2010 News Releases

2010 News Releases from the National Cotton Council

November
Estate Tax Reinstatement Will Harm Producers, Associated Agribusinesses 11/30/2010
The NCC says that if estate taxes are allowed to be reinstated at the beginning of '11 with only a $1 million exemption and top rate of 55%, US agriculture will be affected very negatively.
 
September
USDA Announces ’09 ACRE Payments 09/28/2010
USDA’s Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess announced the states that have met revenue “triggers” for the ’09 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program payments for acres of wheat, barley and oats.
 
NCC Leadership Delegation Concludes Successful China Visit 09/15/2010
A NCC leadership team visited China on Sept. 4-12 to gather information from Chinese cotton industry officials and update them on key facets of the US cotton industry.
 
NCC Responds to Administration Disaster Program 09/15/2010
The NCC says the special disaster assistance program announced by USDA does not represent the type of "comprehensive" assistance the NCC sought, and the NCC urges program expansion to provide assistance to producers in all areas who suffered weather-related losses in '09.
 
Sunbelt Farmers to See Midwest Operations on MCEP Tour 09/10/2010
Key commodity organization leaders and executives will see agricultural operations in Illinois on Sept. 13-16, as part of the NCC’s Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP).
 
NCC: Repeal Burdensome 1099 Reporting Requirement 09/09/2010
The NCC joined 25 state and national farm, livestock and commodity organizations in urging Congressional repeal of a proposed 1099 reporting requirement.
 
August
NCC Responds to Congressional Quarterly 08/09/2010
The CQ Weekly cover story on US cotton policy and the US cotton industry is steeped in error, surprising bias, and fallacy. The author used every tried and true tactic to distort the picture -- from sentence structure to carefully missing facts.
 
NCC Applauds Bill Preventing Burdensome Pesticide Permitting 08/06/2010
The NCC fully supports the concept embraced in legislation introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Lincoln (D-AR) and Ranking Member Chambliss (R-GA) that would overturn the decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of NCC, et al, v. EPA.
 
July
Southeast Cotton Producers to See Mid-South Operations 07/13/2010
Southeast cotton producers will see cotton operations in the Mid-South on July 18-22 as part of the NCC Producer Information Exchange program.
 
June
NCC: Stable Farm Policy Vital for Healthy U.S. Cotton Industry 06/24/2010
The NCC told a House Agriculture Committee subcommittee today that stable farm policy is essential for the U.S. cotton industry.
 
NCC Creates Conservation Information Website 06/18/2010
The NCC has created “Conservation in Cotton Production,” a website portal intended to raise its producer members’ awareness and use of federal conservation programs.
 
NCC Statement on U.S.-Brazil Framework Agreement 06/18/2010
The NCC expressed appreciation for Administration efforts to conclude a framework agreement with Brazil in the WTO dispute involving the export credit guarantee programs and certain provisions of the cotton program.
 
Senate Approval Urged on Resolution Preventing Greenhouse Gas Regulation Under Clean Air Act 06/08/2010
The NCC is urging Senators to vote yes on adoption of S. J. Res. 26, a resolution to disapprove EPA regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
 
May
2010 P.I.E. Program Tours Set 05/19/2010
The NCC has set locations and July/August dates for the '10 Producer Information Exchange Program tours.
 
April
US-Brazil Agreement in WTO Trade Dispute Is a Positive Step Forward 04/06/2010
NCC Chairman Eddie Smith stated that the US cotton industry viewed the agreement between the United States and Brazil regarding the ongoing WTO dispute as a meaningful way forward for the two countries.
 
March
Commodity Groups Discuss Environmental Issues with Administration 03/26/2010
NCC Chairman Eddie Smith said he was encouraged by discussion on production agriculture issues that he and leaders from five other US commodity groups had with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and EPA Administrator Jackson.
 
Agricultural Organizations Band Together In Support of Resolutions Opposing EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Regulation Plan 03/12/2010
The NCC coordinated a letter, signed by 175 agricultural organizations, to Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX) and Ike Skelton (D-MO) acknowledging support of their actions against a greenhouse gas regulation plan.
 
NCC's Statement on Brazil Retaliatory Trade Measures Announcement 03/08/2010
The NCC said that given world cotton market conditions and the dramatic changes that have been made in the U.S. cotton program, the latest actions by Brazil are imposing unwarranted harm on Brazilian and American interests in times of economic hardship for all.
 
