"Indian cottonseed producers actually realize almost seven times the financial benefits growing cottonseed for local seed companies than if they were to sell that same yield at farm gate prices"--using their land, that is, primarily to produce cotton rather than seed.

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And finally, a ton of cottonseed will contain about 150 pounds of "linters, "which are tiny bits of cotton fuzz that are stuck to the seed after ginning.

NPR: Texas Cotton: 'Farmer Profits at Every Step'

The PCOM was born in the late 1930s as a desperate act of self-defense by West Texas cotton farmers, who at the time could hardly give their seed away.

NPR: Texas Cotton: 'Farmer Profits at Every Step'

After their cotton had been ginned, farmers would keep some of the seed for next year's planting, plow some into the ground as fertilizer, and use the rest to feed their cows.

NPR: Texas Cotton: 'Farmer Profits at Every Step'