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WHO WE ARE

Plains Cotton Growers Inc. is a nonprofit certified producer organization established in 1956 by cotton producers from the Texas High Plains.

42

Counties Served

The 42 Counties that PCG serves: Andrews, Armstrong, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Cochran, Crosby, Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Howard, Hutchinson, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Midland, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Terry, Yoakum

WHO WE ARE

Plains Cotton Growers Inc. is a non-profit certified producer organization established in 1956 by cotton producers from the Texas High Plains.

42

Counties Served

The 42 Counties that PCG serves: Andrews, Armstrong, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Cochran, Crosby, Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Howard, Hutchinson, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Midland, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Terry, Yoakum

PROMOTING AND PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF PLAINS COTTON PRODUCERS.

The Four Pillars of the PCG Mission

All Cotton. All the time.

1. Legislation – PCG helps develop key legislative programs and rules for implementation at the state and national level. We also advocate on behalf of producers on many issues including including the Farm Bill, trade issues, State and Federal Agriculture Appropriations, Crop Insurance Reform and Improvement, and Conservation.

2. Research- Relationships between PCG, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Texas A&M Agrilife Research, Cotton Incorporated, universities, and numerous others have helped advance High Plains cotton into a valued player in the world market. PCG’s producer-funded Plains Cotton Improvement Program supports various research efforts designed to improve our product for years to come.

3. Promotion- PCG interacts with international cotton buyers through programs of Cotton Council International, Cotton Incorporated, and the National Cotton Council. We are involved in numerous educational and promotional events on behalf of Texas High Plains cotton. Our goal is to ensure that all segments understand the importance of cotton to the economy overall and everyone’s quality of life.

4. Service- We serve our producers and the cotton industry through political advocacy, industry communication, education on crop insurance and other programs, research coordination, public relations, and so much more.

The Four Pillars of the PCG Mission

All Cotton. All the time.

Legislation

PCG helps develop key legislative programs and rules for implementation at the state and national level. We also advocate on behalf of producers on many issues including the Farm Bill, trade issues, State and Federal Agriculture Appropriations, Crop Insurance Reform and Improvement, and Conservation.

Research

Relationships between PCG, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Texas A&M Agrilife Research, Cotton Incorporated, universities, and numerous others have helped advance High Plains cotton into a valued player in the world market. PCG's producer-funded Plains Cotton Improvement Program supports various research efforts designed to improve our product for years to come.

Promotion

PCG interacts with international cotton buyers through programs of Cotton Council International, Cotton Incorporated, and the National Cotton Council. We are involved in numerous educational and promotional events on behalf of Texas High Plains cotton. Our goal is to ensure that all segments understand the importance of cotton to the economy overall and everyone’s quality of life.

Service

We serve our producers and the cotton industry through political advocacy, industry communication, education on crop insurance and other programs, research coordination, public relations, and so much more.
HISTORY

Born Out of Necessity, Made for Such Times as These.

At 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 24, 1956, a meeting took place that changed history for the Texas High Plains cotton producer. A small group of agricultural leaders had called a meeting of more than 1,200 farmers and allied businessmen from every community, town and county on the Texas High Plains. It was there that J. H. Roberson made a motion to form an organization to represent High Plains cotton producers. According to the minutes recorded on that day, “The decision was so unanimous that a negative vote was not requested.” Three days later, this organization had a name: Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. or PCG. As a result of its broad grassroots support, PCG has met the specialized needs of the High Plains cotton industry for more than 66 years and provides effective input on key cotton issues at the very highest levels of federal and state government. We work hard here at PCG to maintain a broad and deep understanding of the cotton landscape both nationally and internationally. We work closely with our national organizations such as National Cotton Council of America and it’s producer arm, American Cotton Producers, to formulate and implement cotton industry policy. Whatever each year brings, whether it be rain or drought, one thing will always be certain: We’ll be on the front lines, so our producers can stay in the field.

RESEARCH

Research plays a critical part in the ongoing development of any industry and
cotton is no exception.

Plains Cotton Growers oversees operation of the Plains Cotton Improvement Program — a one-of-a-kind, producer-funded research program that is focused solely on addressing the needs of the High Plains cotton industry and producers. Through the PCIP, High Plains cotton producers support:

Cotton Breeding Research

Dr. Jane Dever, Texas AgriLife Extension Service

“Development of Improved Cotton Germplasm for the High Plains of Texas”

Variety Trials

Dr. Jourdan Bell, Texas AgriLife Extension – “Texas Panhandle Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) Trials and Related Extension Activities

 

 

Dr. John Wanjura, USDA Agricultural Research Service – “Enhancement of Post-Harvest Research on High Plains Cotton Varieties”

 

Entomology

Dr. Megha Parajulee, Texas AgriLife Research –

“Insect Pest Management in Texas High Plains Cotton” 

Cotton Textile Performance Testing

Dr. Brendan Kelly, Texas Tech University Fiber Biopolymer Research Institute – “Textile Performance Evaluation of Selected High Plains Cotton Varieties”

COTTON FACTS

Texas is the nation’s No. 1 cotton-producing state.
The Texas High Plains produces 66% of Texas cotton and cottonseed.
The Texas High Plains produces 30% of the nation’s cotton and cottonseed.
The Texas High Plains produces about 4% of the world’s cotton and cottonseed.

In 2021, Lynn County was the #1 cotton-producing county in the nation. (425,200 bales)

In 2021, the top 8 cotton-producing counties in the nation were in the High Plains of Texas.