The Cotton Companion

Dr. O.A. Cleveland, Extension cotton economist with Mississippi State University, spent 50 years writing his weekly cotton marketing column for the benefit of America’s farmers. Eyeing retirement, last month he signed off on his last submission. O.A. joins the podcast to reminisce on an impactful career in America’s cotton industry.

Are we seeing a major policy shift when it comes to American cotton? ACSA President Buddy Allen drops in to discuss how federal policy pivots from only treating the symptoms to finally focusing on the cause.

On the heels of the USDA’s announcement of the Great American Cotton Plan, Robbie Minnich of the National Cotton Council drops in to discuss the new initiative.

Tripp Walker of Syngenta joins the pod to discuss best management practices against cotton’s public enemy number one – the tarnished plant bug.

Dr. John Robinson, Extension economist with Texas A&M University, accurately predicted this bullish market way back in January. He drops in to talk about how he knew a “weather market” was materializing this year – and what farmers can expect next.

Operation Epic Fury has had a major impact on cotton’s input costs. Marc Rosenbohm of Terrain Ag joins the Cotton Companion podcast to discuss how these shifting input costs have changed the 2026 outlook for cotton producers.

The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the fertilizer market, looking for potential price collusion among suppliers. CropLife editor Eric Sfiligoj drops in to discuss what producers can expect as one of their priciest inputs goes under the government microscope.

Listen in to the proceedings from the 2026 Cotton Grower Cotton Achievement Award presentation, held on site at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

U.S. Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC) introduced the Buying American Cotton Act to the House of Representatives in January. He joins to discuss how the sausage gets made on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Jody Campiche of the National Cotton Council stops by to shed some more light on the World Economic Update she delivered at last week’s NCC Annual Meeting.

Dr. Stanley Culpepper, Extension agronomist with the University of Georgia, discusses the EPA’s reapproval of dicamba products, and gives advice to producers for 2026.

Robbie Minnich, VP of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, drops in to shed light on a promising piece of cotton legislation. Legislators on Capitol Hill are lining up to back the bill, which aims to create demand for U.S. cotton.

Dr. Phillip Roberts drops in to share everything we’ve learned about the cotton jassid – a leafhopper pest that made it’s American debut in 2024. Chances are it’s coming to a field near you sooner rather than later!

Dr. Darren Hudson of Texas Tech drops by to discuss the factors that are truly putting downside pressure on the cotton market. Tariffs, he says, aren’t one! We’ll also recount the happenings from last week’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences!

NCC President and CEO Gary Adams drops in to discuss cotton’s big week in Washington D.C. The NCC’s Lauren Krogman then talks about the coming Beltwide Cotton Conferences.

Cotton Incorporated President and CEO William Kimbrell talks about the ways Cotton Incorporated is working hard to bring relief to U.S. cotton producers.

For months, the cotton market has been confined by a trading window that sees it lingering between .60 and .70 cents. Cotton Incorporated Senior Economist Jon Devine drops by the pod to discuss whether cotton has any opportunities to break out in the coming year.

It's our 200th podcast episode (and we may be more surprised about that than anyone else). Join us as we recall some of the highs, lows, and miscues of our 10-year podcast journey. And for good measure, we visit with cotton's busiest man, Jay Mahaffey, for stories and findings from his "Straight Shootin' with Jay Tour" this season.

The new Plant Not Plastic program is off and running to help improve awareness of microplastic pollution from man-made fibers. The NCC's Marjory Walker joins the podcast to explain the program details and how it benefits cotton and other natural fibers.

Following a third-party evaluation of the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, some new program structures and changes are now being put in place. Cotton Board President/CEO Bill Gillon joins the podcast to discuss why...and what's coming.