Cotton Farming Magazine April 2015

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Cotton Farming

®

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

PLANTING DECISIONS JUSTIN CARIKER STAYS WITH COTTON IN 2015

PROTECTING BEES IN MISSOURI MY TURN – JIMMY WEBB

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A SERIOUS WEAPON IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PLANT BUGS. When plant bugs strike, it can feel like a losing battle because of the pests’ increasing resistance to many control methods. Defend your cotton with a different kind of weapon: TransformŽ WG insecticide. Transform hits plant bugs hard, with a novel class of chemistry and a unique mode of action. It’s a great rotational partner to have in your arsenal — helping win the battle against plant bugs and aphids. TransformMyCotton.com

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Vol. 59 No. 4

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

F E A T U R E S

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Loyal To Cotton

Even though Mississippi Delta producer Justin Cariker has slightly decreased his cotton acreage for 2015, he remains dedicated to the crop. He will also plant corn and soybeans this year on his farm south of Tunica. The main goal is to be efficient in all aspects of his operation, and he is still optimistic about cotton’s eventual comeback.

D E P A R T M E N T S

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 13 Industry News

&

C O L U M N S

16 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn

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SAVING BEE POPULATIONS

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WESTERN REPORT

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GINNING MARKETPLACE

A new program in Missouri shows how partners can work together on an important project.

Brent Murphree offers an update on how the West region of the Belt is adjusting to fewer planted cotton acres in 2015.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Dusty Findley of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners’ Association says it behooves everyone in the ginning industry to be patient about new technology now available to gins across the Belt.

He is confident that these breakthroughs will ultimately make ginning even more efficient.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Bob Antoshak, managing director of Olah, Inc., is a veteran observer of the global cotton industry and offers some interesting insights after reviewing Sven Beckert’s newly published book, Empire of Cotton . Antoshak says that the global cotton market has dramatically evolved through the years, and there are lessons to be learned. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for his Web Exclusive report.

WEB POLL RESULTS

Do you anticipate winter weather conditions to delay, increase your cotton acres or not affect your planting schedule for the 2015 season?

Go to www.cottonfarming.com

ON THE COVER: Mississippi Delta producer Justin Cariker is ready for the new crop season. Photo By Tommy Horton.

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December for $40 per year by One Grower Publishing LLC, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38119. Periodicals Postage paid at Memphis, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sunbelt Fulfillment Services, 307 Southgate Court, Brentwood, Tenn. 37027-7987 (Phone: 615-377-3322) (Fax: 615850-5319). International rates are $55.00 in Canada/Mexico, $90.00 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface Delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

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Editor’s Note Tommy Horton

Cotton Farming

®

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor/Editorial Director Tommy Horton thorton@onegrower.com Senior Writer Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com

Planting Season Brings High Hopes

N

o matter how challenging the task, you can count on cotton producers to find a way to deal with a crisis. That is their nature.

Whether it’s unpredictable weather, insect or weed pressure, new farm laws, political questions or, yes, even low prices, the farmer will find a way. And, as cotton is about to be planted across the Belt this spring, that mentality is on full display everywhere.

Last month, in the My Turn column in Cotton Farming, we learned how Texas producer Brad Heffington planned to deal with low prices. Among other things, he will cut costs where he can, but he’ll mainly remember all of the lessons he learned from his father. In other words, he’ll go back to basics and do the best job he can managing his farm.

As Brad described it, agriculture is about to venture into a new frontier – one that will test every farmer.

In the current issue, we have reports from two producers with similar approaches to the 2015 crop. Georgia producer Jimmy Webb and Mississippi producer Justin Cariker farm in different regions, but they have the same resolve when it comes to problem solving. Webb offers his perspective in this month’s My Turn column on page 22. He takes a detailed look at what Georgia farmers are facing this year.

Even though low prices concern him, he knows that the cotton-peanut rotation is vital in his state. For that reason, he doesn’t see a major dropoff in Georgia’s cotton production in the forseeable future.

In our cover story on pages 8 and 9, you’ll see a different perspective from Mississippi producer Justin Cariker. Yes, he has reduced his cotton acreage from 2,500 to 1,500 acres this year, but he hasn’t given up on cotton. He is convinced that his favorite crop will eventually survive this lowprice environment and return to better days.

For those farmers who don’t have this kind of emotional tie to cotton, it might be easy to walk away and throw in the towel. Thankfully, there are farmers out there like Webb and Cariker who see the big picture. They know that cotton’s economic impact on small communities is significant. It is a necessity that cotton find its niche in this volatile environment, recapture market demand and deal with current low prices.

It certainly won’t be easy, but at least veteran farmers have been through this price cycle before. Yes, the new farm law and volatile global issues are disturbing. And prices must get better. Frankly, it can be a bit overwehelming.

Somehow, the U.S. cotton industry will find a way to survive.

Southeast Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Carol Watson

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 767-4020 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Janet Owens (229) 386-8809

For circulation changes or change of address, call (800) 888-9784

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.

Copyright 2015 ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

One Grower Publishing, LLC

If you have comments, send them to: Editor, Cotton Farming Magazine, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tenn., 38119. Or send e-mail to: thorton@onegrower.com.

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COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119 Phone: 901-767-4020

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Ensuring Effectiveness The National Cotton Council: 1) sought useful risk management tools for inclusion in the new farm law; 2) educated its members on that law’s cotton and other provisions; and 3) continues to press for the law’s proper implementation.

How is implementation proceeding?

■ The NCC is working with the House and Senate agriculture committees and USDA to address any shortcomings or unintended consequences on implementing the Agricultural Act of 2014. That includes a major focus on correct implementation of the crop insurance provisions and on ensuring the Federal Crop Insurance Act is maintained. For example, the NCC will seek to expand Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) coverage for all cotton-producing counties in 2016 and provide additional flexibility by allowing producers’ STAX purchases to be completely independent for irrigated and non-irrigated practices.

STAX, to be available on more than 99 percent of cotton acres in 2015, is designed to work in concert with other insurance products to provide upland cotton prRonnie Lee (second from left), a Georgia cotton producoducers an efer/ginner, told the Senate agriculture committee that fective safety the 2014 farm law needs to be properly implemented. net. The NCC also strongly supported other crop insurance enhancements such as enterprise units and different coverage levels by practice – as well as the Actual Production History (APH) yield exclusion option that is especially needed in areas with multiyear drought conditions.

Another concern is the application of payment limits in the new farm law. The limits are an impediment to the marketing loan – an

important tool for multiple industry sectors to effectively market cotton and provide cash flow for producers. NCC Board member Ronnie Lee recently told the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee that because producers market their cotton and other crops through multiple channels such as coops, merchants and direct marketing, the complexity of tracking these benefits has proven to be a challenging task for USDA. The Georgia producer/ginner also testified that it’s likely that some cotton will be placed in the marketing loan and forfeited to USDA, rather than being forward contracted or actively marketed during the year.

This could lead to cotton being locked in the loan, disrupting cotton flow to the market and to end users, and potentially result in greater government costs. He asked the Committee to work with USDA in finding a workable solution – one that would minimize the forfeiture of commodities and encourage redemptions.

With respect to USDA’s rulemaking process on “actively engaged” in farming, the NCC urged the Committee to work with USDA to ensure any changes to those provisions do not exceed the farm law’s scope.

