Cotton Farming August 2015

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Cotton Farming

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ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

PROTECTING VALUABLE CROP JASON LUCKEY HOPES TECHNOLOGY CAN CONTROL PIGWEED TCGA TACKLES NEW CHALLENGES WESTERN REPORT: DEFOLIATION TIMING

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Tommy Wilkins—Kennett, MO

Hal McCay—McCay Gin, Cordele, GA

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Sammy Henderson—Cairo Farmers Gin, Humboldt, TN

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Vol. 59 No. 8

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

F E A T U R E S

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TCGA SUMMER MEETING

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MIRACLE IN MONTICELLO

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GINNING MARKETPLACE

Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association members are ready to deal with numerous issues.

Arkansas farmer A.J. Hood donates winnings to help transform his community.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Harrison Ashley, executive vice president of the National Cotton Ginners’ Association, reviews the importance of preventing lint contamination at the gin.

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Finishing Fast

Even though early season rainfall in West Tennessee slowed down this year’s cotton crop, producer Jason Luckey remains optimistic. If 90-degree temperatures occur consistently, the crop should gain enough heat units to make up for lost time. He also is hopeful that new technology can help in the fight against resistant pigweed.

D E P A R T M E N T S

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 14 Specialists Speaking

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WEB EXCLUSIVE How well does today’s cotton producer understand his global or domestic mill customer? Veteran textile mill observer Bob Antoshak, who has spent decades in the indusry, offers an important commentary on this all-important relationship in the cotton supply chain and poses some interesting questions for U.S. cotton producers. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for his Web Exlusive report.

C O L U M N S

17 Western Report 22 My Turn

ON THE COVER: West Tennessee producer Jason Luckey has high hopes for his cotton crop this year.

Cover Photo By Tommy Horton.

WEB POLL RESULTS

In early August, how would you rate your cotton crop at this time?

Go to www.cottonfarming.com for the results.

COTTON CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR 2015 If you want to nominate someone for the Cotton Consultant of the Year Award (co-sponsored by Cotton Farming and Syngenta), fill out the nomination form on Page 13. Deadline for entries is Aug. 21.

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

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Editor’s Note Tommy Horton

Cotton Farming

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

Power Of Persistence Pays Off In Cotton

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ne of the real pleasures in visiting farmers across the Cotton Belt through the years is when I make a return trip to one of them a few years after our initial meeting. First, it is always fun to see a friend again. But, more importantly, it’s a chance to observe how a particular farming operation might have changed through the years. Such was the case recently when I ventured to Humboldt, Tenn., to visit the farm of Jason Luckey.

It was just a few years ago that I made the trek to his family farm just north of Jackson, Tenn. During that visit, I was mainly concentrating on a profile story of the family operation and how everyone contributed to its success – including his father Rege, brother Ken and nephew Zac. At the time, I thought it was even more remarkable that the Luckey family was committed to dryland cotton production that has stayed so consistent through the years.

This time, I had a more specific thought in mind. I wanted to know how Jason was dealing with a serious problem affecting cotton farms throughout West Tennessee and the rest of the Belt. And what problem would that be? You guessed it. Resistant pigweed.

As you’ll see in our cover story on pages 8 and 9, the Luckey farm has embraced a very strict and diversified crop mix through the years – mainly consisting of cotton, corn, wheat and soybeans. As Jason puts it, “we don’t chase markets.” In other words, by maintaining a balanced mix of crops, the farm benefits from valuable crop rotation strategies.

However, as disciplined as the Luckey farm operates, more help is needed to deal with a problem that is affecting cotton acreage in West Tennessee. It takes more than an effective burndown, crop rotation and residual herbicide programs to deal with resistant pigweed. And that is why Jason is embracing some new RR XtendFlex technology that hopefully will reduce weed control costs in the future. Right now, he’s observing these new varieties on his farm, and the early reports are encouraging.

When you consider that cotton acreage in West Tennessee this year has dropped to 90,000 after being as high as 400,000 just a few years ago, it’s obvious that this crop needs help. Farmers want higher prices, but they also need another tool to deal with this killer weed.

Jason and veteran West Tennessee veteran consultant Billy Beegle are optimistic about cotton’s future and share their thoughts in our cover story.

As Billy so aptly put it, farmers “just need to hang on” in the current quest for more cotton acres. Truer words were never spoken.

Let’s hope that better days are ahead.

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 (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (615) 377-3322

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

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board.

Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

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

One Grower Publishing, LLC

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

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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

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SPECIAL REPORT

TCGA Members Adjust To New Challenges

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

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exas Cotton Ginners’ Association (TCGA) members know how to adapt. No matter how unusual the production environment or number of issues, this organization usually finds a way to adjust quickly.

Not surprisingly, members had plenty to talk about at TCGA’s Summer Meeting recently at the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas: • After the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley regions received record rainfall in May, it is apparent that some gins in those areas won’t be operating this year.

• Conversely, beneficial rains in other parts of Texas have ended drought conditions – meaning the outlook is promising for both dryland and irrigated cotton acreage.

• For the first time since 1984, TCGA will raise its membership dues from 10 cents per bale to 15 cents per bale. The TCGA board of directors approved the increase to help improve the financial condition of the organization.

• TCGA continues to fight regulatory battles with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The current case involves OSHA efforts to mandate hearing regulations for two Texas gins. TCGA is assisting those gins with their legal fees.

“We certainly discussed a wide range of issues at our meeting,” says TCGA executive vice president Tony Williams. “Our organization is optimistic and hopeful about the size of the crop our farmers can deliver this year – even though we know that some areas couldn’t even plant.”

Crop Potential Looks Good In one of his reports to the TCGA Board of Directors, Williams presented data that supports the idea that a large cotton crop is possible this year – despite lower planted acreage statewide. The latest USDA crop report pegs cotton acreage in Texas at

A large crowd attended TCGA’s general session at the summer meeting in Austin, Texas.

Tony Williams and new TCGA president Ken Ross planned an effective program for the membership. “We are hoping our farmers can have excellent conditions for finishing out this cotton crop,” Williams says.

