Despite various weather challenges, 2012 was a good year overall for cotton production, especially where National Cotton Council Chairman Chuck Coley farms in Georgia, and he is optimistic about the year ahead.

“We had an excellent crop in the Southeast, in fact we’re still ginning that crop,” Chuck told Southeast AgNet‘s Randall Weiseman. “We always wish the price is better but we see a bright future for cotton in the Southeast.”

Chuck says acreage will definitely be down this year because of the price but he is hopeful about the U.S. regaining its competitive edge in the future. “There’s some problems with the supply in China and getting consumption back up but I think through programs like National Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated will keep working.”

Listen to Randall’s interview with Chuck here: Chuck Coley interview

Check out photos from the conferences here: 2013 Beltwide Cotton photo album