The National Cotton Council is devoting considerable resources to technology advances, including efforts to improve cotton yield and quality. NCC-supported yield and quality objectives – including second and third generation developments in genetic improvements and greater involvement in cottonseed breeding programs by state researchers - are fundamental to improving the U.S. cotton industry’s profitability and maintaining its competitive edge. A major concern is that cottonseed breeding programs that have focused on genetic modifications or obtaining other specific fiber properties may have lost seed vigor in the process. Restoration of industry profitability hinges on: expanding U.S. cotton markets; reducing production, processing and distribution costs; and maintaining a healthy policy partnership with the federal government. NCC leadership agrees that certain provisions of current farm law need to be retained, including: cotton’s marketing loan keyed to the world cotton price, the three-step competitiveness program and planting flexibility. They also agree that new farm law should provide a better income safety net.