5.2 million acres. That is a reduction of one million acres compared to 2014.

However, Williams pointed out to the membership that planted acreage in Texas was 4.9 million acres in 2007.

Harvested acres amounted to 4.7 million acres that year, resulting in a total yield of 8.2 million bales.

That wound up being the second largest Texas cotton crop in history, and it was accomplished on fewer than five million planted acres.

“That tells me that there is a lot of potential for an excellent crop this year,” says Williams.

Optimistic Members The program agenda for committee meetings and the general session was busy, but Williams says the mood was positive – despite new issues facing the organization.

Speakers at the general session

included Texas state senator Charles Perry, Texas comptroller Glenn Hegar, Texas A&M University professor Calvin Parnell and National Cotton Council Bale Packaging manager Dale Thompson.

Williams says the main business of TCGA for the next few months will be devoted to district and safety meetings, as well as updating the organization’s Red Book, which maintains a current listing for all TCGA member gins.

“We’ll have a busy summer and fall ahead of us,” says Williams. “But, generally speaking, I feel good about what we accomplished at our summer meeting. We are dealing with our problems head-on. Mainly, though, we hope our farmers can have excellent conditions for finishing this cotton crop.”

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

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Protecting Pollinators The National Cotton Council (NCC) continues to urge the use of scientific research and local solutions, such as state pollinator plans, as ways to improve pollinator health.

Why is this action necessary?

■ As directed by President Obama’s 2014 memo, a Pollinator Health Task Force recently released “National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators.”

Goals identified were: 1) reduce honey bee colony losses during winter to no more than 15 percent within 10 years; 2) increase the Eastern population of the Monarch butterfly to 225 million butterflies occupying an area of about 15 acres in the overwintering grounds of Mexico by 2020; and 3) restore or enhance seven million acres of land for pollinators during the next five years through key federal actions and public/private partnerships.

The report noted that multiple approaches, including research, are needed to provide a more comprehensive underThe NCC has strongly encouraged development of standing of bostate and tribal pollinator protection plans. th pollinators’ value and ways to prevent their decline. The report calls for an additional $1.56 million in new funding to the U.S. Geological Survey to support research priorities, $1.5 million to EPA to study toxicity and risk management options, $500,000 to EPA to augment work of states and tribes to develop pollinator protection plans and $56 million to USDA for research and associated statistical surveys.

What about the effectiveness of state pollinator protection plans?

■ EPA, as part of its efforts identified in the

National Strategy, published two proposals aimed at mitigating bee exposure to acutely toxic plant protection chemicals. For crops using contract pollination services, the agency believes strong regulatory measures should be in place. Thus, the foliar application of acutely toxic products (based on acute contact toxicity testing) would be prohibited during bloom for fields with bees on-site under contract, unless the application is made in accordance with a government-declared public health response.

Language on current neonicotinoid product labels allowing for a 48-hour notification exemption would be removed. Under the second proposal, EPA would rely on state and tribal pollinator protection plans to protect bees that are not under contract for pollination services (cotton, for example) as those have less certainty of exposure concern. EPA would monitor those plans’ success to determine if additional action is warranted.

The NCC has strongly encouraged development of state and tribal pollinator protection plans as a means of mitigation. These plans bring beekeepers and others involved in on-farm plant protection chemical applications together with university experts and state lead agencies to identify local solutions that improve the coexistence of bees and crop protection.

The NCC also identified concerns in the published National Strategy. Among those are EPA’s: 1) analysis of seed treatments similar to their published analysis for soybeans and 2) determination “that the protection of milkweed is consistent with its responsibilities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act, and that it will take actions, as part of its regulatory decisions and voluntary programs, to establish practices and requirements to protect critical milkweed resources.” The NCC will continue to work with EPA seeking solutions that do not undermine production agriculture.

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

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Growers Remain On Alert For Late-season Pests John Richburg, Ph.D. Field Scientist R&D Coastal Crops – East, Dow AgroSciences Headland, Ala. Uncharacteristic to the Southeast, cotton growers in Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle have experienced isolated hot spots of tarnished plant bugs, prompting growers to be diligent in scouting fields for the presence of this potentially devastating pest.

The incidence of plant bug hot spots bears watching to determine if this is just a blip or the start of a concerning trend. Growers should pay serious attention since the pest has the potential to sneak up and take a big bite out of yields. Be diligent about scouting, especially early on during square retention.

Controlling Plant Bugs When scouting for plant bugs early in the season, sweep nets are used most commonly because adults are mobile. Later, when cotton is nearing the bloom stage, scouting for plant bug nymphs is most effective using a drop cloth.

Treatment thresholds vary by state, but the general rule is eight bugs per 100 sweeps for early season, and three plant bugs per five feet of row when scouting for adults and nymphs using a drop cloth later in the season.

Transform® WG insecticide has proven extremely effective in controlling tarnished plant bugs in cotton at the rate of 1.5 oz./A.

• B.S. in Agronomy and Soils and M.S. in Weed Science, Auburn University • Ph.D. degree in Weed Science, University of Georgia • Field Science R&D, Coastal Crops, East, Dow AgroSciences • Provides technical expertise, agronomic consulting and Dow AgroSciences product support to growers in the Southeast region, including Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle • Provides crop protection products training and support to sales representatives • Explores opportunities to expand product applications in new markets, crops and regions • Facilitates research and development in pursuit of new crop protection products, traits and biotechnology discoveries; collaborates with university scientists and Extension • Married with three sons • Enjoys hunting and fishing

Sugarcane Aphids On The Move A growing concern for sorghum growers is the northeasterly migration of sugarcane aphids. The pest overwintered much farther north and east this past year and was discovered earlier than anticipated so growers should be diligent about scouting early and often.

Sorghum fields should be checked every three to four days as aphid populations can proliferate very quickly.

More definitive treatment thresholds for sugarcane aphids are currently being established but as a general rule, treatment is recommended when 50 to 100 aphids are present per plant and 20 percent of plants are infested.

