WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new Great American Cotton Plan to improve cotton demand, rebuild textile manufacturing, and address years of financial pressure on growers.
The department says cotton producers face a fifth straight year of negative returns, with projected losses of about $2.6 billion across 9 million planted acres. USDA also says the number of U.S. cotton gins has fallen from 2,254 in 1980 to 446.
The plan includes four main areas: promoting domestic cotton use, increasing domestic demand and production, improving trade, and protecting growers from risk.
USDA will elevate its “Plant Not Plastic” initiative, promote American cotton over synthetic fibers, prioritize cotton processors through Rural Development loans, and increase textile mill assistance from 3 cents to 5 cents per pound.
The department also points to trade work with Indonesia and Bangladesh, expanded insurance tools, and a higher seed cotton reference price beginning this fall.
Farm-Level Takeaway: USDA’s cotton plan aims to rebuild demand, expand markets, and support growers facing sustained losses.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Lower shipping costs alone will not restore export competitiveness.
March 31, 2026 08:00 AM
·
The five-day auction drew up to 6,000 people and saw steady prices throughout the event
March 30, 2026 04:58 PM
·
The USDA’s upcoming reports will drop on Tuesday afternoon, giving the trade real results on acreage shifts, drought concerns, and ongoing trade tensions, adding uncertainty for U.S. farmers.
March 30, 2026 01:59 PM
·
Expanded access could boost demand for U.S. exports.
March 30, 2026 11:41 AM
·
Corn Refiners Association VP Kristy Goodfellow offered insight into the Feeding the Economy Report’s key findings, showing the breadth of agriculture’s economic impact and the challenges ahead.
March 27, 2026 03:32 PM
·
Brooks York with AgriSompo addresses how current market conditions and risk management are impacted by volatility in the Middle East, and considerations for farmers in the spring planting season.
March 26, 2026 02:57 PM
·
