Cotton Farming April 2020 by One Grower Publishing

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2020

www.cottonfarming.com

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Protect The Crop From Thrips

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MY TURN: Steve Verett

A FORWARD-THINKING

Legacy Texas Cotton Farmer Says Technology And Patience Go Hand In Hand

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Vol. 64 No. 4

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2020

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

THRIPS PROTECTION

TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

GINNING MARKETPLACE

University experts discuss the importance of providing early protection from thrips and factors affecting the severity of infestations.

The Seam plays a role in developing technology that fuels the overall mission and message of U.S. agriculture sustainability.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

FDA provides an update on the Food Safety Modernization Act rules at the National Cotton Council Annual Meeting.

Thinking Ahead

Todd Westerfeld and his father, Terry, will grow more than 1,000 acres of cotton near Moody, Texas, this year. Over time, Todd has taken advantage of new technologies introduced into the farming industry. He says the technology they use is “everchanging,” depending on conditions present during the season. The one piece of advice he would give farmers in regard to technology is simple: patience.

D E PA R T M E N T S & C O LU M N S

4 Editor’s Note 10 Industry News 6 Cotton’s Agenda 16 Specialists Speaking 8 Research & Promotion 22 My Turn ON THE COVER: Texas farmer Todd Westerfeld and his father, Terry, farm cotton in McLennan County. Cover photo by Cassidy Nemec.

WEB EXCLUSIVE University of Tennessee Extension weed scientist Larry Steckel shares new thoughts on preemergence options in cotton as many farmers consider changing their weed control programs. Go to www.cottonfarming. com for this Web Exclusive report.

DIGITAL OFFERINGS Keep up with the latest from Cotton Farming by signing up for the monthly E-News at www.cottonfarming.com. Look for the Cotton Farming E-News sign-up box in the upper right corner of the home page.

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APRIL 2020

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Look for Soybean South following page 12 in the Mid-South and Southeast editions of Cotton Farming. To have industry news and content delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at www.soybeansouth.com.

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December by One Grower Publishing LLC, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omeda Communications, Customer Service Department, P.O. Box 1388, Northbrook, IL 60065-1388 (Phone: 847-559-7578) (Fax: 847-564-9453). Annual subscriptions are $40. International rates are $55 in Canada/Mexico, $90 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

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APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Managing Editor Vicky Boyd vlboyd@onegrower.com

As Farmers, ‘This Is How We Roll’

hile so many familiar parts of our lives are being canceled, closed or put on hold in response to COVID-19, our farmers aren’t shutting down. The 2020 season is shifting into high gear, although in different stages depending on geographic location. In the more southern cotton-growing areas, planting is almost complete or close to being there. In other places, ground preparation is underway or about to be when the fields dry out. The farmer’s “isolation unit” is the tractor cab, and their young fans are farm kids riding shotgun or watching intently from the edge of the field. In ripping headlines from mainstream media this mid-March morning, I see that “Fauci (top infectious disease expert) urges ‘dramatic’ activity reduction” and “Walmart shortens its hours, and other retailers across America close their doors.” In contrast, here are some posts on a popular farmers’ Facebook page: } “In times like these and what we may see in the future, I’m glad and very proud to be working in an industry that is a foundation for essential life on earth.” } “Deep breaking in west Texas.” } “Getting going in South Carolina.” } “Time to get this party started.” } “Getting cotton ground ready in Dell, Arkansas.” } “Gotta love some great music and perfect planting conditions.” In sharing these uplifting comments, by no means am I downplaying the gravity of COVID-19. Where people come into contact with others in a crowd or when vulnerable members of the population are at risk of contracting a potentially life-threatening disease, it’s common sense to do what we gotta do. My point is to thank our farmers who are doggedly pushing on to provide safe, reliable food and fiber to feed and clothe us. The paper goods aisles in retail stores may be empty, but if you think about it, there are ways to work around that absence and survive. On the other hand, we desperately need our farmers to keep food on the shelves and cotton shirts on our backs. And from what I can tell, they are more than willing to do so despite the fact of being woefully compensated. As one farmer posted on social media, “This is how we roll.” In this time of global crisis, I believe the spirit of the American farmer is stronger than ever, and I, for one, am grateful.

Carroll If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN, 38138. Contact Carroll Smith via email at csmith@onegrower.com.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

Southeast Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 For circulation 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. Copyright 2020 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Marketplace Mitigation The National Cotton Council continues to engage with the Administration regarding U.S.-China trade relations, which have had significant effects on the cotton market since mid-2018.

How has the dispute affected prices, exports? n Cotton prices are about 33% lower since the imposition of the 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. cotton in the U.S.-China trade dispute. In mid-2018, producers had the opportunity to price cotton off a futures market trading in the range of 85-95 cents. Now those same producers are facing futures prices in the low to mid-60s.

less than the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s previous projection announced in May 2019. It could be further reduced as supply chains are further disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. In fact, estimates were revised down this past March (see chart) due to the ongoing trade dispute, a slowdown in the Chinese/world economies and disruptions to manufacturing/trade owing to the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, U.S. cotton merchants could face additional cancellations and defaults for the 2019 marketing year.

Any help from MFP, Phase I?

USDA’s most recent (March 2020) world mill use estimate for 2019-20 is significantly lower than its May 2019 estimate. Meanwhile, based on the latest available shipment data for the 2019 crop year (August– December), the U.S. market share in China is 16%, while Brazil’s share is 36%. The U.S. textile industry also continues to feel the tariff ’s effects. Before the dispute, U.S. yarn manufacturers were shipping the equivalent of 150,000 bales of cotton yarn. Under the tariff imposition, there essentially is no U.S. yarn being shipped to China.

Has world mill use been upset? n Estimates of global cotton demand are off by a total of 15.4 million bales for the 2018 and 2019 marketing years, representing a drop of about 6% from pre-dispute expectations. World mill use for the 2019-20 crop year is estimated at 118.2 million bales, almost 8 million bales

n According to a NCC analysis, for the most recent five years, whether measured in the futures market or the spot price market, the average cotton acre has seen a decline in market value of $255, based on a price decline of 30 cents per pound. Under the current Market Facilitation Program, cotton producers received between $15-$150 per acre. The average payment across all 2019 cotton acres is estimated at $99, representing just 39% of the lost market value. While the MFP is extremely beneficial for a farm’s financial condition, the current assistance does not fully offset the economic losses. Regarding Phase 1, the market disruptions created by the coronavirus outbreak could delay China’s ability to increase U.S. cotton purchases in the near-term as part of that trade agreement. In February and March, USDA reduced China’s 2019-20 consumption estimate by a total of 2 million bales due to coronavirus. Going forward, the NCC will continue to closely monitor China’s purchases of U.S. cotton and actively communicate with USDA/U.S. Trade Representative officials because enforcement of the purchase commitments will be critical. If those purchases do not materialize and prices remain similar to current levels, the NCC will not hesitate to advocate for another round of MFP.

