(NCC) — The National Cotton Council of America looks forward to working again with U.S. Agriculture Secretary appointee Tom Vilsack on matters ranging from sustainable, climate smart agriculture to international trade opportunities and the farm safety net. NCC Chairman Kent Fountain, a Georgia cotton producer and ginner, said, “The U.S. cotton industry believes that Tom Vilsack has the credentials necessary …
USDA Updates Cotton Production Estimates
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its December crop reports today. Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the U.S. cotton production estimate is still down 20% from last year’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 15.9 million 480-pound bales, down 7% from the previous forecast, and down 20% from 2019. All cotton planted totaled 12.1 million acres, unchanged from the previous …
NCC Reminder About CFAP 2 Signup Deadline
The National Cotton Council (NCC) reminds farmers and ranchers that the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) is Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. NCC Vice President of Washington Operations, Reece Langley, encourages producers who have yet to …
National Cotton Harvest Pace Ahead of Average
While cotton harvest continues to lag a bit across the Southeast, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the national harvest pace is ahead of average. USDA notes 96% of the nation’s peanut crop had been harvested as of this past Sunday. With harvest winding down for most crops, Rippey says this is the last crop progress report for 2020. In Alabama, …
Registration Continues for Virtual Beltwide Cotton Conferences
Registration continues for the 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences which will be held virtually January 5 -7. The National Cotton Council reminds those planning to participate in the live-stream event you must register at the event website, cotton.org/beltwide. Registration costs for the 2021 conference have been reduced due to the virtual format, $180 for NCC members, university and USDA researchers, extension personnel, …
Cotton Harvest Picks Up; Peanut Harvest About to Wrap Up
Efforts continue to wrap up both the cotton and peanut harvests. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey notes cotton harvest picked up this past week in most areas. Rippey has the latest look at the nation’s peanut harvest which is close to seeing an end. In Alabama, cotton harvest was 81% complete, while last year it was at 90%. The 5-year average is 83%. As …
NCC Looks at End of Year Priorities
There will be many new faces in both the U.S. House and Senate when the 117th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, 2021. That includes at least 28 new cotton belt members from at least 12 states. But with Congress back in action for the lame duck session, Reece Langley, Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, …
Latest Cotton and Peanut Harvests Details
Efforts continue across the Southeast to move the cotton and peanut harvests along. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest look at cotton harvest activity. But Rippey says the pace of the peanut harvest is still behind the five-year average. In Alabama, cotton harvest was 71% complete, while last year it was at 84% and the 5-year average of 77%. As for the peanut …
GCC Executive Director Reminds Growers They Are Members of Two National Organizations
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds its growers that they are members of the Southern Cotton Growers and National Cotton Council of America. Executive Director Taylor Sills encourages producers to keep up with the communication efforts of both organizations as they tout U.S. cotton. “I just want to remind all of our cotton producers here in the state of Georgia …
Deltapine Breeding Quality Cotton Varieties for Southeast Growers
Deltapine continues to develop and deliver cotton varieties that offer unmatched potential with outstanding yields and fiber quality in every maturity group. And when it comes to 2020, Bayer Crop Science Field Service Representative Al Pearson explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what the crop across his area of South Alabama, North Florida and South Georgia looked like before harvest …