Staplcotn reaches 100 million bale milestone

GREENWOOD, Miss. — At its quarterly board meeting in March, the board of directors and officers of Staple Cotton Cooperative Association (Staplcotn) officially recognized the receipt of the 100 millionth bale of cotton received and marketed by the producer-owned company.

The bale, received on Dec. 18, was produced in Georgia by Mark Hanna of Hanna Farming Partnership in Donalsonville and ginned by Miller County Gin Co.

Meredith Allen, president and CEO of Staplcotn, remarked, “Since this 100 millionth bale is such a milestone and a testimony to the strength of the company, we have opted to keep this bale and put it on display.”

During its first year of business in 1921, Staplcotn members produced 156,264 bales. Five years later, the total number of bales received reached 1 million. In 1956, Staplcotn’s total hit the 10 million mark, officials with the organiation said.

“When you look at the fact that we didn’t start receiving 1 million bales or more per year until the 1980s, getting to the 100 million mark this quickly is pretty amazing,” Allen said.

Hanna was presented a plaque by Board Chairman Mike Sturdivant as a keepsake for his participation in this momentous occasion. Hanna, a member of Staplcotn since 1995, said, “It’s quite a thrill to have a part in Staplcotn’s history. I joined Staplcotn as soon as they came to Georgia.

“I wouldn’t want to be in the cotton business without them. I just don’t have to worry at all about getting my cotton marketed.”

Shane Stephens, vice president of Cotton Services and Warehousing, said, “As happy as we are that we have reached this benchmark in Staplcotn’s timeline, I’d say that we are just as pleased that we received all of the bales before it as well as the ones after it.

“Every single bale is important, and we always strive to do the very best job we can do for our membership. I think that’s what this particular bale represents as well.”

Staplcotn is the oldest and one of the largest cotton marketing cooperatives in the United States. Officials with the company say it provides a range of services to members, including domestic and export marketing, cotton warehousing and agricultural financing through Stapldiscount, its lending arm.

Staplcotn has more than 14,000 farm accounts in 11 states — Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Total membership in the Association — growers and share rent landlords — is 8,311 members in 46 states. That membership includes marketing, warehouse and Stapldiscount patrons.