Sustainable Cotton Farming Trends: Leveraging Natural Resource Survey Insights for U.S. Cotton Production
CTIC News, Economics & Profitability, Habitat & Biodiversity, Nutrient Management, Risk Management & Resiliency, Water Management
Cotton cultivation in the United States is relevant globally, with the nation ranking among the top producers and exporters. CTIC Board Member Ryan Kurtz, Vice President of Agricultural and Environmental Research for Cotton Incorporated, co-authored a study on practice adoption trends and technological advancements in U.S. cotton production, focusing on sustainability and productivity.
Efforts to improve cotton farming practices have reduced its environmental impacts, including decreased soil loss, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Precision agriculture technologies have been instrumental in enhancing efficiency and reducing input costs, albeit with varying degrees of success.
About the study: To gain deeper insights into cotton grower challenges and needs, a Natural Resource Survey was conducted in 2023 with 753 respondents. As a follow-up to the 2008 and 2015 surveys, the insights from this survey provide valuable data on grower practices and priorities, highlighting the increasing influence of climate change on cotton production.
The findings underscore the importance of conservation agriculture and ongoing research to address grower concerns while improving production efficiency.
Particularly noteworthy are the outcomes indicating an increase in cover crop adoption and a decrease in tillage practices, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainability, the authors write. The study contributes to understanding the dynamics shaping the U.S. cotton industry and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for continual improvement in U.S. cotton cultivation.
Read the full report in the link below, and see more on Cotton Incorporated’s sustainability initiatives and market-leading research, production resources, media, and marketing support at CottonInc.com.
Categories
Sign up for our Newsletter
June 2026 | Raleigh, North Carolina
Conservation in Action Tour | America’s Premier On-Farm Experience
Related News
Taking Care of Crops by Taking Care of the Land: The Leggett Farming Partnership, Conservation in Action Tour Farm Stop Host
There’s always something going on at Leggett Farming Partnership. “We farm about 13 months out of the year,” Sue Leggett jokes. “We are very busy people, but we’re always looking for ways to innovate and be better and be progressive.” Sue and her husband, Brent, own and operate Leggett Farming Partnership. They grow sweet potatoes,…
Systems Working for the Soil: Z3 Agriculture, Conservation in Action Tour Farm Stop Host
Zeb Winslow’s experience in timing and asset utilization drives not only his farm and equipment decisions, but it also drives his soil decisions.
“The most expensive thing that you will rent or buy over the course of your farming career is sitting dormant for 75-80 percent of the year,” Winslow says. “It should be doing something. The soils weren’t designed to lay empty for that amount of time.”
Cargill Partners with CTIC on ‘Success From the Ground Up’ Farmer Networks; Nominations Open Through June 1
CTIC is proud to partner with Cargill and its Success From the Ground Up program to increase farmer-led outreach on soil health in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio. Through Success from the Ground Up, Cargill provides financial support to soil health organizations focused on providing access to training and technical information that can help remove barriers for row crop farmers who want to rebuild the…