Would federal budget reductions undermine proper implementation?

■ Yes. The Committee was informed that it would be highly disruptive and punitive to make adverse policy changes or budget reductions.

With cotton’s safety net now comprised solely by the marketing loan program and crop insurance, we are especially concerned by the recent actions and statements focused on eliminating key crop insurance tools. Farm policy generally, and cotton policy specifically, were substantially reformed, funding reduced and market orientation increased in the 2014 farm law, so now is not the time for further changes that would undermine production agriculture’s risk management foundation.

Gary Adams was elevated to president/chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council in February 2015. He and other NCC leaders contribute to this Cotton Farming magazine page.

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APRIL 2015

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Painting The Big Picture In Texas Mike Lovelace Field Scientist, Dow AgroSciences Lubbock, Texas As with other farming regions, Texas growers are faced each year with a host of agronomic challenges, unpredictable weather and pest outbreaks that can impact their crops – and their profit potential. Texas cotton production is as big and diverse as the state itself, and it’s challenging to paint a picture with just one stroke of the paintbrush.

A key part of my job is to work closely with university Extension, crop consultants and growers around the state to learn about the unique agronomic issues that are being faced and how Dow AgroSciences technology offerings fit into managing those issues. Because Texas is so diverse, I work with different specialists in each region to gain perspective on the unique challenges – and opportunities – in each of these areas.

Water Challenges Continue In High Plains Water management is the No. 1 issue facing growers in the High Plains region. Developing a comprehensive water management plan is a necessity. Furthermore, weed management is a critical component for water management as weeds steal water from crops and rob yields. As water levels have declined, the number of acres affected by glyphosate-resistant pigweeds has continued to increase. Pending regulatory approval, Dow AgroSciences anticipates the launch of its Enlist Weed Control System in cotton in 2016 to help farmers fight these resistant weeds – leaving more water for the crop and, thus, resulting in higher yields.

Although growers in the High Plains are faced with serious water issues, they may only see more serious insect pest outbreaks – fleahoppers or aphids – every three to five years. When these pests occur, Transform WG insecticide offers an excellent, cost-effective control option.

Pest Pressures Can Come On Quickly While the water situation in central and south Texas is not as dire, growers in this region are faced with more consistent early season fleahopper and aphid pest pressure from year to year. Aggressive scouting of these insects in cotton as well as sugarcane aphids in sorghum will help growers identify when thresholds are reached, leading to the most timely and effective applications of Transform. Fortunately, at the request of Texas and other states, Transform was granted Section 18 Emergency Exemptions where it was needed most and helped many grain sorghum growers save their crops. In some areas, it was applied on more than 80 percent of grain sorghum acres and quickly became the standard for fighting the aphid. Transform was recently granted a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the 2015 season in Texas as well as several other states.

The work that goes into field research and developing solutions for the challenges growers face is only one step in the process. Sharing that information with state and university cooperatives, consultants and our own Dow AgroSciences sales representatives and licensed retailers will only help drive growers to achieve better management practices.

• B.S. degree in Agronomy – Oklahoma State University • M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Weed Science – University of Arkansas • Currently a field scientist – Dow AgroSciences Crop Protection Research and Development • Published articles in multiple journals, including Weed Technology, Weed Science and Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry • Enjoys life with wife, Christy, and daughter, Lexie, 7.

Also has a stepson, Tyler, who is 21 and lives in North Carolina • Enjoys hunting with his entire family

Recap: Painting The Big Picture In Texas

▼

1. Because Texas is so diverse, I work with different specialists in each region to gain perspective on the unique challenges – and opportunities – in each of these areas.

2. Pending regulatory approval, Dow AgroSciences anticipates the launch of its Enlist Weed Control System in cotton in 2016 to help farmers fight glyphosate-resistant pigweed – leaving more water for the crop and, thus, resulting in higher yields.

3. Growers in the High Plains are faced with serious water issues, but they may only see more serious insect pest outbreaks – fleahoppers or aphids – every three to five years. When these pests occur, Transform WG insecticide offers an excellent, cost-effective control option.

4. In central and south Texas, growers in this region are faced with more consistent early season fleahopper and aphid pest pressure from year to year. Aggressive scouting of these insects in cotton as well as sugarcane aphids in sorghum will help growers identify when thresholds are reached, leading to the most timely and effective applications of Transform.

5. Transform was recently granted a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for use in grain sorghum for the 2015 season in Texas as well as several other states.

Sponsored By

®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Regulatory approval is pending for Enlist cotton. Transform WG is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Transform has Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions for use on sorghum in select counties and parishes of select states. Transform does not have Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption for all sorghum-producing states. To learn more about Transform, to see which states or political subdivisions thereof have Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions, to see the limitations on the use of Transform under the Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption labels, and to find a list of retailers that may carry this product under a particular Section 18 exemption, call 800-258-3033 or email info@dow.com. Always read and follow label directions.

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COVER STORY

Staying With Cotton Delta’s Justin Cariker Remains Committed To Reliable Crop

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

T

he facts are clear. Cotton prices are a lot lower now than any farmer could have imagined several months ago.

A year ago, everyone felt very positive about 80- to 85-cent prices.

Today, the mood is different with a price hovering in the low to mid-60s.

And, to nobody’s surprise, acreage projections are down in nearly every part of the Belt.

But that doesn’t mean producers have abandoned cotton. It merely signals some different acreage shifts – particularly in the Mid-South.

Consultant Tim Sanders Credits Teamwork For Success Tim Sanders has worked as a consultant for the Cariker farm since 2003, and he is confident that the operation will weather the current low-price environment.

“Naturally, we would like for prices to be higher, but we can still be successful by being efficient in every phase of production,” he says. “We know how important cotton is to our region, and we are not giving up on this crop.”

Sanders says Cariker is willing to do whatever it takes to be more efficient and increase yields. That approach will be crucial this year.

And even though cotton acres have decreased, Sanders says his boss keeps everybody motivated by the kind of example he sets every day.

“He gives us good feedback on everything, but he also respects our input,” he says. “I enjoy working for him because he is committed to being an excellent farmer.”

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COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

Mississippi producer Justin Cariker, who farms just south of Tunica in the northern Delta, has 6,000 total acres in his operation, and this year he’ll plant 1,500 cotton acres. That is less than the 2,500 cotton acres he had in 2014.

Like many of his fellow Delta farmers, Cariker has too much invested in cotton to walk away from this crop completely. So, how will he make money on cotton in a year when prices have dropped so far?

He will rely on a formula that has helped in previous years when cotton prices were at less than ideal levels.

First, he will aim for top yields. Then, he will meticulously monitor input costs and other budget items.

Goals Can Be Achieved The veteran Delta producer also has hired a full-time mechanic so that he can have his equipment maintained and serviced quicker – and at a much lower cost.

“Somehow, we will survive this situation,” says Cariker, who began farming in 1990. “The one thing that we cannot do is cut expenses and jeopardize our yields.”

Cariker will have his usual diverse crop mix in 2015. Besides 1,500 acres of cotton, he’ll have 2,000 acres of corn and 2,500 acres of soybeans. However, he won’t produce any rice.

Under ideal conditions, his top yield for cotton will be 3.25 bales per acre, and his target is to average at least 2.5 bales on all acres. He will plant most of his cotton to two Stoneville varieties – ST 4747GLB2 and ST 4946GLB2.

