I think this is my 14^th year to speak at the Beltwide and I think the earlier years were certainly more fun. They were more fun because I had the opportunity to share some good news, but the last two years in particular, every facet of the cotton industry has continued to struggle to survive.

I think the good news is the President and Congress for the last two years have recognized the serious plight of agriculture and have passed emergency farm legislation to aid a distressed situation.