Gary Adams is president/CEO of the National Cotton Council of America. He and other NCC leaders contribute columns on this Cotton Farming page.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton Consultant’s Corner

How To Manage Pigweed Effectively Adam Hixson

Technical Service Representative, BASF Lubbock, Texas I grew up in central Texas surrounded by agriculture. While attending Texas A&M University, I was a scout for the county Extension agent one summer. I learned what it took to grow cotton and enjoyed interacting with growers, which is still the best part of my job today. In many fields, glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (pigweed) is the No. 1 weed pest that competes with the cotton crop. Three pigweed characteristics contribute to its ability to significantly threaten yields. First, the sheer numbers per acre are similar to a swarm of termites attacking a house. One pigweed plant can produce as many as 500,000 seeds. Another problem is that pigweed germinates throughout the growing season. As soil temperatures approach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it begins to emerge, and flushes continue through the spring and summer. Pigweeds also develop very quickly. Under hot conditions, they’ve been known to grow up to 1 inch per day. For these reasons, it’s imperative to implement an aggressive, effective weed control program that begins early. The cornerstone of this strategy rests on three BASF chemistries: Engenia® herbicide, Liberty® herbicide and Outlook® herbicide. Each one has a different mode of action, and all three are still effective in controlling Palmer amaranth. Together, they provide a complete weed control program for cotton.

Aggressive Weed Control Program Engenia herbicide is a postemergence broadleaf herbicide tough enough to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. Liberty herbicide is a fast, burndown herbicide recommended for use on weeds 3 inches or smaller, especially if you are in a drier climate in the western part of the Cotton Belt. Outlook herbicide is a very broadspectrum residual herbicide that controls weeds before they emerge. In conventional till, we recommend mechanically incorporating a product like Prowl® H20 herbicide prior to planting. Then, come back behind the planter with residual herbicides, preferably with different effective modes of action. If weeds have already emerged at planting, include a contact herbicide like paraquat. To control weeds in a notill or strip-till system that uses a cover crop or leftover stalks, a good practice is to make a burndown application that includes a residual herbicide. Then apply additional residuals at planting. The next step is to implement a postemergence weed control program based on the cotton trait technology. For cotton tolerant to Engenia herbicide, we recommend applying an Engenia herbicide and Outlook herbicide tankmix. Three to four weeks later, if weeds are emerging, apply a Liberty herbicide and Outlook herbicide tankmix.

• B.S., entomology, Texas A&M University. M.S., nematology, University of Florida. Ph.D., weed science, North Carolina State University. • Currently a BASF Technical Service Representative for West/ Northeast Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. • Has been with BASF for 12 years, spending the first three in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, as a part of the herbicide research and development group. • Resides in Lubbock with his wife, Kelly; son, Chase; and daughter, Kylie. Enjoys watching college football, fishing and spending time with his family.

Both of these tankmixes control emerged weeds and prevent those that haven’t germinated from coming up. BASF has changed the cotton portion of the Outlook herbicide label for maximum seasonal use from 21 ounces allowed per acre to 31 ounces. This increase allows the residual to be used as a split application to spread out risk. It’s important to extend weed control, especially on pigweed that germinates throughout the season. With mixed weed populations present in almost every field, we recommend adding glyphosate to the applications of Engenia, Liberty and Outlook herbicides to round out the weed control program. The aggressive strategy I have described includes four trips across the field, which is a lot. However, I believe this is what it takes for complete weed control to protect yields. To learn more about implementing these herbicides into your weed control program, talk with your local BASF representative. For more information about stewardship, auxin training, on-target application, approved tank-mix partners, weed control best practices and technical support, please visit EngeniaStewardship.com. As the 2020 season begins, reflect on what happened last year, make adjustments and develop a plan to achieve success.

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RESEARCH & PROMOTION

Rosie The Riveter Is Reborn New Consumer Ads Celebrate The Progress Of Women In The Workforce Over The Past 75 Years

omen and cotton are both an integral part of the fabric that makes up America. Those of us in the cotton industry know there is no shortage of women to celebrate within our community. I’ve worked for The Cotton Board for 12 years and am continually inspired by the women who work hard on behalf of cotton every day. In line with the celebration of National Women’s History Month in March, Cotton Incorporated unveiled a new consumer campaign that highlights some of the elements that make cotton, denim and women so strong. The “Rosie Reborn” campaign was inspired by the iconic Rosie the Riveter to honor the strides women have made in the workforce over the past 75 years. BY STACEY GORMAN The original Rosie the Riveter MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE was the star of a campaign during World War II aimed at recruiting women for the defense industry to replace men who were serving in the military. An illustration featured a woman in a denim and red bandana with her arm flexed under the words, “We Can Do It!” Modern-Day Rosie Jumpsuit Using denim from the original 1940s-era Rosie jumpsuits, Cotton Incorporated joined forces with designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott of the womenswear brand, THE GREAT., to reimagine and rebuild a new line of modern-day jumpsuits for the barrier-breaking Rosies of today. “Cotton is the can-do fiber and embodies the versatility of women in today’s workforce,” says Kim Kitchings, senior vice president of Consumer Marketing at Cotton Incorporated. “Authentic cotton denim has been a uniform of sorts throughout history: the original Rosies during World War II, the rock-and-roll rebellion of the 1960s and casual Friday takeover in the ’90s. Denim has empowered women in the workforce for decades. With a modern interpretation of the Rosie jumpsuit, we want women to channel that fearless determination.” Telling The Rosie Reborn Story The campaign tagline: “Cotton Makes Denim Strong. You Make It Powerful,” encapsulates both the power of women and the strength of denim. Taking graphic inspiration from World War II-era recruitment posters, Cotton Incorporated created a series of videos, ads and posters to tell the story of Rosie Reborn. A segment on NBC’s “The Today Show” kicked off the launch of Rosie Reborn late February, and the campaign’s videos and ads are now being shown on popular streaming networks like Hulu