Justin Cariker’s Farm Operation • Located near Tunica, Miss.

• 6,000 total acres • 1,500 cotton acres • 2,000 corn acres • 2,500 soybean acres • Main cotton varieties: ST 4747GLB2 ST 4946GLB2 FM 1944GLB2 • Acreage is 85 percent irrigated

He also has one FiberMax variety – FM 1944GLB2.

“These varieties have worked very well for us in recent years, and I’m pretty happy with how they have performed,” he says.

Perfect Fit For Varieties According to Cariker, one of the reasons the Stoneville varieties have worked so well is that Liberty herbicide can be sprayed over the top. That, in turn, has helped in the battle against resistant pigweed.

In fact, Cariker goes a step further in his efforts against this dreaded weed. He spends $20 more per acre in herbicide applications to make sure he stays ahead of outbreaks.

He purposely uses three overlapping residual herbicide applications in an effort to create maximum effectiveness.

His acreage is 85 percent irrigated and utilizes both center pivots and

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“Cotton is what I want to grow.

This crop is the reason why we’ve had success.”

– Justin Cariker, Producer, Tunica, Miss.

furrow systems.

And, even though gin rebates will probably be down in the $20 to $25 range (per bale), that is still another valuable source of income.

Are there other ways to be more efficient? In Cariker’s opinion, there are many. For example, being precise in all aspects of herbicide spraying is crucial.

Calibration needs to be exact – whether it’s on a ground rig or in an airplane. Any amount of savings can add up in a hurry.

When an outsider views the scope of Cariker’s operation, it’s easy to envision how those efficiencies could actually be achieved.

A quick scan of the farm reveals seven tractors, two cotton harvesters, numerous trucks, eight center pivots and 20 irrigation wells. Cariker sees ways to save money in each of these areas in the farm operation.

Another factor that should help the operation survive the current low-price cotton environment deals with finances. Cariker has an excellent relationship with his ag lender at First South Farm Credit. In fact, he has had the same loan officer for 20 years.

“I don’t think I would want to go to a commercial bank for my business,” he says. “At First South, I feel more comfortable, and I know that this company understands our situation.”

An additional financial area to be considered is insurance costs. Cariker has decided to have only liability insurance on equipment that he does not use as much. Because insurance is costly, he figures to save money by doing this.

Staying Efficient It all comes down to being as efficient and timely as possible for the Cariker farm. Everyone who works in

the operation is committed to implementing this philosophy – no matter what the task.

Now, it’s a question of starting the season by planting cotton (and the other crops) on time.

“Like I said earlier, we will get through this,” says Cariker. “Next year, I hope I’m sitting here talking about higher prices. Cotton is what I want to grow. This crop is the reason why we’ve had success.”

He also likes to be philosophical about a farmer’s mindset when going through difficult circumstances.

“I have heard older folks tell me that you have to capitalize during the tough times,” he says. “That is when the weak may fall. But, we need to be strong enough to make it. That’s the approach I’m using.”

Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 7674020 or thorton@onegrower.com.

COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

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SPECIAL REPORT

Missouri Program To Protect Bees

“We want to help reduce economic losses for farmers and beekeepers...”

– Dr. Moneen Jones, Research Entomologist, University of Missouri

A

new program developed by University of Missouri (MU) research entomologist, Moneen Jones, offers beekeepers an opportunity to protect hives from pesticide drift. The Missouri Pollinator Conservancy Program (MPCP) (mopollinatorconservancy.com) gives spatial and visual tools to alert pesticide applicators to nearby beehives.

Missouri has more than 400 species of bees, and they are responsible for pollinating cucumbers, pumpkins, fruit trees, berries, tomatoes, soybeans and corn. One estimate suggests that bees increase the annual value of U.S. crop production by $15 billion. Bees are necessary.

Honeybee colonies have decreased from five million in the 1940s to 2.5 million today, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bee numbers began going down in the 1980s when new pathogens, parasites, pests and nutrition problems combined. USDA estimates that 33 percent of the country’s hives were lost each year during the winters of 2006 to 2011.

In light of recent declines of honeybee populations worldwide, representatives of Missouri’s agricultural producers and beekeepers have developed a set of standard practices that will encourage cooperation and communication among producers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers.

Honeybees are vital to agriculture. Bees pollinate fruits, nuts, vegetables and crops, and provide honey, according to Jones.

The MPCP is a collaborative effort between the

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APRIL 2015

University of Missouri, Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and non-profit organization, FieldWatch, Inc. The latter operates DriftWatch Specialty Crop Site Registry, an online mapping tool created by researchers at Purdue University’s Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department to facilitate communication among specialty crop producers and applicators.

Anastasia Becker, IPM program manager for the MDA, is responsible for managing hive registration, and FieldWatch, Inc. hosts the DriftWatch infrastructure. Jones is responsible for bridging the communication among all benefactors of the project. The program’s partners hope to open communication among farmers, consultants, pesticide applicators and beekeepers to protect more than 400 species of bees in Missouri.

Registry For Apiary Locations Missouri beekeepers are not required to register the location of apiaries (places where bees are stored) with the state, but using DriftWatch is a good way to let applicators know the locations of beehives and how to contact hive owners. In addition, a placard listing the hive owner’s name and emergency contact information should be placed in a highly visible and prominent location in the apiary. Jones encourages beekeepers to register their hives (https://fieldwatch.com/).

Participation is voluntary, and beekeepers can limit what information (i.e. map coordinates of beehives) is available

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through public viewing. Beehive locations are kept confidential by a license agreement between pesticide applicators and use of DriftWatch. Beekeepers don’t need to worry about their personal information being sold or distributed without consent.

BeeCheck Flags Following beehive registration at DriftWatch, beekeepers are encouraged to purchase large, visible yellow-and-black BeeCheck flags through links on the website that will alert applicators to nearby hives. Fiberglass poles will be available at a discount cost from MU Extension. These flags will serve as a visible reminder to farmers and pesticide applicators that honeybees and other pollinators are present in the area. The benefits of the program (i.e. reduced accidental bee kills) will outweigh any initial costs.

“We want to help reduce economic losses for farmers and beekeepers by managing row-crop pests and lessening the effect of pesticides on honeybee colonies,” Jones says. “We would also like to reduce the likelihood of government mandated registration.”

Partners in the program are Missouri Agricultural Aviation Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri State Beekeepers Association, Fisher Delta Research Center and MU Extension.

For more information, contact Jones at (573) 379-5431 or jonesmon@missouri.edu or Anastasia Becker at the Missouri Department of Agriculture at (573) 526-0837 or anastasia.becker@mda.mo.gov.

The University of Missouri contributed to this article.

New Pollinator Program Receives Positive Comments Early reaction to Missouri’s new initiative to protect beehives and reduce pesticide has been positive.

Clayton Lee, vice president of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, says the new program is a breakthrough and will have a positive impact on all parties involved.

“It’s about communication and getting everybody on the same page,” he says. “And, yes, I see positive implications for the cotton production area in the Missouri Bootheel area. There are a lot of beekeepers in that region.”

Consultant Bill Emerine of Crop Tech says farmers do not want to affect bee populations in an adverse way. So far, he hasn’t encountered any situation where a farmer wasn’t willing to adjust his spraying schedule.

