USDA Secretary Engages with Texas Cotton Producers

Brooke Rollins Joins Ag Leaders at Lubbock Classification Site

Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, visited the USDA Cotton Classification Complex at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to meet with local farmers and agricultural leaders. The event included a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from the cotton, sorghum, beef, peanut, dairy, and corn industries.

Joining her was Representative Jodey Arrington, Chairman of the House Budget Committee. The visit focused on understanding challenges in the field and showcasing the USDA’s ongoing commitment to American farmers.

Texas leads the country in cotton acreage, planting more than half of the nation’s cotton. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service classifies all U.S. cotton, and the Lubbock facility alone grades about 20%. Its modern technology has helped reduce grading costs by nearly 19% per sample.

Secretary Rollins emphasized the administration’s focus on supporting the agricultural community. “We have our fabrics, clothes, and medical supplies because of the land and labor from cotton farmers in Lubbock and surrounding counties. With President in the White House, we are putting farmers first at USDA,” she said.

The Lubbock facility plays a key role in maintaining fair marketing practices. It is funded through user fees paid by growers who value independent grading for transparency and fairness.

This innovative USDA centre not only boosts market access for U.S. cotton but also supports product quality and manufacturing. Each year, grading data supports the marketing of over $7 billion in U.S. cotton globally, benefiting the entire agriculture supply chain.