Cotton Growers: Farmers need the Farm Bill

Congress will return to Washington on Tuesday, where they will consider the Farm Act. With no Farm Bill on the books, it was introduced to give farmers financial help.

Cotton growers say farmers need the support.

“And so we want to provide kind of a three-legged stool to bridge some of this gap moving forward from financial assistance to help mend the ag community, so we can continue to be helpful in developing food and fiber in the near term to come, and not have attrition if we do not see any of these avenues move forward. We see one stool that is lagging, and we will see attrition in the industry, be it producers or infrastructure at that most and that’s that’s unacceptable at this point,” said Kody Bessent.

The Farm Act could cost as much as $21 billion, which some analysts say will be a tough sell. Some lawmakers say the hefty price tag could complicate Farm Bill talks, which are still in progress.

Related Stories
As ag lawmakers in the Senate await the House vote on the Farm Bill, they are eager to discuss the challenges farmers face before it is their turn to take up the critical legislation.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
The bill has already cleared the House Agriculture Committee and is headed toward a full House vote, but the timeline for final passage remains unclear. But the question is, when exactly? Could it possibly be a nice little gift for Easter?
UNL student fellow Alison Walbrecht shares her perspective on building support for agricultural research, extension, and teaching while gaining hands-on insight into federal policymaking.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

After years of battling misinformation online, Potatoes USA is using artificial intelligence to monitor and respond to false claims about the industry.
We highlight an Iowa FFA student who is harnessing the power of AI technology to assess stress in agriculture-related careers.
API said it stands ready to work with Congress to develop a balanced approach to E15 legislation that promotes fuel choice, supports investment certainty, and contributes to a stable and fair marketplace for American consumers.
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.