NCC Announces 2026 Southeast Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Tour

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -  The National Cotton Council's (NCC) 2026 Southeast Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Tour is set to take place from July 12 - July 17. This immersive program will bring together U.S. cotton producers from the Mid-South to North Carolina and Virginia to explore innovative farming practices and foster invaluable knowledge exchange and understanding of other growing regions.

Sponsored by BASF through a grant to The Cotton Foundation, the P.I.E. program is designed to equip U.S. cotton producers with new perspectives to maximize production efficiency and improve yields and fiber quality. It achieves this by:

1. Fostering new insights into fundamental practices such as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation, and harvesting; and
2. Observing firsthand the unique ways in which innovative peers are using new and existing technology.

This year's Southeast P.I.E. Tour will offer participants a comprehensive look at diverse agricultural operations, highlighting innovative approaches to cotton production and other key regional crops. The tour includes visits to the BASF Headquarters and Cotton Incorporated to gain critical industry and research overviews. In addition to row crops, growers will explore forest management at the CoolSprings Environmental Education Center and lumber manufacturing at Roseburg Forest Products. Throughout the week, participants will engage directly with host farmers and industry experts, gaining valuable insights into resource management, technological adoption, and sustainable practices.

The 2026 Southeast P.I.E. program participants include: Travis DeLoach of Itta Bena, MS; Joseph Dodson of Schlater, MS; John Edwards of Monette, AR; Charles Halfmann of Vancourt, TX; Julia Johnson of Arlington, VA; Tyler Martin of Roscoe, TX; Matthew Muehlstein of Abilene, TX; Jesse Penter of Trumann, AR; Camden Riley of Dexter, MO; and Richard Riley of New Madrid, MO.