Cotton Farming April 2021 by One Grower Publishing

Cotton Farming

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

Texas RACE Trials Faced Challenges In 2020

A Smooth Operation Cotton Is The Mainstay In Texas Coastal Bend

CLRDV Knowledge Base Grows In The Southeast

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Engenia herbicide is a U.S. EPA restricted-use pesticide Always read and follow label directions. Engenia, Liberty and Outlook are registered trademarks of BASF. ©2021 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Vol. 65 No. 4

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

APRIL 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

FE ATURES

8 A Smooth Operation When two like-minded people get together, the synergy of their efforts can be a recipe for success. Alan and Lisa Stasney, who farm 4,000 acres of cotton, milo, corn and rice, are a shining example of how this works. When they married in 1988, the couple set about growing their own operation. Today, they and their “dream team” are heavy into cotton in the Texas Coastal Bend.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 12 Industry News

14 Specialists Speaking 18 Research & Marketing 22 My Turn

ON THE COVER: This field of PHY 400 W3FE is open and ready for picking on Alan and Lisa Stasneys’ farm in the Texas Coastal Bend. Cover photo by Amanda Powell.

TEXAS COTTON RACE TRIALS The South Plains and Panhandle RACE trials faced challenges from start to finish in 2020. Read what the experts say about variety stability.

CLRDV KNOWLEDGE BASE The list of weeds found to be overwintering hosts for cotton leafroll dwarf virus continues to increase based on research findings.

GINNERS MARKETPLACE

the official publication of the ginning industry TCGA’s J. Kelley Green, director of technical services, discusses potential Department of Labor changes on tap under the new Biden administration.

C OT TO N S TA N D S STRONG

TEXAS COTTON GINNERS' ASSOCIATION

In The Lone Star State

Look for the 2021 TCGA Special Section following page 12 in the Texas and Oklahoma editions of Cotton Farming.

2021 TCGA SPECI AL SECTION

PHOTO BY BRANDONJ74

WEB EXCLUSIVE Despite mounting calls for federal maritime regulators to address congestion, delays and shipping challenges at U.S. ports, California agricultural exporters say they have yet to see any relief. Go to www.cottonfarming. com for this Web Exclusive report.

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Editor’s Note Carroll Smith

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

Time — The Fourth Dimension Of The Universe

hile watching TV the other night, I wasn’t surprised that the ongoing pandemic was still at the top of the newsreel. What caught my attention was the announcer’s topic for the segment: “before time.” He, along with his virtual guests, shared memories of what life was like before COVID-19 disrupted what we perceive as the natural ebb and flow of our existence. Although time is invisible, we all use it to measure minutes, hours, weeks and years. We make numerous references to it every day. While producing this issue of Cotton Farming, I even began to notice how often the word “time” cropped up on the pages of the magazine. While interviewing Alan and Lisa Stasney for the cover story, he told me how he and his future wife met. It seems a Texas Extension agent was conducting studies on both his farm and Lisa’s family farm in another county. The agent decided to play matchmaker and brought the pair together. Alan says he is grateful for the man’s bold move because “I never would have taken time to venture up that far.” As spring unfolds, farmers begin to look for signs pointing to the right time to plant. In the Specialists Speaking department, Arkansas’s Bill Robertson says, “Getting off to a good, quick start will pay dividends season long if we do it right the first time.” In reflecting on the beginning of the 2020 growing season, Mississippi cotton specialist Brian Pieralisi says, “Last year, the bulk of Mississippi cotton acres were seeded during the optimal window of May 1-10. During this time, warm soil and adequate DD60s (20-25 heat units) contributed to a healthy stand across most of the state.” While discussing potential Department of Labor changes under the new administration in Cotton Ginners Marketplace, TCGA’s J. Kelley Green says, “While this process will take some time, you can anticipate seeing an increase in the number of inspections as OSHA brings the new inspectors onboard.” Some scientists have dubbed “time” the fourth dimension of the universe. Perhaps it’s because we are always moving forward. Numerous people have expressed the thought that time stood still when the pandemic began. Of course, we all know it didn’t, and agriculture is a good example. Farmers ventured out, planted their crops, made timely applications and rolled through the field at harvest. Time stops for no one. Make the most of your days this growing season to reap the rewards of time well spent.

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

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

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 subscription changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email cottonfarming@omeda.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Copyright 2021 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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South Plains, Panhandle RACE Trials Faced Tough Conditions BY KAY LEDBETTER

South Plains 2020 Trials

In the South Plains, the 2020 season was riddled with challenges in the field from start to finish. Lack of rain was the main bottleneck, says Murilo Maeda, AgriLife Extension cotton specialist, Lubbock. With warmer temperatures early in the spring, some farmers planted early. What little moisture was available then, however, didn’t make it very far. The lack of adequate planting moisture resulted in a great percentage of dryland fields failing to obtain a good plant stand, if they emerged at all. Those with access to irrigation fared much better overall, but producers also struggled in places where water availability was limited. In-season precipitation was scarce and tended to favor areas east of Interstate 27. A cold front early in September and two days of ice and snow in late October closed out the season in style. This weather affected overall fiber quality and caused some cotton to fall to the ground. 2020 Panhandle Trials

AgriLife Extension collaborated with the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District to provide weekly video updates rotating between RACE trials during 2020. The video series, Cotton and Conservation, provided cotton producers real-time agronomic updates under the respective environmental and management systems. In 2020, above-average spring temperatures resulted in early planting across much of the northern Texas Panhandle. However, above-average temperatures and below-average rainTWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

MURILO MAEDA/TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE

s cotton producers across the Texas High Plains begin preparing for a new season, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists are providing up-to-date information on the performance results of commercially available varieties across the state during 2020 trials. The annual Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation, or RACE, trials conducted by AgriLife Extension specialists and agents are sponsored by Cotton Incorporated, Plains Cotton Growers and the Texas State Support Committee. They test varieties offered by seed companies, such as BASF, Bayer, WinField United and Americot. “Although 2020 was a tough year, variety results are still valuable when making 2021 decisions,” says Dr. Jourdan Bell, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Amarillo. “Our 2020 results provide producers an opportunity to evaluate variety stability across multiple management and production environments. By comparing variety performance across multiple locations and multiple years, producers are able to select stable varieties for their farms.” Combined South Plains and Panhandle results can be found on the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences Variety Testing site — http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/cotton/. Adverse weather in the Texas Panhandle left cotton bolls strung out from the plants last season. fall resulted in dry soils, and no trials were planted in the southwestern Texas Panhandle. A June 9 windstorm affected cotton acres across the entire region resulting in blown-out fields or severe crop injury and delayed development. June and July temperatures ranged from 95 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Timely precipitation in July coincided with the bloom period across most northern Panhandle sites, but many rain storms were coupled with hail. Hot and dry conditions in August increased crop water demands. In September, an early cold snap delivered temperatures below 4o F for 10-20 hours, depending on the location. A low of 34 F was reached at the Dallam County trial. This weather negatively affected micronaire development across the northern Panhandle. An early October ice storm was the final terminating event for regional cotton fields. As a result of cumulative in-season stress, lint yield and grades were negatively affected at most northern Panhandle trials. Two locations were terminated because of hail injury. According to the National Cotton Council, Texas growers intend to plant 6.4 million acres of cotton this season. Despite representing a 5.7% reduction in acreage compared to last year’s 6.8 million acres, this still is approximately 55% of the estimated 11.5 million cotton acres for the entire nation. Kay Ledbetter is an associate editor/senior writer/media relations specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife. APRIL 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Confronting Climate Change With increasing extreme weather and shifts in growing seasons impeding crop production, the National Cotton Council has partnered with multiple groups to develop and promote shared climate policy priorities.

