Well, I think I've figured it out.... the seed is separated from the cotton by ginning.... Ginning is controlled by the state cotton company, which then sells seeds back to the poor farmers. I'm not sure if the farmers are required to go through the state company but I suspect they are.

Cotton seed is hard to extract from the boll, that's why it's usually done by the gin. In some areas they used to use the seed to help pay for the ginning, I don't know if they still do that or not.

If you are growing certain varieties which have patented biotechnology genes, it's illegal to save the seeds.

And, in many areas of the US, it's illegal to grow cotton (even for decorative uses as a homeowner) unless you are registered with your local agricultural agent. This is because cotton is a major crop, and the USDA wants to make sure that every grower is on board with a boll weevil eradication program and if you have unregistered growers out there, you may end up encouraging not only boll weevils but also other pests and diseases to which cotton is horribly succeptible to.

We buy several ton of cotton seed each year to feed our cattle in the winter. In our area the gin buys the seed from the farmer and then sell it to the rancher for feed.

Patsy

Selling the seed helps the gins keep the price of ginning down for the farmers, which in this economy, is very important.

So, when the cattle poop, do cotton plants grow?

No, the cotton seed are totally digested by the cattle. They are unlike some of the grains that pass thru the cattle without being digested.

Patsy

Again, if it is a biotech variety ( and most are nowadays) then you better be very careful about saving it. Monsanto is ruthless in prosecuting their intellectual property rights!