Today’s guest is Keith Patrick, vice president of government affairs and policy analysis with Plains Cotton Growers.
Patrick joins Tony St. James to discuss the difficult 2026 West Texas cotton crop after summer heat and drought damaged dryland production and pressured irrigated fields. He also explains what cotton growers discussed during recent meetings with lawmakers and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, including the farm bill, emergency assistance and disaster aid.
The conversation also covers the Buying American Cotton Act, efforts to expand demand for U.S.-grown cotton and why Patrick believes producers can help the industry compete with polyester and other synthetic fibers by telling agriculture’s story.