*India announced a controversial plan that will pay a government export subsidy of five percent to Indian Cotton Exporters. Many believe this could damage the market for other countries’ exports. To read more about India’s program and its possible effects, read the Cotton Grower Extra report.

*The Cotton Market rallied in the month of December, closing at 56.57 cents per pound. This is an increase of 1.36 cents per pound over November, and may be indicative of future market trends. For more information on upcoming events and factors that influence the Cotton Market, see the Cotton Grower Magazine article.

*As cotton production technology continues to increase, the advantages that U.S. cotton producers have grow as well. To find out more about cutting edge cotton production technologies and how they might affect the global cotton industry, along with commentary from the National Cotton Council, check out this Cotton Farming Magazine article.

*The National Cotton Council announced the launch of a new joint-project with Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated. The Project, dubbed Vision 21, focuses on three objectives critical to the cotton industry.

The first objective is to gather data on emerging consumers, specifically Asia. The second objective is to analyze and improve on the overall sustainability of cotton in the marketplace, while the final element of the project will look at the efficiency and logistics of the U.S Cotton Industry in order to improve the efficiency of production, ginning, warehousing, and transportation. For detailed information about the project and its objectives, see the Cotton Grower Extra article.

*According to a survey conducted by Cotton Incorporated on cotton producers’ concerns and information sources, weed resistance to herbicides is a top concern. Other concerns in the top five include, in order of greatest to least, consumer attitudes about agriculture, efficient use of nitrogen, insecticides, and adequate water supply. The top information source for cotton producers was found to be other cotton producers. For more information about the survey, see the Farmer Stockman article.

*As of December 15, 2008, 10,478,950 bales of cotton have been ginned in the United states in 2008. This number is down from 14,350,500 in 2007 and 18,401,200 in 2005. To see more information and statistics check out the USDA Ginning Report.

*The USDA reports that Texas Upland cotton production is expected to reach 5.1 million bales in 2008, a 38% decrease from 2007. For more information, read the USDA press release

*A U.S. Geological Survey conducted to determine the levels of pesticides present in groundwater found that all groundwater sampled was safe, which speaks well for agricultural practitioners. Samples taken from 362 wells were tested for more than 80 kinds of pesticides. Six pesticides were found to be present; however, the levels were less than .12 parts per billion, which is ten times lower than the EPA’s standards. For more information about the survey results and data, see the Delta Farm Press release.

*The cotton harvest for 2008 is estimated to be 28% below expectations. This could result in an economic loss of between $300 million and $500 million in regions dependant on cotton production. Factors influencing the low yield include early season high winds and late season cool temperatures. For more information on the estimated cotton harvest, see the High Plains Journal’s article.

*The USDA has approved the final regulations for the 2008-2012 cotton programs. The regulations were made public in a USDA press release that can be viewed here.

*Following the presidential victory of Sen. Barak Obama (D-Ill.), Tom Buis, President of the National Farmers Union, held a teleconference to discuss upcoming agricultural issues that the Obama Administration will face. Buis offered information on spending plans, the need for a Rural Summit, Budget Cuts, the mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, and other agricultural issues. For more information about agricultural happenings in Washington check out Jim Wiesemeyer’s blog on Farm Journal’s AgWeb.

*Cotton producers continue to implement new technologies, and to educate consumers about those technologies. Cotton, Inc. offers some great information about cotton production technologies, including Integrated Pest Managements plans, pesticide usage and biodiversity, in a press release that can be viewed here.

*As cotton farmers implement new technologies, yield and efficiency increases. At a seminar sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Steve Newsom, a cotton producer from Hockley County, Texas, described the technologies he uses to make more bales of cotton on fewer acres. Newsom uses subsurface drip irrigation, grain sorghum crop rotation, and seed technologies on his farm, and has seen increasing yields over the previous six years, despite decreasing the number of acres he plants. To read more about Newsom’s use of technology, view the Southwest Farm Press Release.

*American cotton once has once again been determined to be completely pollutant-free. The Bremen Cotton Exchange conducted its yearly cotton survey, randomly sampling cotton bales for testing. No heavy metal or pesticides were found in the samples. For more information on the Bremen Cotton Exchange's tests and results click here.

*The USDA released its Cotton Ginnings Report on October 10, 2008. The report shows that as of October 1, there have been 817,200 bales of cotton ginned in the United States. 573,550 of those bales have been ginned in Texas, a number which is up from this time last year.

*Researchers at North Carolina State University have implemented cutting edge technology for textile finishing processes. The newly developed atmospheric plasma system aids in the application of performance properties to textiles and apparel. NCSU says that clothing finished using this new process may be more comfortable and stay clean longer. To find out more about the atmospheric plasma system and its implementation click here.

*As legislators continue to implement the 2008 Farm Bill, many producers have questions about how they will be effected. To get facts and news about the Farm Bill, go to www.farmpolicyfacts.org or click here.

*Agricultural producers in areas damaged by flooding are facing a new threat to their homes, equipment and land: mold. Texas Agrilife extension offers tips to combat mold on their website. Many producers are uninsured, but help may still be available. To apply for assistance call 800-621-3362 or visit www.fema.gov

*As cotton harvest comes closer for most cotton producers, it is increasingly important to think about harvest aid regimens. To get advice about harvest aid, you can check out the newly revised 2008 Harvest Guide, published by cotton agronomist Dr. Randy Bowman of Texas AgriLife extension.

*Hurricane Ike has left thousands of Southeast Texas Agricultural Producers in need of help. Livestock have been displaced, are without food, water or other necessities, and many are near death. Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, Todd Staples, announced today that joint efforts with local, state and federal organizations are being implemented to meet these needs, but that anyone can help. Commissioner Staples is asking producers to sell or donate animal feed, hay or other resources, such as feed and water troughs, to the Texas Department of Agriculture hay hotline.

The Texas Agrilife Extension Service has also set up animal feed donation sites. For more information, contact your local Agrilife Extension Agent or check their website.

If you would like to offer financial aid, Texas Agrilife Extension has set up a foundation for hurricane animal relief. To donate go to the website or call (979) 845-2604.

For producers needing aid, your local emergency officials are in direct contact with the state emergency disaster management team, but there are also other ways to get help. If you have livestock –related needs, you can contact the Texas Animal Health commission at 1-800-550-8242 ext. 296. Producers in need can also contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-tell-TDA or visit the hotline’s website.

* Plains Cotton Farmers might see a larger decrease in production in 2008 than earlier expected. Lubbock’s News Channel 11, KCBD, reports t that harvest might drop as much as 40 percent, while Lubbock’s KJTV 34 says that farmers should expect a rocky finish to the growing season. Cooler temperatures and hurricanes are to blame for the harvest decrease.