HARLINGEN — The Valley is back on its perch at No. 1.
Last year for the first time in 60 years, the nation’s first cotton bale to be produced and ginned did not come from the Rio Grande Valley but instead from Nueces County’s Priestly Farms.
A combination of early-season drought followed by excessive rainfall pushed back cotton planting in the Valley, and Priestly Farms near Robstown took advantage by picking the nation’s first cotton bale on July 18.
But the weather was more cooperative this year, and the country’s first bale of 2022 was produced by Wesley Vanderpool of Alamo and delivered to the Willacy Co-Op.
The cotton variety which finished first this year was Stoneville 4990 and was planted Feb. 15 and harvested June 23.
“Agriculture remains one of the key economic sectors in the RGV even with the rapid growth and expanding trade we have experienced in the region,” said Sam Simmons Jr., Harlingen Cotton Committee chair.
The Harlingen Cotton Committee will be host its annual First Bale of Cotton Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser on Sept. 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Casa Del Sol, located at 221 E. Madison Ave.
“We believe that providing opportunities for students to receive an education will improve our ability to maintain agriculture as a viable industry here in the future as resources become more scarce,” Simmons said.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller will be the special guest speaker.
The Harlingen Cotton Committee is still searching for sponsors to reach the $10,000 goal to support students pursuing a career in an agricultural–related field.
