Welcome to the Wylie AgCast!!

In this episode of the Wylie AgCast, I sat down with Kody Bessent; CEO of Plains Cotton Growers, to talk about the current state of the cotton industry and the policies shaping its future. We break down what Plains Cotton Growers does, how ag policy is developed, and the role of PACs and industry leaders in driving real change.

We dive into key legislation like House Bill 43, disaster relief programs, farm bridge assistance, and the "One Big Beautiful Bill," and how these efforts impact cotton prices, insurance, and producer stability. We also discuss major challenges facing the industry—from water issues in South Texas to infrastructure and market pressures—and how research, innovation, and policy are working together to move agriculture forward.

Finally, we look ahead to the future of cotton, including technology, market projections, and why keeping cotton strong in Texas matters for the entire U.S. economy.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:06 - Kody Bessent's backstory and Texas agriculture roots

03:29 - From agriculture to politics and the Mac Thornberry internship

07:48 - Early career with High Plains Water District and entry into ag

09:50 - What Plains Cotton Growers does and its industry influence

11:40 - One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on cotton prices and insurance

13:39 - How agricultural politics works with PACs and lobbying

15:00 - Texas House Bill 43 and farmer relief efforts

18:29 - Cotton industry recovery and disaster assistance programs

24:20 - Cotton infrastructure and rebuilding gins in Texas

26:20 - South Texas water crisis and Mexico's role

28:10 - Policy, research, and cotton breeding to prevent crop loss

30:24 - Financial relief, land grants, and farmer support

32:15 - Plains Cotton Growers Annual Meeting highlights

36:40 - Tax reform and its impact on farmers

39:00 - Organic vs conventional cotton and product quality

41:18 - Agricultural policy efforts in Washington DC

45:21 - Cotton industry outlook for 2026

48:06 - Technology shaping the future of cotton farming

49:00 - Why cotton in Texas matters to the US economy

50:35 - Final Thoughts & Outro

Follow PCG:

Website - https://www.plainscotton.org/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/plainscottongrowers

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/plainscottongrowers/

X - https://x.com/PCGNews?s=20

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/plains-cotton-growers/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@plainscottongrowersinc.6855

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#agriculture #cotton #legislature #WylieAgCast #cottonindustry​