Who is in this coalition?

■ The NCC recently became a steering commit-

tee member of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. Its organizations represent farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agribusinesses, manufacturers, the food and innovation sector, state governments, sportsmen and environmental advocates. They are working together to develop and promote shared climate policy priorities across the entire agriculture, food and forestry value chains. FACA’s founding, steering committee and general members, along with other information, can be found at www.AgClimateAlliance.com.

What are FACA’s goals?

■ FACA’s original 40-plus recommendations,

contained in a 50-page report at https://bit. ly/2Nya4TD that was released in November, are summarized: ◻ Providing voluntar y, incentive-based tools for fa rmers, ra nchers a nd forest owners to ma ximize the sequestration of carbon and the reduction of other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as increase the resilience of the land. ◻ Supporting the development and oversight of private sector markets for The NCC is an active steering committee member greenhouse gas credits. of The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. ◻ Promoting public and private sector tools to incentivize farmers, ranchers and forest owners to prioritize and scale climate-smart practices. ◻ Offering incentives for farmers to reduce energy consumption, increase use of on-farm renewable energy and make continued progress toward reducing the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of agriculture- and forestry-based renewable energy. ◻ Streamlining consumer-facing packaging and

implementing a public-private partnership to reduce the greenhouse gas impact of food waste and loss within the food value chain. ◻ Increasing federal investment in agriculture, forestry and food-related research substantially and continuously. FACA says the recommendations’ success will require buy-in from the highest levels of U.S. Department of Agriculture leadership and investment in rural broadband to ensure farmers, ranchers and rural communities have access to information, tools and markets. Fortunately, the Biden Administration has expressed great interest in these recommendations and requested more guidance from FACA to help with implementation. In response, the alliance’s policy working groups are producing more detailed and specific proposals from the original 40-plus recommendations focusing on the carbon bank concept, tax credits/other incentives, as well as climate research. The NCC plans to remain active in this alliance and has staff serving on multiple FACA working groups.

Any other recent climate activity?

■ The NCC joined 15 other agricultural stake-

holder groups on a “statement for the record” to the House Agriculture Committee’s climate change hearing held in early March. The statement noted that agricultural biotechnology needs to be part of any climate change discussion. It cited work done in a USDA study in which the NCC participated that found improving animal and crop genetics is a primary driver of productivity. It also would be necessary to reach goals of increasing agricultural production by 40% while cutting agriculture’s footprint in half before 2050. The statement conveyed the groups’ excitement about the potential environmental benefits and climate change mitigation via the continued development and adoption of new crop varieties improved with the help of innovative breeding methods that can produce more with less — less water, less land, less inputs.

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 2021

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Control Insects, Manage For Earliness Ashley Peters Peters Crop Consulting Crowville, Louisiana

I grew up in Franklin Parish where my father farmed for about 40 years. Cotton was our predominant crop, so I had a lot of experience plowing, planting, spraying, hoeing and harvesting. In 1996, there were more cotton acres in Franklin Parish than there were in the entire state of Louisiana in 2015. In 2010, which was the beginning of a low point for cotton, I started consulting. I may have scouted 500 acres of cotton that year out of more than 20,000. Then as recently as a couple years ago, I was scouting up to 10,000 cotton acres. Today, I consult in Tensas, Richland and Franklin parishes. Insect pests are always a problem in our cotton, but the spectrum can vary from parish to parish. For example, I may have spider mite issues in Tensas Parish and not have them in Richland Parish. The snow, ice and extremely low temperatures we experienced this winter should knock back stink bugs but may only have minimal impact on other cotton insect pests.

Keep Tarnished Plant Bug In Check We typically spray all of our 2-gene cotton for bollworm. We didn’t spray any of our 3-gene cotton for bollworm in 2020, so that technology is holding its own right now. Traditionally, tarnished plant bug is always an issue for us. Transform® WG insecticide is a good option to control them and protect cotton yields. We apply 1 ½ to 2 ounces of Transform at least twice. Sometimes we make a third application, depending on the pressure. Transform is also a good rotational partner with other chemistries — such as Diamond insecticide — to help delay resistance. In some cases, we tank mix Transform and Diamond, and sometimes we make sequential applications. Some of my farmers will make back-to-back applications of Transform. It’s flexible enough to fit a variety of insect control programs from early in the season when we first start seeing plant bugs to mid-season when we get to bloom or even past bloom, if needed. Transform is easy on beneficial insects and doesn’t flare mites or aphids.

Strive For Earliness, Lock In Prices It's also important to manage cotton for early maturity. For the most part, we can produce a profitable crop if we can get it in early and use PGRs to control growth. I think it's a good idea to lock in high commodity prices and lower input prices where possible this year. Cotton is what brought everybody to the table, so most of our farmers are sticking with it.

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, minor in ag business; Master’s degree in entomology, Louisiana State University. • Consults on cotton, rice, sweet potatoes, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and wheat. Offers soil sampling services. • Member, Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association and Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association. • Graduate and board member of the LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program. • Serves as commissioner on the Tensas Basin Levee District and supervisor on the Northeast Soil & Water Conservation District. • Involved with the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association. • Wife, Amy. Two sons: Nathan, 11, and Caleb, 7. • Coaches soccer, basketball and Little League baseball. Enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, following LSU sports and being outside with his family.

Recap: Control Insects, Manage For Earliness

1. Insect pests are always a problem in our cotton, but the spectrum can vary from parish to parish. 2. We didn’t spray any of our 3-gene cotton for bollworm in 2020, so that technology is holding its own right now. 3. Transform® WG insecticide is a good option to control tarnished plant bug and protect cotton yields. 4. We apply 1 ½ to 2 ounces of Transform at least twice. Sometimes we make a third application, depending on the pressure. 5. Transform is also a good rotational partner with other chemistries to help delay resistance.

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Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Isoclast® is a registered active ingredient. 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. Always read and follow label directions. © Corteva 2021.

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COVER STORY

A Smooth Operation Cotton Is Mainstay For Texas Coastal Bend Farmers Alan And Lisa Stasney BY CARROLL SMITH EDITOR

hen two like-minded people get together, the synergy of their efforts can be a recipe for success. Alan and Lisa Stasney, who farm cotton, milo, corn and rice in the Texas Coastal Bend, are a shining example of how this works. They both grew up on farms but didn’t meet until the late 1980s. Alan’s grandfather, Edward Stasney, moved to the Coastal Bend around 1938. Edward’s son, George, farmed with him until the 1960s when they parted. At that time, George and his wife, Anastazie, built Alan’s Restaurant in East Bernard, Texas. Anastazie ran the establishment, while George operated Stasney’s Texaco gas station there. “They did this for a good while, and then Interstate 10 came through and took away a lot of the business,” Alan says. “My parents decided to make a change when they had the opportunity to come back to farm the same land that Dad farmed with his dad. During the summertime, I drove a tractor for my uncle, got the farming bug and farmed with my dad until 1980 when I bought him out.”

