Editor's Note

We’re almost to the end of this long 2013 season, and by the time many of you read this issue of Cotton Farming, we’re hopeful that the cotton crop will have been harvested in a timely fashion – even if it was a couple of weeks late. You might say this was another wild roller coaster ride of a season with unpredictable weather in nearly every region except the West.

By Tommy Horton Editor Sometimes we can learn more about farmers and ginners by spending an entire day with these folks and tracing their steps during a typical work day. In other words, unless we can understand the numerous decisions made...

By Tommy Horton Editor Every now and then, we meet producers who remain steadfastly committed to growing cotton – regardless of how enticing market conditions might seem for another commodity. Make no mistake about it. These farmers aren’t being ruled by...

By Tommy Horton Editor Once a year Cotton Farming devotes an entire issue to water topics that have implications for cotton production across the Belt. And July is certainly an appropriate time for discussion – regardless of where the crop is...

By Tommy Horton Editor Is it really possible for a Democratic senator from Michigan to visit the Mississippi Delta and find common ground with Southern farmers? If you had told me three years ago that this could happen, I wouldn’t have...

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR All it took was a quick trip to south Georgia recently to confirm what I had heard for several months. Cotton production in this part of the Southeast is alive and well. In fact, you might even...

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR When our staff began discussing the theme for this issue of Cotton Farming, we knew that the industry was definitely adapting to a new production environment. Grain prices have continued to stay high, and cotton acres are...

Economists Anderson, Shurley Offer Some Perspective   EDITOR’S NOTE – Texas A&M agricultural economist Carl Anderson and Georgia Extension economist Don Shurley have observed the cotton market for many years and have seen plenty of volatility during that time. In this...

By Tommy Horton Editor And so we come to the end of 2012, reflecting on what actually happened during these previous 12 months, while looking ahead to what might await us in 2013. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a good...

By Tommy Horton Editor I ran across something rather remarkable a couple of weeks ago driving north on US 61 through the Mississippi Delta. It was so remarkable that I am quite sure I’ll never forget the experience. I know this...

By Tommy Horton Editor A year ago we were talking about how Texas cotton producers were trying to survive a drought that had to be seen to be appreciated. It’s hard to know how difficult this weather event was unless you...

By Tommy Horton Editor One of the most exciting times of the year is upon us. Yes, we know that most of our readers are college football fans and are counting down the days until the first game. We’re also aware...

By Tommy Horton Editor For as long as I can remember, cotton producers across this country have never been afraid of innovation and technology. That’s what gives this industry such a respected global reputation. You can always count on U.S. producers...

By Tommy Horton Editor At least once a year, our magazine takes a detailed look at water issues in an effort to gain some perspective on a topic that affects every cotton producer. You won’t find a more complicated, politically volatile...