At a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing, cotton grows voiced their support for a proposal by the National Cotton Council that would provide them access to the Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage safety net options.
The cotton industry is faced with lower prices and the potential switch to other, more lucrative crops.
Cotton prices are at the lowest levels since 2009 and acreage is at the lowest in 30 years, according to the National Cotton Council.
The council proposes USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack designate cottonseed as an ‘other oilseed’ and be eligible for ARC and PLC.
They stated providing a safety net for cottonseed “is desperately needed to provide stability in the cotton industry.”
