State May Grant Cotton Exemption

A problematic cotton-planting season was expected to prompt unprecedented action from the state. El Nino-related storms and cool temperatures have prevented cotton growers from getting into fields, with the result that plantings are off in some areas by 40% or more. As a result, Gov. Pete Wilson was considering granting the San Joaquin Valley an emergency designation that would allow growers to plant shorter-season cotton varieties for this year only, beginning Monday. It would be the first such exemption in the 73-year history of the region’s so-called one-quality law..