Cotton growers had a rough go last season but it is all eyes ahead in the new year.
James Bookhart, a technical agronomist with Deltapine, says the crop and farmers showed extreme resiliency last season.
“We had an absolutely challenging year with about eight weeks with no rainfall. Cotton looked pitiful. Then we had to direct hits with tropical storms, so an extremely challenging year, and lo and behold, our cotton crop exceeded expectations tremendously. So just the nature of the cotton plant and why we grow cotton in the southeastern United States, I think, was really emphasized in 2024.”
Weather was a major player last season, and with potentially more on the way, Bookhart says versatility is key.
“We don’t know whether we’re going to have that wet year or dry year for that matter. So we need products that will perform in a wide range of environments. So that would be my suggestion. Talk to me, talk to your experts in the field, and make sure you protect yourself and really are prepared for a challenging environment with the varieties that you choose.”
Since the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, cotton growers have seen their production costs go up by nearly 30 percent. Analysts say this year’s input costs likely will not provide much support.
With core input inflation still hovering high, growers and retailers should plan pricing and promotions with tighter margins in mind — target early sales, leverage bundle deals, and secure logistics ahead of peak Halloween demand.
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