According to Emerine, the problem occurs when farmers don’t know where beehives are located or who owns them.

“Sometimes I’ve asked farmers to wait until later in the day to spray their acreage,” he says. “That usually prevents any damage to the bee populations. I’m really pleased that each side knows what to expect in all of this.”

Emerine believes Missouri may have created a blueprint for the rest of the country to follow.

“I believe these groups will work together well,” he says. “I don’t think there will be any animosity or resistance.”

Missouri Pollinator Conservancy’s Future Goals • Protect bees from pesticide drift problems.

• Promote dialogue among all industry groups.

• Specifically protect 400 species of bees in Missouri.

• Prove that the state can solve the problem by itself.

• Preserve bees’ contribution to value of crops.

KEEP CALM AND

PL A N T ON

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VIEWPOINT

Waging War On Resistant Pigweed

BY LARRY STECKEL JACKSON, TENN. The most recent development in weed control in cotton is that Roundup Xtend cotton is now deregulated. Producers will be able to apply both glyphosate and Liberty over the top of this cotton in 2015 and hopefully dicamba in 2016.

• For the first time, they can apply Liberty over the top of some Deltapine, Americot and Dyna-Gro cotton genetics. It appears that quite a few cotton producers may plant a large percentage of their acres to Roundup Xtend cotton this Tennessee spring. This is a little startling to me that so many are willhave been very proud of how good a job most of our pro- ing to go with this cotton right out of the gate.

Please be mindful that there will be no label for dicamba ducers are doing handling glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth. In both 2013 and 2014, I did not get in 2015 in Roundup Xtend cotton. The label we have for a report of a cotton field that had to be destroyed dicamba in Roundup Xtend is no different than for any because of GR Palmer amaranth. That is quite a change other cotton, and the label states that it can be applied from four or five years ago when that call came in all at burndown 15 days before planting for an eight ounce per-acre rate and 30 days too often. before planting for a 12 ounce perUnfortunately, weed control is acre rate. not coming cheap or easy. Most of When dicamba is labelled, we our cotton is planted no-till so a will have a good new tool to help burndown of dicamba and glycontrol Palmer amaranth, particuphosate is very common. This is larly when applied pre-emergence followed with Gramoxone plus a to very early post. I really like it residual herbicide applied at plantapplied at planting where it can ing because you cannot afford for a help control any GR Palmer amapigweed to be up at planting or to ranth or marestail that is up, plus emerge soon after. This is followed provide some residual without with at least one and often two injuring the cotton. The residual post applications of Liberty, typifrom dicamba, depending on the cally tankmixed with another rate, is a good two to three weeks if residual. Finally, many farmers have returned to running hooded West Tennessee producers must remain it is dry. However, it is quickly sprayers and/or hiring a chopping vigilant in controlling glyphosate-resistant degraded with rainfall, and that is crew when necessary.

Palmer amaranth weeds to avoid devastating why a residual will be warranted.

Cotoran, Caparol and other comLiberty has been the big differ- outbreaks that can overwhelm a field. monly used residuals will need ence in managing Palmer amaranth in cotton. It has become the backstop when to be applied with dicamba for consistent and effective prethe residual herbicides fail. Over the last three years, emergence control.

Additionally, Enlist is a different herbicide trait technoloroughly 70 percent of Tennessee cotton had at least one gy from PhytoGen that may be available in the near future.

Liberty application.

Liberty has been around for decades, and you would have Enlist will provide cotton with tolerance to 2,4-D, thought after all that time we knew how to best use it. glyphosate and glufosinate (Liberty). It will also be a However, in both farmer fields and university research tri- welcome tool to help manage GR pigweed.

From a weed management perspective, it has been a sucals, we have learned how to better employ Liberty. It does not work well under cold conditions (highs in the 60s). It cess the way cotton producers have tackled GR Palmer amaperforms best when applied at 15 to 20 gallons per acre, and ranth. In the future, it should be easier and hopefully less it has a four-hour rainfast period and needs every minute of expensive when the new herbicide trait technologies are it. Finally, recent research from the University of Georgia, coupled with cultural practices like tillage where appropriNorth Carolina State University and the University of ate, cover crops and crop rotation. We will need to steward Tennessee has shown that the time of day Liberty is applied these new technologies responsibly to assure we have these makes a big difference on how well it will control Palmer useful tools in our weed control tool box for some time. amaranth. Liberty is much more consistent controlling Palmer amaranth if it is applied between two hours after Contact Larry Steckel in Jackson, Tenn., at (731) 425-4705 or lsteckel@utk.edu. sunup to two hours before sunset.

• Professor, Row Crop Weed Specialist at University of Tennessee.

• Based at West Tenn. Research and Education Center at Jackson, Tenn.

• Earned B.S. from Western Illinois University.

• Earned M.S. from University of Missouri.

• Earned Ph.D from University of Illinois.

• Has statewide Extension responsibility as a weed specialist for all row crops.

I

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Industry News Americot Introduces Three Varieties For 2015 Following the deregulation of Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton by USDA in January, Americot is introducing three new Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton varieties for the 2015 growing season.

The new varieties will incorporate two-gene insect protection and triple herbicide tolerance to three different herbicides – glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba.

Glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides are currently for use as in-crop herbicides for cotton in 2015, while over-the-top dicamba use is pending regulatory approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The new varieties are: NG 3405 B2XF – This is a widely adapted variety across the entire Belt and has two-gene insect protection and triple herbicide tolerance.

NG 3406 B2XF B2XF – This is another widely adapted variety that is a good fit across the Belt. It also has two-gene insect protection and triple herbicide tolerance.

NG 5007 B2XF – This is a widely adapted variety for the Southeast, South Texas and where mid- to fullseason varieties are preferred.

the University of Arkansas’ Flag the Technology program. Building on the Roundup Ready system, the Enlist system is a new herbicide-tolerant trait technology that will provide weed control in corn, soybeans and cotton.

Regulatory approvals are pending.

Started in 2010, the Flag the Technology program provides a visual reference for applicators to distinguish between fields planted with different herbicide-tolerant trait technologies.

Each participating technology has a distinct color scheme for its flag to alert applicators to the trait technology that has been planted. Dow officials are encouraging producers to place flags at each field’s main entrance and at the turn rows.

Food’s Future Discussed At Special BASF Event As part of the co-creation activities that landmark its 150th anniversary year, BASF recently hosted a two-day Creator Space jamming event in Washington, D.C., to discuss the “future of food.” This event brought together more than 30 stakeholders from the entire food value chain, including farmers, academics, food

manufacturers and logistic companies.

The attendees discussed long-term challenges and far-future trends that may impact the food value chain in the years to come.

During the jamming session, participants brainstormed ideas on topics such as affordability and access to food, personalized nutrition, transparency for consumers and food waste.

For more information, interested parties may visit www.basf.com.

Turkey Hosts Seminar On Cotton Contract Training Ninety Turkish cotton professionals recently attended the International Cotton Association’s (ICA) Raw Cotton Contract training in Turkey.

Specially developed for people working in the raw cotton industry, the training is designed to promote good trading practice and safer trading.

With its practical and interactive delivery, it addresses the major topics of raw cotton contracting and the application of ICA Bylaws and Rules.

