David Blakemore, an innovative Missouri ginner who has provided outstanding service and leadership to the U.S. cotton industry, is the 2020 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year. He was recognized at the National Cotton Ginners Association’s recent...
As ginners, we typically focus our attention on the gin season. We have seasonal labor that may be new or returning. We must train them and get them oriented to working long hours and around equipment they aren’t familiar...
The news is full of the changes being brought on by the new Biden administration, but not much is seen in the press about its effect on the Department of Labor. On the other hand, there are many business...
David Blakemore, an innovative Missouri ginner who has provided outstanding service and leadership to the U.S. cotton industry, is the 2020 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year. He was recognized at the National Cotton Ginners Association’s recent...
Seed coat fragments have been a long-term issue for cotton. Fragment outbreaks occur sporadically every three to five years in some region of the United States. Last year, the region included Alabama, Georgia and Florida, with the biggest outbreak...
We have heard recent reports of cotton gin inspections being done by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division in the Southeast and Oklahoma. Now, Texas gins are receiving inspections as well.
Texas had quite a few inspections...
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1383 (D-Jackson), which expands employee job-protected leave.
Under current law, employers with more than 50 employees are subject to the California Family Rights Act and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. CFRA...
While this article may come out a bit late for some of the cotton harvest, I believe moisture is an important topic to review. It is one of those things we, as ginners, often have a love-hate relationship with....
For 13 years, the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association has provided an opportunity for college students to experience the cotton ginning industry firsthand through its summer intern program.
For 2020, two students — Amos Emanis, Texas A&M University, and Oscar Barajas,...
As ginning season approaches and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, take a close look at your operation to mitigate the risk to your workers and business as much as possible. Be sure to develop a COVID-19 policy and have a...
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, released a new regulation in California specifying lighting requirements for operation of agricultural equipment at night and agricultural employees who are working at night.
The regulation went into effect...
As I write this, the coronavirus numbers are just as confusing as they were when this whole thing started. No one knows exactly what is going on and how this odd disease seems to work and/or affect individuals.
What we...
William Beam, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy administrator for farm programs, notified the National Cotton Council that the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee 2020 specification recommendations for cotton bale packaging materials are approved for Commodity Credit Corp. loan...
Assisting students interested in pursuing agriculture is critical to the long-term viability of the industry. They are enthusiastic about learning new skills and eager to share their vision about what needs to be accomplished in the future. Providing these...
The National Cotton Ginners Association recently canceled all 2020 Ginner Schools due to the uncertainties regarding reopening dates for states and travel restrictions placed on instructors.
NCGA Executive Director Harrison Ashley says, “After 33 continuous years of Ginner Schools, the...
