NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Cotton producers may soon strengthen their financial safety net as new farm legislation allows previously ineligible base acres to return to program eligibility.
Under the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA), producers have a voluntary opportunity to add base acres, including unassigned base created in 2018 when seed cotton replaced generic base.
According to Oklahoma State University Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor Amy Hagerman, those unassigned acres were retained by USDA’s Farm Service Agency but excluded from ARC and PLC participation. The legislation allows up to 30 million base acres nationwide to be added back into eligibility.
In 2025, USDA reports 2.51 million unassigned generic base acres alongside 12.31 million seed cotton base acres. The seed cotton reference price also increased from $0.367 to $0.42 per pound. With prices expected to remain pressured, restoring base eligibility may help offset elevated breakeven costs across Southern cotton operations.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Restored base acres strengthen cotton risk protection.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
North Carolina Farmer Trey Braswell joined us to discuss the White House Easter Egg Roll, his company’s continued involvement, and efforts to expand access to eggs nationwide.
April 02, 2026 03:58 PM
·
Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are studying the clouded plant bug, which causes millions of dollars in damage to crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton growing across the state.
April 02, 2026 03:49 PM
·
Rancher and Americans for Prosperity Director Tyler Lindholm breaks down the Wyoming Food Freedom Act, clarifies licensing questions, and discusses the future of local agriculture in the state.
April 02, 2026 03:43 PM
·
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum warns farmers to brace for more losses as the war in Iran sends shockwaves through the ag economy and raises input costs even further.
April 02, 2026 01:31 PM
·
Margin pressure and competitiveness concerns are shaping cautious outlooks.
April 02, 2026 12:40 PM
·
Leadership closer to western forests may speed decisions impacting timber, land use, and wildfire management.
April 02, 2026 12:07 PM
·