ICA will host other training courses in various global locations during 2015 Visit www.ica-ltd.org/trainingevents for details.

Mahindra, Yahoo Sports Form Marketing Partnership Mahindra USA and Yahoo Sports Radio are hitting the air with a comprehensive nationwide marketing partnership to support the continued growth of Mahindra’s brand and the company’s dealer network.

The campaign provides Mahindra with a multi-platform presence on Yahoo Sports Radio’s network of more than 500 radio station affiliates. In this new partnership, Mahindra will be a presenting sponsor of Yahoo Sports Radio’s coverage updates of several of the largest sporting events of the year.

As part of the campaign, Mahindra is offering First Responders across America an opportunity to win a Mahindra eMax 22 HST tractor with a front-end loader.

Go to www.mahindrausa.com for more details.

Dow Encourages Use Of Flag With New Enlist System Dow AgroSciences has added a flag for the Enlist Weed Control System to

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PRODUCTION

More Options Exist For Weed Control

O

ne fact is clear about today’s cotton production. Numerous strategies exist to deal with glyphosate-resistant weed outbreaks, and that is a plus for farmers in all parts of the Belt.

Producers already had made remarkable progress against weed resistance in recent years by rotating chemistries and implementing residual herbicide applications with multiple modes of action.

BASF’s Engenia herbicide now offers an additional action for post-emergent broadleaf control in dicamba-tolerant crops. Product registration is anticipated in time for the 2016 season.

The new herbicide has an advanced dicamba formulation that provides an additional site of action for control of broadleaf weeds in dicamba-tolerant crops, including soybeans and cotton.

Specifically, the product is expected to offer weed control, crop tolerance, low volatility and broad-spectrum control on more than 190 broadleaf weeds (including glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, marestail, velvetleaf, morningglory and ragweeds).

“It is another tool in the toolbox for cotton farmers,” says veteran Mississippi cotton consultant Tucker Miller. “It will definitely help us out and is something that we need.”

Many Key Factors Miller says two important keys will be the germplasm of varieties planted and how the herbicide system works with that cotton. And, he notes, an effective residual herbicide application program remains vital.

“We need to have farmers continuing to use residual herbicide applications and rotating chemistries,” he says. “We still have to spray for weeds when they are small.”

Chad Brommer, technical market manager for herbicides at BASF, agrees that Engenia is not a silver bullet for controlling glyphosate-resistant weeds. But, he does believe it is an effective tool for controlling resistant broadleaf weeds and will work

14 COTTON FARMING

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Having clean fields is the ultimate goal for producers as they continue to deal with weed resistance. more efficiently with a layered residual application program.

“In the past, farmers just kept hammering away at glyphosate-resistant weeds,” he says. “They could hold them back, but then they would get away from them again.

“It is another tool in the toolbox for cotton farmers. It will definitely help us out and is something that we need.”

– Tucker Miller, Consultant, Drew, Miss.

“Engenia is part of a weed control system with multiple sites of action. It is not meant to exist on its own. You still need to have a layered residual system in place.”

Brommer says the approach that delivers the best results is when a farmer starts with a clean field. The residual application should then follow, and that will help in keeping weeds from germinating.

Stewardship Program Brommer says that the new herbicide can deliver better results when key focus areas are followed in the product’s stewardship program.

These key points include nozzles, boom height, wind speed, ground speed, spray volume, buffer distance, sprayer cleanout and sensitive crop awareness.

BASF plans to offer training programs to support applicators. The On Target Application Academy was established to provide field-based applicator training with a focus on proper nozzle selection, calibration, boom placement, environmental considerations and use of effective drift reduction additives.

Most industry observers like the idea that many companies are offering new technology in the ongoing battle against weed resistance.

“It’s good to have choices,” says Jason Bond, weed scientist at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center.

“With the grower as the end user of the product, the competition is doubly good. But, I also know this technology is an investment in the future.”

BASF contributed to this article.

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WESTERN REPORT

West Will Adjust To Fewer Cotton Acres

T

he projected decrease in planted cotton acres in the Western region of the Cotton Belt is a major concern for producers and leadership in that area, and the industry is making adjustments to manage for the decline.

According to the National Cotton Council (NCC) annual planting intentions survey, planted acres in the West will be down 46 percent, with the largest decrease occurring in Arizona.

At a March meeting of the Arizona Cotton Ginners’ Association (ACGA), individual gins reported that their production level would be down between 40 to 60 percent, depending on the localized region reporting, with price being the major reason for low acreage.

The general theme for this year’s ACGA annual meeting in Flagstaff, Ariz., in June will focus on surviving the current market environment.

Water has been a major factor in planted acres for several years as drought continues in the watershed that feeds the San Joaquin Valley. The NCC has projected a 40 percent decrease in upland plantings and a 12 percent increase in Pima cotton.

BY BRENT MURPHREE MARICOPA, ARIZ.

Ginners will be hit especially hard.

While producers may have other planting options, Western gins rely entirely on a cotton crop for viability. Robert “Butch” Gladden, president of the Arizona Cotton Ginners’ Association and manager at Pinal Gin in Stanfield, Ariz., is looking at basic costcutting measures for his ginning operation.

“The first thing we’re going to do is cut back on overtime,” Gladden says.

“We’ll also probably only run one crew instead of two.”

Lower cotton prices have had a definite impact on planted acreage in the West.

Can The Market Recover?

Gladden isn’t that bullish on the market recovering within a short period of time because of the supply of cotton worldwide, but he is optimistic about a slow recovery.

“I think growers in this area will start coming back into the market at 75 to 80 cents,” he says.

In the meantime, some of his producers are investing in equipment that they believe will help cut their costs. Gladden expects more round modules to be hitting his gin yard this year, cutting manpower costs in his farmers’ operations.

In California, price isn’t the only consideration.

Water Shortages Persist Russell Patterson, gin manager at Buttonwillow Ginning Company, in Buttonwillow, Calif., says that the Buena Vista Water Storage District that supplies runoff from the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains has not issued a water allotment for this year.

“Most of our growers have deep wells,” says Peterson. “In the north part of the district where there are no wells, the ground is fallow for lack of water.”

With little or no water and low prices, the decline of acreage in Patterson’s area will be roughly 50 percent, which directly affects the viability of the ginning operation.

“Our fixed costs remain the same,” he says, “and it doesn’t make economic sense to maintain the operation if those costs are not covered.”

Patterson’s gin is strictly a roller ginned operation. The mix is about 70 percent Pima cotton, and the balance is upland Acala. While the producer does receive premiums for roller ginned Acala, and Pima prices are good, without additional volume the gin is looking to make some tough business decisions.

In New Mexico, most of the loss in upland acreage, down about eight percent, has shifted to long-staple cotton.

And, while water issues and low prices affect their planting decisions, cotton producers continue to look to advancing technology and water efficiency improvements to help them during lean years.

Brent Murphree is the Cotton Board’s Regional Communication Manager for the West. Contact him via email at bmurphree@cottonboard.org.

COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

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Specialists Speaking New Season Brings Big Decisions FLORIDA David Wright Cotton has been grown in the Southeast in rotation with peanuts and corn and has shown that it is a resilient crop for the harsh weather conditions that we often experience. In many areas, it is the main crop for rotation with peanuts and is especially valuable for producers who do not have irrigation or have fields that are not suited to irrigation for whatever reason. When you look at the value of cotton to other crops in the rotation, break-even yields often result in higher yields and significant profits on following crops.