Transform was the only proven control option for controlling sugarcane aphid in 2014, and it has received Section 18 emergency exemption in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Sorghum growers have reported excellent coverage of the sugarcane aphid at the rate of 1.0 oz./A.

Recap: Remain Alert For Late-season Pests

▼

1. Uncharacteristic to the Southeast, isolated hot spots of plant bug infestations have been reported in Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, prompting cotton growers to be diligent about scouting.

2. Transform® WG insecticide from Dow AgroSciences has proven extremely effective in controlling tarnished plant bugs in cotton at the rate of 1.5 oz./A. 3. Sorghum growers should be on the lookout for sugarcane aphids and scout fields every three to four days as populations can explode at a remarkable rate.

4. Transform has received a Section 18 emergency exemption for controlling sugarcane aphids in sorghum in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Sponsored By

®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Transform WG is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Transform WG has Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions for use on sorghum in select counties and parishes of select states. Transform WG does not have Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption for all sorghum-producing states. To learn more about Transform WG, to see which states or political subdivisions thereof have Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemptions, to see the limitations on the use of Transform WG under the Section 18 Specific Emergency Exemption labels, and to find a list of retailers that may carry this product under a particular Section 18 exemption, call 800-258-3033 or email info@dow.com. Always read and follow label directions. ©2015 Dow AgroSciences LLC

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COVER STORY

Can Technology Help

In War Against Pigweed?

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

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as this been an unusual year for cotton producers in many parts of the Belt? Most would agree with that assessment. First, there is the frustrating cotton price that has stayed in the 60-cent range for months. Then came the floods in Texas and the MidSouth and dry conditions in the Southeast and West. One theme, however, remained consistent – the need for an effective strategy that could deal with weed resistance, namely pigweed.

While most producers understand the concept

of “starting clean and staying clean,” technology is assisting in the quest to reduce production costs even more.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more forward-thinking farmer than Jason Luckey of Humboldt, Tenn., in the western part of the state. He, father Rege, brother Ken and nephew Zac have consistently adhered to a diversified crop mix involving cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat. They rarely increase acreage for any one crop and have succeeded in their dryland operation by staying with this philosophy.

West Tennessee producer Jason Luckey has a proactive approach to growing cotton and controlling weeds.

West Tennessee Cotton Needs A Big Boost • 90,000 cotton acres in 2015.

• 400,000 cotton acres five years ago.

• Weed costs can reach $100 per acre.

• RR XtendFlex technology looks attractive.

• Early rainfall hurt crop this year.

• Current crop needs more heat units.

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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XtendFlex varieties. The latest USDA reports indicate that In Search Of More Efficiency However, even the Luckeys are aware that they need to cotton acreage in West Tennessee could be close to 90,000 find additional ways to become more efficient. They will con- acres in 2015. A few years ago, that number was nearly tinue to implement an effective burndown program and 400,000. This drop in acreage could eventually affect infrarotate crops on a regular basis. But now they are taking structure such as gins and warehouses.

That’s why the introduction of the new RR XtendFlex advantage of another tool that may reap dividends – varieties could encourage more cotton acres next year. If it Deltapine’s Roundup Ready XtendFlex technology.

Jason planted two XtendFlex varieties this year – DP leads to a dramatic drop in weed control expenditures, the 1518 B2XF and DP 1522 B2XF – and likes what he has seen turnaround could be significant. so far. Unfortunately, the heavy rains earlier in the season High Cost Of Weed Control washed out all of the DP 1518 B2XF, which amounted to What makes the weed resistance problem so challenging 300 cotton acres that eventually went to soybeans. But, the is its unpredictable nature. Even the most diligent farmer progress of the DP 1522 B2XF is moving along well.

“To put it into a nutshell, this new technology means a can miss a spot in the field and cause pigweed escapes. simpler burndown program,” he says. “I am very excited That, in turn, leads to weed control costs that can amount to about what this will mean for us in the future for reducing $100 an acre, according to Extension officials.

In a related way, Jason our weed control costs.” believes that cotton producIn keeping with their “If I had one message for my fellow ers must be prepared if the diverse approach to cotton farmers, it would be not to give up industry eventually recapproduction, the Luckeys will tures global cotton demand – also plant NexGen, Phytoon cotton.” making it attractive to Gen and Stoneville varieties – Jason Luckey, Producer, Humboldt, Tenn. increase acres. on their cotton acres.

“If I had one message for One feature of the Xtendmy fellow farmers, it would Flex technology that appeals to the Luckeys is the possibility of a “universal burndown followed by a good rate of be not to give up on cotton,” he says. “Be diverse in your dicamba over the top or an early shot of glufosinate.” crop mix and as efficient as you can. This kind of approach Having three modes of action would be an excellent way to can pull you through some tough times.”

Jason is an optimistic farmer who knows what his potentake care of pigweed escapes, according to Jason.

Although the cost of this new technology comes at a time tial cotton yields are each year. Even though heavy rains when cotton prices are low, the Luckeys know that the put the crop behind by at least two weeks, he believes it can catch up. He figures that a month of 90-degree temperainvestment will pay off eventually.

Jason recalls how his family initially didn’t appreciate the tures can easily solve the problem, leading to 2.5 to value of boll weevil eradication many years ago. But, by the 3-bale yields.

“I like what I see in my cotton fields right now,” he says. third year of the program, cotton yields increased considerably. Suddenly, paying $30 an acre for eradication seemed “They look clean, and it encourages me about how this new like a wise decision. In retrospect, the investment proved technology will benefit us in the immediate future.” crucial for cotton’s future in the region.

For the Luckeys and other West Tennessee cotton produc- Contact Tommy Horton at thorton@onegrower.com or (901) ers, timing is crucial for taking advantage of the new DP RR 767-4020.

Consultant Billy Beegle Remains Hopeful About Cotton’s Future In West Tennessee Veteran crop consultant Billy Beegle has been around long enough to remember all of the highs and lows for cotton in West Tennessee. And he laments that total cotton planted acreage has taken such a big drop in 2015.

