MCEP Brings Grain Leaders to Tour West Texas Agriculture
October 28, 2024 Thirteen farmers and association executives from diverse regions across the nation observed cotton and other agricultural operations in West Texas Oct. 20-25, as part of the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP).
The exchange is designed to offer participants a better understanding of production challenges faced by their peers in different geographic regions, and an opportunity to observe agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing strategies, and operational structure. The program also fosters dialogue among American farmers regardless of their crops or locations, helping build strong and lasting relationships between this nation’s current and future producer leaders.
Participating in the 2024 tour were:
Idaho – Sydney Anderson, Nampa; Ashley and Jake Ozburn, both of Soda Springs
Iowa – Pat Swanson, Ottumwa
Maryland – Jake Westin, Laurel
Minnesota – Mike Gunderson, Bejou; Jim Kukowski, Strathcona
Montana – Ken and Cindy Johnson, Conrad; Nathan Keane, Lorna; Steve Sheffels, Great Falls
Nebraska – Ken Boswell, Shickley
Ohio – Scott Ruck, Wooster
Washington – Mary Sullivan, Valleyford.
The tour itinerary included:
- A visit to Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. for an overview of the organization and High Plains cotton production.
- Visits to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cotton Division facility and the FiberMax Center for Discovery Museum in Lubbock.
- A firsthand look at cotton harvesting and irrigation at Verett Farms in Ralls and a visit to Olson Farms in Plainview.
- Observing upland cotton ginning at United Cotton Growers in Levelland and roller ginning extra-long staple cotton at Maple Coop Gin in Maple.
- Tours of Barker Research Farm in Morton to observe regenerative research on irrigated and non-irrigated cropland, and of Lov-Cot Cotton Warehouse in Lubbock.
- Presentations on planting seed processing at the Bayer Southern Production Company; water conservation on the Texas High Plains at the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District; cotton merchandising at Plains Cotton Cooperative Association; and cottonseed processing and marketing at PYCO Industries.
- A briefing at Birdsong Peanuts in Brownfield and a tour of Farmhouse Vineyards to learn about peanut harvesting and grape and black-eyed pea production.
Launched in 2006, the MCEP is coordinated by NCC’s Member Services, along with local leaders and organizations. The program is supported by The Cotton Foundation with a grant from John Deere.
Information from the National Cotton Council
GET THE NEWSLETTER TODAY!
