The Cotton Research and Promotion Program's ongoing goal is to develop, fund and implement research and promotion designed to strengthen Upland cotton’s competitive position and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for cotton. At the farm level, the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is dedicated to agricultural research aimed at helping Upland cotton producers increase yields and improve profitability. At the fiber level, the Cotton Research & Promotion Program is working to increase the demand for cotton and cotton products worldwide.
6 QUALITY, SUSTAINABILITY
USDA imposes a 40-cent-per-pound discount on any bale of cotton found to contain plastic, potentially costing growers around $200 per bale.
15 GINNERS MARKETPLACE
the official publication of the ginning industry
J. Kelley Green, TCGA executive vice president, discusses polypropylene bagging, wire ties and module averaging.
CREAM OF THE CROP MANAGEMENT TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
Check out our Innovation Spotlight showcasing top management tips. PAGES 18-27 ‣
2025 Seed Variety Guide. Before placing your order, be sure to do your homework. Discuss priorities with your consultant and seed representative to match your operation’s needs with outstanding cotton characteristics and traits.
In Mississippi, cotton and soybean harvests benefit from clear weather. “We are picking some extremely good cotton in the Delta and some locations in the hills,” Brian Pieralisi, MSU Extension cotton specialist, said. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report.
Editor’s Note
Carroll Smith
Throwback Thoughts And Election Night Parties
As the 2024 election draws near, I am reminded of the excitement surrounding election day as a child growing up in Louisiana. Everyone looked forward to it and, as I recall, no one was influenced by the expression, “Never talk about politics and religion in polite company.” It seemed that politics was something everyone talked about, and “colorful” candidates only added to the element of eccentricity surrounding many of the conversations.
My favorite part of that special day was the election night party that commenced after the polls officially closed. In my world, polling places were conveniently scattered around the parish to make it easy for people to find a close-by site to cast their votes. However, the process of making election results available to the public did not move at the lightning speed we are used to today. Instead, once the polls closed, ballots were tallied and the results for that location were fastened to the front door for anyone to see.
That’s where what I would call “runners” came into play. These people were assigned to go to a particular polling place and write down the number of votes each candidate had received. For example, my mother was supposed to go to the Catholic Hall to record the numbers posted at that location and bring them to the election night party. She herded us kids into the car, and we took off to the designated polling location where she carefully recorded the voting results hanging on the door. Finally, we reached the party at our friends’ house that was full of adults, kids and a spread of food that seemed to go on forever.
Dad and some of our other farmer friends showed up a little later since harvest was typically in full swing that time of year before earlier maturing cotton and soybean varieties came on the scene. As the evening wore on, the adults gathered around the kitchen table and poured over a pile of election numbers, while we kids ate, played and enjoyed the freedom of staying up late on a school night. Later on, as television announcers began reporting numbers that had come into the station, everyone still knew it was not unusual if an election wasn’t called until the next morning.
Although we now live in an age of instant gratification — including quickly learning who our new officials will be — I still miss witnessing the teamwork and camaraderie that were an integral part of yesteryear’s election days.
However, the one constant that remains the same — past or present — is that voting is a privilege. With that in mind, be sure to cast your ballot this year and perhaps throw an old-school election night party where everyone is allowed to go off script and even talk about politics to keep things lively!
If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN 38138.
Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com
Associate Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443
Associate Publisher/Sales Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com
Production Manager David Boyd dboyd@onegrower.com
Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514
For subscription changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email cottonfarming@omeda.com
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
David Burns – North Carolina
David Lynch – South Carolina
Bob McLendon – Georgia
Larkin Martin – Alabama
Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi
Charles Parker – Missouri
Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas
Jay Hardwick – Louisiana
Ronnie Hopper – Texas
Ron Rayner – Arizona
John Pucheu – California
ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC
Mike Lamensdorf President/treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.
One Grower Publishing, LLC
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Cotton’s Agenda
Gary Adams
Propelling Productivity
Coordinated by the National Cotton Council, the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) will equip industry members with the knowledge to make informed decisions, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
Who is the target audience for this event?
■ The BWCC, coordinated by the National Cotton Council, gathers university and USDA researchers, regulatory agencies, extension personnel, industry sales/support personnel, consultants and producers. This event facilitates the exchange of information on new products and production/processing systems tailored to enhance productivity in individual farming operations. Over three days, participants will benefit from individual reports, panel discussions, and seminars, providing essential insights for making critical cotton production and marketing decisions. The conference’s diverse program and networking opportunities with peers from across the Cotton Belt make it a unique event.
Independent crop consultants and students who register before December 18 for the 2025 BWCC on January 14-16 at the New Orleans Marriott, in New Orleans, Louisiana, can take advantage of reduced registration fees of $150. After that date, the rate will increase to $200. Those planning to attend are encouraged to register by clicking on the registration tab at the BWCC home page, https://www. xcdsystem.com/beltwide/program/HCs30Tz/index. cfm?pgid=39. That home page also includes links to housing reservations (cutoff for BWCC room rate is December 18), the final program and other useful information.
What about the agenda?
■ The BWCC’s Cotton Consultants Conference will run from the afternoon of January 14 through the morning of January 15. Topics being considered include a panel discussion on the vulnerable species pilot program and ESA herbicide strategy, insecticide strategy, and mitigation identification and management. Topics will also include a PULA Mapping and mitigation, EPA regulatory updates, and cotton pathology updates. A panel discussion will feature an economic outlook, along with information on ag lending, crop insurance, and the farm bill.
The BWCC’s 11 cotton technical conferences will provide findings from current research and updates on emerging technology and programs aimed at elevating U.S. cotton production and processing efficiency. Those sessions will meet concurrently beginning the morning of January 15 and concluding by noon on January 16.
For example, the Cotton Sustainability Conference will cover best management practices; industry, brand and retail sustainability goals; market opportunities/downstream perspectives; and new sustainability programs, including the Trust Protocol. The Cotton Agronomy, Physiology and Soil Conference will offer a forum to discuss the life processes of cotton plants and interactions among plant and soil variables that impact crop performance and profitability. Additionally, the Cotton Economics and Marketing Conference will feature a session exploring the market outlook as well as developments in policy and trade.
Subsequent sessions, including poster displays, by researchers in industry, government and academia, strive to improve understanding of economic and policy-related factors influencing cotton production and downstream industries.
Those invested in the success of the U.S. cotton industry are encouraged to attend this world-class forum.
Gary Adams is president/chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council of America.
CCOY
Cotton Consultant of the Year
Eric Bell
2023 CCOY AWARD RECIPIENT
Eric Bell, who hails from Carroll County, Tennessee, was chosen by his peers as the 2023 Cotton Consultant of the Year. “I have always had a fascination for cotton,” he said.
During the cropping season, Bell works seven days a week, makes the recommendations and communicates with his farmer clients by phone, email or on the turnrow. “Rarely is a field sprayed without my eyes going on it first.”
Bell said he works by faith and gives credit to the Lord.
