Rising Cotton Production Costs

Sep 27, 2010

The rising cost of production is a major concern to all producers around the world. A survey by the ICAC Secretariat shows that the average cost of producing one kilogram of lint was US$1.22 in 2009/10, 18 cents higher than three years earlier.

The major contributors to the costs of production vary by production system, level of technology and the rising cost of labor and inputs. Lowering the cost of production is a complex challenge, and there is no easy solution appropriate for all regions. Many country-specific options for lowering production costs were presented by experts from Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, USA and Zambia at the 69th Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in Lubbock, Texas, USA on September 24.

Labor costs are increasing, even in developing countries, and some countries are encouraging mechanization and the use of herbicides. Biotech cotton can help to lower the cost of production in some cases, but it is not appropriate in all production systems. The ICAC will organize a round table for facilitating communications on cotton biotechnology among member countries.

Source: International Cotton Advisory Committee

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.