Farm Bill Offers Support for Cotton Producers
The National Cotton Council (NCC) has expressed strong support for a new bill scheduled for markup by the House Agriculture Committee, praising its provisions aimed at strengthening the farm safety net. The legislation includes key measures to assist cotton producers facing economic challenges.
“I commend Chairman Thompson and the other members of the committee for extending a lifeline to our cotton farmers, who have been grappling with soaring production costs and depressed market prices,” said NCC Chairman Patrick Johnson, a producer from Tunica, MS.
“The bill significantly boosts the reference price, enhances crop insurance, makes vital improvements to the marketing loan program, and reinstates crucial support for our domestic textile manufacturers. While we would have preferred a different process, the reality is that our industry is hurting, and this legislation will help us hold on.”
The NCC is urging the committee to move the bill forward swiftly. Johnson emphasized, “Going forward, our industry is dedicated to collaborating with leadership of the House and Senate to ensure its final passage. For our producers, it’s not about losing money this year, it’s about losing the farm.”