By Lauren Krogman, Manager – Marketing & Processing Technology, National Cotton Council

The National Cotton Council (NCC) has been working on behalf of the industry to pursue a 100% cotton bale bag option for producers and ginners.

In the late 1970’s the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee (JCIBPC) approved a 3-pound spiral sewn 100% cotton bale bag; however, it was never utilized due to the cost of the bag. Over the last four years, with the push towards a more sustainable and contamination-free option, the NCC has been testing and evaluating various cotton bale bags that could prove to be a cost-effective option.

In 2025, DY Straps USA had their first-year test program and placed 500 2.2-pound gusseted cotton bags around the Southwest and Mid-South region, including the Stoneville Gin Lab. This first-year test showed great promise with few issues and positive feedback from the industry.

At their annual meeting in 2026 the JCIBPC, chaired by James Wages, a Humboldt, TN ginner, granted five cotton bagging test program requests. These included: Langston’s lightweight 100% cotton bag for its 15th year for export in the west. DY Straps USA was approved for a second year with its 2.2- pound 100% woven gusseted cotton bag for manual application and a first year for the same bag on an auto-bagger. Also, HWJ Designs for Agribusiness was approved for their 2.1-pound 100% woven cotton bag for manual application and automated application on the Jenglo™ machine. All bags in the test programs this year are eligible for the CCC loan program.

The NCC is optimistic to see so many cotton bags being tested this year, and if successful, can expect DY Straps USA to receive full approval in 2027. This would be a positive step forward for the industry in moving towards a more sustainable, contamination- free, and widely sought after bag for U.S. customers.

Photos courtesy of the National Cotton Council.