The new farm bill repeals the direct and counter-cyclical programs and authorizes a new revenue insurance product that can be purchased in addition to a producer’s existing coverage. However, enactment of the new law came too late for USDA and the private sector to offer the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) until 2015. Then, it will be available for purchase on all acres planted to upland cotton. As with existing insurance products, STAX Read More »
Since 2011, the Chinese government has purchased and stored almost 75 million bales of its production at a price well above world market prices. To meet its textile mills’ demand, about 20 million bales of that cotton have been sold, but as of early 2014, more than 50 million bales still resided in government storage.China’s stocks policy has been a recent boost for U.S. cotton farmers because its textile industry looked increasingly to the world market Read More »
Honey bee health decline threatens the world’s agricultural enterprise and ecosystems, which rely on bees for pollination. Among several factors contributing to bee colony losses is the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, which was first detected in the United States in 1987. Researchers have agreed that this parasite remains the single most detrimental pest of honey bees and is closely associated with overwintering colony declines Read More »
The U.S. and Australian cotton industries jointly agreed to escalate their commitment to improved production and sustainability. These countries, which account for roughly 17 percent of global cotton production, already had demonstrated leadership in resource efficiency, including water/land use, pest management, soil conservation, energy/greenhouse gas reduction and bale traceability. COTTON LEADS was created to ensure Read More »
For several years, the National Cotton Council has been engaged in activities involving honeybee health decline. Although pesticides are but one of multiple contributing factors that scientists have identified for this decline, these plant protection products are receiving unjustified attention. By Mark Lange NCC President/CEO What is the major concern? In March, a group of beekeepers and activists filed suit ... Read More »
By Mark Lange NCC President/CEO For 45 years, the biennial COTTON USA Orientation Tour has been extremely valuable in helping Cotton Council International (the National Cotton Council’s international division) in its mission of keeping the global pipeline filled with U.S. raw cotton exports. Just how important is the Orientation Tour? The Orientation Tour still plays a highly relevant role in ... Read More »
By Mark Lange NCC President/CEO The National Cotton Council remains fully engaged in ever evolving regulations that can challenge producers’ ability to compete in the world marketplace. What about environmental issues? The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the pit bull of environmental laws. It has no provisions for cost-benefit analyses and provides the authority to protect listed species at any ... Read More »
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