Wednesday, April 22, 1998

Nelson retires as Texas Wheat Producers executive

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Bill Nelson, 73, executive vice president of the Texas Wheat Producers Association and Producers Board, Amarillo, has retired.

Nelson's retirement came after 30 years with the wheat organization and 50 years in professional agricultural leadership, which included service with Oklahoma State University Extension Service and 12 years with the Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

The three top ag-related organizations or institutions named Nelson "Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture" Ñ the editors of "Progressive Farmer" magazine, the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association and also the Texas Grain and Feed Association.

Additionally, the Specialist Association of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service presented Nelson with the "Visionary Award for Outstanding Leadership."

Billy Vinson, chairman of the Texas Wheat Producers Board, Abilene, said arrangements have been made to continue Nelson in an "emeritus" status for two more years in order for the staff to have access to his advice, counsel and vast knowledge of the grain industry.

Argentine cotton crop damaged by floods

Reports from an attache source there indicate as much as 400,000 bales of Argentine cotton have been lost to flooding in Argentina.

That was the word from Billy Dunavant, chairman and CEO of Dunavant Enterprises, Memphis, Tenn., at the 1998 Lamesa Cotton Growers annual meeting Monday.

This will lower the Argentine cotton crop to about 1.8 million bales.

The National Cotton Council reports that flooding may have resulted in a total loss of cotton on as much as 12 percent of Argentina's cotton acreage.