In 2020, PHY 400 W3FE yielded 1,245 pounds of lint per acre in the Fort Bend County RACE Trial on the Stasneys’ farm.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021 COTTONFARMING.COM

In Waller County, Lisa was farming with her parents, Neal and Lou Wawarofsky. They had quit raising cotton years ago because of the boll weevil and started producing peanuts to provide peanut oil for the military during World War II. Peanuts in rotation with corn eventually became a mainstay in the area. Lisa and Alan met in 1987. After they married in 1988, the couple started growing their own operation. Dream Team

“We always tried to farm a lot of cotton,” Alan says. “When you’re starting with a finite number of acres, you need to be able to pay back at the bank, and grain wasn’t going to do it. We farmed cotton heavy until we were able to get more acres and put in a rotation. Today, we grow 4,000 acres of cotton, milo, corn and rice and are part owners of Tavener Gin & Grain in Fort Bend County. “I also hired a consultant — Greg Visoski — early in my career, and it has paid off. When it rains, you can always see his footprints out in the field. He’s a real go-getter.” Although Alan and Lisa are equal partners in the business, he is quick to give her most of the credit for their success. She does all the bookwork and can drive anything on the farm. She plants, sprays, plows and harvests the crop. Lisa has also been instrumental in incorporating precision technology into the operation. If a spray monitor or GPS needs to be installed in the tractor, Lisa does it. She designed and built the spray trailers they pull behind the trucks and even rewired a refurbished picker they bought. “People often say, ‘Behind a successful man is a woman,’” Alan says. “It’s just the opposite with us. I am the man behind the successful woman. Lisa is both talented and modest.” The Stasneys also have good landlords and a solid workforce that includes their 25-year-old son, Aaron, and three other fulltime employees. “Our son, Aaron, gets everything lined up and going in the right direction each morning,” Lisa says. “Fernando Aguilar is our tractor driver and welder who fixes everything that everybody else breaks. Lowell Bacak is our right-hand man, and Luis Belman Ladinos is really good at handling the rice.”

Texans Lisa and Alan Stasney grow 4,000 acres of cotton, milo, corn and rice in Fort Bend, Wharton, Austin and Waller counties. 2020 Cotton Season

In addition to their commercial operation, the Stasneys host Texas A&M AgriLife research plots, PhytoGen Innovation Plots and the Fort Bend County Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) Trial. The couple closely watch cotton variety performance on the farm, which helps them in their selection process. Last year, the Stasneys planted mostly PHY 400 W3FE and some PHY 340 W3FE. “We saw PHY 400 W3FE in the 2019 test plots and liked the way it looked and yielded,” Alan says. “The grades were good, too. When we see something we like, we jump on it pretty heavily, which is what we did with 400. “During the growing season, we applied a plant growth regulator — which in hindsight, we don’t think we needed — and then the rains didn’t come like we would have wanted them to. We couldn’t water everything, but we watered what we could and then got an unexpected 20-inch rain. “The cotton didn’t like that too much, but when all was said and done, we were really happy with the yield and the grades. PHY 400 held its own under the growing conditions. It didn’t high mic, staple length was good, and we received a premium

Aaron Stasney puts in his share of hours on the picker during the 2020 harvest.

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APRIL 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Lowell Bacak, the Stasneys’ right-hand man, drives the tractor while PhytoGen territory manager Will Elkins mans the weigh scale. During harvest, they weigh the PhytoGen strip-plot bales grown on the Stasneys’ farm.

on a lot of it. We’re also planting PHY 400 W3FE this year along with PHY 390 W3FE and PHY 340 W3FE.” Weeds, Insects, Disease

The Stasneys say the PhytoGen varieties are a nice fit in their operation because they like to spray Enlist herbicide to control waterhemp. “Waterhemp is everywhere,” Alan says. “We’ve had good luck with Enlist on this weed.” They also have to contend with Texas panicum — a troublesome grass — and say water-robbing false ragweed is coming on strong now, too. “False ragweed is tough to kill and very invasive,” Alan says. “Once it gets established, it won’t let anything else grow next to it. If you catch false ragweed while it’s small, Enlist works. If this weed gets any size on it, we switch over to Liberty herbicide. We like to keep our weed control program simple and not mix technologies. For example, in the test plots where there are other varieties besides PhytoGen, we use Roundup and Liberty herbicides on them.” As far as cotton insect pests, the Stasneys say they experienced light worm pressure over the past two years. “We still scout for worms, but WideStrike 3 really did some good when it came out,” Alan says. “However, the bollworm moth is always trying to adapt to the technology. One thing we have noticed is that the moths are beginning to lay eggs in the bloom instead of the terminal. Our consultant is really checking for worm eggs in the bloom tag now because it is not too far from the boll. “We also fight thrips and fleahoppers. Because we are not spraying for boll weevil anymore, stink bugs are becoming

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

“It takes a certain amount of crazy to do what we do ... But farming gets in your blood and propels you along.” more sinister. They seem to congregate in parts of a field, so you have to get out there and walk or you will miss them. There are different kinds of stink bugs, and each one has its own level of severity. You’ve got to know what you are looking for when you are scouting for them, too.” In the disease arena, the Stasneys say seedling diseases, such as Ryzoctonia solani and Texas root rot, plague a portion of their fields. “Because we farm more acres now, we can get in a decent rotation between cotton and grain, so we don’t have nematode problems,” Alan says. At The End Of The Day

Farming has never been an occupation for the faint of heart. “It takes a certain amount of crazy to do what we do — throw everything you have at something that at the end of the year could or could not make,” Alan says. “But farming gets in your blood and propels you along.” Although different times of the season, such as planting and harvest, are more stressful than others, the Stasneys take it all in stride. “We enjoy being outside and being our own bosses,” Lisa says. “We just get up in the morning, start working, make adjustments when things go wrong, and by the end of the day are satisfied to know we have accomplished something.” COTTONFARMING.COM

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Industry News Stoneville Legacy Club Highest Yield Winners Highest Yield Region

Division

Operation

State

Unit (lbs/A)

Mid-South

Non-Irrigated

Kelley Enterprises

1,219

Mid-South

Irrigated

Rondo Farms

2,015

East

Non-Irrigated

Tilmanstone Farms

1,679

East

Irrigated

Newby Farms

1,768

Dryland

Ben Gwynn Farms

1,474

Irrigated

T&D Kohlleppel Farms Inc.