“A beautiful sunset at the end of the day is a reminder of how blessed I am to be involved in cotton production, and I look forward to the challenges tomorrow brings.”
Cotton Farming
Threat To Quality, Sustainability
Plastic contamination in cotton production is a growing concern with significant financial, environmental and reputational consequences for cotton growers. Even something as seemingly minor as a stray plastic bag caught in a cotton field during harvest can lead to extensive problems downstream.
Once harvested, cotton enters the ginning process, and plastic debris can break apart and spread, contaminating larger quantities of cotton beyond the initial point of contact. This contamination is especially problematic because plastic is difficult to detect and may not be distributed uniformly throughout the bale.
The economic impact of plastic contamination on cotton producers can be devastating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposes a 40-cent-per-pound discount on any bale of cotton found to contain plastic, potentially costing growers around $200 per bale. In a tight market, this loss can represent over half the value of the affected cotton.
Moreover, manufacturers face additional losses if plastic contamination slips through the grading process and enters the supply chain. Contaminated cotton can cause machinery downtime and spread further plastic debris, increasing costs at every stage.
The environmental consequences are equally severe. Plastic does not biodegrade, leaving behind long-term pollution that can infiltrate the soil. Microplastics can disrupt soil health, harming organisms critical for nutrient cycling and soil productivity. Wildlife is also at risk, as animals may ingest plastic waste, leading to injury or death.
Projects Underway
According to Dr. Ed Barnes, director of agricultural and environmental science at Cotton Incorporated, a wide variety of efforts are underway to address plastic contamination in cotton. Plans include increasing awareness among growers, improving field management practices and enhancing detection methods at gins.
“Emerging technologies like machine learning-based vision systems are being explored as potential solutions to catch contamination early and minimize its spread. Education and collaboration
BY GRANT SAUM UNION CITY, TENNESSEE
across the supply chain are critical in maintaining cotton’s reputation as a high-quality, environmentally sustainable product,” Barnes said.
Cotton Incorporated, USDA-ARS and researchers at Mississippi State University are working on two different projects addressing contamination in the MidSouth. One project, led by Sean Donahoe at the Stoneville Gin Lab, is compiling a data set of over 12,000 images containing over 15,000 contaminants. This data set will be crucial for modeling and training an unmanned ground vehicle in contamination detection.
Dr. Hussein Gharakhani from MSU has a project underway that uses an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or robot, that can detect and remove contamination in the field. Since many growers do not have the time to look for and remove pieces of contaminant from the field, the MSU “robot” would be used to identify the trash using the image databank from the previous project and automatically remove it.
“The success of a robotic system relies on a high-quality dataset for training an object detection model. This task ensures the acquisition of diverse and representative images, essential for robust model training,” Gharakhani said.
This multi-phase project, funded in part by Cotton Incorporated, started earlier this year and has three primary objectives:
1. Data Collection involves gathering data on the types and percentages of plastic contamination across various cotton fields to inform removal strategies. This involves manually collecting images and statistical data and identifying areas with
Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by
Louisiana Agriculture Hall Of Distinction Nominations Open
The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is now accepting nominations. The nomination form is available online at www.louisiana agriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter office. The deadline for receiving nominations is Nov. 18.
The Hall of Distinction is a cooperative effort of the Louisiana Radio Network, LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
It recognizes individuals who have had a profound effect on Louisiana agriculture or agricultural enterprises. Nominees can represent any area of agriculture or agriculture-related industries, including farming, ranching, aquaculture, fisheries, education and agribusiness.
For more information, contact Don Molino with the Louisiana Radio Network at 225-291-2727, ext. 210, or don@louisianaradionetwork.com or Bobby Soileau, LSU AgCenter, at 225578-3659 or bsoileau@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Relief Fund Established For Georgia Farmers
Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and 40 of Georgia’s leading agriculture organizations are banding together to build a relief fund for Georgia farmers affected by Hurricane Helene.
The Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund is a cross-industry fundraising initiative aimed at supporting Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. The fund will provide direct assistance for agricultural losses, including damages to crops, livestock and farm infrastructure.
To make a donation, please visit www. supportgeorgiafarmers.org/. 100% of the funds raised will go toward farmers in need in Georgia.
All donations will be processed through the Georgia Foundation of Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) organization that prepares the next generation of Georgia leaders for success in agriculture and works to preserve the future of farming. Donations to the Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund are tax-deductible under IRS 170(b)(A)(VI).
’The World Has A Drinking Problem’ Says Texas A&M
Douglas Kingman, Ph.D., an instructional professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, created a course for Texas A&M University students called “The World Has a Drinking Problem.”
It dives deep into the complexities of the water challenges that touch every corner of the globe — including the state of Texas.
This class has exploded in popularity, drawing students from across campus to learn how water scarcity affects every person, not just those involved in agriculture and life sciences.
“This course is about teaching all Aggies the importance of water conservation and how critical it is to address these issues for our future,” Kingman said. “We strive to educate our students about these critical issues and the need for solutions at a local, national and global level.”
Perfect Peanut Partner
Planting peace of mind in a cotton-peanut rotation
Simplified weed management next year begins with an important decision in the off-season. For cotton producers in peanut country, you can streamline your operation by choosing cottonseed that is the perfect peanut partner.
PhytoGen® W3FE varieties offer a better approach to weed management near peanuts that other cottonseed companies can’t match. Thanks to the Enlist® cotton trait, PhytoGen W3FE varieties are labeled for applications of Enlist One® with 2,4-D choline. Because growers commonly use 2,4-Db to control weeds in peanuts, there are distinct synergies between crops with PhytoGen® brand varieties.
Todd Rowe, Corteva Agronomy Leader for the Southeast, explains that growers in his region have always worried about 2,4-Db contamination in the sprayer from applications in peanuts hurting nearby cotton fields. When dicamba-resistant cotton varieties came to the region, growers faced another concern: dicamba contamination in the sprayer from cotton applications carrying into peanut acres. Many growers have had to maintain two sprayers on the farm, one for dicamba applications and one for 2,4-Db applications.
By planting PhytoGen W3FE varieties and applying Enlist One herbicide, you don’t have to worry about those issues.
“Peanuts are not listed as a susceptible crop on the label for Enlist herbicides. You can spray Enlist One on your cotton, even when peanuts are planted in neighboring fields that may be downwind, keeping in mind that wind speeds for Enlist applications are between 3 and 10 mph,” Rowe said. “That gives you more flexibility to spray as needed during the busy times of the season.”
Rowe said Enlist herbicides utilize a water-based chemistry that makes tank cleanout much simpler and less intensive than dicamba. You can spray Enlist herbicides on your cotton, follow the sprayer cleanout steps on the label, and then load the sprayer with 2,4-Db for your peanuts. You get excellent weed control, and dicamba never has to go into the tank.
“This offers peace of mind and flexibility for growers because you can make more timely applications using the same sprayer for both cotton and peanuts,” Rowe said.
“PhytoGen W3FE varieties are tailor-made for the Southeast.”
PhytoGen® W3FE varieties harvested next to a field of peanuts in the Southeast.
