Alabama Cotton Producers will go to the polls on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, to decide whether the state cotton checkoff program should be continued for 10 more years at the current rate of $1 per bale, subject to annual adjustment by the Cotton Commission but in no circumstances to exceed $1.30 per bale. Producers who grew cotton in 2024 or have cotton planted in 2025 will be eligible to vote.

Alabama law requires a statewide producer referendum to be held every 10 years on whether the program should be continued. If approved, checkoff funds would be used to finance research, education and promotion activities aimed at further developing the state’s cotton industry.

Funds collected at the cotton gin are remitted to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, which transmits the funds monthly to the Alabama Cotton Commission, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation. A producer committee representing Alabama Cotton Commission members determines how the funds are distributed.

Alabama cotton producers will be able to vote between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at their county polling sites on the date of the referendum. No proxy voting will be allowed, and no ballots will be accepted by mail. For more information, contact Carla Hornady at 334-613-4216 or chornady@alfafarmers.org.