Though it looks bleak for American cotton growers to get cottonseed listed as an “other oilseed,” cotton-growing groups are not giving up.
The legal authority to claim cottonseed as an “other oilseed” does not lie in his hands, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway disagrees.
“The current economic situation for cotton farmers is dire” and warrants an urgent and meaningful action by the Department, according to Conaway.
“This designation (to subsidize cottonseed oil) would be a tremendous boost for cotton growers across the Cotton Belt who are struggling with low prices, high input costs, weak demand and growing competition,” said Shawn Holliday, president of Plains Cotton Growers.
Holliday remains positive.
“I can assure you that Plains Cotton Growers will leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding or creating opportunities to help cotton producers in these challenging times and will keep working to find a solution,” he said.
Texas Farm Bureau supports designation of cottonseed as a Title I oilseed.