When the region’s acreage falls from 400,000 acres to 90,000 acres in a matter of a few years, it’s hard to fathom. Beegle says a couple of factors could work in cotton’s favor to make those numbers change. First, prices need to increase to give farmers an incentive for returning to cotton. Second, finding a way to control resistant pigweed is crucial.

Even when a farmer runs hooded sprayers and cultivators while implementing timely burndowns and hand chopping, he simply can’t catch every pigweed.

“Hopefully, this new XtendFlex technology can be a major tool for us,” he says.

“I have seen how the research plots look, and I like what I see. I also have seen the new varieties out there in the field, and they look good.”

Beegle says farmers want to plant more cotton acres and probably fewer soybean acres. And, he says, gins need cotton to process. So, if the new technology can reduce weed control costs, and if cotton prices can enjoy a slight bump, the possibilities are encouraging.

“We can’t stub our toe in any area,” he says. “If our farmers can hang on, I think they will be glad they did.”

Consultant Billy Beegle says several factors could lead to future increases in cotton acreage in his region.

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Back row, from left: Todd Pilcher, Dow AgroSciences; University of Arkansas-Monticello baseball coaches; Kyle Colwell, Dow AgroSciences; Terry Hopper, SEARK Miracle League board member; Zack Tucker, Mayor of Monticello; A.J. Hood, cotton producer; and Jay Golz, Dow AgroSciences. Center: John Harvey, UAM head baseball coach; Jim Eoff and Amanda Killingsworth, SEARK Miracle League board members; and Karen Connelley, SEARK Miracle League president. Front row: Eric Stevens, Thomas Stevens, Colby Grider, Gene Norton and Seth Parker.

Miracle In Monticello

BY CARROLL SMITH SENIOR WRITER

A

rkansas cotton farmer A. J. Hood, says, “There is something magical about baseball, America’s favorite pastime.

For a child with disabilities, however, that magic is almost impossible to achieve. The Miracle League of Southeast Arkansas (SEARK) has set out to transform the lives of children with disabilities by building a ‘Field of Dreams’ in which every child, regardless of their disability, will be able to play baseball.”

Hood’s entry in the Transform My Community (TMC) contest was the spark that led Dow AgroSciences to name him Grand Prize winner. Last March, cotton farmers and consultants were invited to “tell us (Dow AgroSciences) how your favorite charity or organization is working to help transform your community – your idea could win $10,000 to make it happen.”

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

Transform My Community Contest Winners Announced • Grand Prize Winner: A.J. Hood, Cotton Producer, Tillar, Ark. • First Place Winner: Steve Robert, Cotton Consultant, Wynne, Ark. • Second Place Winner: Frank Phelps, Cotton Consultant, Mer Rouge, La. • Third Place Winner: Stephanie Miller, Cotton Producer, Boaz, Ala. • Fourth Place Winner: Bob & Stoney Stonestreet, Cotton Consultants, Clarksdale, Miss.

Todd Pilcher, Dow AgroSciences U.S. product manager, Transform insecticide, says, “Our goals for Transform My Community were to sponsor a contest that would make an impression and connect with long-term community development. All of the entries were fantastic, which made it

tough to name a Grand Prize winner.

However, we thought A.J. did a superb job of tying in the benefit that he has realized from using Transform insecticide on the farm to the fact that $10,000 in TMC prize money would transform the lives of many children and young adults in his community.”

Hood explains that the surface of a Miracle League baseball field “is designed with wheelchairs, crutches and visual impairments in mind. The kids are paired with an able bodied buddy that helps them bat, run the bases and score runs.” Last spring, after discussing the TMC contest with Kyle Colwell, his Dow AgroSciences sales rep, Hood asked his wife, Nikki, what she thought about it.

“Nikki agreed that the $10,000 prize would be a great benefit to the Miracle League fund-raising efforts, so we submitted an entry,” he says.

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Anticipation Runs High One of the local residents who is looking forward to playing baseball on the Miracle League field, when he is not farming with his dad Eric, is Thomas Stevens. For the past five years, Thomas has played in a Challenger Baseball League in Pine Bluff, Ark. However, the Miracle League’s recycled rubber surface will make it safer and more handicap accessible. Once the new baseball diamond is completed, Thomas and many others in the area can have even more fun pursuing their favorite sport.

Gene Norris is another avid sports fan who resides in Monticello. In fact, Gene is such an enthusiastic UAM Weevils basketball and volleyball fan that he was presented with the 2014 UAM Spirit Award at the Hall of Fame Sports Banquet. When asked what he is most looking forward to about the new Miracle League baseball field in Monticello, Gene replied, “I want to hit the ball hard!”

The $10,000 Transform My Community prize money donated to the Miracle League by A.J. Hood will go a long way in making sports dreams come true for Thomas and Gene.

“Having a brother with many disabilities makes this project even more special to my family,” Hood says. “He has taught me not to take life for granted, and this great group of volunteers is ready to make dreams come true for these children and adults.”

Visit miracleleagueseark.org to donate online and check out SEARK Miracle League on Facebook!

Cotton Thrives At Arkansas Enterprise

Johnny Singleton and A.J. Hood.

Contact Carroll Smith at (901) 3264443 or csmith@onegrower.com.

INSET PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MIRACLE LEAGUE

Building Awareness Is Priority Karen Connelley, president of the Miracle League of Southeast Arkansas, lives in Monticello and has been a pediatric physical therapist for 25 years. Her mother, Anita Gourley, was a nurse at the Arkansas Children’s Colony in Arkadelphia, Ark., for 26 years.

“When my mom was on call, my sister Kelly and I would go down there with her and read to the kids,” Connelley says. “So I grew up around children with disabilities, and my children have, too.

“Today, SEARK Miracle League’s goals are to construct the field, build awareness and be a voice for children and adults with disabilities,” she adds. “We became a 501(c)3 organization in September 2014, and have already raised more than $100,000.