February
Input Applications Face Uncertain Future 02/23/2010
The NCC expressed concern that the Supreme Court's determination to allow a clearly incorrect lower court decision to stand would have significant negative repercussions on US agriculture.
 
Jimmy Dodson to Chair American Cotton Producers in '10 02/10/2010
James F. “Jimmy” Dodson, a Robstown, TX, producer, was elected as chairman of the American Cotton Producers of the NCC for '10.
 
Cotton Achievement Award Honors Jack McDonald 02/10/2010
The late Jack McDonald is the recipient of the '09 Oscar Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Cotton Service Award Honors Bill Lovelady 02/10/2010
Bill Lovelady, a Tornillo, TX, cotton producer, is the recipient of the '09 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award.
 
NCC Names '10 Directors 02/10/2010
The NCC directors for '10 were announced at the NCC’s annual meeting held here on Feb. 4-8.
 
Smith to Lead the National Cotton Council in 2010 02/10/2010
Eddie Smith, a Floydada, TX, cotton producer, was elected NCC chairman for '10.
 
NCC '10 State Unit Officers Named 02/10/2010
NCC state unit officers for '10 were elected at the industrywide organization’s annual meeting held here on Feb. 4-8.
 
California Ginner to Lead NCGA in 2010 02/06/2010
The National Cotton Ginners Association elected its officers for '10 at its annual meeting, including the new president, Kirk Gilkey, manager of Cross Creek Gin, LLC in Corcoran, California.
 
US Cotton Poised for Recovery in '10 02/06/2010
NCC Economist Dr. Gary Adams says lingering effects and uncertainties for the general economy continue to present challenges for the US cotton industry but data suggest the worst has been weathered and recent concerns are being replaced with prospects for recovery and growth.
 
NCC Survey Suggests US Producers to Plant 10.1 Million Acres of Upland/ELS Cotton in '10 02/05/2010
US cotton producers intend to plant 10.1 million acres of cotton this spring, up more than 10 percent from '09, according to the NCC’s 27th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey. (<a href=news/meetings/2010annual/index.cfm>more Annual Meeting news</a>)
 
Darneille Elected '10 CCI President 02/05/2010
Wallace L. (Wally) Darneille, a Lubbock, TX, cooperative official, will serve as Cotton Council International president for '10.
 
Administration’s FY11 Budget Proposal Undermines Farm Safety Net 02/02/2010
The NCC says the President Obama FY11 USDA budget ignores the extensive changes to production agriculture support that were embodied in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
 
Senator Blanche Lincoln to Address '10 NCC Annual Meeting 02/01/2010
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will deliver the keynote address at the NCC 2010 Annual Meeting being held in Memphis on February 4-8.
 
January
NCC Commends Distinguished Service of Rep. Berry 01/25/2010
NCC leaders commended Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), who has decided not to seek another term in Congress, for his distinguished public service noting that he has been a tireless and effective advocate for family farmers and rural Americans.
 
Lincoln, Chambliss Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Rules Reassuring 01/22/2010
The NCC says it is reassuring to the agricultural community to see Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) responding to 138 diverse organizations by joining 35 other senators in cosponsoring a measure that would keep U.S. farmers and ranchers from economic harm.
 
NCC Seeks Congressional Action on EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation Plan 01/21/2010
The NCC declared its support for Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduction of a resolution opposing EPA’s current plan to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and urged Senate resolution approval.
 
Carl Feaster Receives 2009 Cotton Genetics Award 01/07/2010
Dr. Carl V. Feaster, a retired research agronomist and breeder, is the recipient of the 2009 Cotton Genetics Research Award.
 
Hardwick Sees Excellent Prospects for U.S. Cotton 01/05/2010
NCC Chairman Jay Hardwick believes that although the US cotton industry still faces many challenges but has excellent prospects for achieving profitable cotton production and processing. (<a href=news/meetings/2010bw/index.cfm>more Beltwide news</a>)
 
High Cotton Winners Overcome Challenges 01/05/2010
This year’s High Cotton Award winners, presented by The Cotton Foundation and Farm Press Publications, are: Mike Griffin, Suffolk, Va., Southeast; Jimmy Hargett, Bells Tenn., Mid-South; Jeff Posey, Roby, Texas, Southwest; and Allen Pierucci, Buttonwillow, Calif., Western.