ODEM, Texas — The Edcot Coop Gin in Odem is bustling with activity as the cotton harvesting season comes to a close.

Right now, modules of cotton stretch as far as the eye can see at the facility, with different colors representing various farms from the region.

Bobby Nedbalek, who farms between Sinton and Mathis, initially had low expectations for this year's cotton yield.

"It started out as being probably one of the worst conditions to grow crops in this area, but as soon as we got the rain, it changed everything," Nedbalek said.

The crucial rainfall arrived in March, providing farmers a window of opportunity to salvage their season.

"We're in a race with Mother Nature to get the crop planted and to get it out of the field early and on time," Nedbalek said.

For Nedbalek and other l

See Full Page