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.