2,467

West

Irrigated

LOBO Farms

2,903

BASF Celebrates Fifth Year Of Stoneville Legacy Club For the fifth year, the Stoneville Legacy Club with record enrollment celebrated cotton growers who, despite unprecedented times, proved their ability to grow high-quality, high-yielding Stoneville cotton. The Stoneville Legacy Club honors cotton growers across the entire Cotton Belt who pair the high-caliber performance and premium quality of Stoneville cotton with their own skills to maximize yields. Forty growers earned membership to the Stoneville Legacy Club for the 2020 season, and every cotton-producing state was represented. Those who qualified had harvest yields in the top 10% of their state, with an opportunity to enter yields in the irrigated and/or non-irrigated/dryland divisions. Ten growers harvested more than 2,000 pounds per acre with a club record-setting yield of 2,903 pounds per acre. “In a year unlike any other, our growers have truly demonstrated what it means to be ‘Stoneville Strong,’” says Rachel Walters, cottonseed marketing manager at BASF. “Their resiliency and commitment to quality, combined with Stoneville’s modern germplasm, custom varieties and extensive trait choices, resulted in outstanding yield performance as evidenced by this year’s club enrollment. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with these growers and recognize their accomplishments.” The growers named in the above table received special awards for their 2020 Stoneville cotton yields in addition to being among the top 10% of yields in their state to receive membership.

Southern Cotton Ginners Honors AR Cotton Breeder Dr. Fred Bourland, cotton breeder and researcher at the Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser, Arkansas, recently received the A.L. Vandergriff C otton Pioneer Award f rom the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He is a professor of cotton breeding and genetics for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The award recognizes a career of innovative cotton research accomplishments. Bourland has a lengthy list of recognitions on his resume, including the 1999 Arkansas Cotton Achievement Award from the Division of Agriculture,

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

the 2000 Genetics Research Award from the National Cotton Council, the 2010 International Cotton Researcher of the Year from the International Cotton Advisory Committee, and the 2015 Cotton Research and Promotion Program Hall of Fame from the Cotton

Board and Cotton Incorporated, among many others. But Bourland says he was not expecting to receive the A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. “It was a total surprise to me,” he says.

American Cotton Producers' 2021 Chairman Announced Mark McKean of Riverdale, California, was reelected as 2021 chairman of the American Cotton Producers of the National Cotton Council during the NCC’s virtual 2021 annual meeting. He was formerly an ACP vice chairman and currently serves as an NCC director. McKean has served on and continues to serve on various ACP and NCC committees and task forces. McKean is also an adviser and former chairman of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association.

Advance Denim Joins U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes one of China’s top three denim manufacturers, Advance Denim, as a member. This system provides mills and manufacturers the critical assurances they need to prove to their customers that they are an approved supply chain partner for brands and retailers who are sourcing more sustainably grown cotton. Advance Denim’s membership marks a significant step in the firm's ambitious sustainability program which employs advanced technology and innovation to minimize environmental impact. Retail customers want to make sure its brand and retailer customers have transparency throughout their supply chain. This is why Advance Denim has decided to source more sustainable fiber through the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, says, “Advance Denim is committed to playing a leading role in sustainable solutions for the denim industry, and we are delighted to be supporting them in this ambition.” Advance Denim’s membership in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol comes at a time when demand for denim is increasing among brands seeking to satisfy customers and their love for the versatile fabric. COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus Knowledge Base Grows BY AMANDA HUBER SOUTHEAST EDITOR

he list of weeds found to be overwintering hosts for cotton leafroll dwarf virus continues to increase based on research findings. Both weeds and cotton stalks left in the field can act as a green bridge over the winter and a well of inoculum for the onset of disease the next season. Despite the growing data on CLRDV, it has been a significant problem in very few fields. University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says, “In my estimation, in 2020, CLRDV was present in a small amount in nearly every field in Georgia. How many fields was it a significant problem in last year? I think it was only three or four fields where yield was affected. “I can’t tell you why it was severe in the one field and not in the field across the road. When a disease is capable of causing significant loss but this randomness cannot be explained, it does cause concern and shows that more research is needed.” Field Sanitation

Extensive surveys in cotton-growing areas have helped identify weeds that harbor CLRDV over the winter. Both weeds and cotton stalks left in the field may be a primary inoculum source for the onset of disease in the next growing season. Foliage samples from 57 different weed species were collected from fields formerly planted to cotton and analyzed with CLRDV-specific primers. The virus was detected in 23 weed species belonging to 16 different botanical families. For cotton residue, overwintering cotton stalks and regrowth leaves harbored CLRDV at 48% and 75%, respectively. UGA crop virologist Sudeep Bag says the current recommendation is to remove overwintering cotton stalks soon after the harvest and maintain field sanitation. “In 2021, we still see lots of fields with cotton stalks. The presence of CLRDV-positive stalks in the field after the cropping season shows the residual cotton stand to be a suitable reservoir and overwintering host for the virus. Adoption of proper chemical rotation and integration of the cultural practices such as the use of cover crops, trap crops, crop rotation and elimination of weed escapes could help manage weeds as well as reduce the reservoirs of the virus.”

Avoid Late Planting

Besides field sanitation, the other recommendation for producers regarding CLDRV going into 2021 is to avoid planting cotton in late June. “Late-planted cotton seems to have more significant problems with CLRDV than does early planted cotton or that which is planted during the optimum window. But even that’s not consistent,” Kemerait says. Symptoms for CLRDV may vary based on crop age; however, one of the difficulties with this disease is the variability in virus expression. “Early or young plants exhibit drooping and wilting and often may not recover. If it does recover, it will not yield. Leaf curl or crumpling is the most common symptom. We have also seen areas of explosive growth where a section of the plant will grow very tall but have no bolls.” Other symptoms include reddening or a bronze look to the leaf, internodal shortening, intense dark green foliage and moderate to severe stunting. Bag says current research objectives involve understanding CLRDV symptoms and disease development in the field and control greenhouse conditions. “We are also conducting experiments to understand the role of weeds on virus epidemiology and incorporate them into our disease management strategies.”

In Georgia, CLRDV Was Detected On The Following Weed Species: Pigweed – Amaranthus palmeri, Perennial peanut – Arachis glabrata, Mouse-ear chickweed – Cerastium glomeratum, Daisy fleabane – Erigeron annuus, Cudweed – Gamochaeta pensylvanica, Geranium – Geranium carolinianum, Mock vervain – Glandularia pulchella, Flatweed – Hypochaeris radicata, TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Smallflower morningglory – Jacquemonita tamnifolia, Henbit – Lamium amplexicaule, Swinecress – Lepidium coronopus, Virginia pepperweed – Lepidium virginicum, Burr clover – Medicago polymorpha, Green carpet weed – Mollugo verticillata, Cut leaf – Oenothera laciniata,

Ground cherry – Physalis minima, Pink purslane – Portulaca pilosa, Wild radish – Raphanus raphanistrum, Florida parsley – Richardia scabra, Arrow leaf sida – Sida rhombifolia, Goldenrod – Solidago altissima, Low hop clover – Trifolium campestre, Southern rock bell – Wahlenbergia marginate APRIL 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking

