I saw an encouraging report recently about the reading habits of young farmers and ranchers, and it made me think about what lies ahead for agriculture. The article was written by Jack Semler of Readex Research. According to this group’s latest poll, 81 percent of young farmers under the age of 44 continue to read printed trade magazines. More amazing is that 74 percent of this group turns to ag magazines and newspapers first and then to their local dealer and retailer when they want new information about ag products, equipment, services or suppliers. I always knew that older farmers were one of the most loyal groups when it came to reading a printed trade publication. But, I had always thought that younger farmers were more tech-savy and not necessarily attracted to printed publications as much as their parents. I must say it’s very good news to know that younger farmers aren’t like...
By this time, you’ve already seen numerous stories about the passing of Dr. Carl Anderson, renowned Texas A&M economist who had a global reputation for analyzing and understanding the cotton market. And there isn’t much we can add to that long list of tributes. This man, who passed away at the age of 83, was a walking encyclopedia and could talk for hours about market trends in cotton. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his generosity and patience whenever we called on him to help us at Cotton Farming magazine. Even during my days at the National Cotton Council (1985-1998), I can remember doing radio interviews with Anderson, and one constant theme always came through. He couldn’t say “no” to any request.
I can remember when the International Cotton Institute opened its doors 20 years ago, and the optimism was high as the American Cotton Shippers Association ventured into a new arena for educating young cotton leaders. There have been different cotton schools through the years that attempted to give instruction to students on how to succeed in the volatile world of cotton trading. But this new school would be different. First, it wouldn’t be a school that lasted a week or two that gave only an elementary view of what goes on...
Every time I have a chance to meet the younger generation of ag leaders in this country, it gives me a good feeling. That’s how I felt recently when I met a small group representing this year’s National Cotton...
When I looked at the weather map recently and saw that a large area of the Texas High Plains was receiving significant rainfall, I thought I was dreaming. The months have turned into years as this region has awaited...
Through the years I've seen plenty of cotton crops that were remarkable and memorable. And the farmers who produced those crops were equally deserving of praise for what they accomplished. When you read our cover story on pages 8...
A few months ago, a significant event occurred in the U.S. cotton industry, and some of us are a bit late in acknowledging just how important it was. Earl Williams, the long-time executive vice president of the California...
There was a time when I was younger that National Agriculture Day didn’t resonate with me the way it does now. I was a city kid growing up in the suburbs of northeast Memphis. I just didn’t have an...
There was a time when I was younger that National Agriculture Day didn’t resonate with me the way it does now. I was a city kid growing up in the suburbs of northeast Memphis. I just didn’t have an...
For many years, you’ve heard me talk about the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis, Tenn., as one of the most informative and entertaining ag events of the year. Last week’s show continued that tradition in many ways....
I couldn’t help but notice some of the reports that were coming out of the recent American Farm Bureau meeting in San Antonio on how journalists cover agriculture in the United States. It was an interesting panel discussion consisting...
Another year has come and gone, and I’m having a hard time dealing with how quickly the calendar moves these days. The seasons seem to run together, and in a blink of an eye we’re looking at Christmas, New...
Sometimes we can observe random acts of kindness in the unlikeliest of ways. That’s what happened to me recently when I received a handwritten note from retired Texas ginner Myrl Mitchell. I have known Myrl for more than 20...
It seems like it was just a few months ago that we were finishing up the 2013 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio, but it’s already time to make preparations for the 2014 conference scheduled for Jan. 6-8 in...
How does a seed company celebrate 90 years of service to the cotton industry? That’s easy. You turn the celebration into a year-long family reunion and let everyone continue to reminisce about an amazing journey that began when patriarch...
