Less cotton is expected to hit the market this season.
USDA data shows a reduction in the U.S. cotton forecast, contributing to tight ending stocks around the globe.
According to Mark Jekanowski, “Lower harvested area dominates the production change this month and results in about almost a 1.4 million bale reduction in U.S. cotton production. With tighter supplies, we reduced our export forecast half a million bales, and the ending stocks come down about a million bales.”
A big contributor to that drop is an increase in national abandonment rates. USDA boosted the number from 14 to 21%.
A large portion of those acres are in the southwest where dryland acres have seen a major decrease in yield estimates.
Cotton producers may be set to benefit as two of the world’s largest apparel makers agree to merge.
The Gildan active wear and Hanes merger is valued at $4.4 billion. If approved, it will close late this year or early 2026.
The two companies joining forces is expected to increase production efficiencies, expand distribution, and potentially raise demand for U.S.-grown fibers.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
January 13, 2026 03:36 PM
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
·
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.
January 13, 2026 01:31 PM
·
Record corn and sorghum crops boost feed grain supplies, while reduced soybean and cotton production tighten outlooks for oilseeds and fiber markets.
January 13, 2026 12:53 PM
·
Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
January 13, 2026 12:46 PM
·
