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Farm groups call for federal aid as farm costs surge, push for relief package

The president of the National Cotton Council says more ad-hoc assistance is needed from the federal government, especially in the Delta.

“Our expenses have gotten so great…we’re still in a tough time in agriculture.”

Nathan Reed, who farms in eastern Arkansas, tells Brownfield his state is leading the country in bankruptcies, and a $15 billion plan that has been circulating among lawmakers could help mitigate additional farmer losses.

“From what I understand, there’s $5 billion going directly to commodity support as a disaster payment across the board. There’s an additional money for specialty crops and another going to realign local basis.”

The National Cotton Council and 53 other ag groups sent a letter to President Trump in the last week, asking him to ensure more help is included in the upcoming defense supplemental package.

“Support from the administration is never a bad thing, especially when there’s a Republican House and Senate still.”

Reed says in the long-term U.S. farmers want stronger markets, including more domestic support. For cotton farmers, that includes the passage of the Buying American Cotton Act to incentivize the use of U.S. grown cotton in apparel and textiles.