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.
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 PM
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RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
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RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
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The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
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A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
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Agronomy experts explain why standing crop residue protects soil and reduces costs for crop growers, while shredding often yields little benefit at higher costs.
January 14, 2026 08:00 AM
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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
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