Jim Steadman

United States

Senior Editor at Cotton Grower

Host at The Cotton Companion

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Articles

Video Highlights Texas Tech Sustainable Advanced Materials Research

1 week ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

Texas Tech University recently released a YouTube video highlighting ongoing research on advanced materials involving cotton, hemp, and other natural fiber-based combinations and blends. Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology and The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University, and a frequent contributor to Cotton Grower. See all author stories here.
Cotton’s Cycle Needs Some TLC - and A Good Push

1 week ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

Life, as we know it, is made up of multiple certainties. The sun will rise in the morning and set in the evening. The earth will take a 365-day trip around the sun (with an extra day every four years, just because). There are 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week (unless you’re a Beatles fan, then apparently there are eight). The SEC will always be in contention for national championships (okay, maybe not always, but it sure seems like it).
ADM, PYCO Industries Launch Cottonseed Processing Joint Venture

1 week ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, and PYCO Industries, Inc., a leader in the local agricultural communities it serves, are launching a joint venture combining the companies’ cottonseed processing capabilities in Lubbock, TX. The new joint venture will be majority-owned by PYCO and governed by a six-member board with equal representation from ADM and PYCO. ADM and PYCO will each contribute their Lubbock-based processing facilities to the new company.
Shurley: USDA June Numbers Neutral - Not Good but Not Bad

1 week ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

The USDA monthly supply/demand estimates for June do not contain enough good news to support higher prices. But also, there’s not enough negative news to call for price to move lower. So, prices (Dec. ‘25 futures) are likely to remain mostly in the 67 to 71 cents range – just as they have for the past six months. • U.S. exports projected for the 2024 crop marketing year ending July 31 were raised 400,000 bales to 11.5 million bales.
Despite Positive USDA Report, Cotton Prices Still Can’t Catch a Break

2 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

USDA released, arguably, the most optimistic supply demand report in its history this month. So, of course, the market yawned and closed 18 to 33 points lower in the most active contracts. Cotton, so often the darling of the speculators, cannot get a break. After the WASDE report, the world’s Iranian problem festered, but the market moved insignificantly higher, defying all expectations. The old crop July settled the week at 65.36 cents, while the new crop December settled at 67.84 cents.
Cotton Highlights From June 2025 WASDE Report

2 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

USDA has released its June 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Here’s this month’s summary of the U.S. domestic and global cotton balance sheets. The 2025/26 U.S. cotton balance sheet is revised to show lower production, beginning stocks and ending stocks, with consumption, imports, and exports unchanged from last month. Harvested area is lowered 2% to 8.19 million acres following extensive rainfall and delayed planting in the Delta.
NCC Supports Senate Farm Bill Package

2 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

The National Cotton Council (NCC) applauds the legislative text released by U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). In a statement issued June 12, the NCC notes that the Senate’s budget reconciliation package promotes fiscal responsibility and invests in rural America and America’s farm families.
How Environmental Zeal Backfired on Cotton

2 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

In the global apparel market, polyester is the preeminent fiber. There was a time, however, when cotton could have made that claim. Not anymore. Many factors explain how cotton lost its position, including price competition, synthetic fiber performance, fashion trends, and changing consumer attitudes. However, one factor is often overlooked when considering cotton’s diminished market share: environmentalism. Huh? Please hear me out. I support environmentalists and the movement to protect the climate.
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Achieves Sixth Year of Record Growth

2 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced its sixth consecutive year of growth, marking an expansion in both planted acres and enrolled growers. The Trust Protocol – the voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton – now represents 2.58 million planted acres, an 18% increase from the previous year, planted by 1,512 participating growers – a 14% rise compared to 2024.
Current Cotton Trading Range Akin to “Watching Paint Dry”

3 weeks ago | cottongrower.com | Jim Steadman

Enough of this bearishness. Enough of the declining demand. I dare use the word “bullish” for what it could imply to some. Yet, there must be some optimism, although I admit it is difficult to find. Friends and acquaintances alike suggest the new crop December futures contract is headed higher. They are smarter than me, so they’d better be right. As Nike says, “Let’s Do It.”That said, both the old crop July contract and the new crop December are flat.