A large group of Arizona cotton industry growers, ginners, plus industry and university specialists attended the 2017 Arizona Cotton Industry Meeting in mid-June in Flagstaff.

Good news for the U.S. cotton industry was shared by Bruce Atherley of Cotton Council International about strong exports of U.S. cotton abroad. He said exports of U.S. cotton are at the second highest level in 50 years. In fact, U.S. exports of raw cotton through mid-May were up 65 percent.

Addressing the political side of the domestic cotton industry was Reece Langley of the National Cotton Council. He said farm policy is the top issue facing the U.S. cotton industry, including current efforts to bring economic relief to the industry.

Randy Norton, University of Arizona statewide cotton specialist, discussed impressive new cotton varieties and genetics on the market. He said based on his 10 years of university cotton variety trials that he has found up to a 500-pound lint difference between the higher-yielding and lowest-yielding varieties.

To read more about these interesting issues click on this link.

Meanwhile, enjoy these ‘people photos’ from the event.