2009 News Releases

2009 News Releases from the National Cotton Council

December
NCC Supports Extension of Trade Preferences for Andean Region 12/11/2009
The NCC is urging support for a House bill that would extend the Generalized System of Preferences and provide a one-year extension of the Andean Trade Preferences Act.
 
NCC Chairman Commends USTR and Urges African Cooperation 12/04/2009
NCC Chairman Jay Hardwick and Vice Chairman Eddie Smith, on behalf of the US cotton industry, commended US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and the entire US delegation for defending US agriculture’s interests during the recent WTO meeting in Geneva.
 
America’s Heartland Reaches Milestone 12/04/2009
America’s Heartland, which connects consumers to America’s agricultural communities, has reached an important milestone: broadcasting its 100th episode to audiences on Public Television and RFD TV.
 
Ag Groups Urge Prompt Action on House Disaster Bill 12/03/2009
The NCC and other national commodity organizations expressed appreciation to Reps. Childers (D-MS) and Berry (D-AR) for introducing legislation on Dec. 2 that will deliver urgently needed emergency financial assistance to growers who have suffered '09 crop yield and quality losses.
 
Early Registration Deadline Extended For '10 Beltwide 12/02/2009
The NCC has extended the early registration deadline for the '10 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans until December 23. Those who have not registered or made housing arrangements and are planning to attend can do so online by clicking on the '10 BWCC icon on this page.
 
November
Ag Groups Join NCC to Convey Urgent Disaster Assistance Need 11/20/2009
The NCC has been joined by other national commodity organizations representing producers, processors and related agri-businesses in expressing strong support for the prompt passage of legislation to provide funding for emergency disaster assistance.
 
NCTO Says Duty-Free Access to Cambodia Damages Textiles 11/17/2009
David Hastings, chairman of Mount Vernon Mills, urged the House Ways & Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Trade to keep in mind that the United States’ manufacturing sector is hurting badly and not to take action that could potentially cause further job losses in this country.
 
Production Conference Aiming to Deliver Wealth of Information 11/13/2009
The 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences’ Cotton Production Conference program is nearly finalized and will feature the latest information on topics ranging from nitrogen application to nematode control.
 
Petition Filed in Court’s Clean Water Ruling 11/03/2009
The NCC and other agricultural groups filed a petition for certiorari to the U.S Supreme Court seeking a Sixth Circuit decision reversal in NCC v. EPA that imposes unnecessary and hampering regulations on producers/health officials.
 
October
West Texas Site of Multi-Commodity Education Tour 10/23/2009
Key commodity organization leaders will see cotton production and processing operations on the Texas High Plains Oct. 26-28 as part of the NCC’s Multi-Commodity Education Program.
 
September
NCC Statement on Arbitration Determination 09/10/2009
Responding to the WTO Arbitration Panel decision released Aug. 31, NCC Chairman Hardwick said, "We are pleased that the arbitration award is far less than requested by Brazil, that the Panel provided no award with respect to the Step 2 cotton program, and that Brazil is not authorized to cross-retaliate at this time."
 
U.S. Cotton Industry Congratulates Senator Lincoln on New Post 09/09/2009
The NCC, on behalf of the U.S. cotton industry, congratulates Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) on being named to chair the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
 
WTO Arbitration Panel Ruling Fails to Recognize Changes to GSM Program; Punishes USA Despite Compliance with WTO 09/02/2009
In response to the WTO Arbitration Panel decision on the USDA export credit guarantee (“GSM-102”) program released August 31, the North American Export Grain Association, NCC, CoBank, Farm Credit Council, US Rice Producers Association, and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives released a statement.
 
August
2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Programming Taking Shape 08/10/2009
The National Cotton Council-coordinated 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) is set for January 4-7 at the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans hotels.
 
June
NCC: Farm Law Implementation Needs Clear Direction 06/25/2009
The NCC told a House Agriculture Committee subcommittee that critical parts of the regulations implementing payment limitations and gross income eligibility limits are inconsistent with the '08 farm law or are unclear – causing uncertainty and concern among producers.
 
May
2009 P.I.E. Program Tours Set 05/21/2009
The NCC has scheduled dates and locations for the 2009 Producer Information Exchange Program. Sponsored by Bayer CropScience through a grant to The Cotton Foundation, the program is now in its 21st year of helping its US cotton producer participants improve yields and fiber quality.
 
