Many features incorporated in the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 were previously tested for feed grain and wheat but used little, if at all, for controlling production and supporting incomes from cotton. The Act included additional provisions specifically applicable to cotton. The following analysis is directed toward appraising the effects of the Act on cotton production, on the income of cotton producers, and on Government costs.

The Agriculture Act of 1965 marked a major change in the emphasis of farm programs. It was the first legislation to officially recognize (by legislation for a 4-year program) that the surplus production of specific commodities was not a temporary problem that could be solved with temporary programs.