SOUTHWEST REPORT
Collaboration Across The Cotton Belt Cotton Incorporated Develops Partnerships To Coordinate With Cotton Farmers’ Priorities
T
he Agricultural and Environmental Research Division at Cotton Incorporated wears many different hats. We often hear of them partnering to support on-farm research projects, managing funded projects or giving presentations at industry meetings. But one area that is often overlooked is their commitment to promote Beltwide industry collaboration among major companies, universities and researchers to leverage Cotton Research and Promotion Program assessment dollars. This provides the opportunity for Cotton Incorporated directors to continually develop relationships beyond research projects being directly funded by Cotton Incorporated. “A large part of my job is spending time visiting with current or potential partners in the industry that align with cotton growers’ priorities,” Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AERD director with Cotton Incorporated, says. “These partners come in a variety of forms: public and private sector researchers from across the world, colleagues at different commodity groups, start-up companies, and cotton growers, just to name a few. “But the common theme is how I can utilize my relationships with these partners to provide avenues for collaboration and the opportunity to continually keep cotton on the forefront of new technologies and research advancements.” Roundtable Conversations
One example of using these relationships for the benefit of cotton producers happened recently in Texas when several individuals needed to discuss overall cotton seed quality across the country. Two Cotton Incorporated directors, Drs. Kater Hake and Gaylon Morgan, organized a roundtable discussion among certified producer organizations, cotton seed company representatives and key seed quality
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COTTON FARMING | JANUARY 2022
BY CHRISTI SHORT ROCHESTER, TEXAS
researchers from two different universities. Topics included: New research ideas. The best equipment and its availability to help increase the quality of data being collected. Opportunities to implement the research findings at the company level. Priorities of cotton growers across the Cotton Belt. The affect cotton seed modifications would have on the ginning and crushing sector. Another focus of the conversation was how the industry could come together as a whole to better understand the genetic, environmental and management factors that affect seed quality and stand establishment. Cotton Incorporated staff facilitated discussion before, during and after the meeting on new research ideas. They also were vital in linking the correct people together to advance the understanding of seed quality across the Cotton Belt. “While it’s easy to focus individually on what one seed company provides to growers or what one research entity publishes, it’s the facilitation behind the scenes and big picture ideas that create the environments to advance research, which will equate to long-term grower profitability,” Morgan says. COTTONFARMING.COM