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

The iconic Rosie the Riveter starred in a World War II campaign to recruit women for the defense industry to replace men who were serving in the military.

and on Cotton Incorporated’s social media channels. Championing the indomitable spirit of women, the Rosie Reborn campaign spotlights six modern-day Rosies who break boundaries in often male-dominated fields. They include THE GREAT. co-founders Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, professional soccer athlete and World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd, famed metal artist/welder Barbie the Welder, Black Girls Code founder Kimberly Bryant, and architecture thought-leader Julia Gamolina. Join The Movement Anyone can become a part of the Rosie Reborn movement as the limited-edition jumpsuit, containing real denim from a vintage Rosie jumpsuit, is available for purchase online at rosiereborn.com. “For this project, we deconstructed an original Rosie vintage denim jumpsuit and reimagined it to reflect a Rosie of today — creating a one-of-a-kind prototype for The Rosie Jumpsuit,” say Current and Elliott. “Each jumpsuit in the line includes actual denim from a vintage Rosie jumpsuit, connecting Rosies past with Rosies present and beyond.” The cotton industry has many Rosies of its own. Like cotton itself, women in our industry have a can-do approach to their work. From female cotton producers and ginners, to industry organization leaders and importers, to the scientists who study cotton production or fabric technology, the women in the cotton industry have unique experiences and perspectives that make cotton the diverse, vibrant industry it is today. Gorman is The Cotton Board’s director of communications. Contact her at sgorman@cottonboard.org. COTTONFARMING.COM

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Industry News

Kent Fountain, a Surrency, Georgia, ginner was elected National Cotton Council chairman for 2020 during the NCC’s 2020 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. He succeeds Mike Tate, a cotton producer from Huntsville, Alabama. A member of the NCC’s 2001-2002 Cotton Leadership Class, Fountain served as an NCC vice president from 2016-2018 and an NCC director in 2011. He has been on numerous NCC committees and has been the chairman of its Quality Task Force since 2016. Since 2010, Fountain has served as a director of Cotton Council International. A past president of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association and the National Cotton Ginners’ Association, Fountain currently is a director for Staplcotn and Cotton Growers Warehouse Association. He earned a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia, and is president/CEO of Southeastern Gin and Peanut Inc. Fountain was named Southeastern Ginner of the Year in 2001 and received the Horace Hayden National Ginner of the Year Award in 2016. He and his wife, Missi, live in Screven, Georgia, and have two sons.

2020 NCC Officers Introduced Ted Schneider, a Lake Providence, Louisiana, producer, was elected the 2020 National Cotton Council vice chairman. Elected NCC vice presidents are Jordan Lea, a Greenville, South Carolina, merchant, and Robin Perkins, a Sanford, North Carolina, textile manufacturer. Reelected NCC vice presidents are Kirk Gilkey, ginner, Corcoran, Calif.; Kevin Brinkley, marketing cooperative executive; Ron Harkey, warehouser; and Robert Lacy Jr. cottonseed processor. All are from Lubbock, Texas. Reelected as secretary-treasurer is Barry Evans, a producer from Kress, Texas. NCC staff officers include Dr. Gary Adams, NCC president and CEO; Harrison Ashley, vice president, ginner services; and Craig Brown, vice president, producer affairs. Dr. Jody Campiche is vice president, economics and policy analysis;

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

VICKY BOYD

Kent Fountain To Lead The National Cotton Council

Arkansan Eddy Cates Named 2019 Cotton Consultant Of The Year Eddy Cates, an independent crop consultant from Marked Tree, Arkansas, was recognized as the 2019 Cotton Consultant of the Year during the CCOY award reception at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the 38th recipient of the award, sponsored by Syngenta and Cotton Farming magazine. To read more about him and his consulting business, go to www.cottonfarming.com and click on the Cotton Consultant of the Year button. Cates says his career as a crop consultant has always provided a good life for him and his family. “I have been blessed to learn from and work for some great people in the agriculture industry,” he says. Joining Cates at the CCOY award reception are, front row from left, Cotton Farming Publisher Lia Guthrie, 2009 CCOY Joe Townsend, Eddy Cates, 2016 CCOY Tim Roberts and 2004 CCOY Tucker Miller. Back row from left are Zada Hart Gates, wife of the late 1982 CCOY Jeptha “Jep” Gates; Wingfield Bouchard, wife of the late 1983 CCOY Dennis Bouchard; Syngenta Agronomy Services Manager Jeff Mink; 2010 CCOY Mark Nemec; 2006 CCOY Jack Royal; 2007 CCOY Danny Moore and 2017 CCOY Paul Pilsner. and John Gibson is vice president, member services. Reece Langley serves as vice president, Washington, D.C., operations. Dr. Bill Norman is vice president, technical services; and Marjory Walker is vice president, council operations.

New Class Inducted Into Arkansas Ag Hall Of Fame Six individuals whose leadership and service have brought distinction to the state’s largest business sector were recognized recently as Class XXXIII of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. They include ag aviator and longtime chairman of the Arkansas State Plant Board George Tidwell, Lonoke, and Tuskegee Airman and

retired Cooperative Extension agent Thomas Vaughns, Marianna. Another new class member is Gene Woodall, a retired University of Arkansas faculty member who paved the way for crop yield increases by creating verification programs emulated around the world. Posthumous induction occurred for timber landowner and philanthropist Jane Ross, Arkadelphia, and Gene Sullivan, who served as state conservationist in three different states and guided key water management programs. The late cattleman and banker Leo Sutterfield, Mountain View, who served as chairman of the Arkansas Beef Council and a member of the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors also was inducted posthumously. COTTONFARMING.COM

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Protect The Crop From Thrips BY AMANDA HUBER SOUTHEAST EDITOR