VARIETY SEED 2025
Yield, Quality And Traits
The menu of cotton varieties from which to choose in 2025 includes a host of high-yielding, good quality selections.
To help you get started, seed companies from across the Cotton Belt provided information about their headliners on pages 8-13 in the annual
Seed Variety Guide published by Cotton Farming magazine. Discuss priorities with your consultant and seed representative to match your operation’s needs with these outstanding characteristics and traits. And then place your order for the upcoming 2025 season with confidence.
to
3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology with strong yield potential and fiber package. For availability of this product in your area, contact your local sales representative. Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell.
3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology. Strong yield potential, resistance to bacterial blight. For availability in your area, contact your local sales representative. Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell.
DP 2127 B3XF early-mid4.7
DP 2141NR B3XFmid-full4.7
DP 2143NR B3XFmid-full4.8
DP
DP 2020 B3XFearly-mid4.2
DP 2038
36.6 29.8A top Deltapine brand-recommended variety showing solid performance across the Cotton Belt with good indeterminacy and high yield potential in an early to mid-maturity.
3 XtendFlex cotton variety showing outstanding yield potential and resistance to both reniform and root-knot nematodes.
3 XtendFlex cotton variety for the Southwest that has shown resistance to reniform and root-knot nematodes and moderate tolerance to Verticillium wilt.
30.1Broadly adapted, offering high yield potential and excellent fiber length with bacterial blight resistance.
adapted with an outstanding high yield potential, good fiber quality with bacterial blight resistance.
DP 2044 B3XFmid-full 3.6 semi-smooth39.9 32.2Bred for the dryland fields in West Texas, offering excellent seedling vigor and bacterial blight resistance.
DP 2055 B3XFfull 4.3 smooth 38.7 29.2Adapted for full-season markets across the Cotton Belt, with high yield potential and excellent fiber quality potential.
DP 1948 B3XFmid-full4.6 semi-smooth36.5 31.5Yield potential similar to DP 1646 B2XF, with an excellent fiber quality and staple length adapted to the South Texas and Southern Rolling Plains regions.
DP 1820 B3XFearly-mid4.2-4.7 semi-smooth38.8 31.0-33.4Excellent fiber length, micronaire and strength, plus resistance to bacterial blight. Works well in West Texas, the upper Mid-South and Southeast.
DP 1840
DP 1845 B3XFmid-full3.8-4.2
Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton
to DP 1538 B2XF, with a potential fiber quality advantage over DP 1725 B2XF and bacterial blight resistance. Works well in the Southeast and Carolinas.
potential similar to DP 1646 B2XF (in Texas) and fiber length similar to DP 1646 B2XF. Works well in Texas and the lower Mid-South.
variety with a broad fit across a range of environments and excellent yield potential and fiber quality.
tough-acre performance potential with very good fiber length and strength and resistance to bacterial blight. Works well in East Texas.
PHYTOGEN
adapted variety featuring the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. Early to mid-maturity with superb fiber quality, including lower micronaire. BB, RKN and REN resistant.
PHY 360 W3FEearly-mid4.7 semi-smooth37 30.4High-yielding W3FE variety with PhytoGen Breeding Traits for RKN resistance and bacterial blight resistance.
PHY
semi-smooth leaf variety with PhytoGen Breeding Traits for bacterial blight and RKN resistance. This excellent yielder performs well on both irrigated and nonirrigated land and responds very well to plant growth regulators. Very manageable and responds well to higher inputs and productive soils. Excellent seedling vigor.
PHY 411 W3FEearly-mid to mid 4.8 semi-smooth36 32.1Very broadly adapted, high-yielding variety throughout the Upland-growing regions. Includes resistance to bacterial blight, root-knot nematodes and reniform nematodes. Features the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection.
PHY 415 W3FEmid to mid-full 4.8 semi-smooth38 33.4Broadly adapted, mid-maturing Upland variety with a medium plant height and moderate PGR requirements. Resistant to both root-knot nematodes and bacterial blight.
PHY 443 W3FEmid 4.8 semi-smooth37 33
High-yielding, mid-maturing variety featuring the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. PhytoGen Breeding Traits for resistance to bacterial blight and both RKN and reniform nematodes.
New varieties for 2025 in blue
PHYTOGEN (continued)
PHY 475 W3FEmid-full 4.6 semi-smooth36 33.1Mid-full maturing variety for the Southeast with exceptionally high-yield potential. Full pest-protection package with the Enlist cotton trait, WideStrike 3 Insect Protection, and built-in resistance to bacterial blight, RKN and reniform nematodes.
PHY 545 W3FEfull 4.7 semi-smooth37 32.1Aggressive growing full-season variety adapted to the lower Southeast. Features the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. PhytoGen Breeding Traits include bacterial blight and RKN resistance.
Southwest Plains Upland
PHY 136 W3E1early-mid4.4 semi-smooth36.2 30.6Early-to-mid-maturing variety for the Southwest market. W3E1 trait package combines the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. Offers high yield potential and weed management options without a glyphosate-tolerant trait.
PHY 137 W3E1 early-mid4.5 semi-smooth37.4 32.4Broadly adapted, early-to-mid-maturing variety for the Southwest. High-yield potential with W3E1 trait package. Combines the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection for weed management options without a glyphosate-tolerant trait.
PHY 205 W3FEvery early4.4 semi-smooth35.2
30.1Very early, short-statured plant broadly adapted across north and south of Lubbock. Responds well under moderate-to-good water. Loaded with yield protection traits against bacterial blight, RKN, reniform and Verticillium wilt.
potential, early maturing W3FE variety selected for the Northern High Plains for its storm tolerance, earliness and consistency. Stable micronaire. Excellent Verticillium wilt tolerance and smooth leaves.
PHY 300 W3FEearly-mid4.1 semi-smooth36.2 29.4Broadly adapted, early to mid-maturing W3FE variety with outstanding yield potential from dryland to good irrigation capacities. Has excellent storm tolerance and semismooth leaves. Resistant to bacterial blight; Verticillium wilt tolerance.
PHY 332 W3FEearly-mid4.2 semi-smooth37.4 30.5Early mid-maturing, with full yield protection package, offering bacterial blight resistance and both RKN and reniform nematode resistance with high fiber strength and good Verticillium wilt tolerance.
PHY 350 W3FEearly-mid4.2 semi-smooth36.8 29.4Early mid-maturing, highly RKN-resistant variety with broad adaptation and excellent Verticillium wilt tolerance.
PHY 390 W3FEearly-mid4 semi-smooth36.5 31.1
High-yielding, early mid-maturing variety featuring the Enlist cotton trait, WideStrike 3 Insect Protection with bacterial blight and RKN resistance. Excellent seedling vigor.
PHY 400 W3FEearly-mid4.1 semi-smooth36.5 30.2Early mid-maturing, semi-smooth leaf variety with PhytoGen Breeding Traits for bacterial blight and RKN resistance. This top-yielder fits and performs well on irrigated and nonirrigated land. Responds very well to PGRs. Very manageable. Responds well to higher inputs and productive soils. Excellent seedling vigor.
