local
San Benito family produces nation's first cotton bale of the year
By Gabriela Gonzalez at ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News
· June 19, 2026
· 1 min read
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Benito family was recognized for harvesting the first bale of cotton in the United States of 2026. The Rhyner family operates Brown Tract Land & Sugar and picked 3,480 pounds of field cotton. It will be ginned into a bale when the cotton gins open up for t...
Key takeaway The Rhyner family operates Brown Tract Land & Sugar and picked 3,480 pounds of field cotton.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The Rhyner family's achievement in producing the nation's first cotton bale of the year puts the spotlight on the Rio Grande Valley's significant contribution to the US cotton industry. As a major agricultural producer in the region, Hidalgo County, where McAllen is located, benefits from the economic activity generated by cotton farming. The valley's fertile soil and favorable climate make it an ideal place for growing cotton, with many local farms relying on the crop as a key source of income. The Rhyner family's farm, Brown Tract Land & Sugar, is a testament to the valley's rich agricultural heritage and the importance of family-owned farms in the local economy. As the cotton season progresses, the impact of the harvest on the local economy will be worth watching, particularly in terms of job creation and revenue generation for farmers and related businesses in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Benito family was recognized for harvesting the first bale of cotton in the United States of 2026. The Rhyner family operates Brown Tract Land & Sugar and picked 3,480 pounds of field cotton. It will be ginned into a bale when the cotton gins open up for t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabriela Gonzalez at ValleyCentral (KVEO NBC 23 / CBS 4) - Local News. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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