Support From Yield Studies Thrips feed on leaves and terminals of seedling plants, thereby stunting growth and delaying maturity. Damaged leaves appear crinkled on top, and lower surfaces will often have a silvery sheen. Leaf margins become cupped, and terminal buds may be destroyed. Economic damage from thrips rarely occurs once seedlings reach the four-leaf stage and are growing rapidly. Therefore, it is important to make thrips decisions at planting or very early on. “Thrips are the most consistent pest you’re going to have in cotton,” Roberts says. “You’re going to have them every year. Use something at planting for thrips.” The Georgia entomologist has years of field trials to back up his recommendations. “In 44 out of 50 trials conducted between 2002 and 2014, we saw a yield increase for an average of 195 pounds of cotton per acre. If I updated the trials, it would be the same — an at-plant treatment for thrips increases yield.” Scouting A Must Preventive insecticides are recommended at planting to reduce thrips infestations and seedling injury. Supplemental foliar insecticides are needed in some environments, and applications should be based on scouting and thresholds. Seedlings become more tolerant to thrips feeding in terms of yield potential with every true leaf they put on. One-leaf cotton is much more susceptible to yield loss than three-leaf cotton. “The most important dollar you can spend managing pests is to hire yourself a scout,” Roberts says. “If you’re not going to hire a scout, you’ve got to make the time to do it yourself, and you’ve got to be disciplined about doing it.” Weather Affects Seedling Growth Weather also plays a part in thrips pressure. If conditions are warm and moisture is adequate, seedlings should grow through the thrips susceptibility window and to the four to five true leaf stage quickly. “If conditions are dry and plant development slows,” says Keith Edmisten, North Carolina Extension cotton specialist, “preventative control measures may be necessary. “We recommend protective treatments of acephate at 4 ounces or Radiant at 3 or more ounces on susceptible cotton at cotyledon or first true leaf stage.”

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

NCSU COTTON INSECT SCOUTING GUIDE

hrips are the most consistent pest in cotton each year. So, it was a surprise to University of Georgia Extension Entomologist Phillip Roberts when he found out some farmers looking for ways to cut input costs were not protecting the crop from thrips. “We see such a reliable yield response to using something at planting for thrips that I thought it was a given,” he says. “It’s just a good idea to put something out to protect the crop early.”

Thrips damage on cotton leaves. Once cotton has put on five leaves, thereby exiting the susceptibility window, foliar applications have limited benefit to reduce damage caused by thrips. Like Roberts, Edmisten says there is more bang for the buck when sprays are applied earlier in the susceptibility window. “It should be a given to use something at planting for thrips. Seed treatments have their place, but if thrips numbers are significant, seed treatments aren’t enough,” Roberts says. “AgLogic 15G is an option for granular aldicarb applied in the furrow. In-furrow liquid options include Velum Total or other imidacloprid products, such as Admire Pro, or acephate products.” Roberts says the need for supplemental foliar insecticide depends on the severity of thrips infestations, the at-plant insecticide used and the rate of seedling growth. The threshold for thrips is two to three thrips per plant with immatures present. The presence of numerous immature thrips suggests the at-plant insecticide is no longer providing control. Foliar spray options include the systemic insecticides Orthene, Bidrin and dimethoate. Because thrips are a predictable pest in cotton and application of an at-plant treatment nearly always offers a yield increase, Roberts says this is one area growers should not eliminate to reduce costs. Tips On Thrips • Infestations are generally higher in April- and early May-planted cotton compared with later planting dates. • Reduced-tillage systems generally have reduced infestations compared to conventional tillage. • A rapidly growing seedling can better tolerate thrips feeding. • Seedlings become more tolerant to thrips feeding with more growth. • Slow-growing seedlings will remain in the thrips “susceptible window” for an extended time causing more injury and yield impact. • Fast-growing seedlings that have reached the four-leaf stage are not likely to benefit from supplemental foliar insecticide sprays. COTTONFARMING.COM

The Seam Plays Role In U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

How Technology Components Work About 300 U.S. cotton producers have enrolled in the platform pilot that began in June 2019. The general release, which launches in April for the 2020 crop, will include a new bale registration and verification process that links actual cotton production to a grower’s sustainability profile. As a qualified data management partner with Field to Market, The Twitter: @CottonFarming

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL

he Seam, which provides commodities trading and agriculture software solutions, recently announced the general release of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. It is an integrated technology platform that allows U.S. cotton farmers to assess and verify production practices, environmental footprint and measurement of progress toward long-term sustainability goals. The protocol, initiated by the National Cotton Council, represents all U.S. cotton industry segments, including producers, ginners, warehousing, merchants, cooperatives, manufacturers and cottonseed. The Seam was named technology partner of the initiative in November 2018 by the National Cotton Council and the COTTON USA Sustainability Task Force. Mark Pryor, chief executive officer at The Seam, was also named to the inaugural board of directors of the Trust Protocol in December 2019 as an adviser. “We are honored to play a role in the development of technology that fuels the overall mission and message of U.S. agriculture sustainability,” Pryor says. “Working with the National Cotton Council, our goal was to provide a farmer-friendly platform for the cotton industry that promotes economic and environmental stewardship through quantifiable metrics and insights. “We look forward to expanding our platform to other agricultural crops, including peanuts and soybeans, in the near future.”

Seam has also developed a new integration module for the Fieldprint Platform, which allows science-based metrics and outcomes within a unified experience. Through robust data metrics, analysis and insights, the Trust Protocol adds confidence and transparency throughout the supply chain, ensuring U.S. cotton remains the responsible choice for textile manufacturers, brands and retailers. “The Seam has played a key role on the technology side of developing the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a program designed to confirm and increase awareness of the fact that U.S. cotton producers are farming responsibly and striving for continuous improvement,” says Ken Burton, the Trust Protocol’s executive director. “The Seam helped immensely in the development of the Trust Protocol, and the company continues to refine the way data is utilized within this industry leading initiative.”

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol The Trust Protocol is a collaborative effort of the U.S. cotton industry. It is a new standard developed to foster a further awareness and reduction of U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint by enabling producers to assess their performance against specific sustainability goals. The Trust Protocol is governed by a multi-stakeholder board comprised of producers, ginners, merchandisers, cooperatives, textile manufacturers, retailers, conservation and civil society organizations, and technical and agronomic scientists. For more information, including how to enroll, visit TrustUSCotton.org.

The Seam provided this article. APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

COVER STORY

Texas Cotton Farmer Shares His Thoughts About The ‘Everchanging’ Nature Of Technology

A FORWARD-THINKING

Legacy BY CASSIDY NEMEC

odd Westerfeld is not new to the farming industry. He comes from a family farming tradition, including his father and grandfather before him, and uses knowledge gained over generations for his current production model. Westerfeld, after working with his dad on their operation in Moody, Texas, since he was 8 years old, started farming his own acres in 2009 at the age of 22. Now 33, Todd and his father, Terry, plan to grow more than 1,000 acres of cotton this season. Alternating effective herbicide modes of action has proved essential for weed control in their cotton crop. The secret to insect control? “A good consultant,” Todd says. Even while being at the forefront of technology, Todd says it is “everchanging.”

