The Cotton Companion

The Buying American Cotton Act Advances on Capitol Hill

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.

Everything You Need to Know About the Cotton Jassid for 2026

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!

The Cotton Market Has 99 Problems but Tariffs Aren’t One

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!

What USDA’s $12 Billion Relief Package Means for Cotton

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.

How Cotton Incorporated is Taking the Fight to Polyester on the Retail Shelf

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

Will Cotton Break Out of It’s Narrow Trading Window in 2026?

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.

Celebrating Our 200th Episode...and Jay Mahaffey, Too!

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.

Plant Not Plastic: Cotton Takes On Microplastics and Polyester

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.

Cotton Promotion Program Evolving for a Changed World

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.

Talking Mid-South Cotton, Early Harvest, and Pests Old and New

University of Tennessee Extension Entomologist Sebe Brown joins the podcast to review cotton production this year in the upper Mid-South and discuss the spread and management of cotton's newest pest - the cotton jassid.