U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Makes Tremendous Strides
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a leading program for responsibly grown cotton, recently released its 2023/24 Annual Report, showcasing record grower participation and notable strides in environmental stewardship. The report highlights the program’s progress in driving transparency and continuous improvement across the cotton supply chain, even amidst a challenging economic climate for growers.
“This year’s report demonstrates the unwavering commitment of U.S. cotton growers to continuous improvement, even in the face of significant challenges,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “The Trust Protocol is proud to support their efforts by providing the tools, resources and market opportunities needed to build a more resilient and sustainable future for U.S. cotton.”
Cotton Farmer Perspectives
Alyssa Cain, a third-generation cotton farmer and a Trust protocol grower from Texas, is finding ways to blend time-tested traditions with modern approaches for a more sustainable future. While proud of her family’s legacy on their dryland farm, Cain also sees the need to adapt and evolve, especially with the challenges of a changing climate in an arid region that is prone to drought and a tough farm economy.
One of Cain’s main goals is shifting her family’s farm away from conventional tillage and toward a system that prioritizes the long-term health of their soil. She vividly remembers a time when they left a field unplowed for two years and were impressed by the difference.
“We pulled up a cotton plant, and the chunks of soil clung together, full of wormholes,” she said. “It was moving in the right direction.”
Through participation in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, their goal is to eventually transition to no-till practices, which will protect their soil from erosion, improve how well water soaks in and enhance overall soil health.
Beyond her family’s cotton operation, Cain is passionate about raising cattle and pictures a future where livestock and crop production work together. She sees the Climate Smart program as a stepping stone towards integrating her cattle into the operation, utilizing them for grazing cover crops and naturally fertilizing the soil, further reducing reliance on additional inputs. Cain is also committed to using data provided by the Trust Protocol to track their progress, identify areas for improvement and demonstrate the tangible benefits of their efforts.
“It’s not always easy to take risks when you’re a farmer, especially financial risks,” Cain said. “This program gives us the support to try new things, to build a better system for the long haul. That not only provides peace of mind but a farm with healthier soil, cleaner water, a system that works with nature, not against it.”
Frank Rogers, a fourth-generation cotton farmer from South Carolina where he operates in a humid subtropical climate with ample rainfall, illustrates how he leverages technology to fine-tune his operation for optimal sustainability.
For instance, recognizing water’s value, Rogers — a Protocol grower — uses moisture sensors to provide real-time data on soil conditions. This information controls his irrigation pivots, which he operates remotely via a smartphone app, delivering water precisely when and where needed.
Rogers’ commitment to data-driven decisions extends to other areas of his farm as well. He and his son, who has a knack for technology, conduct their own soil sampling and analysis.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” Rogers said. “Knowing exactly what’s in our soil lets us give our crops what they need, where they need it, when they need it.”
This allows them to create highly specific fertilizer plans for different field areas, maximizing nutrient uptake by the plants and minimizing impact to the surrounding environment. Rogers also embraces GPS-guided spraying technology with his sprayers automatically shutting off nozzles when they detect overlap.
Rogers is one example of how cotton farming is a data-driven endeavor, enhancing both productivity and sustainability.
As he said, “People might have an image of what cotton farming is, but it’s changing fast. We’re using technology every day to be more efficient, use less water and grow a sustainable crop. Using data, being precise with how we farm, is how we make sure we’re leaving something good behind.”
For Arkansas Protocol grower Lambert Marshall, sustainability isn’t a buzzword — it’s a way of life. Managing a diverse operation of cotton, corn, rice and soybeans in the Mid-South, Marshall leverages data as a critical tool to make informed decisions that benefit both his land and his bottom line.