Moody, Texas, farmer Todd Westerfeld uses data management and stays on top of other new technology offerings to fine-tune his cotton farming operation.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

Weeds, Weeds, Weeds Weed control is an ongoing issue everywhere and is no different for the Westerfelds. A strategy Todd has adopted recently is using LeadOff herbicide as a burndown and residual, and then hammering the ground with more residuals in the spring. “The easiest way to control herbicideresistant weeds is to keep them from ever coming out of the ground,” he says. Currently, Todd and Terry are switching from Deltapine to PhytoGen varieties to attack emerged weeds, such as Palmer amaranth, with a different mode of action — the Enlist weed control system. “PhytoGen also fits with our practice of applying Topguard fungicide, which can slow germination,” Todd says. “Because PhytoGen varieties have a reputation for COTTONFARMING.COM

good emergence, we can increase our ability to get a consistent stand. The first two weeks after planting are the most important part of our growing season. Quick, consistent emergence and early season growth are key to a successful crop in the Blacklands of central Texas.” In addition to fine-tuning their weed control strategy, the Westerfelds like to try new technology on their farms related to seedbed preparation, satellite imagery and planters. Technology Take-A-Ways Data management is a massive portion of Todd’s tactic for growing a successful cotton crop. He uses GPS tracking systems on his equipment and a yield monitor on his stripper to see where problems exist. He also constantly teaches himself how to make even better use of these tools as technologies progress. During the growing season, cotton requires more attention and management to make timely decisions compared to other crops, such as corn. Todd says corn can often overcome issues that cotton cannot. Cotton needs more of his attention to achieve consistent emergence, growth, defoliation and harvesting. “This year, we installed a Precision Planting CleanSweep system to move residue out of the seed furrow to help prevent late emergence,” he says. “We call them ‘trash kickers.’ So far, we have used the system in corn, and it seems to be a good investment. We also plan to use it in cotton to streamline emergence and scrape off some dirt if we need to reach more moisture for planting.” Other technology, such as mapping data that provides section control on sprayers and planters that prevent overlap and excessive seed costs, also is important to the operation. Next year, he plans to add a Precision Planting DeltaForce system with individual-row downforce control to his planter to achieve proper seeding depth. He also is interested in equipment that samples and scans the soil for fertilizer needs. Todd says tools like these offer huge benefits to farmers in Texas, as well as farmers in general. Advancements To A Fault Unfortunately, all the technology in the world cannot make up for human error, bugs and glitches. “Even with the best, newest systems and most user-friendly updates, human error cannot be completely eliminated,” Todd says.

A John Deere 4600 CommandCenter monitor is mounted in Todd Westerfeld’s tractor. “It controls everything related to tractor performance, such as hydraulics, transmission and performance settings, all the way down to creature comforts like radio and climate control.” Twitter: @CottonFarming

The John Deere My Operations app shows tasks being done and where equipment is running in real time. It also shows variety changes, seeding rates and chemical applications. Knowing where changes occur when scouting fields allows Todd to see what works and what doesn’t. Another challenge with planting tools, such as Flag the Technology, is that not everyone uses it. “This makes it harder for farmers to know what trait technology other farmers in the area are using,” he says. “For this practice to work as intended, it needs to be mandatory, especially since good communication with neighbors is vital to prevent potential drift damage.” Although today’s technologies are great, they’re always changing, Todd says. He takes time to learn about updates and watches the progress made with new tools. But as technology progresses at a fast pace, farmers may struggle to keep up with current standards and practices. Moving Forward Over the past five to 10 years, agricultural technology has come a long way for the Westerfelds. They’ve adopted everything from yield monitors on stripper harvesters in conjunction with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking to more data management tools. Looking to the future, Todd would like to see more improvements in RFID technology and yield monitor accuracy so farmers can zero in on issues and figure out solutions. This would allow better end-of-year analysis to see what bales performed better and where. “The RFID tag has a serial number and is embedded in the round bale wrap,” Todd says. “The cotton stripper is able to coordinate the serial tag number with information such as the variety, the date, the field name — all the data points associated with that tag. One example of how RFID technology can help us is from a moisture standpoint. If we are running the stripper and get into some green cotton — 15% or higher moisture — software at the gin coordinated with the RFID tag could immediately pick up this information and red flag the bale. Then the gin would know to pick it up immediately and process it quickly to help avoid things like leaf spot on our grade. This technology is still in its infancy, but it will get there one day.” With all the ag technology improvements and implementations, Todd says the one piece of advice he would give farmers is simple: patience. He says losing yield or grade is obviously not preferred, so patience with planting, spraying, defoliating and harvesting is crucial, even when faced with weather concerns. “Don’t rush, step back and get it right,” Todd says. “Patience is key.” Cassidy Nemec, a senior at Baylor University, is currently pursuing a degree in business and journalism. APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking Tips To Establish A Healthy Stand TEXAS Murilo Maeda As we approach cotton-planting season, growers should be aware of all factors influencing initial crop establishment. By now, most have already selected varieties. It is time to focus on pieces of information that can assist you in making decisions during the planting process. When planting season rolls around, folks get busy. I encourage you to pay close attention to the weather forecast and local field conditions, including soil temperature and moisture level. Become familiar with available resources, such as North Carolina State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cotton Planting Condition Calculator, which can be found at http://climate.ncsu.edu/cotton_planting. This is a simple but effective tool to assist in determining forecasted heat unit accumulation for cotton planting. You can check your farm in under a minute once you become familiar with it. Ideally, we would like to see at least 25 heat units accumulated during the first five days following planting. Cotton, like many other plants, is affected by air/soil temperature, including at the germination phase. Other external factors, such as planter settings, planting speed and seed quality are also important and should be accounted for. Growers are encouraged to obtain cool germination test values from seed companies and seed retailers for seed they will plant in 2020. This information, along with the warm germination test value can be of great value when determining the best time to plant variety A versus variety B based on local and forecasted conditions. When added together (warm + cool) test values allow us to classify seed vigor index into poor (< 120), fair (120 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 139), good (140 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 159) and excellent (> 160). While none of this information guarantees final crop performance, research conducted over the years has shown the importance of getting your crop off to a good start. You should use this information to help make good decisions at planting. If you have not checked yet, the Texas Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) trials by region is available at http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/ cotton/. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Seth Byrd The past two years have experienced stout, early season challenges to planting and stand establishment. In 2018, extremely hot and dry conditions during May and early June resulted in seedlings that sprouted but failed to emerge, suboptimal stands and replants. In 2019, cool, wet conditions delayed or prevented planting completely in some areas. Slow, early season growth and reduced stands were common. These two years have caused early season difficulties. But they have been learning opportunities not only for what planting practices have been successful in these conditions but also which varieties have performed well under early season stress. The general recommendations for successful planting include planting into a moist seed bed at minimum soil temperatures in the low to mid-60s, with 40 to 60 heat units accumulated and no severe weather forecasted in the five to seven days following planting.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

