Cotton growers are hoping to get their share of the Farm Bill pot.
We spoke with a Texas farmer who tells us while it has been a rough couple of years for cotton, he is optimistic about the current makeup of Congress and those on the ag committees.
“There’s a lot of appetite, I would say, to really come together, work together to enhance the policy that we have on the books today, and really kind of walked along and make sure that the policy that is being developed is substantial. That will help over the next four to five years in the length term of a farm bill process,” said Kody Bessent.
Cotton growers have had a rough go recently, with break-even prices for last year’s cotton around $0.70-$0.80 per pound. Just recently, the National Cotton Council updated planting intentions for this year, down nearly 15 percent from 2024, which comes out to 9.6 million acres. Extra long staple intentions are also down, nearly 25 percent. The Cotton Council says weather and agronomic conditions have led to the updated acres.
While there is a large push to get the Farm Bill done, it could be some time before it has passed. Our sources in Washington tell us it will likely be summer before it sees any action.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
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Wind repowering offers a rare opportunity to renegotiate outdated leases and improve long-term land income for landowners who act early.
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Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana discusses how the Affordable Homes Act will benefit rural communities, and her broader efforts to improve access to affordable housing.
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Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
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NEFB President Mark McHargue recaps the Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention, producer sentiment in Nebraska, and discusses key issues facing agriculture.
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Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
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House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
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From “right to repair” to investigations into the “Big Four” meatpackers, antitrust issues were a major legal topic in 2025 and promise to have a long-term impact on the agriculture industry in the future.
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