2024 In Review: Cotton Industry Rising to the Challenge
Prior to and throughout 2024, the National Cotton Council (NCC) focused its efforts on shaping policies for a new farm bill.
The NCC has been proactive in communicating its priorities to Congress and the Administration, advocating for a meaningful farm bill that includes an effective safety net and comprehensive risk management tools.
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Cotton Market Shows Life As March Contract Period Begins
Strong export sales, coupled with the beginning of the December contract’s expiry, brought life to the cotton market. The expiring December contract had a limit and near limit-up move as December futures gave way to the March contract as the nearby trading contract.
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Louisiana Crop Production Report: November 8, 2024
Louisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, unchanged from the October 1 forecast but down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of November 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Producers expect to harvest 445,000 acres of corn for grain, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
Upland cotton production is forecast at 310,000 bales, up 10,000 bales from the October 1 forecast and 101,000 bales above last year.
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Export Sales Of US Cotton Improve In Fact Of Lagging Demand
While export sales of U.S. cotton are slightly improved, demand continues to lag USDA estimates. More importantly, there is little to no evidence of any improvement in demand during the coming six months. Thus, December futures will likely trade in the 67-72 cent area through January-February 2025.
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Trust Protocol Annual Report: Record Growth, Reinforced Commitment To Sustainability And Traceability
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a leading program for responsibly grown cotton, has released its 2023/24 Annual Report, showcasing record grower participation and notable strides in environmental stewardship.
The report highlights the program’s progress in driving transparency and continuous improvement across the cotton supply chain, even amidst a challenging economic climate for growers.
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U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Achieves Record Growth, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Practices and Traceability
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a leading program for responsibly grown cotton, today released its 2023/24 Annual Report, showcasing record grower participation and notable strides in environmental stewardship. The report highlights the program’s progress in driving transparency and continuous improvement across the cotton supply chain, even amidst a challenging economic climate for growers.
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Demand Issues Keep Driving Cotton’s Four Cent Trading Range
Cotton muddled through the week, spending most of its time near its heretofore support level at 71 cents. It appears that the market will try again to break that support and visit the very high 60s before making a run back to the 74-cent level. Thus, the narrow four cent trading range between 70.50 and 74.50 continues to be the most respected trading range.
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2025 Beltwide Cotton Conference Comes To New Orleans
The National Cotton Council and its cooperating partners welcome all to the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences January 14 through 16 (Tuesday- Thursday) at the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA. Three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands on workshops and seminars are designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.
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Louisiana Crop Market Update: October 2024
The 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook calls for smaller supplies, larger exports, and reduced ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2024/25 are 52 million bushels lower based on the Grain Stocks report. Corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up 17 million from last month on a 0.2-bushel increase in yield to 183.8 bushels per acre. Harvested area for grain is unchanged at 82.7 million acres. Total use is raised slightly to 15.0 billion bushels reflecting greater exports.
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Louisiana Crop Production: October 11, 2024
Louisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, down 1 percent from September 1 forecast and down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of October 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Harvested acreage for grain is estimated at 445,000 acres, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
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Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network Senior Farm Broadcaster Is Named King Cotton
For Don Molino, serving as this year’s King Cotton is a great honor.
He said, “When you look at people who have been King Cotton in the past, I’m in pretty dadgum good company. It’s something I didn’t expect. It came out of the blue. This is great.”
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Despite Hurricane Helene, Cotton Prices Locked In Low 70 Cent Range
We keep trying to push the market higher, but economic conditions continue to fight that effort. Despite that, the market did spend most of its time trading at the upper end of the price range established back in June. Thus, the bulls cannot really complain, despite not getting any momentum from the hurricane.
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Queen Cotton LXIX Amelia Claire Mickal
“I want to represent cotton in the agriculture industry in Louisiana and show people the importance and history of the cotton industry,” proclaims Queen Cotton LXIX Amelia Claire Mickal.
Mickal, the 21-year-old daughter of Tim and Colleen Mickal of Lafayette and granddaughter of Dr. Don and Bonnie Mickal, Audrey McBride and the late Michael H. McBride, is a 2021 graduate of St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette. She is currently a student at SLCC (South Louisiana Community College), where she is pursuing a degree in business management with a goal of working in International Business in Louisiana Agriculture.
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McElwee is Crowned Queen Cotton LXX
The 70th Louisiana Cotton Festival held its annual Queen’s Pageant at the Northside Civic Center on Saturday, September 21. In the top left photo, Emma Rose McElwee, daughter of Archie and Melissa McElwee of Many, was crowned Queen Cotton LXX by outgoing Queen Cotton LXIX Amelia Claire Mickal as contestants Laken Hodge and Ashley Gorrell look on. Also at the pageant, Le Roi et La Reine of Heritage Manor were crowned. Clanis Freeman, 54 of Lafayette, was crowned Le Roi.
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Bulls Pushing For Cotton Rally, But Bears Continue To Lurk
Some say just two, but USDA has now given the market three consecutive bullish supply demand reports. Both world and U.S. stocks have come down to very manageable levels. New York is some six cents off its lows and has now ventured into the expected 72-75 cent trading range.
Yet, this market has bears lurking around every corner.
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