Dahlen Hancock, a New Home, Texas, cotton grower,  was named the 2019 High Cotton winner for the Southwest by Farm Press and The Cotton Foundation at their awards breakfast, Friday, March 1, at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show at Memphis, Tenn. This is the 25th Class of honorees. Three other cotton producers from across the Cotton Belt were also honored:

“We are here to honor some of the best farmers in the country,“ says Farm Press Senior Content Director Ron Smith.

See, 25th Class of High Cotton winners named

Growers are nominated and selected based on production yields and quality but also their techniques and management practices used to grow their cotton.

“The High Cotton awards were conceived with the idea of recognizing what growers are doing to achieve goals of consistently higher yields and premier quality cotton while instituting practices that protect the environment,” says Farm Progress Senior Vice President Operations Greg Frey. “High Cotton winners exemplify the best of the best.”

See, Photo Gallery: Dahlen Hancock named Southwest High Cotton Winner

Prior to presenting the awards, Dr. Bill Norman, vice president of the National Cotton Council, also addressed the winners. “Since 1994, this program has given much-deserved attention to cotton producers who have an environmental ethic and who are committed to achieving sustainability,” says Norman.

“This year’s recipients use cover crops and crop rotation, not just for soil and water retention but for improving soil health. They are also maximizing irrigation efficiency while simultaneously trying to reduce runoff of water and nutrients — all efforts helping reduce U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint.”

Norman also recognized each of the winners as advocates for the cotton industry. “All four recipients are active in farm organizations to ensure their voices are heard at the local, state and national level.”

See, 2019 High Cotton winners, high on sustainability