YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Texas is cotton country 

By Gene Hall

It snows in Texas. In the summer. When cotton makes its annual appearance from the South Plains all the way to South Texas.

Suited for arid climates cotton is pure, beautiful fluff. But its economic and social impact is rock solid.

Long an economic staple of the Lone Star State, cotton is a major driver bringing in $2.2 billion annually for Texas, the top cotton state.

Where does it all go?

To clothes. Cool, crisp and stylish. That new pair of jeans, flowing dress and comfortable T-shirt are all made with cotton.

But it’s not just for apparel. Cotton is also used for home furnishings. It’s the dominant fiber in towels and washcloths and is popular in bed sheets and pillowcases. It’s also used in plastics, paper products and cosmetics.

The seed, shell and oil are palatable and serve as feed for livestock and oil for cooking.

Cotton is durable and drought-tolerant. It’s made for Texas. A relationship grown to last.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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