LUBBOCK, Texas (KVII) — A dry, warm and windy winter in the Texas Panhandle with lots of dirt blowing around is extremely problematic for Ag producers and farmers.
For the cotton producers who plant in the springtime in the Texas Panhandle they say blowing dirt is so problematic, but you really don’t have any solutions for it.
“So far this year for cotton in 2026 it’s been really depressing,” said Ryan Wieck, Ag producer. “It’s been hard to get positive about it because are input costs are so high.
“The 69th annual Plains Cotton Growers meeting affords cotton producers from the High Plains and South Plains to meet in Lubbock at the Overton Hotel Conference Center and talk about overcoming the challenges they face in the fields and in the board room.
“There’s been a lot of great beneficial news that I’ve learned down here at this meeting in Lubbock that has kind of rejuvenated me and got me excited to grow cotton in 2026,” said Wieck.
“We’re expanding to making sure we have a fashion industry that really utilizes cotton and apparel,” said Nate Sheets, Republican nominee for Texas Ag Commissioner. “Looking for other ways, we can consume more cotton in the United States and be more supportive of cotton growers.”
As cotton competes against polyesters there’s one bit of good news for cotton producers. The price is beginning to tick back upward.
“USDA did release their early planning intentions report back in the end of March, and it showed slightly more acres planted this year compared to last year,” said Gary Adams, president/CEO of National Cotton Council.
There’s still plenty of time for mother nature to cooperate and bring some much-needed moisture as the 2026 growing season is literally just weeks away.
The Democrat nominee for Texas Ag Commissioners, Clayton Tucker will be in Dalhart on Wednesday. ABC 7 News reached out and will talk to Tucker on April 8 when he appears at Veterans Memorial Park.
Dry, windy Texas Panhandle winter batters cotton outlook as 2026 planting nears (KVII)