Using experience as our guide is a common recommendation for variety selection. Our experience for the past two years can be used to determine varieties that have been successful under these harsh conditions. Adequate fertility and eliminating competition from weeds are key for early season success. Have a preseason plan for fertility application schedules and rates. Be flexible in response to weather to ensure fertility needs are met while avoiding excess applications and unnecessary expense. seth.byrd@okstate.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson The first step toward a successful season is establishing a healthy stand. Cotton does not tolerate difficulties encountered during its first weeks of growth nearly as well as most of our insect pests and weeds. While last year we were only about 50% planted as we rolled into Memorial Day weekend, we basically doubled our planted acres by the end of the month. Yields ended up ranking in the top five. Generally speaking, history tells us the earlier we plant, the better we do. Just remember that early planting does not equal earliness. Optimum conditions for planting include a mid-morning 68-degree Fahrenheit soil temperature at 2 inches for three consecutive days, along with a favorable five-day forecast. Regardless of the calendar date, 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 accumulated during the five-day period after planting. It is important to start with the best quality seed to increase the chances of getting a good uniform stand if conditions are less-than-optimum. As seed size decreases, the importance of having good soil temperatures increases. There are many signals or signs that people use to indicate the right time to plant. Getting off to a good, quick start will pay dividends season long if we do it right the first time. brobertson@uaex.edu

MISSOURI Calvin Meeks It appears we are in for another wet year in the Bootheel for the 2020 growing season. The 2019 season was successful for most growers with high yields and hopefully higher prices after the COVID19 situation is over. As I write this March 1, field work is behind schedule, and fields are quite soggy considering the cool, wet winter. However, when planting tome arrives, here are a few important considerations if planting under less-than-ideal conditions. Soil temperatures at the 2-inch depth lower than 68 degrees Fahrenheit at mid-morning would be less than ideal. Fewer than 35 DD60s forecast for five days would be less than optimal. Calculating the DD60 forecast is simplified with technology today, and several free tools are available. A Beltwide DD60 planting calculator that gives a county-by-county DD60 forecast is online at https://bit.ly/2TQrH1r. However, Missouri weather stations are not present in the Mesonet. You will have to input 2-inch soil temperatures manually. Another free tool developed by Drs. Guy Collins and Keith EdCOTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking misten at North Carolina State University is online at http://climate. ncsu.edu/cotton_planting. Since it is based on Google Maps, you can zoom in to an individual ﬁeld anywhere in the country to get a DD60 planting forecast. If you are forced to plant cotton in less-than-ideal conditions, I recommend considering high-vigor varieties. This PDF ranks the 2018 varieties at https://bit.ly/2TNEZM3. Lower-vigor varieties need to be planted later when conditions have improved. It is also advisable to increase seeding rates 10% to 15% while also planting shallower (1/2 inch) to ensure the best possible chance of getting a stand. Planting larger-seeded varieties is advisable since they tend to have more energy reserves to better cope with the stress of suboptimal germination conditions. Also consider seed treatments to help protect young plants. Finally, consider in-furrow insecticides if cover crops have not been terminated prior to planting. meeksc@missouri.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper Our recommended planting window for Tennessee cotton falls between April 20 and May 10. If you are lucky enough to plant your crop within this window, there is a good chance those seedlings will face cooler-than-desirable soil temperatures. Subsequently, cool germ test results are particularly important early in the season. Seed lots with less-than-ideal cool germs would be better suited to later planting in May. Most companies can provide this information when requested. Another parameter that may help a struggling seedling make it through less-than-optimum conditions is seed size. Although the correlation is not perfect, larger seed sizes are often associated with more vigorous seedlings. Unfortunately, seed supplies are not endless. We often must settle for less-than-ideal characteristics in a given seed lot to get the variety we want.

If you end up with a low cool germ lot or a small-seeded lot, consider increasing the seeding rate slightly to achieve your target population. Better yet, delay planting to avoid stressing the seedlings. Shifting lower cool germ, smaller-seed lots to later in the planting window and shifting good cool germ, larger-seed lots to an earlier planting window reduces the chance of having to replant acres and likely heartburn, too. traper@utk.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown Hey, it’s 2020. Yet, I haven’t seen or heard any reference current of upcoming events to sayings like “20/20 vision” or “Hindsight is 20/20.” The term “20/20” refers to a measurement of vision. If you see clearly what you’re normally supposed to see at 20 feet, you have 20/20 vision. You’d think some marketing guru or politician would be touting 20/20 vision for 2020. While hindsight is not always 20/20, it is obvious that if we knew exactly what was going to happen in the coming weeks, we could make better choices today. Just think how such knowledge might shape when to plant, contract cotton and buy/sell investments. It might also guide variety selection. Alas, we don’t have 20/20 vision about future markets, weather, crop performance, natural disasters, etc. Therefore, we DIVERSIFY. We don’t plant all one variety. We don’t plant the entire crop in a single day or two days. Most farms — excluding the small-acreage grower who relies on custom picking — should include three to ﬁve varieties in their mix. Yes, one or two choices may dominate, but including a few others may help you see the next “star” for your farm. And given who-knowswhat will happen with weather, pests and whatever, one variety may surprise positively or negatively. Companies continue to improve genetics and technology. The competition is keen. In your preferred technology offering, there are likely some very solid performers.

CARROLL SMITH

Planting three to five different cotton varieties may help you identify the next “star” for your farm, says Alabama cotton specialist Steve Brown.

