LUBBOCK, TX – West Texas cotton leaders are pressing Congress and USDA for stronger farm policy, emergency assistance and disaster support as drought and weak margins pressure producers. Plains Cotton Growers Vice President Keith Patrick says the group recently met with about 26 lawmakers and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Patrick says those meetings focused on the condition of the regional crop, cotton prices, the farm bill and aid tied to drought and other weather losses. He says producers continue to need dependable safety-net programs as costs remain high.
The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the Agriculture Act of 2026 on September 16, moving the farm bill process forward. The measure still must clear additional legislative steps before becoming law.
Patrick says cotton growers want lawmakers to keep the farm bill from being pushed aside by other congressional priorities. Plains Cotton Growers plans to continue pressing members in both chambers as negotiations move ahead.
The organization is also watching emergency and disaster assistance proposals. Patrick says drought, fires, freezes and severe weather continue to create financial pressure across agriculture beyond cotton.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Cotton growers are pushing Washington for a completed farm bill and additional assistance as drought and tight margins pressure producers.