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.
Rising protein demand supports long-term trade in feed and meat.
March 15, 2026 05:00 AM
·
Vive’s Art Graves shared insights on the new Phobos FC 360 foliar fungicide, its advantages for Canadian growers, early performance results, and the company’s ongoing commitment to advanced crop protection solutions.
March 13, 2026 03:31 PM
·
Kentucky Firefighters Jonathan and Lonny Epley and Extension Agent Leann Martin tell us about a new portable grain bin rescue tool, and its potential to enhance safety for farmers and first responders nationwide.
March 13, 2026 03:03 PM
·
Tennessee Ag in focus: Commissioner Holt shares his farm economy outlook, the TNFB honors a cotton legacy, and TN 4-H and FFA leaders discuss support for the next generation of agriculture in Tennessee.
March 13, 2026 02:46 PM
·
China’s stricter inspection rules prompt Cargill to pause soybean exports from Brazil, briefly lifting U.S. soybean prices as traders anticipate potential shifts in global trade, as export demand remains supportive across all major U.S. commodities.
March 13, 2026 12:57 PM
·
Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum explains how geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East could further tighten fertilizer movement, increase fuel costs, and complicate planting decisions for U.S. farmers this spring.
March 12, 2026 03:57 PM
·
