Tour fosters cross-commodity dialogue and relationship-building
Farmers and association executives from diverse regions across the nation had a unique opportunity to observe cotton and other agricultural operations in West Texas on October 20-25, as part of the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP). Vice President Mary Palmer Sullivan represented the Washington Grain Commission during the tour.
The exchange is designed to offer participants a better understanding of production challenges faced by their peers in different geographic regions, and an opportunity to observe agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing strategies, and operational structures. The event also fosters dialogue among American farmers, regardless of their crops or locations, and builds strong and lasting relationships between this nation’s current and future producer leaders.
“While cotton farming is much different than growing grain in Washington, many of the issues impacting farmers are the same. High costs of inputs, low prices and drought are things that impact the farmer’s bottom line and determine if they will continue farming,” Palmer Sullivan said. The West Texas region is facing a three-year drought that has reduced yields and production, with many cotton farmers opting to not harvest their crop.
The group met with cotton grower cooperatives to learn about High Plains cotton production, toured the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cotton Division where they learned about grading and classing relative to permanent bale identification. The tour visited cotton fields to meet with farmers and see harvesting firsthand. They also toured cotton gins, warehouses, seed processors, and met with cotton merchants. In addition to cotton, the group learned about grape and black-eyed pea production, as well as peanut harvesting and processing.
“Texas cotton growers take great pride in growing quality cotton for use in the U.S. and the overseas market, not unlike Washington grain farmers,” Palmer Sullivan said. “Talking about this directly provided a great insight and while we may be more than a thousand miles apart, there is a common theme. Farmers want to grow a quality product.”
Launched in 2006, the MCEP is coordinated by NCC’s Member Services, local leaders and organizations. The program is supported by The Cotton Foundation with a grant from John Deere. The 2024 tour included producers from Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, and Washington.