PHY 411 W3FEmid 4.4 semi-smooth35.2 30.8Very broadly adapted, high-yielding variety throughout the Upland-growing regions. Includes resistance to bacterial blight, root-knot nematodes and reniform nematodes. Features the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection
PHY 415 W3FEmid 4.2
PHY 443 W3FEmid 4.4 semi-smooth36.2 31
adapted, mid-maturing Upland variety with an aggressive growth that fits sandy soils. Resistant to both root-knot nematodes and bacterial blight.
High-yielding, mid-maturing variety featuring the Enlist cotton trait and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. Broadly adapted in dryland to good water. Bacterial blight, RKN and reniform resistant.
PHY 480 W3FEmid 4.1 semi-smooth36.8 30 Industry-leading RKN resistance in mid-maturing W3FE variety with very good fiber quality and yield stability.
PHY 764 WRFmid 4.2 semi-smooth38 36.5High-yielding Acala variety with Roundup Ready Flex and glufosinate tolerance combined with WideStrike 3 Insect Protection
PHY 807 RF mid 4.5
Pima variety that provides superior quality. Roundup Ready Flex and tolerant to Fusarium Race 4.
PHY 861 RF mid 4.4 semi-hairy48 47 Pima variety with Roundup Ready Flex for weed control and excellent tolerance to Fusarium Race 4. Another jump in yield and fiber quality potential to market-leading Pima varieties.
PHY 881 RF mid 4.5 semi-hairy48 46.2Broadly adapted, medium to full statured Pima variety. High-yield potential with tolerance to Fusarium Race 4.
Acala and Pima
Bollgard 3 ThryvOn with XtendFlex Technology
DG 4530
DG 4434
DG 4529
specifically to the midsouth region and parts fo the Upper Gulf coast of Texas. Medium-tall plant type that will require PGR management. Above average fiber quality and good seedling vigor.
broadly adapted across the cotton belt. Bacterial Blight resistant and very good Verticillium wilt tolerance. Medium plant type with a more open boll type. Very good fiber quality and seedling vigor.
fiber quality and seedling vigor. Best performance in South Plains to Coastal Plains of Texas and Upper Southeast. Bacterial Blight resistance and very good Verticillium wilt tolerance. Excellent storm tolerance. DG
performer on South Plains of Texas. Very good storm tolerance and seedling vigor. Bacterial Blight resitant with Moderate tolerance to Verticillium wilt.
Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton
Bollgard 3 XtendFlex Cotton
DG
DG 3425 B3XFearly-mid4.28
DG
DG
DG 3519 B3XF
DG 3528
DG 3535 B3XFmid
DG 3570 B3XFmid 4.5
to Texas, Arizona, Mid-South, Upper Southeast and East Coast. Very good storm tolerance and early season vigor. Very good irrigated or dryland. Best performance on silt loams. Manage early with plant growth regulators.
and reniform nematode tolerance. Broadly adapted to Texas. Above average Verticillium wilt tolerance and Race 4 Fusarium wilt tolerance. Good fiber quality with excellent storm tolerance.
1.21 32 Broadly adapted across
adapted to West Texas and Oklahoma. Medium plant height with good fiber quality and excellent seedling vigor. Provides Verticillium wilt tolerance and bacterial blight resistance.
version of
2570 B2RF. Broadly adapted across U.S. Southern Cotton Belt. Medium to tall plant height. Very good seedling vigor.
plant and easy to manage with PGR. Excellent fiber characteristics and yield potential from Texas to the Mid-South and Southeast. Very good storm tolerance with baterial blight resistance and reniform nematode tolerance
to Upper Texas Gulf Coast, Mid-South, and Southeast. Excellent yield potential with bacterial blight resistance in a medium plant heigh variety.
adapted across the Cotton Belt. Outstanding performance on both irrigated and dryland ground. Medium plant height with a good fiber package. Aggressive PGR management recommended.
version of DG 2570 B2RF. Broadly adapted across U.S. Southern Cotton Belt on irrigated as well as dryland acres. Medium to tall plant height. Very good seedling vigor.
DG 3615 B3XFmid-full4.47 smooth 1.17 31.5Excellent seedling vigor and storm tolerance combined with Verticillium wilt tolerance and bacterial blight resistance. Adapted to Texas, Delta and Southeast environments.
DG 3799 B3XFFull 4.6 smooth 1.17 32.2Best grown in Lower Southeast and Delta regions. Very full-season maturity. Bacterial blight resistance and Verticillium wilt tolerance. Manage tall plant type aggressively with PGRs. Very good fiber strength and good length.
DG H929
with Halo salt tolerance. Adapted to West Texas and similar environments with saline soil types. Good storm tolerance with bacterial blight resistance and good Verticillium wilt tolerance
DG H959 B3XFmid 4.3-4.7 semi-smooth1.11-1.15 29-32Enhanced with Halo salt tolerance. Good seedling vigor. Adapted to Southern Cotton Belt and the Carolinas. Good storm tolerance with bacterial blight resistance and good Verticillium wilt tolerance New varieties for 2025 in blue
DYNA-GRO (continued)
DG H357 B3XFmid 4.3
31 Enhanced with Halo salt tolerance. Has best fit in West Texas and other areas with saline soil types. Good storm tolerance with bacterial blight resistance and good Verticllium wilt tolerance. DG
fiber quality in an upland cotton variety. Adapted to Southern High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas. Excellent storm tolerance with root knot nematode tolerance. Recommended for irrigated acres only with strict management.
NEXGEN
Bollgard 3 ThryvOn with XtendFlex Cotton
NG 3327
B3TXFearly-med4.2-4.5 semi-smooth37-38 28-29Possesses exceptional seedling vigor and an aggressive growth habit. Excellent yield potential and fiber quality with outstanding performance across multiple soils and environments.
NG 4335 B3TXFmedium4.3-4.5 semi-smooth37-38 29-31Broadly adapted medium to tall plant. Top-end yield potential and excellent fiber quality and will thrive in both dryland and irrigated environments.
NG 4343 B3TXFmedium4.2-4.5
NG 4350 B3TXFmedium4.1-4.3
NG 4405 B3TXFmedium4.2-4.4
Bollgard 3 XtendFlex Cotton
NG 3195 B3XFearly-med4.3-4.5
38-39 30-31Top-end yield potential and excellent fiber quality. Very easily managed, responsive to PGR‹s and broadly adapted to both dryland and irrigated scenarios.
38-39 31-33Outstanding yield potential, excellent fiber package, premium staple length. Broadly adapted across multiple soil types making it a good fit across the Belt.
28-30New in 2024! Medium maturity ThryvOn technology. Broadly adapted. Bacterial blight resistant.
36-37 30-31Early-med variety offering good heat tolerance and consistent performance. High yield potential and high turnout.
