At times, when our senses are heightened, we have a strong feeling we have experienced something before. It’s not exactly déjà vu because déjà vu has been described as an uncanny feeling that something is familiar when it’s not. But what if it is?
For example, the uncertainty that exists in the agricultural world today appears to mirror the uncertainty surrounding agriculture in 2015.
John Johnson, former director of public and legislative affairs, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, made the following remarks almost 10 years ago in an article titled “Outlook for 2015 Uncertain.”
He said, “Cotton prices as measured by the December futures contract have fallen more than 20 cents per pound since the 2014 U.S. crop was planted. … As the 2014 U.S. cotton harvest was drawing to a close, attention was turning to the complex 2015 global planting outlook. According to an economic analysis from Cotton Incorporated, declining prices for commodities that can compete with cotton for planted acres could temper the ‘likelihood of an exodus from cotton’ when planting season arrives. However, lower cotton prices could result in fewer cotton acres in certain cotton producing countries. … There are a number of questions for the cotton market and cotton producers to ponder.”
On the heels of the National Cotton Council’s recent 2025 Annual Meeting, NCC President and CEO Gary Adams, said, “As the 2025 season approaches, growers are confronted with tough planting decisions. Current prices remain below production costs for many crops, which adds to the financial strain on farmers. Additionally, potential changes in trade policy have created significant uncertainty in the world cotton market.” See the rest of Adams’ remarks in Cotton’s Agenda on page 5.
According to an article in Southern Ag Today, in the same time frame from a decade ago, Extension specialists across the Southeast came together to address the decline in the farm economy, specifically declining commodity prices and increasing financial pressure. Their efforts culminated in a publication titled Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn that was released in 2017 (rb.gy/8h64ws). “While the publication is approaching 10 years old, the core management strategies and concepts are still pertinent as we face a very similar farm economy today,” said Southern Ag Today contributors Jordan Shockley, University of Kentucky, and Steven Klose, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
No one will dispute the notion that times are tough in the ag world right now. However, the cotton industry still stands strong and will not stand down. And that is something we can count on — today and for years down the road.