I've been around the block, but ... Never Around The World

By Henry Gantz|September 14, 2009

I grew up in the in the Mississippi River Delta ― the heart of the American Cotton Belt. That’s a subject I’ve written about so much around here, I’m sure my colleagues are sick and tired of hearing it.

However, there’s a point: In my many years in cotton, I’ve been around the block a thousand times. But I’ve never been around the world.

I’ve spent most of my time working on Cotton Grower, our sister publication devoted almost exclusively to U.S. cotton production. Recently I’ve become more active with this publication. Coming up are the association annual meetings and dinners: ICAC in Cape Town, ICA in Liverpool and AFCOT in Montreaux, Switzerland. I was looking forward to attending them all, but a recent surgery will prevent that this year.

Thinking ahead to a time when I will be out and about, there are things I wonder about, and I’ll be asking for your opinions:
• Let’s start with something prickly: U.S. farm subsidies. The price tag for the 2008 U.S. Farm Bill spread over four years is $286 billion. Of that, 73.3% goes to nutrition programs; only 9.5% goes for all commodities programs. Using round numbers, there are 9 million acres of cotton in the U.S. and 90 million acres each of corn and soybeans. Can that little cotton be so bothersome?
• The ICAC’s Terry Townsend says about 60% of the cotton-producing nations in the world have met the United Nation’s definition of “sustainability.” What will it take for other countries to do likewise? What percentage of those countries are simply incapable? Will they always be?
• Organic cotton makes up 0.55% of total cotton production. If you buy a pair of shorts at your favorite store and it says, “Contains organic cotton” how much does it actually contain? A lone thread? Several threads? Half? All? Organic cotton does have a role. What it is?
• And to end on a lighter note: What’s the difference in futball and football? Just joking. I know what soccer is. My son was a decent youth-league midfielder and goalie. I love the World Cup and Olympic soccer. I know offsides when I see it, but don’t ask me to explain it. Thirty years ago, I would have liked to have given rugby a shot. I hear both sides get together after games and drink lots of beer. As for cricket, I’m going to have to claim ignorance. But the uniforms look nice.