NG 3434 B3XFearly 4.3-4.4 smooth 37-39 29-30New in 2024! Early maturity with excellent yield potential. Slightly faster than NG 3457 B3XF. Adapted to the High Plains, Oklahoma and Kansas regions.
NG 3457 B3XFearly-med4.3-4.5 smooth 36-38 29-32New in 2024! Early-medium maturity adapted to the High Plains, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mid-South regions. Bacterial blight resistant and good verticillium wilt tolerance.
NG 3930 B3XFearly-med4.1-4.5 semi-smooth37-38 29-30Widely adapted early-med maturing variety with a great disease package and excels on most soil types in dryland or limited water scenarios.
NG 4098
B3XFmedium4.3-4.5 semi-smooth38-39 33-35Outstanding staple and overall fiber quality! Widely adapted and very easily managed. Excellent heat tolerance and very good disease package to protect yield potential.
NG 4190 B3XFmedium4.3-4.5 smooth 37-38 29-30Excellent yield potential and fiber quality on both dryland and irrigated acres. This variety is sure to have a fit in multiple regions across the Belt!
NG 4409
NG 4414
B3XFearly-med4.3-4.5 semi-smooth37-39 29-31New in 2024! Early-medium maturity adapted to the High Plains and Oklahoma regions. Performs well on sandier soils. Excellent staple and bacterial blight resistant.
B3XFmedium4.5-4.6 semi-smooth37-38 28-30New in 2024! Medium maturity adapted to the Mid-Atlantic region. High yield potential and excellent fiber quality.
NG 5150 B3XFmed-full4.3-4.5 smooth 37-38 29-30With excellent heat tolerance, this variety is broadly adapted and will perform well where medium to full maturing varieties are preferred. NG
NG
Bollgard II XtendFlex
Cotton
XtendFlex Cotton
NG
in 2024! Full season adapted to south Texas and the Southeast. Requires PGR management.
yield and outstanding fiber quality variety with best-in-class disease package. Wide adaptability and easy to manage for a growthy plant.
ARMOR SEED
Cotton
Bacterial Blight resistant, with a moderate tolerance to Verticillium wilt for the West TX down to the Rolling Plains market. Good fit on dryland and irrigated acres. Consistent fiber quality across environments coupled with high yield potential. Moderate to large seed size with excellent emergence and vigor.
Early-mid maturity non-Bt product for West Texas. Moderate resistance to Verticillium wilt, with premium fiber and stable yield potential.
Bollgard 3 XtendFlex Cotton
ARMOR
ARMOR 9512
ARMOR 9831
Bollgard 3 ThryvOn Cotton with XtendFlex Technology
ARMOR 9383 B3TXFearly-mid4.4-4.6
FIBERMAX
FiberMax Cotton
30
fit product. Very good emergence and early season vigor. High yield potential across all environments, packaged with excellent fiber.
Mid-maturity variety for West Texas and the Rolling Plains. Medium growth habit that is easy to manage with an above average Verticillium wilt rating and strong seedling vigor.
yield and fiber. Outstanding performance on light to sandy soils. Very good early season emergence and vigor. Responds well to PGRs. Very good defensive package including bacterial blight resistance.
First introduction of ThrvyOn trait technology for the upper Mid-South. This variety has shown the ability to travel across broad acres across the early-mid to mid maturity areas. Its full Bacterial Blight resistance package allows for placement on continuous cotton acres. Large seed size leads to excellent emergence and early season vigor.
STONEVILLE
Stoneville Cotton
ST 6000AXTP mid-full4.3 semi-smooth1.18 32.4Trait package includes Axant Flex TwinLink Plus technologies. Excellent Fiber package. High gin turnout potential. Resistant to bacterial blight and root-knot nematodes. Well adapted to the Southeast.
SEED SOURCE GENETICS
Conventional Cotton
SSG UA 107 early 4.5-4.9 smooth 35-39 30-33Tall plant, widely adapted. Disease resistance: bacterial blight, Fusarium wilt. Tolerant to Verticillium wilt and tarnished plant bugs. Good supply in 2023.
Disease resistance: bacterial blight, Fusarium wilt. Tolerant to Verticillium wilt and tarnished plant bugs. Good supply in 2023.
SSG UA 222 mid-early4.0-4.5 semi-smooth36-39 29-33Widely adapted, high-yielding picker type. Disease resistance: bacterial blight, Fusarium wilt. Tolerant to Verticillium wilt and tarnished plant bugs.
SSG UA 248 early 4.62 slightly hairy36-39 33.2SSG UA 248 yielded 1,095 lbs/A compared to the yield of SSG UA 48 of 997 lbs/A at four sites in Arkansas — a 10% increase. This equals about $55 per acre at a lint price of 55 cents per pound.
TRAIT STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
NOTICE TO FARMERS
IMPORTANT NOTICE: No dicamba herbicide has been approved for use in-crop with this seed technology at the time this notice was printed. No dicamba herbicide may be used in-crop with this seed unless and until such use is approved or specifically permitted. For current approval statuses for in-crop dicamba use with this seed, scan the below QR code, call 1-844-RRXTEND or 1-866-99-BAYER, or contact the U.S. EPA or your state pesticide regulatory agency. Plants that are not tolerant to dicamba may be damaged or killed if exposed to dicamba herbicides.
Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all applicable regulatory requirements have been met. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with products with XtendFlex® Technology. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations of dicamba, glyphosate or glufosinate are approved for in-crop use with products with XtendFlex® Technology. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your seed brand representative for the registration status in your state. Products with XtendFlex® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba. Plants that are not tolerant to glyphosate, dicamba, and/or glufosinate may be damaged or killed if exposed to those herbicides. Contact your seed brand dealer or refer to the Bayer Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs. Insect control technology provided by Vip3A is utilized under license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Bollgard®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, ThryvOn® and XtendFlex® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. All other products, company names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Continued from page 6
the highest contamination.
2. Object Detection System: Creating a robust object detection network using collected images to train a deep learning model will help the robot accurately identify plastic waste in diverse field conditions.
3. Robotic Arm Design: Designing and fabricating a robotic arm and end-effector capable of effectively removing various types of plastic contamination without damaging cotton plants.
While the project is just getting started, Cotton Incorporated sees great value in funding the development of this UGV. “The long-term idea for these projects is not a robot solely dedicated to trash
Robot can detect and remove contamination in the eld.
removal, but it would be just one of the many functions of a ground-based unit. Early in the season, the UGV could potentially help with pest detection and weed removal, for example,” Barnes said.
Cotton Incorporated plays a pivotal role in tackling the pressing issue of plastic contamination in cotton production. Through ongoing research and collaboration on key plastic contamination projects like the ones with MSU and USDA-ARS, Cotton Incorporated is helping to protect the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the U.S. cotton industry.
Grant Saum is The Cotton Board’s MidSouth Regional Communications Manager. Email him at gsaum@cottonboard.org.
Do not open a bag of seed until you read, understand and accept the stewardship requirements for the biotechnology traits expressed in this seed as set forth in the Bayer Technology Stewardship Agreement (“TSA”) that you sign. By opening and using this bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with the most recent regulatory and stewardship requirements.