Establish A Healthy Cotton Stand TEXAS Ben McKnight

As of mid-March, the earliest planted cotton in the Lower Rio Grande Valley has been out of the ground for a couple of weeks. Planting in the Coastal Bend region has been wide open the past few weeks, and cotton has started to emerge there, also. Some early plantings have already occurred in areas of the Upper Gulf Coast, but the majority of the acres will be planted in the coming weeks and into April. Grain crop planting in the Brazos Bottom and the Blacklands is nearing completion, and growers will be switching gears to the get the cotton crop planted in April. Farmers in the Rolling Plains still have plenty of time to make some management decisions ahead of planting the 2021 cotton crop. One glance at the Texas drought monitor map puts into perspective just how dry conditions are statewide. While we can’t control the weather, we can control some things early in the season to ensure a healthy stand during perhaps the most sensitive timeframe in a cotton plant’s lifecycle. Being mindful of label information on herbicides used in preplant residual programs can minimize early season injury. Applying these products in a timely manner and following the plant-back restrictions are essential for minimizing herbicide injury to cotton seedlings. Additionally, where Topguard Terra is applied for cotton root rot, minimize contact between the seed and fungicide as phytotoxicity can occur. Planting in cool conditions often increases the severity of injury and prolongs the recovery time. This ultimately increases the window for additional stresses to impact young cotton, including early season insect pressure. Just a friendly reminder that annual auxin training is required for those using auxin-tolerant technologies. If you are not able to attend a local training opportunity, the course is available online at https://bit.ly/ 3ca2oAq. bmcknight@tamu.edu

TEXAS Murilo Maeda

As I write this, the Southern High Plains and Panhandle regions received some much-needed moisture right around the middle of March. Rainfall totals ranged from a few tenths to about 2 inches or, with higher amounts seen generally east of the Interstate 27 corridor. While the Texas High Plains is no stranger to severe weather, the region saw seven confirmed tornadoes during these storms, with wind gusts greater than 80 mph. We remain hopeful to continue receiving beneficial moisture leading up to planting season. As of March 11, the National Weather Service Drought Monitor puts our region in exceptional drought to the west and “improving” slowly to severe and moderate drought as we move east. With dry soil and high winds prevailing in the past several weeks, producers are scrambling to ensure their fields are “tied down.” Even places where cover crops had been established are currently suffering from dry weather and relentless wind. As you start firming up plans for the 2021 season, I encourage you to continue keeping an eye on inputs, especially if we don’t see much in the way of moisture between now and planting. When you start booking seed, consider which technology traits you need and try to balance that with what you want as far as varieties are concerned. A good resource is the RACE Trial report found at http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/cotton/. Hopefully, you have soil sampled your farms and know what their fertility status. Adjust your fertility program according to the soil test re-

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

sults and realistic yield goals. This time of year, movement of heavy farm equipment picks up. Stay safe out there and don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help with anything. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

LOUISIANA Matt Foster

With cotton planting just around the corner, a couple factors should be taken into consideration. Early planting is a key component of successful cotton production; however, planting too early can reduce yield potential. Growing up, I often heard farmers say, “The day you plant cotton is the most important day for the crop.” Cotton seedlings are very sensitive to adverse conditions; therefore, it is important to consider details such as soil temperature and heat units (DD60s) before deciding to plant. Soil temperature is the main factor influencing seedling growth rate. Cool soils (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit) can cause chilling injury to germinating plants. Chilling injury can reduce vigor and increase the likelihood of seedling disease issues. Good germination and emergence can be expected once the soil temperature at a 4-inch depth is 65 F or greater at 8 a.m. for at least three consecutive days with a good five-day forecast following planting. In Louisiana, cotton is generally planted in mid-April to mid-May, but planting decisions should be based on soil temperature and not the calendar. Once soil temperature is optimal, calculate the number of DD60s for the next five days to determine if planting conditions are right. Emergence generally occurs after the accumulation of 50 to 80 DD60s after planting. If the five-day forecast after planting predicts the accumulation of fewer than 26 DD60s, planting should be postponed. Also, the low temperature for the next five days should remain above 50 F. Basing planting decisions on soil temperature and the five-day forecast for DD60s can help ensure a healthy cotton stand. Best of luck during the upcoming planting season. mfoster@agcenter. lsu.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 few weeks of growth nearly as well as most of our insect and weed pests do. While last year we were only about 50% planted the middle of May, our statewide yield set a record. Historically, early planting translates into better yields. However, this trend has not held the past few years. Just remember that early planting does not equal earliness. Optimum conditions for planting include a mid-morning 68-degree Fahrenheit soil temperature at our desired planting depth for three consecutive days and favorable five-day forecast. We often see good results with 25 or more heat units (DD60s) being accumulated during the fiveday 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. Remember that 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@uada.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi

Achieving a healthy stand should be the primary focus for growers as we transition to planting. Input decisions about marketing, fertility and weed control are meaningless without a healthy stand. Last year, the bulk of Mississippi cotton acres were seeded during the optimal window of May 1-10. During this time, warm soil and adequate DD60s (20-25 heat units) contributed to a healthy stand across most of the state. Risk aversion is key to achieving target plant populations. Managing risks associated with planting include monitoring warm and cool germination of the seed lots, observing field conditions and watching weather forecasts. Often, seeding rates need to be increased over the targeted population, particularly if germination is less than 80%. Planting into cover crops can present challenges. I visited several cover-cropped fields last year with erratic stands that were directly related to seed placement. It is critical to have proper equipment installed on your planter to remove debris from the drill pass. A narrow, debris-free strip is necessary for proper seed placement into adequate moisture. There are several planter modifications to increase seed-to-soil contact, including row cleaners and hydraulic down pressure systems. Weather is the greatest factor influencing a healthy stand. It is never a good idea to plant in front of a strong weather maker. Poor vigor and substandard emergence resulting from hasty planting decisions are far worse than waiting on proper planting windows. Five consecutive days of warm, dry weather with properly placed seeds will contribute to successful emergence. This is an exciting time of year as we prepare for the 2021 cotton crop. As I write this on St. Patrick’s Day, I wish all of you the best of luck! bkp4@msstate.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown

I once heard a farmer say, “The only way to win at this game is with input costs.” He meant saving a dollar up front, specifically on seed and associated technology. I was quick to criticize his logic, at least to myself. I took exception because I thought he was looking solely for a bargain. I didn’t say it out loud but was thinking, “Yes, you can save on this and that, and you’ll probably save in picking, hauling and ginning costs, too.” I’ve moderated my opinion somewhat and realize variety selection could appropriately reflect yield goals and yield potential on a field-byfield basis. If I know my farm, I know that X, Y and Z fields have topend yield potential because of soil type, fertility, minimal pest pressure, irrigation or normal rainfall patterns. If weather cooperates, these fields make GOOD cotton. Fields P and U are less productive, even in a good year. I’ve never made big yields in P and U. For productive fields, I study available data and listen for coffee shop talk about local experience to learn about the latest and greatest. But for the latter group, the “tough” acre as some call it, I may be willing to look for what might be a solid middle of the pack performer.… that comes at some sort of discount. A discount can take the form of reduced price, free bags or even a special trip. I recently asked a West Alabama farmer about his choice of varieties. He said he planted A and some of B. He and I both knew A was a top performer, but I inquired further about B. He said, “Yes, I bought four bags, and they filled my other eight hoppers.” I considered B a respectable choice but not a world beater. I thought that was a good deal, and for the seed seller, it gave him some exposure and perhaps future opportunity. Sometimes a deal is a good deal. Sometimes it’s not. cottonbrown@ auburn.edu TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

