What's Really Going On In the Cotton Industry? (And What's Being Done) with CEO Kody Bessent | Wylie AgCast

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   Check Us Out! https://wyliesprayers.com/ New Location - https://wyliesprayers.com/locations/progreso-tx/ Socials: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wyliesprayers/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wylieimpsprayers/ X - https://x.com/WylieSprayers Thanks For Watching! #agriculture #cotton #legislature #WylieAgCast #cottonindustry​