We are so grateful to the many individuals and groups who have donated money for this effort.”

Despite the financial undertaking involved in making a “miracle in Monticello” happen, Connelley is optimistic. SEARK Miracle League is applying for an Arkansas Parks and Tourism grant through the city of Monticello and is also appreciative of private donations to help reach their $300,000 goal by Jan. 1, 2016. This milestone achievement would allow them to start building the Miracle League baseball field in the spring.

Zack Tucker, mayor of Monticello, is working with the City Council to make additional funds available to construct restrooms and improve and expand the parking area and sidewalks so that the Miracle League field truly will be handicap accessible.

The SEARK Miracle League baseball field will be located at the Monticello Sports Complex and look similar to this completed field located in Puerto Rico.

A.J. Hood is a farmer and farm manager for Tillar & Co., an 18,000-acre tract of land in southeast Arkansas.

Local stories still circulate about the lofty Cypress and Tupelo trees being harvested in the 1800s, loaded onto barges in Bayou Bartholomew and eventually delivered to New Orleans via the river system. According to these accounts, the trees were then shipped to England to become masts for ocean-going vessels. Once the interior Delta land was cleared, cotton fields were established, gins were built and agriculture became the mainstay of the surrounding communities.

“This farm was established in the 1800s as a cotton farm and continues to this date with substantial cotton acreage and ginning capabilities,” Hood says. “I farm with my partner Johnny Singleton, who, along with Ken Wells, also shares managerial responsibilities for Tillar & Co. “Because Bayou Bartholomew runs throughout the farm, our host areas for bug populations are extremely high. Without Transform insecticide as an integral part of our insect management plan, tarnished plant bug control would be nearly impossible,” he explains. “Transform has given us the option to continue to plant cotton acres on the farm while protecting our yield potential, investment and, more importantly, our heritage.”

Kyle Colwell, who is the local Dow AgroSciences sales rep, says A.J. is a progressive farmer who likes to be in on the front end of technology and crop protection chemistries.

“A.J. likes to try new technology on his farm so he will know what to expect when a product goes to market,” Colwell says.

“I also have to tip my hat to Rogers Cockrill, the owner of Tillar & Co. It’s quite an impressive operation, and Rogers has done a phenomenal job of keeping the farm together after more than 100 years.”

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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12 Glen Harris VP v4_16 7/22/15 4:04 PM Page 12

VIEWPOINT

How Far Can Technology Take Ag?

BY GLEN HARRIS TIFTON, GA.

•

Georgia

• Began career at UGA in 1994.

• Extension agronomist for soils and fertilizers.

• Educational Advisor to Georgia Plant Food Education Society.

• Teaches undergraduate soils course at UGA. • Conducts extensive fertilizer research program.

• Earned B.S. in Horticulture from Penn State University.

• Earned M.S. in Crop/Soil Science from Mich. State Univ.

• Earned PhD in Crop/Soil Science from Penn State Univ.

T

he fertilizer spreader truck rolls across the field spitting out a custom blend of N-P-K, secondary and micronutrients based on grid soil sampling, followed later by the sidedress rig equipped with sensors to measure plant height and greenness and apply the exact amount of additional N (and other nutrients that may be needed). Just before peak bloom, a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, some call them “drones”) is used to detect areas in the field that need additional N, K or P that can be variable rate and foliar fed. Sound far-fetched? Well, in Georgia, we are not quite to this point yet. However, we are a lot closer and have come a lot further than I ever thought we would since I started working with cotton 20 years ago.

It was 1995, and we were fresh off boll weevil eradication in Georgia (I still remember all the green traps, spaced close together when we had an outbreak). GMOs were something new, first Bt then Roundup Ready. We (University of Georgia) had one fertilizer recommendation on the books for a 750-pound lint per-acre yield goal. Reports of three-bale or 1,500 pound yields, which were previously unheard of, started to come in. By the year 2000, we completed research to justify increasing nitrogen rates on cotton from 60 pounds of N per acre for 750 pound per-acre yield goals to 105 pounds of N per acre for 1,500 pound per-acre yields.

Then potassium started becoming an issue. Was it because these new varieties were higher yielding? Faster fruiting? Or both? Turns out, probably both. Plus, it was discovered that potassium deficiency causes a secondary leafspot disease, which turned out to be a good indicator.

Potassium rates and the effectiveness of split applications The use of Unmanned Aerial Vechicle technology in Georgia cotton production has progressed quickly in recent years.

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

and foliar applications of K were all studied.

For the next 10 years (2000-2010), we seemed to settle in.

Grid soil sampling was popular but not as much variablerate fertilizer application seemed to be happening. New fertilizer formulations and additives were introduced and tested. Urease and nitrification inhibitors for nitrogen sidedress fertilizers became popular with a number of different products competing for market share.

Then, about five years ago, things seemed to change again. This might have been due in part to a resurgence in corn and interest in making high-yielding corn in Georgia.

Questions arose about using in-furrow starter fertilizers and the need for micronutrient and split applications of fertilizers. All of a sudden, it seemed like we were doing more grid soil sampling and variable-rate applications of fertilizer.

This is likely due to the cost of variable-rate spreading equipment coming down and more precision ag equipment becoming standard on all new equipment. But regardless of the situation, there is no doubt there is more lime, phosphorous and potassium fertilizer being variable-rate spread on Georgia cotton. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) projects have started, and we found that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can pick up nitrogen and potash deficiency very well but can’t tell the difference between the two at this point. Also, right now there is a serious issue of processing and interpreting the data from the UAV fast enough to make timely in-season adjustments that will put money in the producer’s pocket.

For the first time this winter during producer meetings, I received the question, “how much fertilizer does it take to make four-bale cotton?” My first thought was once four-bale yields become more common, we will look at that. Then, I realized that I said the same thing about three-bale cotton at some point in the past, so apparently the future is here, and the time is now!

We have come a long way in 20 years, and it will be exciting to see how far we’ll advance in the next 20 years.

