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| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana's commissioner of agriculture said the textiles plant coming to Lacassine, in
Jeff Davis Parish, would be an asset for cotton producers, as well as the Louisiana economy as a whole.
During the 86th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention Saturday,
Dr. Mike Strain said the plant "will process Louisiana cotton in Louisiana,
helping state producers by cutting transportation costs."
"The cost of fuel is eating us alive," Strain said. "Coupled with the high
cost of fertilizer and other costs of producing cotton, Louisiana cotton
farmers are hurting. It is important to process a product near where it is
raised, not across the ocean. This plant in Lacassine will benefit
Louisiana producers and producers all across the Cotton Belt because
their product can be processed here, rather than being shipped to China
or India."
In addition to processing cotton near where it is grown, Craig Brown, vice
president of producer affairs for the National Cotton Council, said the
Lacassine plant could impact other parts of the state's economy as well.
"We are hoping the plant also will generate some value-added products
in Louisiana," Brown said. "We believe this (plant) will be beneficial for
Louisiana producers, Louisiana citizens and the Louisiana economy."
Brown said cotton producers also will benefit from the new farm bill,
approved by Congress last month.
"We do have a complete farm bill," Brown said. "There are few changes
for the cotton industry, but these changes are positive."
Making storage credits continue to be available in marketing loans is
one change that was made, Brown said.
"We view storage credits as a very integral part of the marketing loans,"
he continued. "With this new bill storage credits are now a part of the act."
Payment eligibility requirements have also changed. Under the new farm bill, farm program payments are
now tied to farmers' adjusted gross income, Brown said.
Farmers with a three-year average adjusted gross income (AGI) of more than $750,000 will be denied
eligibility for direct payments, while non-farmers with an AGI of more than $500,000 will be denied any farm
program payment eligibility.
Payment limits for 2008 to 2012 will be:
o $40,000 for direct payments (same as current limit).
o $65,000 for CCPs (including ACRE payments)
oNo limit on gains from marketing loans and loan deficiency payments.
Spouses may still qualify for a separate payment limit, provided that they meet requirements to be
considered "actively engaged in farming." However, the so-called "triple entity" rule was eliminated, as was
the use of generic certificates for CCC loan repayment.
Jeff Davis Parish, would be an asset for cotton producers, as well as the Louisiana economy as a whole.
During the 86th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention Saturday,
Dr. Mike Strain said the plant "will process Louisiana cotton in Louisiana,
helping state producers by cutting transportation costs."
"The cost of fuel is eating us alive," Strain said. "Coupled with the high
cost of fertilizer and other costs of producing cotton, Louisiana cotton
farmers are hurting. It is important to process a product near where it is
raised, not across the ocean. This plant in Lacassine will benefit
Louisiana producers and producers all across the Cotton Belt because
their product can be processed here, rather than being shipped to China
or India."
In addition to processing cotton near where it is grown, Craig Brown, vice
president of producer affairs for the National Cotton Council, said the
Lacassine plant could impact other parts of the state's economy as well.
"We are hoping the plant also will generate some value-added products
in Louisiana," Brown said. "We believe this (plant) will be beneficial for
Louisiana producers, Louisiana citizens and the Louisiana economy."
Brown said cotton producers also will benefit from the new farm bill,
approved by Congress last month.
"We do have a complete farm bill," Brown said. "There are few changes
for the cotton industry, but these changes are positive."
Making storage credits continue to be available in marketing loans is
one change that was made, Brown said.
"We view storage credits as a very integral part of the marketing loans,"
he continued. "With this new bill storage credits are now a part of the act."
Payment eligibility requirements have also changed. Under the new farm bill, farm program payments are
now tied to farmers' adjusted gross income, Brown said.
Farmers with a three-year average adjusted gross income (AGI) of more than $750,000 will be denied
eligibility for direct payments, while non-farmers with an AGI of more than $500,000 will be denied any farm
program payment eligibility.
Payment limits for 2008 to 2012 will be:
o $40,000 for direct payments (same as current limit).
o $65,000 for CCPs (including ACRE payments)
oNo limit on gains from marketing loans and loan deficiency payments.
Spouses may still qualify for a separate payment limit, provided that they meet requirements to be
considered "actively engaged in farming." However, the so-called "triple entity" rule was eliminated, as was
the use of generic certificates for CCC loan repayment.
New Textile Mill, Farm Bill Could Change Outlook for Cotton
By DENISE ATTAWAY
FB News Contributing Writer
FB News Contributing Writer
| FB NEWS Photo by Bill Sherman |
TEXTILE TALK. Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain, told cotton
producers a new textile mill in Lacassine should help both cotton growers
and the state's economy. The mill will produce value-added products while
keeping cotton processing jobs here in the U.S. rather than China and
India.
producers a new textile mill in Lacassine should help both cotton growers
and the state's economy. The mill will produce value-added products while
keeping cotton processing jobs here in the U.S. rather than China and
India.
