2025 Western P.I.E. Tour to Visit California
July 28, 2025 The National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2025 Western Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Tour will take place from July 27 through August 1.
This immersive program will bring 12 U.S. cotton producers from across the belt to California to explore innovative farming practices, foster invaluable knowledge exchange, and facilitate direct interaction with host farmers, organizations, and regional peers to build a strong industry network.
Sponsored by BASF through a grant to The Cotton Foundation, the P.I.E. program is designed to equip U.S. cotton producers with new perspectives to maximize production efficiency and improve yields and fiber quality. It achieves this by fostering new insights into fundamental practices such as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation, and harvesting; and by observing the unique ways in which innovative peers are using new and existing technology.
This year’s Western P.I.E. Tour will offer participants a comprehensive look at diverse agricultural operations, highlighting innovative approaches to cotton production and other key crops.
The tour includes visits to the Jordan Agricultural Research Center for insights into cutting-edge research, and tours of farming operations such as Gilkey Enterprises and Cardoza & Cardoza Farms. The itinerary also includes a unique visit to a large-scale dairy operation, Bar 20 Dairy, demonstrating integrated agricultural enterprises, and an exploration of water management at the Romero Visitors Center at San Luis Reservoir.
Throughout the week, participants will engage directly with host farmers and industry experts, gaining valuable insights into resource management, technological adoption, and sustainable practices.
Participating in the 2025 Western P.I.E. program are:
- Joshua Ast of Mayfield, KS
- Darryl Blakey of Silver Spring, MD
- Marcus Cave of Rotan, TX
- Christopher Clark of Levelland, TX
- Bo Eggemeyer of Midkiff, TX
- Sterling Field of Durham, NC
- Brent Jacob of Winters, TX
- Joshua Klatt of Shallowater, TX
- Steve Olson of Plainview, TX
- Doyle Schniers of San Angelo, TX
- Justin Stoerner of Lockney, TX
- Wesley Williams of Roscoe, TX.
Information from the National Cotton Council
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