FLORIDA David Wright

Many of our growers are anticipating planting cotton with higher prices and a clean slate for 2021. There is much to be excited about with new varieties offered by all companies with new traits that can help overcome challenges from old enemies such as nematodes or plant bugs and thrips, etc. During planting, a high percentage of our cotton growers use some form of conservation tillage, which can be a source of problems if the cover crop was not adequately killed or was not killed timely. At times, cover crops can be too rank to use row cleaners, which means planting depth may not be controlled adequately. It is more important to have the right planting depth for cotton than most crops since seeds are planted shallower. A clean seedbed helps maintain consistent planting depth. This is why cotton is often planted earlier while there is good moisture in the top inch of soil compared to peanuts that can be planted two to four times deeper than cotton and still emerge. Most cottonseed is treated with a fungicide and an insecticide to protect seedlings from plant diseases and thrips. This becomes more important for getting stands when soils are cool, and germination and growth are slowed. As more traits are stacked in cotton and the price of seed has increased, a good, initial stand is needed to maintain yield potential. Not only is it important to establish cotton stands the first time around for good yield, but it is important not to slow the planting of rotation crops, which would reduce their yield potential. Where cotton is strip-tilled following winter grazing without irrigation, it may take longer for emergence as cover crops may be grazed up to the day of planting. Growing plants dries the soil out versus killing the cover crops early, which stops soil moisture uptake. Seed treatments may be more important as seeds are slower to germinate. Our data shows that non-irrigated cotton planted after winter grazing will catch up and surpass cotton planted into non-grazed cover crops and will yield more. wright@ufl.edu

GEORGIA Camp Hand

Greetings from Tifton, Georgia! My name is Camp Hand, and I am the new cotton specialist at the University of Georgia. For our Georgia growers, if we haven’t met yet, I am sorry. In terms of meeting people, starting a job in the middle of a pandemic hasn’t been ideal. But nonetheless, I know we will meet in person soon, and I am ready for that day. I’m looking forward to working closely with our county Extension agents and other specialists for the good of the cotton industry in the state of Georgia. At this point, corn planting is well under way, and some people are considering taking advantage of the wide cotton planting window in Georgia. The state is unique in cotton production, in that we can start planting cotton in April and plant well into June. So planting should just be getting started! Although many of the kinks may already be worked out since corn is being planted, one of the first things to do is make sure your planter is ready to go. Drs. Simer Virk and Wes Porter (precision ag specialists at UGA) put together a great checklist to make sure your planter is field ready. For that information, go to https://bit.ly/2PcBkro. Another great tool for planting decisions is the Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator, developed by our friends in North Carolina. You can select the location of your farm and based on current and forecasted temperatures (and calculated DD60s with those temperatures), it advises whether planting conditions are favorable. This tool can be found at https://climate.ncsu.edu/cotton_planting. If you have any questions, your local UGA county Extension agents, myself and the other specialists, are here to help. I look forward to meeting you all this coming season. Happy planting! camphand@uga.edu APRIL 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten

Several things can contribute to poor stands in North Carolina. Cool weather is often the culprit where we do not get good stands. The effect of cool weather can be exacerbated by planting too deep, using poorer quality seed and/or soil crusting caused by rain following planting. The more of these factors we have, the less likely we will be satisfied with the resulting cotton stand. Unfortunately, the weather during planting season often alternates from warm to cold, and the grower has no control over it. The most critical period for cottonseed is when it first imbibes water. Consider stopping planting a day or two before cold weather moves in to avoid chilling injury to cottonseed. Growers can use the cotton planting conditions calculator to help navigate the changing weather during the planting season (https://climate.ncsu.edu/cotton_planting).

Being aware of the cool germ results for seed lots can help match seed quality with planting conditions and avoid planting lower quality seed in less-than-optimum conditions. Minimize soil crusting effects on cottonseed by planting shallow and using the hill-drop method and proper use of crust-busting where needed. Growers can also increase seeding rates in more challenging conditions. We tend to think of planting solely in terms of seeding rates that do not change during the season, but we need to think about the number of plants we need to have and adjust seeding rates for conditions and possibly seed quality. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper

Finding a planting window in late April has been a challenge for Tennessee in recent years. Wet, cool conditions pushed us well into May in 2020, and only a handful of acres were planted in late April during 2019. Cotton planted in the late April-early May window can be stressed. Ideal soil temperatures are often abandoned for temperatures that are barely adequate. Add a blackberry winter and a hard, packing rain and we occasionally get to start over again. . . in late May. Although it seems that every seed planted in late May emerges in a third of the time it took that early planted seed to emerge, our earliest planted acres almost always outperform our late-planted acres when an adequate stand is achieved. What can we do to maximize the likelihood of achieving an adequate stand? Monitor planting depth continuously — especially as conditions change — and make sure you have excellent seed-to-soil contact. Watch the forecast. If planting during adverse conditions, try to plant the highest quality seed you have on the acres you think can make it. Save the marginal acres and marginal seed for a better window. If you find yourself in the “should I keep or replant” situation, remember that if you’re on the fence, you’ll generally do better to keep it. Cotton’s ability to compensate is a wonderful characteristic. traper@utk.edu

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

KANSAS Stu Duncan

Kansas’ short-season environment dictates that cotton growers do everything possible to “get it right” because there is rarely a chance for a successful “do-over.” Establishing a successful crop starts with good seed being planted into a sound seedbed. Our prime planting window for successful stands and profitable lint yields is roughly May 10 through June 1. Environmental conditions in Kansas can fluctuate wildly during this period, something that germinating seed and seedlings have difficulty handling. Ideally, late morning soil temperatures should be at or above 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 2-4 inches for three days before planting with a favorable five-day forecast. This includes sunny days with a minimum of 25-30 accumulated heat units (DD60s). Chances of rain this time of year usually include variable to heavy cloud cover, cold rain and cooler soil temperatures. K-State researchers have documented 3 to 5 degrees F warmer soil temperatures up through early May in clean or strip-till seedbeds versus no-till seedbeds with good residue levels. Keep that in mind, too. Seed should have a minimum combined warm/cold germination test score of 145, with 160 or higher being optimum. Don’t scrimp on seed-applied fungicides since seed and seedlings may be subject to extreme air and soil temperature swings from planting through establishment. Researchers report the best seed fungicide and insecticide treatments are effective for about 21-28 days, depending on weather conditions. If you plant seed not treated with an insecticide, have a good scout (or be one) employed and be ready to treat for thrips if an infestation occurs. Severe thrip infestations may not result in loss of stand, but the cotton plant development delay will linger throughout the growing season. Kansas growers cannot afford to lose any extra days. sduncan@ksu.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton

