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
House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson is pushing a “Farm Bill 2.0.”
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
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.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Smaller U.S. production and steady global demand could provide better pricing opportunities in 2026.
More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.