Cotton Grower

Dr. O.A. Cleveland, Extension cotton economist with Mississippi State University, spent 50 years writing his weekly cotton marketing column for the benefit of America’s farmers. Eyeing retirement, last month he signed off on his last submission. O.A. joins the podcast to reminisce on an impactful career in America’s cotton industry. Barnes is Business Director of Southern Crops at Meister Media Worldwide. He joined the publication staff in May 2008. See all author stories here.

For row crop producers across the nation, late winter and early spring are key seasonal windows for fertilizer sourcing. Just as producers are making their final cropping decisions for the coming planting season, they will also think about plant and soil nutrition. But in 2026, this final run-up to planting was packed with a confluence of circumstances that made fertilizer sourcing an especially painful undertaking.

On the latest episode of the Cotton Companion, Cotton Grower sat down with American Cotton Shippers Association President Buddy Allen to discuss the USDA’s Great American Cotton Plan and whether it represents a major shift in federal cotton policy. Rather than focusing solely on helping producers recover from market challenges, Allen shared why he believes the industry’s attention is turning toward addressing the root cause by building long-term demand for U.S. cotton.

India’s appetite for imported cotton is growing, while cost and the need for quality fiber will influence its imports. China and India are both leading cotton and textile producers, while cotton-made goods from India are a major export item for India. India’s cotton demand depends on the macroeconomic picture, trade agreements with major importers like the United States, the EU, and the United Kingdom, as well as its domestic consumption.

The numbers say growers will plant 210,000 acres more than they said they intended to plant back in March. USDA’s Acreage report is the first estimate of actual acres planted. If realized, acreage will be up over half a million acres, or 6% higher than last year. Today’s estimate of acres planted is higher than earlier “intentions” in only eight of 17 states. That’s a little surprising to me given the run-up that cotton price has made since back in April.

American agriculture is built on a foundation of innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to feeding and clothing the world. In its July issue, Cotton Grower Magazine celebrates these values through its special “Made in the USA” campaign, spotlighting companies and products that continue to drive progress across the Cotton Belt.

United States President Donald Trump formally asked Congress for $11.1 billion in additional farm aid to American producers struggling with high input costs stemming from the Iran war, according to reports. The request came in the form of a June 24 letter from the Office of Management and Budget addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson. The new round of supplemental aid would add to the nearly $12 billion in funding already dispersed from the administration to American farmers in 2026.

It is difficult to sit in the chair today, with December futures trading at 75-76 cents. I have procrastinated as long as I can in trying to get the market above 80 cents. I again suggest growers seek protection on any movement above the 79-80 cent level. It is with heavy heart that I inform you that this will be my final weekly cotton market report. I have published Cotton Marketing Weekly for more than 50 years.

Cotton traded a short week as the market closure on Friday was in favor of the Juneteenth holiday. Yet, recent trading was marked by a week-long plus period of rising prices. Finally, the market was able to rise into the upper level of the trading zone. While the 80-cent mark has remained elusive, prices have risen to within a few points of that mark, 79.84, and settled the week at 79.67. Thus, the market sits just below the 50-day moving average, giving the bulls some hope for higher prices.

The National Cotton Council (NCC) welcomes the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee’s release of a Farm Bill 2.0 discussion draft and urges strong bipartisan support for this proposal as it advances through the Senate. “We appreciate Chairman Boozman for developing this discussion draft during a critical time on our farms,” said NCC Chairman Nathan Reed.