When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed on July 4th, 2025, it marked a turning point for America's cotton farmers after years of economic hardship. But what exactly does this legislation mean for growers across the Cotton Belt, and how did the industry secure these critical policy wins?

In this revealing conversation, Camp Hand hosts three key cotton industry leaders—Taz Smith from the National Cotton Council, Kody Bessent from Plains Cotton Growers, and Taylor Sills from the Georgia Cotton Commission—to break down the groundwork and advocacy that led to this watershed moment. The panel reveals how a unified cotton industry approached Congress with compelling economic data showing hundreds of millions in losses, convincing lawmakers that American agriculture faced an existential threat without significant policy improvements.

The results are substantial: reference prices for seed cotton jumped from 36.7 cents to 46 cents, potentially tripling PLC payments for many producers. Payment limits increased from $125,000 to $155,000 and are now indexed to inflation. Producers gained the flexibility to simultaneously participate in PLC and area-wide insurance coverage—a long-sought change that enhances risk management options. These provisions extend through 2031, providing unprecedented long-term stability.

Yet challenges remain. The first payments under these new programs won't reach farmers until October 2026, creating an immediate cash flow crisis for operations already stretched thin. The panel discusses efforts to secure bridge assistance and the proposed Buy American Cotton Act, which would provide tax incentives to boost demand for U.S. cotton amid intensifying global competition from Brazil and Australia.

Whether you farm cotton in drought-prone Texas, hurricane-threatened Georgia, or anywhere across the Cotton Belt, you'll want to attend one of the National Cotton Council's upcoming educational sessions this September. With complex decisions ahead about base acre updates and program participation, these regional meetings offer crucial guidance to maximize your benefits under this landmark legislation. Dates and locations for these meetings can be found at this link: https://www.cotton.org/news/releases/2025/ncc-farm-bill-meetings.cfm

Listen now to understand how the cotton industry's remarkable unity delivered this policy victory and what you need to know to navigate the road ahead.

Drs. Guy Collins (NCSU), Keith Edmisten (NCSU), Sudeep Sidhu (UF), and Josh Lee (AU) join host Camp Hand (UGA) to discuss planting conditions, acreage reduction, and crop management during a challenging 2024 season. Weather patterns, market pressures, and management strategies dominate the conversation as experts share insights on navigating the lowest cotton acreage since the early 1990s.

• North Carolina experienced good early planting conditions followed by wet, cool weather that prevented many acres from being planted
• Georgia and Florida faced similar patterns with favorable April planting followed by persistent May rainfall that delayed field operations
• Alabama growers battled relentless rain, especially in northern regions, pushing planting dates into June
• Cotton acreage is down dramatically – Georgia likely 750,000-850,000 acres (vs USDA's 1 million estimate)
• North Carolina acreage approximately 40% lower than 2023, around 250,000 acres
• Many unplanted acres went to prevented planting rather than alternative crops
• Current crop condition is generally good though behind normal development schedule
• Specialists recommend efficient management through timely PGR applications, reduced nitrogen rates, and strict adherence to pest thresholds
• August rainfall will be the most critical factor for determining final yields
• Growers advised to avoid untested specialty products and focus on proven management practices in this low-price environment

Drs. Shelley Pate-Kerns (Louisiana State University), Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State University), Zachary Treadway (University of Arkansas), Tyson Raper (University of Tennessee), and Bradley Wilson (University of Missouri) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the status of the Mid-South Cotton Crop. Discussions include planting conditions and planted acres, current situation, and the crop outlook. 

Drs. Randy Norton (University of Arizona), Ken Lege (Texas A&M AgriLife), Jenny Dudak (Oklahoma State University), Logan Simon (Kansas State University), and Benjamin McKnight (Texas A&M AgriLife) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the crop in the Southwestern portion of the cotton belt. Discussions included planting conditions, planted acres, crop condition, and outlook for the season. 

Drs. Jesse Daystar (Chief Sustainability Officer, Cotton Inc.) and Richard Venditti (Professor, Dept. of Forest Biomaterials at NC State) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss plastic leakage, particularly as it pertains to microplastic contamination in the environment and our bodies. Conversations revolve around the sustainability of cotton and how polyester is the main source of microplastic contamination around the world. For those wanting additional resources, those can be found below:

Cotton Today - https://cottontoday.cottoninc.com/

Cotton and Coffee: Sustainability Update - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTu2z8h2OQg

Entomologists Drs. Ray Frisbie (Texas A&M), Ron Smith (Auburn University), Phillip Roberts (University of Georgia), and agronomist Dr. Steve Brown (Auburn University) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the history and importance of the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) and its eradication. Discussions surround the boll weevil and its management prior to eradication, controversy surrounding eradication during the early days, changes in cotton growth and management following eradication, and update on current boll weevil eradication efforts in South Texas and Northern Mexico. 

Extension Cotton Specialists Drs. Ken Lege (Texas A&M Agrilife), Tyson Raper (University of Tennssee), and Mike Jones (Clemson University) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss ways that growers across the cotton belt are adjusting production strategies with the difficult economic situation facing the farm in 2025. Conversations revolve around reducing current inputs (seeding rates, fertility) or changing production strategies entirely (ELS/conventional cotton) and associated challenges with that decision. 

Drs. Keith Edmisten and Camp Hand, cotton specialists at North Carolina State University and the University of Georgia, respectively, join host Dr. Steve Brown to discuss the economic situation facing agricultural producers throughout the US, along with the impacts of hurricanes on cotton production, specifically discussing the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September. 

Byron Cole, Deputy Director of the Grading Division, and Greg Townsend, Area Director of the Visalia Cotton Classing Office, join host Steve Brown to discuss the USDA Cotton Classing System, including 

• Some of the history behind the System
• The processes and diligence of delivering consistent, repeatable analysis of samples within and across Classing Offices
• The actual how-to's of classing
•  HVI versus the old way
• Year-to-year challenges and efficiencies 
•  Extraneous Matter
• Differences between upland and Pima classification
• Possible future improvements

Dr. Wes Porter, Extension Ag Engineer at the University of Georgia, joins host Steve Brown to talk about the JD roll picker, with a few thoughts about the comparable stripper version. We discuss a little history about the concept and talk about advancements in capabilities of these remarkable machines. We specifically address how to calibrate the module handling system and the possible uses of the resulting data.