Johnson, Don

Don Johnson, Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., discusses the function of PCG, characteristics, new developments and markets of Plains cotton agriculture, and the PCG’s position on legislation involving cotton trailer registration.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Don Johnson

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: May 24, 1973; January 22, 1974

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family education and job background reviewed, Goodpasture’s liquid fertilizer discussed, Origin of work with Plains Cotton Growers, Explains Plains Cotton Growers’ finance plan, Prejudice against Plains cotton traced, Comments on cotton allotment controversy, Origins of prejudice against Plains cotton (again), Discussion of micronaire and cotton research, Educational function of PCG cited.

Tape 1, Side 2: Speculation on the character of Plains agriculture, Bracero farm labor program recalled, Mentions experiment stations and research grants, Color a factor in Plains cotton classing and marketing, Mechanized classing examined, Names Plains ginning problems, Notes membership drive success, Present farm program explained, Export markets listed, Advertising program cited, Examination of cotton bagging, States attitudes toward Maid of Cotton contest, Comments on export activities, Discussion of synthetic competition.

Tape 2, Side 1: PCG position on cotton trailer legislation explained.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Tape 3, Side 1: Discusses factors that resulted in move of Cotton, Growers to 44th and Globe in Lubbock, Names possible partners in new developments, Foreign firms as well as local organization attracted Enumerates likely sources of funds, Administration of Rural Development Act by agency of federal government, at a national level, Reflects on Agricultural Act of 1973, Agriculture leaders of High Plains pleased about 1973 crops, Produced good feed grain and cotton crops, Had good prices and strong demand, Describes boll weevil program, Infestations above Caprock Escarpment resulted in starting program (1960), Instituted Boll Weevil Guidepost Control program, Reasons for many varieties of cotton in South Plains explained, Area permits wide range of growing conditions, Speculates on possibility of gins taking only one variety, Some gins limit varieties to some extent for technical reasons, Thinks that centralized ginning process will lead to new developments, Universal density bale will be for future, Reviews open end spinning concept, Attributes interest to producers and Plains cotton growers, Foreign investment welcomed, Investigates market issues, Wants more utilization of High Plains cotton abroad, Markets have expanded domestically, Determines status of broadcast cotton, New programs outlined, Emphasis on centers of market development, Textile development advanced.

Tape 3, Side 2: Summarizes year 1973 for the cotton industry, 1974 challenges to the industry cited, Assesses membership in organization, 1973 will have been one of bigger years, Expansion anticipated in 1974 in numbers not area.

Range Dates: ?-1973

Bulk Dates: 1960-1973

Access Information

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Transcript:

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