Contact Glen Harris in Tifton, Ga., at gharris@uga.edu.

7 test_Don Cameron My Turn #2 7/23/15 9:38 AM Page 8

Nomination Form

Cotton Consultant of the Year 2015 The Cotton Consultant of the Year (CCOY) represents the consultant who has made great contributions to the cotton industry through outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation.

Recognized by fellow members of the cotton industry, this award is given to the consultant who not only meets these requirements but also exceeds them.

Syngenta and Cotton Farming magazine, CCOY sponsors, are soliciting your help in selecting the 2015 recipient, who will be named during a special celebration during the National Cotton Council’s 2016 Beltwide Cotton Conferences.

The winning consultant and the person who nominates the winner receive two nights’ hotel stay and airfare to the 2016 Beltwide, which will be held in New Orleans, La. In addition, the 2015 CCOY recipient will be the subject of a four-page salute in the January 2016 issue of Cotton Farming.

Please send your nomination form by August 21, 2015 to: Carroll Smith 7201 Eastern Ave. Germantown, TN 38138 Scan/Email: csmith@onegrower.com You can print out an electronic version of the form located on the Cotton Farming Web site at www.cottonfarming.com.

If you would like to nominate a consultant deserving of this outstanding recognition, please take a moment to fill out the following form.

Please use a separate page for biographical/professional information. Additional recommendations via letters or emails from other farmers, consultants and industry members are also encouraged to provide support for the nominee.

Consultant’s Name: Company Name (if applicable): Mailing Address: City:

State:

Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

Email:

In your own words, please tell us why you are nominating the consultant above for the “Cotton Consultant of the Year” Award: Background:

Biographical/Industry Involvement Background:

Your Name: Address: City:

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Cotton Farming

14-16 Aug Spec Speaking v4_CF 11/13 template 7/23/15 2:02 PM Page 14

Specialists Speaking Crop Continues To Make Steady Progress FLORIDA David Wright The 2015 cotton crop is progressing toward maturity without too many problems to this point. Boll loads should have slowed vegetative growth by this time and protecting the crop that is set will be important for high yields. There is some spraying for stinkbugs on the later planted cotton where young bolls are vulnerable to damage. Most producers have managed the crop with minimal inputs where inputs could be cut to try to make a profit.

Producers are still optimistic that prices will rise with news of the smallest crop since the early 1980s. Cotton will remain a viable part of the cropping systems in the Southeast Coastal Plains since it, along with peanuts, does better than other crops if grown without irrigation on sandy soils.

Likewise, it is a good rotation with both corn and peanuts, and most producers prefer a three-crop rotation, so that there is more than one year between peanut crops. The current cotton crop has the potential to be above average with new varieties and good management and could see near record yields as we have had for the past couple of years. wright@ufl.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam According to the Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report released on July 13, squaring is at 57 percent complete compared with 64 percent last year and 72 percent for the five-year average. Setting bolls is two percent compared with one percent last year and 16 percent for the five-year average. The condition is one percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 58 percent fair, 30 percent good and one percent excellent. At this time last year, the condition was three percent poor, 40 percent fair, 53 percent good and four percent excellent.

This year, we were cool and wet, hot and dry, then wet. Now, we are in a hot phase. Most of our cotton was planted well past the optimum planting date.

At this point in the season, one of my concerns is high night temperatures. After a rainfall event or irrigation, the hydrated plants can cope better with the temperatures. However, even moisture has limitations with the high night temperatures. For the next few weeks, night temperatures are predicted in the mid- to upper-70s for at least 10 days.

The plants are unable to recover from the heat, and less carbohydrates are accumulated. This can result in loss of squares, bolls and other problems. We need to set all of the first position fruit that we can. Since our crop is late, we need a good fall and harvest season to gain the highest yield possible. milammr@missouri.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins As I write this on July 8, the North Carolina cotton crop is generally in good shape but variable. Some of the 2015 crop is slightly ahead of schedule due to higher than normal heat unit accumulation in mid-tolate June. Plant bugs were an issue in some areas but seem to have subsided. Some areas in the northeastern part of the state have received ideal rainfall, while rains in other areas were excessive, and a few areas were noticeably dry. Hopefully, rains will prevail through the remainder of July and August to finish out this crop.

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COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

By the time you read this in August, two issues may come to mind. First, it will be important to monitor the 2015 crop for various insects, including stinkbugs, caterpillars, plant bugs, spider mites and aphids, as always. Frequent scouting is a necessity during this time to preserve our yield potential. Second, handweeding some fields may be necessary to reduce the seedbank of pigweed.

Our producers have done an excellent job of managing this weed pest, and many fields are very clean. However, it is still important to remove any survivors that happen to escape. Additionally, timely weed management following corn harvest could greatly help in reducing the seedbank for next year.

With corn harvested in August and September, this leaves a wide window open for pigweed to grow and reach seed maturity before a frost. It is easy to neglect fields following corn harvest as we begin to focus on harvest of other crops. However, a well-timed herbicide application could pay big dividends for the following year. guy_collins@ncsu.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme The Louisiana cotton crop experienced an excessive amount of rainfall during the first 60 days of growth. Consequently, the crop appears to be average at this time. Older cotton fields started to bloom during the second week of June. Currently, mepiquat chloride applications are being applied to manage height control.

During the first part of July, the cotton crop has experienced hot and dry weather for the first time this year. As of July 15, the earlier planted cotton fields have completed their fourth week of bloom and are between five to seven nodes above white flower. We should start seeing some open bolls during the last week of July. Bollworm and plant bug numbers were increasing during the past two weeks.

Aphids and spider mites are becoming prevalent since the weather has become hot and dry.

In conclusion, emphasis will be focused on controlling plant bugs by producers and consultants for the remainder of the season.

Timely rains are needed during the latter part of July and the first two weeks of August to finish out the 2015 crop. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman As of this writing in mid-July, the cotton crop has progressed very well in most areas. June rainfall was somewhat below normal in many places, but this was buffered by the record amounts that occurred in May. Most cotton was planted during the first three weeks of June, with a few acres planted a bit later. Early growth was generally vigorous with large leaf development due to fairly calm conditions. Minimal thrips pressure was noted, but cotton fleahopper populations were worth watching during the squaring phase.