There is a lot of truth to the adage “start sick, stay sick” when it comes to cotton farming as it applies to early seedling establishment through crop maturity. This may not hold up in every situation. But I have seen enough to know if poor conditions are experienced during planting and germination resulting in significant seedling disease pressure, the plant seems to suffer all season long. Getting a good start is critical to achieving our agronomic potential, and this starts with planting. It is sometimes advisable to wait for a window of good weather, or to speed up planting to ensure the seed is placed in soil with adequate moisture for germination. There are a whole host of factors that can affect seedling emergence and stand establishment. Unfortunately, the main one, weather, is completely out of our control. There are some things, however, we can do to ensure the best chances for a healthy start. Seed quality and all that that it encompasses is a hot topic in the cotton industry right now. You can obtain warm and cool germ test data for every lot of seed you purchase from your supplier. Our experience has shown that within a variety, there can be significant differences in germination tests among lots of seed. If you have that data, you can make a more informed decision regarding when to plant certain seed lots. If a particular lot has a lower warm germ test, perhaps it is better to wait until conditions are more conducive and soil temperatures are higher. Long standing recommendations are to not begin planting prior to 400 heat units accumulated since Jan. 1. This information along with current soil temperatures and other weather-related data for various locations can be found at the AZMET weather site (cals.arizona.edu/azmet) to assist you in making critical planting decisions. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

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2/23/21 11:37 AM

RESEARCH & PROMOTION

Let’s Talk Logos The Seal Of Cotton Is Recognized And Respected In The Marketplace

et’s talk about logos. What is the value of a good trademark? Well, when it comes to the Seal of Cotton trademark, the value is pretty significant. In fact, more than eight out of 10 consumers are aware of the seal. That’s more than any other fiber-related logo today. But where does the seal come from, and who owns it? The Seal of Cotton trademark is owned by Cotton Incorporated. The organization created it with checkoff funds paid by America’s cotton producers and importers into the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. The initial idea for designing a cotton trademark came in 1971 when Dukes Wooters, Cotton Incorporated’s first president, wanted a symbol that would convert cotton from a commonplace agricultural commodity into an identifiable consumer brand. The logo, known as the Seal of Cotton, was created in 1973 by San Francisco-based creative agency Landor Associates, who also designed

BY STACEY GORMAN WARREN, ARKANSAS

Levi Strauss & Co.’s patch and CocaCola’s trademark. Today, 94% of consumers say the seal helps them easily identify cotton products, and 85% say they associate it with softness, comfort, natural and durability. Cotton In The Spotlight

There are no royalty fees required for brands and retailers to use the Seal of Cotton trademark on their products.

However, there is one essential requirement — the product must contain cotton. In fact, Cotton Incorporated has an entire team dedicated to making sure the Seal of Cotton trademark is used correctly and in accordance with qualifying guidelines. “We are proud to offer brands and retailers the opportunity to leverage the visibility of and positive connections to the Seal of Cotton trademark,” says Kim Kitchings, Cotton Incorporated’s senior vice president of consumer marketing. “At Cotton Incorporated, our mission is to promote the use of and desire for all things cotton. “We want everyone to care about the clothes, sheets, towels and personal hygiene products made from the fabric we love. By calling attention to cotton, through the Seal of Cotton trademark, brands and retailers can tell a story consumers identify with, in addition to aligning with the perceptions of quality and trust that are associated with cotton.” Value Of The Seal

More than 75% of consumers say brands using the Seal of Cotton trademark help them make an informed purchase decision and their shopping experience easier. Consumers expect quality in the apparel and home fashions they purchase. The Seal of Cotton ensures that the cotton products they purchase will meet those expectations. The creation of the Seal of Cotton trademark is just one of the many ways Cotton Incorporated has worked relentlessly over the course of the past 50 years to educate consumers about the benefits of cotton and increase demand for cotton and cotton products. You grow the cotton. The Cotton Research and Promotion Program helps grow the value. The data referenced in this story is from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor Survey and 2016 Seal of Cotton Survey. Gorman is The Cotton Board’s director of communications. Contact her at sgorman@ cottonboard.org.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

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COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

Potential Department Of Labor Changes On Tap Under The New Administration The news is full of the changes being brought on by the new Biden administration, but not much is seen in the press about its effect on the Department of Labor. On the other hand, there are many business groups and law firms trying to predict what will be different under the new administration as it relates to the Department of Labor. Here are some of the things we are hearing. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, we will likely see increased emphasis on enforcement and recordkeeping. The Trump administration placed little emphasis on the rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. This rule requires covered employers to electronically submit their injury and illness records to OSHA by March 2 of each year through the agency’s online portal. Covered employers include cotton gins that employ more than 20 workers at any time during the year. We expect the new administration to place additional emphasis on this rule. In the original rule, all employers with over 250 employees were required to submit their OSHA 300-log data. Covered

employers with less than 250 employees, such as cotton gins, were required to submit their 300a-log data. The OSHA 300a is basically a summary of the OSHA 300. For the past few years, all employers were only required to submit the 300a data. But there is talk now that OSHA will issue a rule to require the more detailed 300 data. We will see if this change takes place, but the likelihood is high that it probably will. Several Increases Expected COVID-19 enforcement is probably going to increase unless we see a significant continuation of improvement in cases. OSHA has announced a national emphasis program related to COVID-19, but the program seems to be focusing on larger companies with high exposure risk. The number of OSHA inspectors has dropped to the lowest number seen in many years. It is expected that we will see a significant increase in the number of inspectors over the next few years. While this process will take some time, you can anticipate seeing an increase in the number of inspections as

Lummus Ag Technology is pleased to announce the debut of its new Parts website, featuring online parts ordering capability for domestic customers. The new Parts website address is:

https://shop.lummus.com The new site features hundreds of our most common repair parts, and we are continually adding to it. And while you are online, check out the all-new Lummus Ag Technology website at www.lummus.com, featuring updated information related to the broad range of Lummus product offerings in Machinery, Parts, and Technical Service. Just more ways Lummus is prepared to serve you now and in the future.

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OSHA brings the new inspectors onboard. We also expect increased emphasis on wage and hour compliance from the DOL. It has announced a proposal to rescind the independent contractor final rule, which was issued earlier this year. They are also proposing to rescind the current regulation on joint employer relationships. Both of these rules were widely supported by employers and independent contractors. As you gear up for the 2021 ginning season, make sure you have all your OSHA documentation and training up to speed. Go through your plant carefully to ensure safety compliance. Pay close attention to your payroll procedures. Be sure your overtime is being calculated properly and that you are paying bonuses properly. Remember, everyone must be paid overtime in a cotton gin, including H-2A workers. We are able to pay overtime with the 48-hour rule for 14 weeks each year, but pay close attention to how this rule works to be sure you are doing it correctly. Seek Help Right Away For the past several years, we have consistently seen the Wage and Hour Division perform inspections of cotton gins in one or two areas of the United States every year. I think it is likely that this will continue. These inspections go smoothly if you have good payroll procedures and recordkeeping. But they can quickly become intense if DOL finds problems in your payment methods. If you are contacted by the DOL for an OSHA or Wage and Hour inquiry, be sure to get with your local or regional association right away. We have been through quite a few of these over the years and can help you get through this process in the most expeditious way possible. J. Kelley Green, TCGA director of technical services, contributed this article. Contact him at kelley@tcga.org.

