2023 Trust Protocol Grower Enrollment Open
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced recently that enrollment for the 2023 crop year is open now through Sept. 1, providing growers the opportunity to complete data entry prior to harvest. The updated timing also better aligns with peak cotton marketing dates and allows a member’s cotton to be verified and visible as Protocol Cotton bales right after ginning.
This timing will also provide growers who are members of the program with additional benefits, including more timely insights that can be implemented into management plans as they work towards continuous improvement from pre-planting to post-harvest activities.
The Trust Protocol is a voluntary, farm level science-based sustainability program that is setting a new standard for delivering value to all stakeholders across the entire supply chain from farms to finished products. The program’s mission is to bring quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the key sustainability metrics of U.S. cotton production.
“As we look to continuously improve the program and provide further value, we’re pleased to share the updated grower enrollment timing that will better align with peak cotton marketing dates,” said Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
“Knowing that more than half of the U.S. cotton crop is marketed within a critical three-month window beginning at the height of ginning in November, the transition will allow members’ cotton to be verified as Protocol Cotton on their initial Electronic Warehouse Receipt.
“This means a grower member’s cotton can also be marketed as Protocol Cotton right after ginning and be visible sooner for brands and retailers looking to source that fiber,” Adams continued.
To date, the Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 1,200 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members.
As enrollment will now be open for four months, instead of 12, growers are encouraged to begin their data entry as soon as possible. The actual enrollment process will remain the same, with the only change being the window for data completion. In 2024, the program will further refine the grower enrollment window to begin in January and end prior to planting on May 1. Those interested in participating in the Climate Smart Cotton Program should also be watchful for Trust Protocol communications once the grant is finalized.
To complete enrollment and data entry for the 2023 crop year ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline, growers can visit TrustUSCotton.org. For assistance, contact info@trustuscotton.org.
In Remembrance: Dr. William F. ‘Bill’ Lalor Sr.
Dr. William F. “Bill” Lalor Sr. of Ridgeland, Mississippi, passed away April 26.
Bill was Cotton Incorporated’s fourth vice president of the company’s agricultural research division. He clearly understood the role of his division — to find solutions to problems of those who funded the Research and Promotion Program — cotton producers.
His understanding of agricultural engineering laddered up to groundbreaking innovations for the U.S. cotton industry. One research project invested $532,000 in an innovative seed cotton handling system and resulted in a $1.8 billion savings for cotton producers across the nation.
Bill led his team of researchers whose cooperative research also help substantiate the importance and eventual establishment of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program that was calculated to save growers $36 per acre in insecticide costs and added $42 per acre in increased cotton yield.
He played a significant role in the development of an improved “delinting” process for cottonseed — employing a 10% sulfuric acid solution instead of a 98% to 100% solution. These and other projects improved grower profitability, the cotton industry’s overall environmental sustainability and solidified Bill’s place in U.S. agricultural history.
On the personal side, Bill was engaging, insightful and had an innate sense of what was important. He kept the interest of the growers top of mind. His door was always open, and he always had thoughtful comments about the subject matter at hand. Bill was a stickler for good grammar and would call out folks when bad grammar was used. He would go to bat for his employees and supported them tirelessly.
Bill loved cycling and traveling. He was kind and had a gentle soul. Bill will be remembered fondly by the people he touched throughout his lifetime both personally and professionally.
Hats Off To The Present And Past CCOY Award Winners
Hank Jones (center) of Winnsboro, Louisiana, was named the 2022 Cotton Consultant of the Year at a special recognition reception this spring at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Joining Jones (from left) are Tim Roberts, 2016 CCOY; Jack Royal, 2006 CCOY; Tucker Miller, 2004 CCOY; Harold Lambert, 2001 CCOY; Joe Townsend, 2009 CCOY; Grady Coburn, 1986 CCOY; and Mark Nemec, 2010 CCOY. To nominate a deserving consultant for the 2023 CCOY award, access the nomination form on page 15 or go online at cottonfarming.com/ccoy.