Global cotton industry facing slow yield decade
World cotton production is expected to grow only modestly through the rest of this decade, a development that could constrain both consumption and the cotton value chain. The only scenario that might change the growth rate is the discovery of a new technology – such as Bt cotton – that could trigger a new round of yield hikes.
Farm bill faces difficult road ahead
The cotton industry — and Congress — will have several options for pursuing a new farm bill over the next few months. Unfortunately, most of them are less than ideal, says the National Cotton Council’s chief Washington spokesman.
High Cotton winners overcome challenges galore
The High Cotton Awards, sponsored by Farm Press Publications through a grant to The Cotton Foundation, are presented annually to cotton producers in each of the four Farm Press coverage areas who produce good cotton yields while taking good care of the land and water on their farms. This year’s winners: Southeast Region— Kent Wannamaker, St. Matthews, S.C.; Delta Region — Coley Bailey Jr., Coffeeville, Miss.; Southwest Region — Shawn Holladay, Lamesa, Texas; and Far West Region — Don Cameron, Helm, Calif.
Corn farmers continue on 300-bushel quest
If U.S. corn growers continue to increase yields at the rate they’ve been doing for the last 55 years, they should be able to reach the fabled national average yield goal of 300 bushels per acre by around, oh, 2086.
One-size-fits-all farm bills may be on way out
A “one-size-fits-all” farm bill approach may no longer be a good fit for agriculture, and it certainly doesn’t fit the rice industry. The House and Senate Ag Committees have been criticized for reportedly conducting “farm bill negotiations in secret” while preparing the budget proposal for the Super Committee.
Arcane Senate rules allow 'hold' of pesticide permits
Arcane rules of the Senate prevented a vote in advance of yesterday’s expiration of the stay of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals’ January 2009 ruling in National Cotton Council, et. al. v. EPA. Lack of action means the EPA could begin implementing a system for issuing permits for such applications immediately. Holds placed by two senators – Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Benjamin Cardin, D-Md. – blocked a vote in the Senate on legislation.
Challenge of feeding over 9 billion people looms large
Total global agricultural productivity is growing at the rate needed to meet the demand for feeding more than 9 billion people by 2050. But the rate of food productivity gains in some of the fastest-growing regions of the world such as Africa and Southeast Asia are falling short of the 1.7 percent required to meet the ambitious goal of feeding those billions.
House spending cuts to directly impact world hunger?
Spending cuts approved by the U.S. House of Representatives threaten to increase the problems of famine in the Horn of Africa and the feeding of hungry people in the United States, speakers at the World Food Prize Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, said.
Farm estate planning made simpler
There are experts such as Neil E. Harl who spend much of their lives pouring through the minutiae of the state and federal tax codes and have the ability to translate their findings into language producers can understand.
Rice producers should shift fertilizer strategies with growing seasons
It could be called a tale of two seasons: Rice farmers have two distinctive periods for fertilizing their crops – pre-flood and post-flood. Managing nitrogen applications for those two seasons and following the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept are key ingredients in improving rice yields.
Changes in farm policy direction advocated by NCC
Traditional farm programs have served cotton– and other commodities – well over the decades. But the National Cotton Council says the new federal budget realities mean it may be time for a change.