The earlier planted fields should be blooming soon. Winds have been noted for the past three weeks or so, which challenged producers to find calm days to apply herbicides and insecticides for early season management. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth is a major concern of many producers, and most have made valiant attempts to target timely control practices.

Most farms where residual herbicides were used have observed good weed control. As the calendar moved into July, some

14-16 Aug Spec Speaking v4_CF 11/13 template 7/23/15 2:02 PM Page 15

additional rainfall was obtained in some areas, but others missed the mark. June ended up being somewhat below normal in precipitation, and July has resulted in a dry run for a substantial amount of cotton acreage in Jackson and Tillman Counties.

Irrigation will be initiated soon in the drier areas. Directed applications of residual herbicides to provide overlapping control of pigweeds are required. Other areas received several inches during the second week of July. Forecasts indicate that summer will arrive with a vengeance, and multiple days of triple-digit forecasts for southwestern Oklahoma are noted. randy.boman@okstate.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson Tracking nodes above white flower (NAWF) from first flower to cutout (NAWF=5) can offer great insight on the condition and potential of the crop. As we approach this time of the season, we are interested in using this tool to aid in crop termination. The first fields planted are not always the first to reach cutout. Monitoring NAWF throughout flowering is important because it insures we measure all plants, including dominant and less dominant ones.

If only spot checks are made near the season’s end, we cannot be certain all plants are represented. It is not unusual for NAWF to increase after initial cutout, as weaker plants will have more growth while their dominant counterparts are cutting out. In Arkansas, the latest possible cutout dates using a 50 percent probability of collecting 850 heat units (HU) on a 30-plus year data set are: Aug. 9, Keiser; Aug. 14, Marianna; and Aug. 17, Rohwer. If we use the last five years’ weather data, these dates may be extended slightly (three to five days).

Establishing the dates of cutout is important in identifying the last cohort or group of bolls that will contribute significantly to yield and profit. It is this group of bolls and their development on which we base our end-of-season decisions.

General termination guidelines include plant bug, cutout + 250 HU; bollworm and tobacco budworm, cutout + 350 HU; irrigation, cutout + 350 to 450 HU; stinkbug, cutout + 450 HU; fall armyworm, cutout + 500 to 550 HU; defoliating insects, cutout + 650 HU; harvest-aid initiation, cutout + 850 HU. For more information, contact your local County Extension Agent. brobertson@uaex.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds As we move into August, several things usually come to mind for those who grow cotton. Hopefully, we are nearing the end of applications needed to control plant bugs, and cracked bolls will likely begin to appear on this crop. Plant bug numbers in the northwest portion of Mississippi kicked into high gear in late June and early July. By mid-July, several producers were making their third to fourth application for this pest.

However, in most cases our fruit retention was holding strong, indicating that we are battling migrating adults. As long as fruit retention numbers remain high, insecticide applications are likely having an effect even though plant bug infestation levels may remain high.

The appearance of cracked bolls typically signifies that it is safe to terminate irrigation activities. Traditional recommendations are to terminate furrow irrigation at first cracked boll and terminate overhead irrigation a week to 10 days past first cracked boll. The discrepancy in termination dates for each irrigation method lies in the amount of water that is delivered by each method.

Some folks choose to irrigate past these recommended cutoffs.

However, keep in mind this is a risk/reward scenario. While you may increase yield by doing so, you may also increase the amount of hardlock and/or boll rot present. Irrigate until you are not comfortable doing so but don’t sacrifice the lower portion of the crop trying to make the upper portion. darrind@ext.msstate.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan The cotton crop has kicked into high gear across the state with hot and dry weather from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) through the Blacklands.

However, it is common for defoliation to begin in the RGV the last week of July, but it will be two to three weeks later for the majority of the acres this season due to the late planting. The Coastal Bend cotton is progressing quickly, but many fields are highly variable in growth stages due to a record wet spring.

Fruit set and growth stages are highly variable by location and variety in the Upper Gulf Coast and Blacklands. PGR and insect management decisions were challenging for most farmers in South Texas because of the high degree of variability within and between fields. Tough decisions on timing and product selection will also be necessary for defoliating this cotton crop.

The Southern and Northern Rolling Plains look good with uniform crop growth and some of the earliest fields in the second week of bloom; however, the majority is early to mid-square. A good rain across much of the Rolling Plains during the second week of July tremendously increased the yield potential of this dryland and limited irrigation crop.

With good moisture has come significant flushes of weeds and more glyphosate-resistant weeds being discovered. With the increased yield potential, additional nutrients may become necessary. Nitrogen needs to be applied prior to first bloom to optimize yield potential. gmorgan@tamu.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper Warm temperatures and sufficient rain in early July led to aggressive growth and an increased need for plant growth regulators as Tennessee moved into flowering. Many responded with a heavy shot immediately before bloom and found the chance of rain in the forecast to be low. Although several of the varieties Tennessee has typically grown in the past have required a heavy hand, many of our currently grown varieties are quite responsive to plant growth regulators.

Furthermore, we are just beginning to get a good grasp on how responsive several of these new varieties are to PGR applications.

With a new trait likely coming on board next year, a low-rate, multiple application approaching plant growth management should be considered – especially on new varieties. Given the often biweekly triggered plant bug applications around flowering, there are many opportunities to apply these low-rate PGR shots without wasting the expense of an extra application. The appeal to this type of an approach is that it lets us manipulate rate and thereby plant growth in response to internode elongation.

As always, you can find additional information on utcrops.com and catch updates on news.utcrops.com. traper@utk.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton The crop is well into peak in the majority of the state with the far southwestern region of Yuma approaching cutout. As we progress through peak bloom and toward the end of the primary fruiting, cycle decisions will soon need to be made regarding irrigation termination. Monitoring nodes above white flower (NAWF) is an excellent way of tracking crop maturity and will help in making appropriate decisions for irrigation termination and eventual crop termination.

