TCGA Members Adjust To New Challenges

Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association (TCGA) members know how to adapt. No matter how unusual the production environment or number of issues, this organization usually finds a way to adjust quickly. Not surprisingly, members had plenty to talk about at TCGA’s Summer Meeting recently at the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas:

  • After the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley regions received record rainfall in May, it is apparent that some gins in those areas won’t be operating this year.
  • Conversely, beneficial rains in other parts of Texas have ended drought conditions – meaning the outlook is promising for both dryland and irrigated cotton acreage.
  • For the first time since 1984, TCGA will raise its membership dues from 10 cents per bale to 15 cents per bale. The TCGA board of directors approved the increase to help improve the financial condition of the organization.
  • TCGA continues to fight regulatory battles with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The current case involves OSHA efforts to mandate hearing regulations for two Texas gins. TCGA is assisting those gins with their legal fees.
A large crowd attended TCGA’s general session at the summer meeting in Austin, Texas.
A large crowd attended TCGA’s general session at the summer meeting in Austin, Texas.

“We certainly discussed a wide range of issues at our meeting,” says TCGA executive vice president Tony Williams. “Our organization is optimistic and hopeful about the size of the crop our farmers can deliver this year – even though we know that some areas couldn’t even plant.”

Crop Potential Looks Good
In one of his reports to the TCGA Board of Directors, Williams presented data that supports the idea that a large cotton crop is possible this year – despite lower planted acreage statewide. The latest USDA crop report pegs cotton acreage in Texas at 5.2 million acres. That is a reduction of one million acres compared to 2014.

However, Williams pointed out to the membership that planted acreage in Texas was 4.9 million acres in 2007. Harvested acres amounted to 4.7 million acres that year, resulting in a total yield of 8.2 million bales.

That wound up being the second largest Texas cotton crop in history, and it was accomplished on fewer than five million planted acres.

“That tells me that there is a lot of potential for an excellent crop this year,” says Williams.

Optimistic Members

Tony Williams and new TCGA president Ken Ross planned an effective program for the membership. “We are hoping our farmers can have excellent conditions for finishing out this cotton crop,” Williams says.
Tony Williams and new TCGA president Ken Ross planned an effective program for the membership. “We are hoping our farmers can have excellent conditions for finishing out this cotton crop,” Williams says.

The program agenda for committee meetings and the general session was busy, but Williams says the mood was positive – despite new issues facing the organization.

Speakers at the general session included Texas state senator Charles Perry, Texas comptroller Glenn Hegar, Texas A&M University professor Calvin Parnell and National Cotton Council Bale Packaging manager Dale Thompson.

Williams says the main business of TCGA for the next few months will be devoted to district and safety meetings, as well as updating the organization’s Red Book, which maintains a current listing for all TCGA member gins.

“We’ll have a busy summer and fall ahead of us,” says Williams. “But, generally speaking, I feel good about what we accomplished at our summer meeting. We are dealing with our problems head-on. Mainly, though, we hope our farmers can have excellent conditions for finishing this cotton crop.”

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