Polypropylene Bagging, Wire Ties And Module Averaging In The Spotlight
During the National Cotton Council’s Mid-Year Board meeting, a Strategic Planning Task Force met to develop a plan to help our industry address the competitive landscape and challenges we face. The task force made a number of recommendations, and all are important, but in this article, we will discuss the three that have the most direct impact on ginners.
The three recommendations I would like to bring to your attention are as follows: 1) Work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Marketing Service to establish module averaging as the only approach for classing cotton. 2) The Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee should establish a phase-out period for woven polypropylene bagging while investigating options for a more durable polyethylene bag and a lighter-weight cotton bag. 3) The JCIBPC should establish a phase-out period for wire ties.
Each of these recommendations will be discussed in January during the Beltwide Cotton Conferences by the National Cotton Ginners’ Association Technology Committee. In addition, these recommendations will also be addressed at the NCC’s annual meeting in February. After these discussions, the next steps for recommendations would be up to the USDA for the
module averaging and the JCIBPCommittee for the other two recommendations.
Woven PP Bagging Issue
Of these three recommendations, the most controversial one is probably the phase-out of woven polypropylene (woven PP) bagging. The U.S. cotton industry still uses a good bit of woven PP bagging — 46% of the crop in 2023, 77% in Texas — so this recommendation will likely come with a defined, significantly appropriate phase-out period.
The primary driver is that for years our textile customers have complained about contamination from PP bagging materials, and those complaints have only gotten worse. In fact, Cotton Council International indicates it is the biggest complaint from our textile customers. Additionally, China remains the largest export destination for U.S. cotton and their internal policy prohibits the use of woven “plastic” bagging materials and other plastics that contaminate.
The fear continues that at any time, this policy could be applied to U.S. bales. It should be noted that our largest export competitors, Brazil and Australia, are packaging 100% of their
ELEVATED SEED HOUSE
bales in cotton. This is the reason for the recommendation that discusses investigating a lighter-weight cotton bag.
The proposal to phase out woven PP bagging is most concerning to ginning operations that have purchased automatic bagging systems made for this type of bagging and to bagging companies that have invested large amounts of capital into facilities that manufacture this type of bagging. While this is a di icult issue, it is one we must address, or we will likely lose more of our market share to the other competing countries.
Wire Ties, Module Averaging
Wire ties are used by a much smaller percentage of the industry than the woven PP bagging. Usage rates of wire strap is between 0% and 32%, depending on the state. To put those numbers in perspective, the top three states in percentage of wire tie use are at 32%, 22% and 19% respectively. In Texas, we use about 5% wire ties. The issues with wire ties are also connected to complaints from the end-users. The mills consider wire ties to be a safety and fire hazard. As with the bagging issue discussed above, we need to address wire ties to maximize our competitive abilities in the world market.
The issue of module averaging is di erent from the other two. Module averaging is used almost exclusively in some areas of the country and very little in others. With discussions on the fungibility of cotton and improving the overall e iciency of cotton flow, it would be optimal if all bales were classed in the same manner. Of the three, this issue is likely the least controversial, but it is still one that will a ect the ginning segment.
If we are to maintain and improve our competitiveness in the world market, it is important that we continue to improve our operations on an ongoing basis. These and many other issues will be discussed during the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, the NCC Annual Meeting and the JCIBPC meeting, all of which will be held in January and February.
Please give your association o ice a call if you have any questions about these or other issues a ecting your operation.
J. Kelley Green, TCGA executive vice president, contributed this article. It was first published in the September 2024 issue of The Ginnery. Contact Green at kelley@tcga.org.
First Bale Harvested Fetches $25,000 For Scholarship Fund
The o icial certified first bale of U.S.-grown cotton harvested in 2024 was auctioned for $25,500 at the annual First Bale Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser held by the Harlingen Cotton Committee and the Algodon Club on Sept. 19.
Verne Vanderpool of Alamo, Texas, harvested the bale on June 14 from a field planted to the variety DP 2020 B3XF and delivered it to Willacy Co-op Gin for processing. The Harlingen Cotton Committee gave Vanderpool Farms, LLC a $4,000 reward for delivering the first bale.
From le are Danny Gonzales – Deltapine and DEKALB eld sales representative; omas Human - Willacy Co-Op Gin assistant manager; Verne Vanderpool – farmer from Alamo, Texas; Wesley Vanderpool – farmer from Alamo, Texas; Savannah Chappell –Willacy Co-Op outside sales and Scott Stanislav – Deltapine and DEKALB technical agronomist.
The bale was purchased by the Deltapine seed brand for $15,000. Add-ons from Texas Farm Credit, Valley Co-op Oil Mill, Crop Guard Insurance, Capital Farm Credit, Elli4 Motors, Rio Bank, Total Technology and Robert Luehrs drove the amount raised for the scholarship fund to $25,500. The live and silent auctions of donated items held by the Algodon Club raised $44,800. Table sales and other donations raised an additional $29,000, for a grand total of $99,300.
The Algodon Club awards undergraduate scholarships to students actively pursuing a degree in an agricultural-related field while the Harlingen Cotton Committee provides grants to technical schools and community colleges for students and programs that positively support the local agriculture economy.
The Importance Of Leadership In Ag
Cassidy Nemec
We place a lot of stories and information in this publication that feature leadership programs, people who are proven leaders and many other individuals with varying degrees of leadership. From a young age, we begin to learn what a good leader might or might not look like. With a plethora of leadership style quizzes, personal and professional development meetings and even entertainment in TV shows, books and movies aimed at motivating us to leadership, there is no shortage of material out there for us to glean.
I have been fortunate this year to begin one of those leadership programs myself: the Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Program. This specific program is focused on developing future Texas leaders, increasing and enhancing knowledge on all aspects of agriculture from food to fiber, policy to law and the economy and society’s role throughout.
interesting tour and dinner at STgenetics, an innovative livestock reproductive services company.
My biggest takeaway was when someone asked what the biggest challenge is that we’re facing in the state and country. Dr. Joe Outlaw, regents fellow, professor, Extension economist and policy extraordinaire, as I like to say, at Texas A&M University, responded quickly with “an uninformed and apathetic public on where their food comes from.” I’ve known it for a while, but it always hits me how critical my line of work in journalism and publishing can be in the overall success and progression of agriculture. It can be difficult thinking you’re just writing things down or sharing information someone else said, but it’s important to remember not everyone is informed on XYZ topic or that they may see a new side to something that motivates them to try something new or share that information to even more people.
“I have been fortunate to join the TALL Program this year.”
Over the next two years, we will have six sessions across the state of Texas, one session in the Northeast, one in California and one international session in Belgium and Spain to culminate the program. Our 24-person cohort will be exposed to so many people in the industry with a wealth of knowledge amongst them, and I am looking forward to learning all I can along the way.
