National Agriculture Day was observed last week and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the availability of funding for the new Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). This program seeks to aid American row crop producers who are reeling from depressed commodity markets and unsustainable input prices. The Georgia Cotton Commission could benefit from such streamlined implementation.
“We again thank Congress for the passage of the bill that included this program, and are especially appreciative of President Trump, Secretary Rollins and the entire team at USDA for making implementation of ECAP a priority,” said Colquitt County cotton producer Bart Davis, who also serves as the Chairman of the Georgia Cotton Commission.
Davis later noted the current state of the farm economy adding, “This will help producers obtain critical financing, which is extremely difficult in the current economic environment.”
ECAP signup is underway now and will end August 15th. Eligibility is determined based on a producer’s crop year 2024 planted and prevented planted acres reported to USDA-FSA on a FSA-578. The payment rate for cotton is $84.74 per acre and the initial payments will be factored by 85% to ensure that program payments do not exceed available funding. Producers are directed to their local USDA Service Center for additional information and questions.
The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer- funded organization located in Perry. The commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the commission to invest in programs of research, promotion, and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia.
For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission please call 478-988-4235 or on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission. org.