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking Planting dates also achieve diversification. At this point, no one knows if early, mid or late dates will be best. I can say early to mid-planting dates have far out performed later plantings in the past couple of years. Managing this year like we should have done last year assumes that this year’s environment and market will mimic 2019. Because we don’t know that, we diversify. Assuming conditions allow, a sensibly spaced planting window adds to diversity … and obviously helps with harvest. cottonbrown@auburn.edu

MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi As a former producer, I continue to review my mental checklist to prepare for another planting season. Did I replace the seal on the main folding arm? Did I assemble enough spare press wheels to keep on the service truck? Lately, warm wet winters have become the new normal in the Mid-South, which presents challenges for growers attempting a timely planting. If you were able to harvest and row up before the rain began, then you are in good shape. However, many cotton farmers harvested in the mud, leaving knee-deep ruts to disk and rows to reestablish. Farmers with prepared beds or cover-cropped acres should plan to terminate any green foliage three weeks prior to planting to increase chances of a good stand. If you have to contend with ruts, consider all things that go along with multiple trips across a field. I have seen a field go from too wet to work up to too dry to plant in a matter of days. Most producers have made their 2020 variety selections and crop mix decisions. As you make final planting preparations, remember not to place all your eggs in one basket in terms of variety selection. Choose variety placement based on soil characteristics. Try to get to the bottom of any yield-limiting factors to avoid using inputs like irrigation or increased nitrogen rates to mitigate these issues. Keep best management practices in mind for using multiple herbicide technologies within a single operation. This will help avoid off-target herbicide injury from drift, volatility and sprayer contamination. Good luck! bkp4@msstate.edu

FLORIDA David Wright A new season resets the bar for what we want to achieve. Farmers face challenges that are often weather-related but may include pests or equipment (planters, irrigation systems, pickers, etc.) Almost every farmer changes something whether it is varieties, fertility program, equipment, conversion to cover crops and conservation tillage, for example. There is no best way to farm in all situations, but many things can be done to minimize crop risk. Some considerations are soil fertility and fall nematode tests to help determine fertility and if nematicides are necessary or if a seed treatment will be adequate. Because fields often have variable soil types, it’s important to choose the best cotton varieties for your area that yield consistently across low- and high-yielding environments. Timely planting as well as timely nitrogen and growth regulator applications will help ensure success. However, the first step is establishing a good stand with uniform emergence. Including an effective seed treatment along with well-adjusted row openers/cleaners, crumblers and closing wheels can make a big difference in uniform planting depth and emergence. Planter bounce caused by planting at too fast a speed can result in variable planting depth. Increased tension on planter down pres-

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

sure springs can help reduce planter bounce in rough seedbeds and may allow slightly higher planting speeds while establishing uniform stands. wright@ufl.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten Dr. Guy Collins explained the new cottonseed testing program in North Carolina in last month’s column. Using the results from this program should help us achieve more consistent cotton stands. Growers need to realize that cottonseed companies are not producing widgets. They are producing a live organism. This means several factors will always result in variation among cottonseed lots. Growers can use information generated by the North Carolia Department of Agriculture testing program to reduce the possibility of poor stands. They should also be aware that both standard and cool germ results are available from the seed company. This is important for later-arriving seed where you need to plant before NCDA germination tests are available. Growers who find some of their seed lots have lower cool germ values should treat those seeds more carefully. Don’t plant too deeply (especially on soils prone to crusting), avoid planting lower-quality seed during less-than-favorable conditions, avoid in-furrow fertilizers and planting flat or in wetter-natured fields. Also consider increasing the planting rate. Look for planting conditions at https://trials.ces.ncsu.edu/cotton/. Using this tool, you can match cottonseed quality with planting conditions. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame As Virginia producers move into burndown applications ahead of cotton planting in May, it’s imperative to start weed free. As herbicide-resistant weeds have increasingly become a problem, our burndown/ preplant programs need to rely on herbicides with residual activity in the soil to remain weed free until the first postemergence herbicide application. Consult an Extension weed scientist for recommendations for your specific soil types and weed complex to select the appropriate chemistries. In addition to managing weeds mid- to late April, start terminating winter cover crops, such as cereal rye, winter wheat, crimson clover and hairy vetch. For the latter two cover crop species, termination should occur at peak bloom to minimize the amount of nitrogen “locked up” in the seed. Also, hairy vetch can become a weed, so timely termination will ensure minimum seed production for that cover crop. With these two legume species, a large amount of nitrogen can be fixed and available to the following cotton crop. For example, a crimson clover/hairy vetch mix may accumulate 170-plus pounds of nitrogen per acre in the above-ground biomass. The release pattern of nutrients from cover crops can vary and depends heavily on rainfall and soil temperatures for degradation. Adding cereal rye to the cover crop mix will slow decomposition of cover crop residues and provide a soil cover/mulch for added weed control. However, cereal cover crops can increase the demand for nitrogen in the following cotton crop as high carbon:nitrogen ratios of residues result in immobilization of nitrogen, especially when there is a large cover crop biomass. Overall, using legume cover crops or cereal rye/ legumes reduces the need for applied nitrogen. Lint yields with legumes receiving no nitrogen fertilization have been higher than cereal-rye-only cover crops with 120 pounds of applied nitrogen per acre. whframe@vt.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

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FDA Provides Update On FSMA Rules At NCC Annual Meeting Jennifer Erickson, regulatory counsel at the Food and Drug Administration, spoke to a gathering of cotton ginners at the National Cotton Council Annual Meeting in February. The presentation took place during the National Cotton Ginners’ Association Board of Directors and Annual Meeting. Erickson updated ginners on the current status of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act as it relates to cotton gins. For a little background, the FSMA’s Preventive Controls for Animal Food final rule was issued in September 2015. One of the first problems was that the rule contained guidance that would affect cotton gins — Subparts C & E, which require a food safety plan and various other programs. The ginning industry did not agree this part of the rule applied, and we have been working on the issue since then. FDA Has A Change Of Heart After meeting with the industry in Alabama and touring a cotton gin, the FDA agreed their interpretation was in error and needed to be fixed. In January 2018, the agency issued a policy regarding enforcement discretion for certain facilities, including cotton gins. Under this policy, cotton gins are not subjected to the regula-

tions related to preventative controls requirements or current good manufacturing practices. These are the portions of the rule with which the industry has been concerned. Since then, two years have passed. While FDA has been working on the issue internally, some in the industry have been concerned since so much time has passed with no final solution. Enforcement discretion is great, but it is a temporary solution based on a guidance document that could be modified at any time. Secondary Activities Farm Designation With the above concerns in mind, it was good to see Erickson was willing to update our group on the status of FSMA related to the cotton ginning industry. She reemphasized the enforcement discretion would remain in place until they were able to complete final fixes to the rule. She said FDA was reiterating its enforcement discretion policy during inspector training across the country. FDA’s plan at this point is to develop a better farm definition to include operations like cotton gins, which handle raw agricultural commodities and meet the definition of a Secondary Activities Farm — except for the ownership of the facility.

