First bale, first win: South Texas cotton supports future farmers

While stories of high input costs, low commodity prices and more supply than demand are making headlines nationwide, there are a few bright spots for South Texas farmers.

Michael Flores of Flores Farms Joint Venture won his first-ever award for the first cotton bale of the season. The 2,850-pound bale grown in Brownsville was auctioned off for $15,000 – money that will help fund scholarships for students pursuing a career in agriculture.

Chris O’Connor is a Capital Farm Credit customer and manager of Willamar Cotton and Grain in Raymondville and received the winning bale. O’Conner said yields have been generally good this year. He said ample rainfall allowed some crops to flourish but others were drowned out by rapid flooding where some areas in South Texas received 21 inches of rain in 48 hours.  

“Compared to other years, the acres of cotton are down, but the farmer produced very good yield off the acres that they did have,” O’Connor said.

The annual First Bale of Cotton Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser, hosted by The Harlingen Cotton Committee and Algodon Club, celebrates the cotton industry in South Texas, which has a warmer climate known for producing the first bales of cotton each year.

O’Connor credits the achievement of Flores’ first bale through teamwork and helping farmers have the best outcomes possible for their crops.

“We take care of the farmer and gin their cotton as well as possible, so that they have the best, highest quality cotton,” he said.

Speaking of prices, O’Connor said commodity prices for cotton are less than half of what they were just a few years ago. That, combined with production costs that are much higher than they have been, has made farming a sort of “survival of the fittest” situation.

Generational farmers who have been in the business for decades are comparing this year’s challenges to those of the 1980s.

“I would say farming is at a critical point with land costs and all the inflation right now for the United States,” he said. “The inputs for the farmer have increased significantly with inflation, but the commodity price in the futures market has not.”

Despite the challenges, O’Connor said Capital Farm Credit has been a great partner in supporting the gin and the farmers through good times and bad.

“We’re all trying to have a good margin, make money in ag and produce good products. Today your operation may not look like it works, but the market could turn around tomorrow or in three months, and the farmer is set for a great year,” he said. “Capital Farm Credit is giving support to the farmer. They’re helping with the operating loans to make things work. Capital Farm has stuck by the farmer, and they’ve been dependable for us and many of our farmers.”

“This bale represents far more than just cotton. It stands as a powerful testament to the resilience, dedication and hard work of South Texas farmers who persevere even through the toughest years,” said CFC Relationship Manager Karina Camargo. “Their unwavering commitment to the land and to each other is truly inspiring. “Working with the Willamar Cotton & Grain group has been both a privilege and an honor, as together we strive to support and uplift the farming community,” she added. “This collaboration exemplifies what can be achieved when passion and partnership come together, overcoming challenges and cultivating hope for the future.”