First Cotton Bale Harvested Fetches $24,000 for Scholarship Fund
October 6, 2025 
Pictured with the 2025 First Bale of Cotton are (from left): David Cortez, Simplot; T. Lowell Beck and Danny Gonzalez, Bayer; Teofilo Flores, Jr., grower; Arthur Nelson III, Simplot; Xavi and Michael Flores, growers; and Luke Etheredge, Bayer. (Photo: Harlingen Cotton Committee)
The official certified first bale of U.S.-grown cotton harvested in 2025 was auctioned for $24,500 at the annual First Bale Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser held by the Harlingen Cotton Committee and the Algodon Club on Sept. 25.
Flores Farms Joint Venture in Brownsville, TX, delivered the first harvested bale to Willamar Cotton and Grain on June 24 for processing. The 2,850-pound module was taken from a field planted by Teofilo Flores, Jr., on Feb. 10 to Deltapine variety DP 1646 B2XF. Michael Flores of Flores and Son Farms in Brownsville harvested the field.
The Flores family has been farming in Texas for four generations.
The bale was purchased together by Bayer Crop Science and Simplot Grower Solutions for $15,000. Add-ons from the following companies increased the bale auction total to $24,500.
- Capital Farm Credit ($2,000)
- Rio Bank ($500)
- Texas Farm Credit ($2,000)
- CropGuard Insurance ($2,000)
- Helena Chemical ($1,500)
- Adams Farms ($1,000)
In all, the bale auction and scholarship fundraiser raised over $93,000 to benefit students from the Rio Grande Valley pursuing studies in agriculture and trades.
More information about the First Bale Auction can be found on the Harlingen Cotton Committee Facebook page or at AlgodonClub.com.
Information from the Harlingen Cotton Committee and the Algodon Club
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