Our first session was held in College Station, Texas, as TALL is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program. This was special to me since my dad’s side of the family is from that Bryan-College Station area and is still very focused in agriculture. We had about 40 hours of training in a 3.5day span, and I certainly gained a lot from listening to all of the different speakers.
We started off with multiple insightful speakers and an etiquette dinner on Day 1. Day 2 was packed full with more successful speakers discussing everything from the state’s most pressing veterinarian issues, to U.S. and world policy and a Farm Bill update, to Extension’s role in state research flourishing; two great farm headquarters visits; a facility tour of Wayne Sanderson Farms; and a very
One of my highlights from Day 3 was visiting Producers Cooperative Association in Bryan, Texas, the largest member-owned cooperative in Texas. We had a great tour of their feed and supply divisions and were treated to a panel with their senior leadership. I was extremely impressed with their team and how thorough they were in making sure we got all the information we could want while being there and how they are staunch champions and defenders of ag. A theme of urbanization breaking up farms came up and added to our ongoing theme of agricultural land loss. Their CEO Mr. James Deatheredge made the point that “we haven’t taught the younger generation where their food and fiber originates.” This was another great reminder of how crucial good communication and education are for the future of agriculture.
Day 4 was a culmination of our first week with everything from a Forest Service overview to an in-depth look at current international affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Policy, so there was still no shortage of information shared and gathered. Our second session will be in Lubbock and Amarillo, and I believe we are all looking forward to it.
I am immensely grateful to be part of a program that values agriculture, community and leadership, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
— Cassidy Nemec Hewitt, Texas
cnemec@onegrower.com
Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Cotton Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to csmith@onegrower.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
CREAM OF THE CROP MANAGEMENT TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
5 Ways to Improve Your Cotton Management
Today’s cotton genetics hold great performance potential, but they still need to be managed diligently to reach the results they’re capable of. Here are some tips to help optimize your cotton crop.
1. Choose great seed.
It may sound obvious, but it’s one of the largest and most important decisions you make. Be sure to select the genetics that will best meet your yield goals and produce fiber quality that suits your market.
Choosing the right traits is critical as well. In the Armor® Seed line, you can choose varieties with the Bollgard® 3 XtendFlex® or Bollgard II® XtendFlex® trait, which provide both insect protection and weed control flexibility.
Trait innovations are also improving insect management. There is now Bt technology available through the ThryvOn® trait that provides thrips and plant bug control, which you can find in Armor variety 9383 B3TXF.
2. Ensure seed quality.
Yield and fiber quality are greatly influenced by genetics and your cotton’s ability to get a quick start. This quick start begins with seed quality. All cotton seed is tagged with and must meet a minimum warm germ score of 80%. While the actual WG may be higher than 80%, using this value to adjust planting populations is necessary to reduce unwanted skips and potential replants.
Each seed lot is also assigned a cool germination test score, which measures seedling vigor in cool, wet planting conditions. It’s often used along with the WG to determine the Warm-Cool Vigor Index.
3. Ensure germination success.
Proper seedbed preparation and seed treatments are also important. Base your planting sequence on soil temperature and the Warm-Cool index score. Use the higher index score seed for earlier planting with cooler, wetter conditions. The lesser index score seed can be utilized in more ideal planting conditions.
For early-season disease and pest protection, ensure you have the right insecticides, fungicides and PGRs on your seed to meet your farm’s needs.
4. Know your nutrition.
Start the season with a soil test and address any nutrient defi ciencies, especially boron, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. Nutrient defi ciencies will result in smaller bolls and poor fruit retention. It’s also a good idea to take tissue samples at key growth stages, such as early to mid-bloom, full bloom and boll fi ll, to ensure nutrient availability throughout the season.
5. Scout often.
Diligent scouting keeps you tuned in to any weed or insect threats. Be on the lookout for thrips in the early part of the season as seed treatments begin to lose e ectiveness. Controlling piercing-sucking type insects, such as plant bugs, stink bugs or fleahoppers, is critical for early fruit set.
Taking these necessary steps will help ensure your cotton crop is a success.
Scan here to learn more about the latest varieties from Armor Seed.
At Armor® Seed, we know farming has changed a lot over the years. But one thing that hasn’t is our commitment to helping growers like you conquer the season. Always in your corner with quality seed and exceptional service, we use the latest technologies to give you the top products and the best agronomic support possible. So you can feel confident from planting to harvest.
CREAM OF THE CROP
MANAGEMENT TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
Managing Deltapine® Varieties to Reach Yield Potential
Cotton varieties have significantly evolved, and research shows that adjustments to agronomic practices during the season may be required to help high-performing Deltapine® brand cotton varieties to reach their full yield potential.
Plant growth regulator (PGR) use is perhaps the most critical component of a modern cotton management system. PGRs reapportion energy within the cotton plant from vegetative to reproductive growth, pushing the plant into setting and filling fruit rather than developing excess vegetative growth. It is a delicate balance. When done right, it can lead to adequate numbers of nodes and thereby fruiting sites, which helps plants to reach their optimal yield potential.
Cotton varieties such as DP 2333 B3XF, DP 2127 B3XF, DP 2328 B3TXF and DP 2131 B3TXF are popular because of the high-yield performance potential they have shown the past few seasons. They are aggressive growing genetics that can require relatively aggressive PGR management, particularly in conditions where excessive growth is likely. Examples of those conditions include strong soils, rotation with corn, high plant populations and/or fruit loss due to insect feeding or environmental factors.
Deltapine brand Bollgard® 3 ThryvOn® cotton with XtendFlex® Technology varieties have shown to help protect the crop against early-season key thrips species. That control helps support healthier plants and the opportunity to reach pinhead stage rapidly. PGRs are typically applied to all varieties and technologies at similar stages. Because ThryvOn Technology reduces feeding
and damage from key thrips species, those stages can be reached sooner. The aggressive, early crop development may require early-season PGR management in some varieties.
PGR use should generally be based on field history, variety background, field status and, most importantly, how fast the field is developing at the current time. Developmental progress can be measured using several plan-based monitoring techniques including plant height, node number and internode elongation of the upper portions of the plant, particularly concentrating on the internode 4 to 5 from the top of the plant.
Scan here to learn more about the latest varieties from Deltapine.
Combining the latest biotech traits along with appropriate scouting, agronomic decision-making and PGR use is critical to optimizing the performance potential of new Deltapine brand cotton varieties.
The Bayer Scott Learning Center conducts extensive cotton research and can help with management decisions across the Cotton Belt. Contact Jay Maha ey to schedule a visit or winter meeting in your area.
Jay S. Maha ey, Science Fellow, Bayer Crop Science, Scott Learning Center Manager (jay.maha ey@bayer.com)
’Round here, maximizing performance starts with safeguarding against pests. Locally evaluated Deltapine® brand Bollgard® 3 ThryvOn® cotton with XtendFlex® Technology varieties offer innovative, built-in defense from key tarnished plant bugs and thrips species. It also provides increased flexibility in herbicide applications throughout the season. Thrive where you grow by protecting your yield potential.
