The official certified first bale of U.S.-grown cotton harvested in 2024 was auctioned for $25,500 at the annual First Bale Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser held by the Harlingen Cotton Committee and the Algodon Club on Sept. 19.
In the photo from L-R is:Danny Gonzales – Deltapine and DEKALB Field Sales RepresentativeThomas Human – Willacy Co-Op Gin Assistant ManagerVerne Vanderpool – Farmer from Alamo, TexasWesley Vanderpool – Farmer from Alamo, TexasSavannah Chappell –Willacy Co-Op Outside SalesScott Stanislav – Deltapine and DEKALB Technical Agronomist
Verne Vanderpool of Alamo, Texas, harvested the bale on June 14 from a field planted to the variety DP 2020 B3XF and delivered it to Willacy Co-op Gin for processing. The Harlingen Cotton Committee gave Vanderpool Farms, LLC a $4,000 reward for delivering the first bale.
The bale was purchased by the Deltapine seed brand for $15,000. Add-ons from Texas Farm Credit, Valley Co-op Oil Mill, Crop Guard Insurance, Capital Farm Credit, Elliff Motors, Rio Bank, Total Technology and Robert Luehrs drove the amount raised during the bale auction for the scholarship fund to $25,500.
Further, the live and silent auctions of donated items held by the Algodon Club raised $44,800. Table sales and other donations raised an additional $29,000, securing a grand total of $99,300 for scholarships and grant programs.
The Algodon Club awards undergraduate scholarships to students actively pursuing a degree in an agricultural-related field while the Harlingen Cotton Committee provides grants to technical schools and community colleges for students and programs that positively support the local agriculture economy.
For more information about the First Bale Auction, please visit the Harlingen Cotton Committee Facebook Page or algodonclub.com.
This information is provided by Deltapine.