Cotton can still be profitable even at today’s prices if high yields are made. With today’s high-yielding varieties and management options, many producers are making yields of three to four bales, which can be profitable during times of low prices. This is the year to use smart management options for profit in cotton and future rotated crops. wright@ufl.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam Last month, much of our cotton area was in the abnormally dry to moderate drought category. It was quite dusty, and I did see some fields with blowing sand. So, we had some legitimate concerns going into field preparation. As most Missourians know, the weather can change quickly. We have had two winter storm events and also heavy rainfall. In Southeast Missouri, we recently had nine to 15 inches of snow and ice.

Now, we have concerns about excessive moisture. We are behind schedule on field preparation and burndown. With the warmer temperatures expected, some progress can be made before planting begins. The good news is that we should have moisture to begin the season.

With burndown delayed, we might start the season with more resistant weed pressure. Producers will need to catch up at planting and layby. I am also hearing rumors that our cotton acreage might drop even further than the planting indications indicated. Producers always have to play the cards they are dealt. We could be facing a very interesting season. milammr@missouri.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme Cotton planting is just around the corner in Louisiana, and now is a good time to review a few key practices to help everyone get off to a great start in 2015. It is always best to plant according to soil temperature and not the calendar. If a field is planted too early, your cotton crop may suffer a stand loss and cold temperature stress, which reduces yield potential.

Germination can begin when mean daily temperature is 60 degrees at seeding depths, but growth will be slow at these temperatures. A soil temperature of 65 degrees at a depth of four inches for three consecutive days and a favorable five-day forecast following planting are best. Also, nighttime minimum temperatures should be forecast to be above 50 degrees for the following five days. During the critical germination period, soil temperatures below 50 degrees can cause chilling injury to germinating cotton.

Emergence will generally occur after an accumulation of 50 to 80 DD60s or heat units after planting. Planting should be delayed if the five-day forecast predicts the accumulation of fewer than 25 heat

16 COTTON FARMING

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units after planting. The minimum plant population in the final plant stand should be no fewer than two healthy plants per foot.

Creating a pest-free seedbed is critical to avoid problems from cutworms and spider mites. Pre-plant, burndown herbicide applications should be made at least four weeks prior to planting to ensure no green vegetation is in the field for these pests to survive.

It is equally important to eliminate weedy host plants on field borders to reduce insect pest problems later on that might move into adjacent cotton fields. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu.

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins As I write this on March 10, temperatures have recently warmed up and spurred some field work.

February and early March were very cold and wet for much of North Carolina, which has delayed producers from any field prep work and burndown applications. If rains subside and temperatures remain relatively warm, we should see some action in many fields, as it is important for burndown applications to be targeted toward smaller weeds, especially in the case of glyphosateresistant horseweed.

Depending on weather conditions, we should see some cotton planted toward the end of April. As is always the case, starting clean from the use of pre-planting and at-planting residual herbicides continues to be important in managing pigweed. As seed costs are high, extra care should be taken to ensure optimal emergence such as planting into good soil moisture and temperatures and adjusting seeding rates to match conditions for optimal stand establishment and vigor.

Additionally, monitoring for thrips and taking quick action with a well-timed foliar spray, if needed, is very important – especially if conditions aren’t favorable for rapid seedling growth, such as cool weather or herbicide injury.

North Carolina cotton producers are encouraged to follow us on the cotton portal: http://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/, which is one of many platforms that we will use to address production issues and provide information throughout the year. Producers are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter for updates, using the Twitter list: NCSU Cotton, or our individual Twitter handles (@NCcotton, @Cotton_Guy, @DominicDReisig). guy_collins@ncsu.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson As planting time approaches, decisions concerning varieties and how much to plant have likely been made. Other decisions such as when to start planting and which varieties to plant first can and do vary with whomever you ask. The bottom line is we need a place to put a picker in the field in September if possible – regardless of the amount of cotton we plant.

In Arkansas, history tells us that the earlier we plant, the better we do. Optimum conditions for planting include a mid-morning 68degree soil temperature at two inches for three consecutive days and a favorable five-day forecast. It is important to start with the best quality seed to increase the chances of getting the stands we want if conditions are less than optimum.

Whatever the calendar date is, park the planter if heat unit accumulation (DD60s) is predicted to be 15 or less for the five-day period after planting. Good results are often seen with 25 or more heat units

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being accumulated during the five-day period after planting.

There are many signals or signs that people use to indicate the right time to plant other than calendar dates. Regardless of methods used to determine when to plant, it is important to remember that planting early does not ensure earliness. Getting off to a good, quick start will pay dividends season-long if we do it right the first time. brobertson@uaex.edu

have been blessed with great weather deep into the fall for the past couple of years. However, at some point, we are likely to see an early fall. Plant as early as you are comfortable with but do not delay planting based on experiences in the past couple of years. darrind@ext.msstate.edu.

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan

Virginia cotton acreage is expected to decrease from 87,000 acres in 2014 to 81,000 acres in 2015.

This decrease is largely due to current prices; however, Virginia producers are very reactive to markets, so if prices rebound or other commodities fall, that could affect planted acreage. Producers should be gearing up to apply burndown herbicide applications within a week or so as I write this (March 18).

Coming off a record year in 2014, Virginia is hoping to continue the extremely high production that it has experienced from 2012 to 2014. Things to keep in mind as we move forward into planting season are soil temperatures leading up to planting, matching variety maturity to planting date, preplant soil fertility programs, herbicide programs and timeliness of in-season crop protection applications. whframe@vt.edu

In South and East Texas, we are starting the season with a full profile of soil water, which is a vast improvement over more recent years. In most years, the cotton planting in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and Coastal Bend would be near completion.

However, a wet winter and spring has delayed the planting of corn, sorghum and now cotton. The planting window has been limited in the RGV, and producers are less than two weeks from the March 31 cotton planting deadline.

In the Upper Gulf Coast, a similar scenario is playing out, and we may see a slight increase in cotton and sorghum acres due to the inability to plant all the corn acres. The Blacklands have good moisture and are also running behind on planting summer grain crops. It has been a cold and wet winter in the Rolling Plains, which has replenished much of the soil profile moisture.

Agronomically, producers should pay special attention to soil temperatures this year. Under our cloudy conditions and wet soils, the soil warms more slowly, which creates a good environment for seedling diseases. For good stand establishment and early season vigor, plant cotton after the four-inch soil temperature is at 62 degrees and a favorable seven-day forecast. gmorgan@ag.tamu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper

Unfortunately, we have not had any significant change to the U.S. Drought Monitor. It indicates much of western Oklahoma is still dealing with severe to exceptional drought. We have moved into our make-or-break rainfall time of year for finishing up our winter crops and providing soil profile moisture for summer crops – March through June. March has provided some moisture as of this writing, but we still need more precipitation.

Based on the National Cotton Council’s planting projections, acreage in Oklahoma will be reduced by about six percent. This was among the lowest projected reductions among Cotton Belt states.

