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
Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us with an update on the historic winter storm impacts and his outlook on today’s ag markets.
January 27, 2026 02:39 PM
·
The West Carroll Parish Ag Expo represents more than farming — it is about the future of agriculture, where tradition meets innovation, and where the backbone of Northeast Louisiana continues to thrive.
January 27, 2026 12:31 PM
·
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
January 27, 2026 12:19 PM
·
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
January 27, 2026 11:51 AM
·
New rule speeds leasing and permitting for federal oil and gas development
January 27, 2026 11:17 AM
Auction manager and West Texas A&M University student Presley Graves joined us to discuss the growth of StockShowAuctions.com and its impact on youth in agriculture.
January 27, 2026 06:00 AM
·