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APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

In other words, under the proposal outlined during the meeting, all cotton gins would be considered Secondary Activities Farms under the updated rule. The counsel assured us FDA was committed to implementing a solution at the staff level and up the chain of command. The change would solve the issue cotton gins face with the rule, and according to Erickson, a little more patience with the FDA will result in a much better rule for our industry. Our association, along with the National Cotton Council, the National Cotton Ginners’ Association and the other regional associations across the United States, will continue to monitor the issue closely. Hopefully, we will be able to give everyone an update in the near future. J. Kelley Green, TCGA director of technical services, contributed this article. Contact him at kelley@tcga.org.

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Significant Change Made To The Original Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association says an updated Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is now available. After months of waiting, a new I-9 form has been released. Employers are still allowed to use the previous version of the I-9 until April 30. After that date, the new version must be used. A significant change to the original Form I-9 includes an employer’s ability to designate an “authorized representative” to assist in completing the employer requirement on the form. The authorized representative is responsible for completing

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Cotton’s Calendar Due to the fluid situation involving COVID-19, some listed events may be canceled or postponed. Please verify with the individual organizations. ¢ April 14-16: American Cotton Producers Spring Meeting,

Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, Irving, Texas

¢ April 15: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

¢ May 6-8: ACSA Convention, Ritz Carlton, Washington, D.C. ¢ May 18-20: National Cottonseed Products Annual Meeting,

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida

¢ May 20: PCCA Board of Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ¢ May 21: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, San Antonio, Texas ¢ June 16-18: Cotton Incorporated Board Meeting, Omni

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¢ June 17: Staplcotn Board of Directors Meeting, Greenwood,

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Section 2 of the I-9 that includes examining evidence of identity and employment authorization on behalf of the employer. Additionally, clarification to the list of “acceptable documents” has been made, and a full list of those is available on the last page of the Form I-9. Visit our website, https://ccgga.org/updated-i-9-formsnow-available/, for both the Form I-9 as well as the I-9 instructions for your review and use.

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¢¢June 17: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

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¢¢June 18: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona ¢¢July 9-12: Cottonseed & Feed Association 2020 Annual

Meeting, Intercontinental Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri

¢¢July 16: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona ¢¢July 20-23: Southern Southeastern Mid-Year Board Meeting,

Sheraton Bay Point, Panama City Beach, Floridaorida

¢¢Aug. 4-6: Cotton Board & Cotton Incorporated Joint Board

Meeting, The Phoenician, Scottsdale Arizona

¢¢Aug. 19: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

¢¢Aug. 26-28: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Omni Louisville

Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky Meeting, Lubbock, Texas

¢¢Sept. 16: Staplcotn Board of Directors Meeting, Greenwood,

Mississippi

¢¢Sept. 28: Calcot Board of Directors/Auditors’ Meeting,

Phoenix, Arizona

¢¢Sept. 29: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting/93rd Annual

Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona

¢¢Oct. 21: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

¢¢Nov. 18: PCCA Board of Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ¢¢Dec. 8-10: Cotton Board & Cotton Incorporated Joint Board

Meeting, Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach, Florida

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¢¢Dec. 16: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas Twitter: @CottonFarming

APRIL 2020 | COTTON FARMING

My Turn The Job Of A Lifetime

embers of the co-chairman of the NCC Producer Steering Verett family Committee (American Cotton Producers). However, I always knew I wanted to be have farmed i n C r o s b y more than a volunteer leader. In 1993, I was County, Texas, since my approached about becoming the Executive granddad settled here in D i r e c t o r o f t h e Te x a s F o o d a n d F i b e r s 1917. I grew up in Ralls, Commission — a small agency that contracted and my dad was a farm- for agricultural research at four different univerer but retired relative- sities across the state. They allowed me to stay ly early. At that point, in Lubbock, but I spent a lot of time traveling all my older brother, Eddie, over Texas visiting with researchers. Steve About four years after I joined the commistook over the operation sion, the leadership of Plains Cotton Growers and hired me to help him Verett Inc. approached me. They asked if I would be while I was in high school. When I worked for my interested in taking a position within their orgadad during the summers, my job was running a nization since the current CEO, Donald Johnson, hoe. I was willing to learn from Eddie, and any was about to retire. I knew this was something time I could get on a tractor I was glad to do it. I wanted to do, and working for Plains Cotton He was my mentor and taught me what I know Growers has been the job of a lifetime for me. When I came on board, our gin participation about farming in general and cotton in particular. After I got out of college, we became partners and rate was about 60%. Today, it’s well over 90% and has been for the past 10 have had a special relayears. I believe this is tionship for many years. “Working for Plains Cotton proof in the pudding Eddie always said, “I Growers Inc. has been the job the that our directors and am the nuts-and-bolts volunteer leaders have guy, and Steve is the of a lifetime for me.” guided us in the right accounting guy.” Because of my brother’s day-to-day involve- direction. And the PCG staff has carried out the ment in the operation, I was able to step off the goal of making us an effective organization dedifarm as a young man and participate in organiza- cated to doing what needs to be done to represent tions that ultimately led down the trail to Plains our members. During the time I have been with Plains Cotton Cotton Growers. While I was representing Texas on the American Farm Bureau Cotton Advisory Growers, I have also maintained my farming Committee, I met the late California cotton farm- operation although I don’t get out to the field er Fred Starrh who was the Cotton Advisory much. Eddie has retired, and my son, Kristofer, Committee chairman for his state. After getting is now in charge and calling all the shots. He has taken the farm to a completely new level and is to know Fred, we developed a lifelong friendship. Gary Ivey, a Crosby County cotton farmer, also excited about it. We want to keep our farming operation around influenced my involvement in cotton organizations. He represented Crosby County on the PCG because this country needs agriculture and the board and ultimately served as president of the values of the people associated with it. I have organization. In addition, he was on the Cotton another son who lives in Kansas and a daughter Incorporated board of directors and a very pro- who lives in Washington, D.C. If my grandkids want to pursue production agriculture someday, gressive farmer in our area. Gary helped me get involved with PCG where we want that opportunity to be there for them. I served as a volunteer leader, an executive — Steve Verett committee member, an officer and, ultimately, Lubbock, Texas president. I also served on the National Cotton steve@plainscotton.org Council board of directors and served as Texas

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.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2020

COTTONFARMING.COM

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