We are optimistic that we will receive some badly needed rainfall to support this acreage. randy.boman@okstate.edu

According to the National Cotton Council, Tennessee is expected to plant 176,000 acres of cotton in 2015. If that estimate proves true, cotton acreage in Tennessee will be less than the previous 40-year low noted in 1983. Unfortunately, this drastic reduction in acreage occurs alongside the commercial release of one of two highly anticipated technology-trait platforms.

Due to large acreage investments in other crops, most Tennessee producers will be well buffered from risks associated with placing one or two new cotton varieties on the majority of their cotton ground. Still, it is very important to practice restraint when adopting new varieties on which little data has been collected. Many of my colleagues and I were able to evaluate a few of these varieties during the 2014 season.

Keep in mind that this data was collected in one of the cooler, wetter seasons we have seen in quite some time. As you move forward for 2015, 1) gather as much information on varieties as you can, 2) place proven performers on the majority of your cotton acreage and 3) evaluate new cotton varieties on a limited number of acres. traper@utk.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds

TEXAS Mark Kelley

April is typically the time that cotton planters start rolling in Mississippi; however, if the past two years and this spring (so far) are any indication, planting may be delayed once again. As of this writing, very little to no corn has been planted, and a good chance of rain is in the forecast for the next five days.

Although we have planted cotton later than anticipated in 2013 and 2014, Mississippi producers made tremendous yields in each of those years.

A multitude of factors went into the yields we observed in 2013 and 2014, the least of which was late planting. For those that know me, I tended to stay in trouble as a child and to some degree into adulthood, and the phrase that keeps ringing in my ears is: “Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it.”

The point that I am trying to make is this: Do not pass up an opportunity to plant when environmental conditions are right. We

With the winter moisture that most of the region has experienced over the last few months, producers are preparing their fields for spring planting. For the most part, the soil is working very nicely, and we hope to have firm, moist beds to plant for the 2015 crop season. With planting just around the corner, variety decisions are being made and, to assist with the decision making process, we have finally gotten our “2014 Systems Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties in the Texas High Plains” report released.

I appreciate all involved in the process, from planning to final report! Many producers, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents and AgriLife Research and Extension personnel helped with the research.

Special thanks to Kristie Keys and Kevin Norman for assistance with writing. For more information, visit lubbock.tamu.edu or call me at (806) 781-6572. mkelley@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman

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COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

More Patience Needed With New Technology I guess it’s no secret that we have some challenging times ahead. A new Farm Bill, a totally new way to think about cotton as a piece of the Farm Bill and dramatically lower prices than anyone really expected have all added to an already challenging business climate for ginners. These are times where we have to think a bit differently.

The past few weeks have been full of meetings. Some were forward looking, and some were more reminiscent of the past. Some had people trying to figure out the future, and others were just wishing they could go back in time. I can truly understand both of these takes on our current situation. We’ve never quite been in this condition before, and most hope it passes quickly.

Ginners are no different than any other downstream processors in many commodities. For ginners to survive, farmers must plant cotton. In order to plant cotton, farmers need to see an incentive. In some places, there are no real alternatives for the time being. These areas are seeing only small swings in acres projected for 2015. Elsewhere, cotton just doesn’t pencil out for farmers. These are the areas seeing much larger shifts. Regardless, it’s apparent we’ll see fewer acres in most of the country this year, and it will be a challenge to make it through the next few seasons.

The buzzword I’ve heard in a lot of circles is input costs. This has more to do with production than ginning, but the same idea can be applied to ginning – just a different term. It’s called “variable costs.” Most of the discussions at our meetings have had to do with the cost of ginning. Bagging and ties, transportation to the gin, electricity and labor are all part of this equation.

One of the most exciting things I’ve seen recently is the advent of automated bagging systems. We highlighted three of them at the Southern-Southeastern meeting in January, and many were installed (some experimentally) across the Belt.

These systems reduce the need for one of the most expensive pieces of the pie, and that’s labor.

I’ve seen unfair pot shots taken at some of these systems recently in the press. The fact that something is different doesn’t make it bad. The testing protocols will be worked through. That’s why these are “experimental” systems. Before we bury something, lets give some radical thinking some space to mature.

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Another area that a lot of people are talking about is unwrapping systems. The advent of the round module system has, in many cases, added to the labor at the module feeder.

In talking to machinery manufacturers across the country, many are looking to find ways to reduce the labor on the module feeder, as we’re seeing around the press. This is exciting but nothing is even in the napkin sketch stage yet as far as I know.

Each step in the automation movement has significant implications in the reduction in overall cost of ginning. Labor is harder and harder to find, and with increasing wages, increasing insurance costs and improvements in the economy, these automated systems can’t get here fast enough.

I’m very excited to see some of these new technologies come about, and I hope the “new� thinking will be allowed to mature. The only way we can survive these challenges is to be progressive and try new things. When we come out on the other side, we’ll be a stronger industry for it.

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Dusty Findley of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners’ Association contributed this article. Contact him at the association’s headquarters in Dawsonville, Ga., at (706) 344-1212 or via email at dusty@southern-southeastern.org.

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NORTHERN/LUCUS MACHINE 1116 Slaton Hwy. Lubbock, TX FOR SALE: 2 – 158 GIN STANDS WITH CONTROLS MANUFACTURER OF HI-CAPACITY LINT CLEANING SYSTEMS IN 86” to 110” WIDTHS NEW 60” & 72” OVERSHOT BATTERY CONDENSERS 96” TO 144” INCLINE CLEANERS, STICK MACHINES & AIRLINE SEPARATORS HIGH CAPACITY VACUUMS USED & FACTORY REBUILT GIN MACHINERY BALE HANDLING SYSTEMS COMPLETE LINE OF REPAIR PARTS FOR MURRAY, MITCHELL, H.E., CONSOLIDATED, CONTINENTAL, MOSS, LUMMUS, HORN & CMI 806-745-8156 1-800-776-8182 FAX 806-745-0564 E-MAIL: NORTHERNLUCUS@YAHOO.COM WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM

Lummus Corporation has available the following quality, high-capacity used gin machinery.

All machinery is offered “as is, where is” (unless noted otherwise) and is subject to prior sale.

“As is” machinery can be repaired/reconditioned for an additional charge.

1 – Consolidated 96” R-5000 Stick Machine*

2 – Lummus Model 66 Lint Cleaners with Condensers

2 – Lummus Model 108 Lint Cleaners with 30” x 108” Condensers

1 – Cherokee Regal RFB Lint Cleaner with Condenser and Guards

(1997 model) and Deluxe Guards (Guards can be configured for either Single or Tandem installation)

1 – Belt-Wide 75-HP Flooded-Suction Hydraulic Booster Pumping Unit 1 – Lubbock Electric Hydraulic Pumping Unit for Gin Dor-Les® or E.E.

