Industry News of June 2022

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Doubles Grower Participation

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced that grower participation for the 2021/22 crop doubled since the program’s pilot last year. The Trust Protocol’s mission is to bring quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the key sustainability metrics of U.S. cotton production.

The initiative’s vision is to set a new standard in sustainable cotton production where full transparency is a reality and continuous improvement to reduce our environmental footprint is the central goal.

The program’s core values include a commitment to U.S. cotton’s legacy of authenticity, innovation and excellence, environmental stewardship, caring of people, and personal and corporate integrity.

“During our second year we doubled the number of U.S. cotton growers in the program with an estimated 1.1 million cotton acres enrolled,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

“Our grower members are global leaders when it comes to sustainable cotton production, and as supply chain membership continues to grow, producers are encouraged to join the initiative to help ensure there is enough cotton in the system to meet demand.”

Virtually all the top 100 global brands and retailers have created lists of sustainable raw materials and publicly committed that 100% of their sourcing will come from these lists over the next 5-10 years. The Trust Protocol was designed to meet and exceed the rigorous criteria for these lists.

To learn more or begin enrollment, growers can visit TrustUSCotton.org or reach out to the Grower Help Desk at growers@trustuscotton.org. Additionally, producers who enroll in the program and complete their data entry will be eligible for a redistribution of program revenue.

The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 600 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. This includes J.Crew, Madewell, Levi Strauss & Co. and Gap Inc., as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040 and Cotton Up initiatives. The program has also been recognized and published in the ITC Standards Map.

Craig Rohrbach Named TCGA Ginner Of The Year

Craig Rohrbach’s friends and family gathered at the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Awards Dinner to celebrate him being named the TCGA Ginner of the Year.

Front row, from left: Rachel Anaya, Chuy Anaya, Chris Breedlove, Darcy Rohrbach, Riley Rohrbach, Craig Rohrbach, Connie Taylor, Bryan Taylor, Terri Sorley, Robin Howard, Denise Christian, Katherine Bezner and Tracy Devault. 

Back row, from left: Luke Rohrbach, Coleman Young, Scott Meeks, Colton Bison, Annie Williams, Ryan Williams, Ken Sorley, Mark Howard, Vick Christian and Kendall Devault.

Rohrbach has been the general manager at Parmer County Cotton Growers in Farwell, Texas, since 2006.

Stoneville Ginner School Registration Continues

Ginners, gin managers and superintendents are encouraged to register for the last of three Ginner Schools — the Stoneville Ginners School being held at the USDA Agricultural Research Service ginning laboratory in Stoneville, Mississippi, June 8-9.

 There is no on-site registration, and credit cards can be used for online registration at www.cotton.org/ncga/ginschool/index.cfm where course descriptions/more information are available.

 Course levels I, II and III and continuing education courses will be offered. Levels I, II and III programming feature practical information on all aspects of ginning. Topics range from gin safety and maintenance to drying/moisture restoration systems and seed cotton/cottonseed handling systems.

The continuing education courses will include topics such as the use and practical application of variable frequency drives, gin upgrades and increasing capacities, air pollution controls, labor issues and H2-A, press rebuilds to increase press capacities, and stabilizing catastrophic injuries.

Cotton Sustainability Field Day To Be Held June 22 At Judd Hill

Make your plans for June 22 to attend the Cotton Sustainability Field Day at the Judd Hill Foundation Farm in Trumann, Arkansas. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Judd Hill Farm Tours begin at 9 a.m.

Highlighting the importance for marketing U.S. cotton by documenting sustainability practices will be discussed at 11 a.m. Presentations will be made by The Soil Health Institute, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Staplcotn Cotton. Lunch will be provided.

Enrollment opportunities for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol begin at 1 p.m. 

To register for the field day, go to https://bit.ly/3PP5IDd.

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