CREAM OF THE CROP MANAGEMENT TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
Thriving in Salty Soils: Increased Cotton Yield with Dyna-Gro® Seed’s Halo™ Series
Every cotton season comes with its own set of challenges, and we understand the importance of a reliable seed that performs in your local conditions, year after year.
The Problem: Salinity and Cotton Crop Challenges
As a cotton grower, one of the most detrimental issues is soil and water salinity. Salts can accumulate in the soil for several reasons, including irrigation with saline water, poor drainage and the natural process of soil weathering.
These high concentrations can:
• Salinity a ects the soil’s water potential, making it di cult for cotton plants to absorb adequate water.
• Excessive salts can impede the plant’s ability to take up essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies and poor growth.
• Salts create osmotic stress, which can harm cellular processes and reduce overall plant vigor.
• High salinity often introduces toxic ions like sodium and chloride into the plant system, which can directly damage cellular structures and physiological functions.
Results You Can Trust: Halo Series Cotton
It’s crucial to select cotton seed that can withstand and even thrive in these challenging environments. Halo is trusted to perform where it matters most — on your farm. It’s specifically
engineered to tackle salinity problems head-on, providing a resilient option for cotton growers.
Here’s why Halo is a game changer:
• Halo cotton is bred to exhibit superior tolerance to saline conditions. This means the plants can maintain water and nutrient uptake even when the soil has higher salt concentrations.
• Halo cotton ensures better germination rates and healthier seedling establishment in saline soils, giving your cotton plants a stronger start.
Scan here to learn more about the latest varieties from Dyna-Gro.
• With its advanced genetics, Halo cotton promotes vigorous growth and enhances yield potential, even under sub-optimal salinity conditions.
• Despite the presence of salts, Halo cotton helps maintain the high fiber quality that is crucial for marketability and profitability
By choosing Dyna-Gro’s Halo Seed, you’re not just picking a cotton seed—you’re investing in a trusted solution that helps tackle one of the toughest challenges in cotton farming. Get the best start for your crop, and enjoy peace of mind knowing Halo Seed, a seed you can rely on, is working hard to keep your yields strong in salty soils.
CREAM OF THE CROP
MANAGEMENT TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
PGR Management for NexGen’s NG 3457 B3XF and NG 5430 B3XF
NG 3457 B3XF is an early to early-mid maturing variety that is adapted to the upper Mid-South and West Texas/Oklahoma regions. In the Americot® internal testing program, it has consistently outperformed NG 3195 B3XF from Clarksdale, Mississippi, to Missouri. And in West Texas, it has quickly risen to the top of our program.
In addition to the outstanding yield performance, this NexGen® variety has an excellent fiber quality package, excellent heat tolerance, strong seedling vigor and a smooth leaf characteristic. It has good Verticillium wilt tolerance for West Texas and is bacterial blight resistant. The first fruiting branch is typically node six. It is very manageable, shows a “boxy” type architecture and is responsive to PGR.
We had a large commercial launch in 2024 and have it on numerous farms, especially in the Mid-South and West Texas geographies. Consequently, we had the opportunity to obtain field-based management experience. In West Texas, most fields of NG 3457 B3XF needed little PGR usage. Applications made prior to bloom were on the low side of the rate curve (four to eight ounces of 4.2% mepiquat chloride), and applications made during the bloom period were in the 10-to-12-ounce range.
In the Mid-South, we followed a similar PGR strategy, but the rate structure was higher due to the di erent growth environment. Because of its more compact growth habit, place it on more productive ground (do not place it on heavy clay
soils). The bottom line on NG 3457 B3XF is it will not require a “heavy-handed” PGR approach, and if over-managed it could be shorter than desired. So, do not overdo it.
NG 5430 B3XF is a midfull to full season variety that has shown exceptional performance in the South Plains of Texas, South Texas, the lower Mid-South and the Southeast regions (southern Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina). It has high yield potential and excellent fiber quality. It is a large-seeded variety, shows outstanding seedling vigor and high heat tolerance. It is moderately susceptible to bacterial blight.
NG 5430 B3XF has an aggressive growth habit and will build a large stalk. Our on-farm experience this season showed us it requires a “heavy-handed” management approach. Pre-bloom applications are key to managing its aggressive growth habit. If it is under irrigation, it will need intense management. Higher rates will be necessary to yield the desired growth response. One thing we did observe is on heavy clay soils an aggressive PGR approach was “too much,” so utilize a moderate PGR strategy here.
It has a storm-resistant boll type and good “standability,” which we observed following Hurricane Debby’s path across South Georgia.
Scan here to learn more about the latest varieties from NexGen.
CREAM OF THE CROP MANAGEMENT
TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YIELDS
Planting New Varieties?
Reconsider Strategies for Easier Plant and Nematode Management
To get the most out of PhytoGen® cottonseed in 2025, it’s important to understand how management of new varieties may be di erent from past practices. Many customers who switch to PhytoGen® W3FE varieties often say they are easier to manage while still providing opportunities for top-end yield potential.
Consider these three management tips when planting PhytoGen cottonseed:
1. Evaluate your seeding rates.
The first thing that stands out to farmers who switch to PhytoGen cottonseed is the industry-leading early season vigor. It’s a di erence you see when you open the bag or bulk box — the varieties have big seed with excellent germ ratings.
Early season vigor means cotton emerges and grows more quickly to establish healthy stands. Many producers have found they can establish stands with lower seeding rates. If it’s your first time planting PhytoGen cottonseed, work with your local PhytoGen field agronomist to determine proper seeding rates based on variety, soil type and field conditions. There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation, but many growers who plant PhytoGen cottonseed reach higher yield potential with lower seeding rates, compared to what they’ve planted in the past.
2. Optimize plant growth regulator (PGR) use.
Although mepiquat chloride is a common PGR, application rates are highly variable and dependent on many factors. It’s possible to stunt plants and reduce yield potential if PGR is applied too early or when plants are stressed.
To further complicate application decisions, cotton varieties di er
in their response to mepiquat chloride. Many PhytoGen brand varieties require less PGR than competitive varieties.
When planting a PhytoGen brand variety for the first time, use rates according to variety needs. For example, PhytoGen brand PHY 400 W3FE has a high PGR response rate while PhytoGen brand PHY 443 W3FE has a lower response rate. Check with your local PhytoGen team for specific recommendations on your farm.
3. Adjust your in-season pest management.
If your fields have known populations of root-knot and reniform nematodes, you may have used a nematicide to mitigate the yield-robbing pests. Nematode management could change if planting PhytoGen W3FE varieties with built-in nematode resistance.
Best management practices include soil sampling for nematodes and planting varieties resistant to root-knot and reniform nematodes. Many producers have found they can reduce or forgo nematicide applications and still maintain yield potential with nematode-resistant PhytoGen brand varieties.
PhytoGen cottonseed o ers game-changing benefits, but it’s important to tailor your management to the specific varieties. Find your local team at PhytoGen.com and talk to them about how you can better manage new varieties next season. Scan here to find the local PhytoGen team in your area.
