The Cotton Foundation’s vitality has never been more important as the U.S. cotton industry has been buffeted by low farm prices and cheap textile and apparel imports.
Foundation fiscal support – backed by strong allied industry membership - is helping the National Cotton Council brighten the industry’s future. This is being achieved primarily by supporting the development of new technology and techniques that enable the industry to gain greater efficiencies and avoid unnecessary regulation.
Dues and special grants to the Foundation from its member firms coupled with investment income enabled the Foundation to underwrite 35 general cotton research and education projects for 2001-02 with $474,950. That increase from the previous year funded market development, profitability and regulatory projects ranging from cottonseed quality improvement to validation of remote sensing data.
A large portion of Foundation-supported work is driven by recommendations from the NCC’s Profitability Initiative. In looking for ways to reduce production and processing costs, the initiative pointed to the potential of precision agriculture, genetics, biotechnology, conservation tillage and narrow row cotton. Among the study’s conclusions was that from four to seven cents per pound in savings could be achieved from precision agriculture but further refinements of that technology are necessary. That study has led to major on-farm projects using remote sensing and variable rate technology in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and California. Tests thus far have shown significant efficiencies in the application of plant protectants, fertilizer, water and other inputs.
Further information on Cotton Foundation-funded profitability projects can be found on The Cotton Foundation’s web site.
Foundation special projects, which are funded by member firms over and above their regular dues, continued at a high level of nearly $1.2 million. Multiple NCC-developed educational endeavors were launched this past year.
Cotton Counts, for example, is aimed at improving consumer attitudes toward U.S. cotton. Carried out primarily by National Cotton Women’s Committee volunteers, the campaign’s objective is helping America’s students and the general public better understand and appreciate cotton and the U.S. cotton industry’s contributions to the nation.
The industry also is gaining public recognition, especially from lawmakers and regulatory officials, through the World of Cotton. Located on the NCC’s web site, this database provides comprehensive statewide data on U.S. cotton’s economic significance.
Ongoing educational efforts were bolstered, too.
NCC’s online Journal of Cotton Science, a peer-reviewed, refereed publication, received special project grant support to help it strengthen its reputation as a leading source for new scientific discoveries and studies.
Cotton Council International’s COTTON USA Advantage program received additional funding, too. This is helping in the challenge to get overseas consumers to distinguish the unique qualities and services of U.S. cotton and U.S. cotton products.
The Foundation’s involvement in helping the NCC achieve its mission is growing as special project support is being sought for more of NCC’s core activities such as the Cotton’s Week newsletter, the daily Cotton eNews and the Cotton’s Week broadcast on AgDay. All special projects have been scrutinized to ensure they are helping NCC carry out its priorities.
By describing Foundation-supported research and educational activities, this annual report offers optimism. That progress coupled with the Foundation’s recent strong membership growth and overall track record are reasons for believing this institution can help the NCC in its quest to restore U.S. cotton’s viability.
James F. Dodson, 2002-03 Chairman
The Cotton Foundation
(Dodson served as 2001-02 Foundation president.)