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Cotton Ginners Marketplace

Gin Schools Will Resume In 2022 The National Cotton Ginners' Association says the 2021 Gin Schools have been canceled. Given the many uncertainties this year as to whether facilities and states will allow reopenings and if instructors will be allowed to travel, the decision was made to cancel the two remaining schools for 2021. The association says this was a difficult decision, but so many unknowns and unanswered questions made it impossible to make plans. NCGA is hopeful everything will soon get back to a state of normalcy and gin schools can be offered again in 2022. The organization apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused. However, NCGA does plan to have virtual training sessions. As they are finalized, session details will be posted on the website at cotton.org/ncga/. While there will be no charge for the sessions, you will need to register to receive the participant link.

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Updated Coronavirus Guidance Now that the new administration is in place in Washington D.C., the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association is beginning to see a shift in the regulatory environment toward more rule making, more documentation requirements, more inspections and potentially higher penalties for non-compliance in many areas. Many of the documentation and reporting requirements that were suspended during the prior administra-

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

tion will be re-instituted as well as new requirements imposed. All indicators point at the new administration directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to develop federally mandated coronavirus response plans and rulemaking instead of allowing the states to administer their own plans based on Center for Disease Control and Department of Labor guidance. Most states have instituted some degree of “guidance” for steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, these guidelines usually did not impose specific requirements and/or penalties on employers. Two states, California and Virginia, have developed specific requirements mandating the development of coronavirus response plans by employers to maintain a safe work environment for employees. Many think the new federally mandated requirements will follow the Virginia law closely. As a result, TCGA began reviewing the its documents to prepare for impending additional regulation in this area. A COVID-19 response plan for Texas cotton gins was developed and is accessible with your password on the TCGA website under the coronavirus resource page. It is listed on the home page or the members only section. Here is what the plan includes:  Planning steps and hazard assessment to minimize spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.  Workforce training on COVID-19 transmission and prevention.  Employee screening to determine the employee health.  Implementation of controls to minimize the spread of COVID-19.  Return-to-work criteria for infected employees.  Recordkeeping to comply with local, state and federal guidelines.  Anti-retaliation guidelines for employees who report potential COVID-19 issues at work. TCGA encourages you to take time to become familiar with the plan so you can make any necessary changes now rather than when an OSHA inspector arrives. Safety training for “cotton gins” and “shared facilities and housing” is also available on the website. TCGA provided this information.

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Plains Cotton Growers Annual Meeting This year, the 64th Annual Meeting of Plains Cotton Growers Inc. is scheduled for Friday, April 9, at the Overton Hotel and Convention Center in Lubbock, Texas. The meeting begins with a buffet breakfast at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by Deltapine. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the program starts at 9 a.m. Following the assembly, a lunch hosted by FiberMax will be served. There is no charge to attend, and no RSVP is necessary.

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My Turn ‘Cast Nets & Cotton’ Revisited

y personal cotton er and entrepreneur Hugo Ernestus Krebs. Meanwhile, story began on the the population of the Mississippi Gulf Coast was growmanmade beaches ing. In all probability, the local indigenous tribes of the of Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians helped the settlers in their Mississippi. Four years ago, I attempts to survive. Fishing was a major food source, and knew little about cotton history nets were fashioned from natural materials, including or its production. That’s when I moss. That is, until Krebs gained some success with growdove in with zeal to learn all that ing cotton. my mind and my camera could Prior to processing the fiber with gin, it took a good capture. They say, “All roads delinter one day to produce 1 pound of cotton. According lead home.” In this case, my cot- to records, Krebs invented a working cotton gin in Jackson Sarah ton journey, titled “Cast Nets & County, Mississippi, 25 years before Eli Whitney submitted Beaugez Cotton,” has led around the state his patent in 1793. It is also known that there were spinof Mississippi, only to return to ning wheels at the La Pointe–Krebs home (formerly known my own backyard of Jackson County on the Gulf Coast. as Old Spanish Fort). The year was 1698. It had been almost 20 years since the This spun cotton was used for many things, including Mississippi River had been discovered by Cavelier de La textiles and nets for the local fishermen. Cotton scoop Salle, who had sailed north to south and claimed the entire nets, crab nets and cast nets were used until the early 1950s river basin for France. King Louis XIV had become openly when synthetic fibers came into the picture. Cotton nets expansionist and commissioned French Canadian explorer were very heavy and difficult to maintain. I can rememPierre Le Moyne D’Iberville ber using cotton crab nets as to establish a settlement at “I can remember using cotton crab a little girl, and they always the mouth of the Mississippi seemed to have a hole in one nets as a little girl.” River. D’Iberville, along place or another. with his brother, François Le While the Gulf Coast was Moyne de Bienville, and several hundred men, boarded growing and expanding, Natchez became a burgeoning four vessels and sailed from Brest, France, to the northern trading post on the Mississippi River with easy access to shores of the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans. Until 1791, the cash crop was tobacco, at Unknown to any was that the mouth of the Mississippi which point it became too expensive for the Spanish to had five very sandy deltas, which were unsuitable for any purchase. Growers tried indigo, but the crop failed quickly. kind of fort. Instead, they anchored two of their frigates, Almost simultaneously with the easy replication of The Badine and The Marin, on Ship Island and rowed 13 Whitney’s gin, cotton was attempted around the Natchez miles in two bark canoes to the protected waters of Biloxi region. Even though census data at the turn of the century Bay. In March 1699, they established Fort Maurepas in reflects that cotton was insignificant to a young America, present-day Ocean Springs. Along with them, they brought by 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, the total number of corn and cotton seed. D’Iberville sailed back to France and cotton bales produced was 4 million, with 1.25 million left 150 men to establish a colony. produced in Mississippi. In 1700, D’Iberville returned to discover that half of The above portion of cotton production history could the men had died of disease and starvation due to crop seem obsolete until one considers that when the Industrial failure. The majority of the men were moved to Fort Revolution began in Great Britain in 1760, 90% of garSaint-Louis on Mobile Bay. However, one of the colonists, ments were fashioned of wool. However, by 1860, 90% of Joseph Simone de La Pointe, remained. In 1718, just before the garments were made of cotton with a 90% reduction Bienville established Fort Rosalie on the Mississippi River in cost. at present-day Natchez, Mississippi, La Pointe received a Today, there is likely no one on the planet who does not land grant for a large plot on the Pascagoula River. use cotton in some form on a daily basis. By 1719, La Pointe was widowed with four surviving children — two sons and two daughters. Upon La Pointe’s — Sarah Beaugez death, his property passed to his daughter, Marie Simone Ocean Springs, Mississippi de La Pointe, who married a German immigrant, farmsarahbeaugez@gmail.com Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Cotton Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to csmith@onegrower.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

COTTON FARMING | APRIL 2021

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North Caro lina Farmer Minimizes Risks

Consultant Louisiana ute s Pays Trib Hank Jone s And Legend To Friends

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