Arkansas’s climate, characterized by over 50 inches of rainfall annually, presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges for farmers like Marshall. He has implemented a sophisticated system of rainwater harvesting, strategically capturing and storing rainfall for future irrigation. This, combined with precision irrigation and soil moisture monitoring, ensures his crops have the precise amount of water they need to thrive, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
Lambert’s commitment to data extends beyond water management. He meticulously tracks energy consumption across his operation, from electric wells to tractors, identifying inefficiencies and proactively addressing maintenance needs. This commitment to continuous improvement led him to invest in a solar array to power his irrigation system, further reducing his environmental footprint and stabilizing energy costs.
As Marshall put it, “All of the sudden, we’re swamped with data, but what I look for is usable data. Pick the data points that are good to you as an operation and follow them — that’s when you can really see the benefits.”
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol 2023/24 Annual Report Key Findings
Record Grower Adoption:
Planted acreage enrolled in the Trust Protocol surged to 2.1 million acres, a 31% increase from the previous year. This growth underscores the U.S. cotton industry’s commitment to responsible production.
Measurable Environmental Improvements: Trust Protocol growers continued to outperform national averages, achieving a 14% improvement in yield and notable reductions in six key environmental impact areas compared to a 2015 baseline:
■ Water Use: 14% reduction
■ Energy Use: 27% reduction
■ Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 21% reduction
■ Soil Loss: 79% reduction
■ Land Use Efficiency: 15% improvement
■ Soil Health: 74% of growers achieved a positive Soil Conditioning Index, indicating improvements in soil organic matter.
Regenerative Agriculture Practices:
■ 56% of growers adopted no-till or conservation tillage methods, leaving over 30% crop residue on fields, reducing soil erosion, improving water retention and supporting soil carbon sequestration.
■ 62% of growers integrated cover crops into their farming operations, preventing soil erosion, improving water infiltration and contributing to carbon sequestration.
■ 78% of reported Fieldprint acres employed conventional crop rotation, disrupting pest cycles, preventing disease buildup and enhancing soil biodiversity.
■ 87% of growers implement 4Rs (right source, time, place and rate) that helps ensure crops get the nutrients they need to grow while minimizing runoff.
■ 75% of growers implemented IPM strategies, including practices such as reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting crop rotation/beneficial insects.
■ 87% of growers implement conservation practices that help prevent leaching off nutrients into water sources.
Climate Action:
The Climate Smart Cotton Program, designed to help growers adopt climate-smart practices and participate in carbon markets, expanded its reach:
■ 1,427 U.S. farming entities enrolled, including 282 from historically underserved communities.
■ 16,500 acres adopted new Climate Smart Agriculture practices, contributing to 15,000 metric tons of GHG emission reductions.
Traceability At Scale:
The Trust Protocol’s Protocol Consumption Management Solution saw increased utilization, tracking increased volumes of sustainably sourced cotton.
■ 1,200 shipments of cotton fiber recorded, equivalent to 3.4 million bales of U.S. cotton and 636,000 bales of Protocol cotton.
■ Nearly 110 million shipped units tracked by brands and retailers.
Enhanced Governance And Global Collaboration:
The Trust Protocol expanded its Board of Directors to include greater international representation and joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, strengthening its commitment to
global collaboration and driving positive change within the fashion and textile industries.
Why This Matters For The Fashion Industry:
■ Meeting Sustainability Goals: The Trust Protocol provides brands and retailers with a credible and transparent way to source sustainably grown U.S. cotton, supporting their environmental, social and governance commitments.
■ Meeting Regulatory Requirements: The program’s data aligns with key industry standards and emerging regulations, such as the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, helping brands meet reporting requirements and demonstrate due diligence.
■ Traceability and Transparency: The PCMS offers article-level traceability, enabling brands to track their cotton from farm to finished product and communicate their sustainability efforts to consumers with confidence.
Overall Headway
Daren Abney, executive director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol said, “This year’s report highlights both the progress our growers have made and the operational improvements within the Trust Protocol. We’ve streamlined systems to make participation easier for all and introduced a new consumption-based membership model launching in 2025 to support companies of all sizes in responsible sourcing.”
To view the complete U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol 2023/24 Annual Report, please visit report.trustuscotton.org.