A Breaking Point for Cotton Country

Across the Southeast, concern is growing over the future of cotton farming, a cornerstone of the region’s agricultural economy. Last week, Alabama Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville spoke on the Senate floor, warning that the region’s cotton farmers are facing a serious financial crisis and urging Congress to act before the damage becomes permanent.

Alabama remains one of the nation’s top cotton producers, generating more than $400 million annually for the state’s economy. ()

"Our cotton farmers are broke. They’ve had 3 bad years, and it’s getting worse and worse every year. Now, this is planting season. They’re putting all the cotton in the ground. They’ve got all these people out there working these $100,000 tractors and machines that they use to plant this cotton. And if you look at it at the end of the day, the cost of putting this cotton in the ground is far and above the amount of money that they’ll receive when they sell this cotton. Used to be that didn't happen."

The Senator backs the Buying American Cotton Act, which would provide tax incentives for buying U.S. cotton.