USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) marketing assistance loans (MAL) are a marketing tool producers can use to store their production after harvest, which increases their marketing opportunities. In place of using MALs, producers may elect to take a loan deficiency payment (LDP) that provides a payment equal to any net gain from a MAL.
The 2016 Loan Rate for Upland Cotton is $0.52 per pound.
About the Program
USDA Registry for Cotton Merchants
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) maintains an internal-use-only national registry to help cotton merchants efficiently redeem cotton held as collateral by USDA.