24 in Washington, D.C.
Foster will provide an overview of cotton research and production in Louisiana, and focus on advances in biotechnology, which are enhancing cotton production.
Read MoreU.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.4 million cotton acres this spring, down 17.0 percent from 2022, according to the National Cotton Council’s 42nd Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.
Read MoreLouisiana US Senator Bill Cassidy joined Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in pressing Chinese fast fashion company SHEIN for answers and calling for increased transparency following reports that its products are made with cotton from Chinese slave labor.
Read MoreNortheast Louisiana crop consultant Hank Jones has been honored as the 2022 Cotton Consultant of the Year.
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