1 – Lummus 60” overshot Standard Battery Condenser*

Dor-Les® Press (single reservoir with multiple motor/pump groups) 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot Standard Battery Condenser* 1 – Lummus Bale Handling System for up-packing press 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot MC Battery Condenser* 1 – Lot, miscellaneous Burner and Moisture Unit components 1 – 1997 model Ginning/Lint Cleaning Line, consisting of a 96” wide Model 700TM Feeder, 170-Saw ImperialTM III Gin, Super-Jet® Lint Cleaner, and tandem (2) Model 108

(contact us for details) * - does not include any Steel Supports or Platforms

Lint Cleaners, with all guards, duct work, and related items

Physical Address: 225 Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586 USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 929 • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 Toll Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com ®

© Copyright 2015 Lummus Corporation

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SPECIAL REPORT

Rural Economies Receive Boost

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provide vital support to specialty crop Numerous Grants n a speech at the National FarmThe grant programs administered producers, whose fruits and vegetables ers Union Convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has ann- by the Agricultural Marketing Service fill over half of the MyPlate recommenounced the availability of $96.8 (AMS) include the Specialty Crop dations. They also support local and million in grants to fund innovative Block Grant Program (SCBGP), the regional food systems that are meeting projects designed to support specialty Federal-State Marketing Improvement consumer demand and creating ecocrop producers, local food entrepre- Program (FSMIP) and the Farmers nomic opportunities in rural and urban neurs and farm-to-school efforts, which Market and Local Food Promotion communities around the country.”

More than $63.2 million in SCBGP in turn will increase access to healthy, Program, which covers two types of nutritious food for American families grants: Farmers Market Promotion grants are allocated to U.S. states and and children. The announcement was Program (FMPP) and Local Food territories based on a formula that considers both specialpart of USDA effty crop acreage and orts during Natiproduction value. onal Nutrition Interested appliMonth to focus on cants should apply improving access directly through to fresh, healthy, their state departand nutritious ment of agriculproducts for milture. A listing of lions of American state contacts and families. application due “Increasing dates can be found market opportuniat www.ams.usties for local food da.gov/scbgp. producers is a soThe FSMIP pround investment in vides $1 million in America’s rural matching funds to economies, while state departments also increasing of agriculture, staaccess to healthy te colleges and unifood for our natversities and other ion’s families,” appropriate state Vilsack says.

PHY 333 WRF. WRFF. For outstanding yield potentia t ti agencies. Funds “Consumer pick this broadly adaptable variety in our lineu will support resedemand for local, Contact your sales rep at 800-258-3033 or vis arch projects that healthy food is PhytoGen.com to learn more. address challenges skyrocketing in and opportunities schools, hospitals in marketing, traand wholesalers. nsporting and disThese grant oppotributing U.S. agrirtunities allow The PhytoGen Logo is a trademark of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen cultural products farmers and ranCorporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. L38-076-131 (08/14) BR 010-34789 DAAGPHYG4057 domestically and chers to meet this internationally. demand and feed The Farmers our nation’s kids.”

Secretary Vilsack also announced Promotion Program (LFPP). Also Market and Local Food Promotion changes in the Noninsured Crop included in the announcement is the Program provides a combined total of Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service $26.6 million divided equally between help increase access to the program for (FNS) Farm to School Grant Program, its two grant programs. The FMPP beginning, limited-resource and other designed to bring local foods into the provides $13.3 million to support proproducers who do not have risk protec- school cafeteria. USDA’s Farm Service jects for direct farmer-to-consumer tion available through crop insurance Agency implements the NAP program, marketing projects such as farmers products. Many of these producers which has been expanded to better markets, community-supported agrigrow fruits, vegetables and other spe- protect specialty crop and other eligi- culture programs, roadside stands and cialty crops. ble producers from losses due to natur- agritourism. Grant applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP must be sub“With these changes, more farmers al disasters. can enter the specialty crop market“American farmers and ranchers mitted by May 14. place with peace of mind that they feed the nation,” says Agricultural have risk protection should disaster Marketing Service Administrator For additional information, go to strike,” he says.

Anne Alonzo. “These grant programs www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants. ®

®

COTTON FARMING APRIL 2015

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22_Don Cameron My Turn #2 3/20/15 10:01 AM Page 22

My Turn The Low Price Leader

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eing a cotton far- amount of water to make a corn crop. Cotton is mer seems to cha- more forgiving and will wait on rain and still have nge every time we the potential to make a two-bale crop.

Georgia jumped heavy into the cotton producgo through a Farm Bill. This time, we are tion business in 1995, and we have stayed with it going through significant through the good and bad times. I see Georgia profarm law changes, and the ducers still hanging with cotton right now. Our market isn’t helping us farmers have built a tremendous infrastructure very much either. We seem since the 1995 crop, and you won’t see it shut to always find a way to down like many other parts of the country. adapt, and I’m sure that Georgia cotton producers will need to use all tools Jimmy Georgia cotton producers available to keep cotton profitable. The state receives 52 inches of rainfall per year, and we will do so again.

Webb The 2014 Farm Bill always have the potential to make a large brought in a new concept: crop – even for dryland.

With Georgia being the No. 2 producer of cotton generic base. This seems to be a game changer for cotton producers here in Georgia. We are the in the United States, our export markets are largest producer of peanuts, and a lot of us are depending on us to deliver a quality product. The known as peanut farmers who grow cotton. We quality of cotton that the new varieties are prooften say that peanuts have helped us buy a lot of ducing is outstanding, and we are leading the way in the foreign marcotton equipment. kets as mills prefer Generic base can be‘This Farm Bill will help keep “Cotton USA.” Our come any program crop domestic mills’ proand increase profitabilicotton grown in Georgia.’ duction has started to ty for the producer. The grow again, and we generic base can become peanut base in farm legislation and will help are able to supply them with a quality product make farms more profitable. This means a lot of with a very close proximity to the mills.

These new varieties are increasing our yields, acres that could have gone to something else will remain in cotton. Right now, peanuts are the crop which is one of the ways to help keep us profthat will cash flow, and turning cotton base/gener- itable. The technology coming to combat weed ic base into peanut base really helps make an eas- resistance will also help keep costs down.

On another note, with the farm economy like it ier decision for a producer. This will keep cotton in the mix for Georgia farmers and could help anoth- is now, it is best to have a good relationship with er potential problem – a huge oversupply of your banker. Times may be tough ahead, and we need bankers who understand how farm legislapeanuts – from becoming a reality.

The questions at every grower meeting are, tion works, who are willing to work with us and “How many acres of peanuts are you planting? get us through the road ahead. I am very optiHow much of an increase is that? Are you going to mistic as I always am when we start a new year.

I believe Georgia cotton producers are more mess up your rotation?” I am on a three-year rotation, meaning every third year that field has committed to cotton than ever before. This Farm Bill will help keep cotton grown in Georgia even peanuts, and I’m not risking a future problem.

Many Georgia producers jumped into the corn though right now cotton is “the low price leader.” market seven years ago but didn’t put in the infra- We are committed to cotton and to keeping the structure and came back to cotton. We did have a thriving Georgia cotton industry contributing to lot of storage and dryers put in, but most produc- Georgia’s economy. ers went back to cotton. You must be irrigated to – Jimmy Webb, Leary, Ga. grow corn in Georgia because it never rains at the jlw1963@bellsouth.net right time for corn, and it takes a tremendous Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to thorton@onegrower.com or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

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There’s nothing like the feeling of heading out to your field in your favorite shirt. The one that just feels right. That’s what it’s like to grow PhytoGen® cotton. It’s about the reassuring sight of our early vigor. It’s about relying on our consistent yield. It’s about feeling comfortable knowing you’ve made the right choice.

800-258-3033 PhytoGen.com ® PhytoGen and the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. ®DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. L38-076-118 (09/13) BR 010-34388 DAAGPHYG3072