April
NCC: India’s Subsidies Major Impediment to Cotton Trade 04/22/2009
The NCC says India’s cotton subsidies coupled with its failure to notify the WTO of those subsidy levels is a major impediment to cotton trade.
 
NCC Says Crop Insurance Important Risk Management Tool 04/22/2009
The NCC urged a House panel to continue its risk management oversight, including the federal crop insurance program, to ensure a meaningful tool is available for producers.
 
NCC Salutes Earth Day's 40th Anniversary 04/22/2009
In recognition of Earth Day, the NCC emphasizes that the U.S. industry continues to make strides in sustainable cotton production and processing with the overall goal of improving environmental quality.
 
NCC Defending Effective Cotton Program on Multiple Fronts 04/03/2009
West Texas cotton producers were reassured today that the U.S. cotton industry is clearly communicating to lawmakers that the new farm law does not need to be re-opened for budget savings.
 
February
President’s Budget Undermines Confidence in Farm Policy 02/26/2009
The NCC says the proposed program changes included in President Obama’s FY10 budget for USDA fail to recognize the work recently completed by Congress on the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
 
National Cotton Council 2009 State Unit Officers Named 02/18/2009
NCC state unit officers for 2009 were elected at the industrywide organization’s annual meeting held in Washington, DC, on Feb. 12-16.
 
National Cotton Council Names '09 Directors 02/18/2009
NCC directors for '09 were announced at the industrywide organization’s annual meeting held in Washington, DC, on February 12-16.
 
Chuck Coley Re-Elected Chairman of American Cotton Producers 02/18/2009
C.B. “Chuck” Coley, a producer from Vienna, GA, was re-elected chairman of the American Cotton Producers (ACP) of the NCC for '09 during the NCC’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, on Feb. 12-16.
 
Hardwick to Lead the National Cotton Council in ’09 02/16/2009
Jay Hardwick, a Newellton, LA, cotton producer, was elected chairman of the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2009.
 
Cotton Service Award Honors Georgia Cotton Leader 02/16/2009
Bob McLendon, a Leary, GA, cotton producer, is the recipient of the 2008 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award.
 
Cotton Achievement Award Honors Charles F. Youngker 02/16/2009
The late Arizona cotton producer Charles “Charlie” Youngker is the recipient of the 2008 Oscar Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Mid-South Ginner to Lead NCGA in 2009 02/14/2009
The Memphis-based National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA) elected its officers for 2009 at its annual meeting here today.
 
NCC Says US Cotton Industry Outlook Tied to Demand Recovery 02/14/2009
The US cotton industry continues to face “a very competitive and difficult economic climate” but there are some reasons for optimism in the coming year, NCC Economist Dr. Gary Adams says. <a href=news/meetings/2009annual/index.cfm>More news from Annual Meeting</a>
 
NCC Survey Suggests US Cotton Producers to Plant 8.11 Million Acres in '09 02/13/2009
US cotton producers intend to plant 8.11 million acres of cotton this spring, down 14% from '08, according to the NCC’s 26th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.
 
Sharp Elected 2009 Cotton Council International President 02/13/2009
Clyde T. Sharp, a Roll, AZ, cotton producer, will serve as 2009 president of Cotton Council International (CCI). CCI is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotions arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA trademark.
 
January
Trio Honored With 2008 Cotton Genetics Research Award 01/07/2009
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The team of Drs. Al Bell, Forest Robinson and Dave Stelly received the 2008 Cotton Genetics Award by accomplishing a major breakthrough in transferring resistance to reniform nematode from a wild cotton species to upland cotton.
 
NCC Issues Statement on CFTC Investigation 01/06/2009
The National Cotton Council welcomes the release of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission investigation into the abnormal price fluctuations which occurred in the cotton market in February and March of 2008.
 
2009 High Cotton Winners Display Environmental Ethic in Communities 01/06/2009
Jimmy Dodson uses border strips to avoid drifting pesticides onto his neighbors’ lawns. Mike Tate is considered to be a “preferred” neighbor among residents in his community. Jason Luckey spends hours telling agriculture’s story to community organizations. Danny Locke shows small groups of other farmers what he’s doing to make his operation more environmentally friendly.