Crop monitoring data collected over many years has demonstrated a good relationship between the number of mainstem nodes above the uppermost first position, fresh bloom and progression through the fruiting cycle. At first bloom, NAWF should be around eight to nine. At peak bloom, values of six to seven NAWF are observed, while an observation of less than five NAWF indicates that the crop is rapidly progressing towards cutout.

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Specialists Speaking Identification of the last fresh bloom that will be taken to a harvestable boll is a good way for scheduling the final irrigation and is typically done well after the crop has reached less than five NAWF or physiological cutout.

Approximately 600 heat units (HU 86/550F threshold) are required to complete the process of maturation from a fresh bloom to a mature harvestable boll. With late summer HU accumulations, 600 HU is approximately 21 days. Proper moisture is needed during that boll maturation period, helping to ensure proper fiber development.

The number of irrigation events required to provide proper moisture through the boll maturation process will be dependent upon many factors, including soil water-holding capacity, crop fruit load and temperature and humidity levels.

Monitor soil moisture conditions over this period to ensure that adequate moisture is available to the crop during this boll maturation time. For more information and specifics regarding these topics, go to cals.arizona.edu/crops. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

TEXAS Mark Kelley The current cotton crop in the Texas High Plains and Panhandle regions is, generally speaking, anywhere from two to four weeks behind developmentally. While looking at some of these fields, most are just now at match head square stage as of July 16, with other fields just now at pinhead square. Typically, we would observe first bloom by July 4. Weather conditions are conducive for optimized cotton development where moisture and fertility are abundant, and where insects and weeds have

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16

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

been well managed.

Therefore, we hope to gain some ground during the next few weeks. With a relatively full profile, many dryland fields have an opportunity to achieve higher yields than have been observed over the last five years. These fields will need the current weather conditions to continue and most likely will need more precipitation as we go into the month of August. As for irrigated production fields, we most likely will see many systems turned on for the first time this season during the latter part of July if more precipitation is not observed.

Whether irrigated or dryland, producers will need to be very diligent in managing weeds, insects and fertility in order to maintain a high fruit set as we go into the bloom period. Although we have observed very good conditions during the fall months in previous years, there is no guarantee that those same conditions will occur.

With the lateness of this crop, there may not be enough time to compensate for early season fruit loss.

For more information, contact us at (806) 746-6101 or call me direct at (806) 781-6572. mkelley@ag.tamu.edu

NEW MEXICO John Idowu Cotton season is moving along very well in New Mexico. Rainfall has been encouraging in several parts of the state. Some few weeks ago, there were scattered hailstorms in southwestern New Mexico, which affected cotton and other crops. However, damage was not widespread, and the extent of the damage was variable in different fields. There has been no report of significant diseases or insect pests on cotton.

Weed control has been very challenging in many fields – especially in those where early weed control was not put in place. Many cotton fields are in the late squaring stage, and some fields have already started to flower, especially the early planted cotton.

As I said earlier, we have good expectations for the kind of cotton season we’ll have this fall. jidowu@nmsu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame Excessive rains during late June and early July raised concerns over the need for foliar fertilization or additional soil-applied nutrients during the early bloom period due to leaching losses of nitrogen, potassium and sulfur. Many producers made the decision to apply extra nutrients with foliar sprays for insect control and plant growth regulators. This year may show promise with the applications of foliar fertilizers, given the potential for significant leaching losses with acute rainfall totals in some areas.

Looking forward into August and the early to mid-bloom period, producers should be focusing on final plant growth regulator management applications and most importantly the timely application of insecticides to control stink bug and bollworm infestations. When making decisions on insect control, use scouting tools developed using scientific datasets to maximize the efficacy/stewardship of insecticides.

There were reports of individuals from the general public approaching Virginia producers over the application of insecticides during bloom in cotton. The concern over pollinator health has intensified across the country, and I am afraid that these confrontations may become more commonplace. Using scouting/decision aids based on scientific datasets will go far in minimizing the concern over in-season insecticide applications. I am looking forward to another above-average year for Virginia producers and hoping that the weather is favorable during the boll fill period. whframe@vt.edu

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WESTERN REPORT

Effective Defoliation Will Protect Bolls

D

uring harvest, like the rest of the Cotton Belt, Western cotton producers want the most efficient way to drop leaves without affecting the yield or quality of their cotton. Several conditions have led farmers to move from traditional desiccant applications to more efficient products without the potential for boll damage.

The purpose of defoliation is to stimulate leaf drop, boll maturation and the opening of the boll for easy, clean harvest.

In the West, the general rule is to apply harvest aids when 60 to 65 percent of the bolls are open and about 28 days after the final irrigation, depending on regular, in-season irrigation intervals. Producers and crop consultants need to consider the unique characteristics of each field before making the decision to apply harvest aids.

Traditional applications of over the top defoliants in Arizona and California include two, up to three applications of tank mixes that may include sodium chlorate. Typically, low in animal toxicity, it is also less expensive than other products used at harvest.

The first application will drop leaves and open up the canopy. A second application of sodium chlorate, sometimes combined with paraquat, will help with boll development and rapid leaf desiccation. However, environmental concerns and restrictions have led to reduced use of paraquat, especially in California.

Scrutiny From Government And, while defoliation typically carries less environmental concerns than other crop development aids, such as insect control or fertilization, regulatory groups with federal and state agencies are taking a hard look at residual effects.

According to Randy Norton, regional Extension cotton specialist with the University of Arizona, a premature application of sodium chlorate can

azuron/Diuron in California is similar.

BY BRENT MURPHREE MARICOPA, ARIZ.

have an adverse effect on boll development. An application that is too early can freeze the bolls and prevent them from opening properly.

Other products have been popular to mitigate boll damage, but, until recently, they have been more expensive.

Since the generic availability of thidiazuron/Diuron products, a major cost break has occurred, and producers are turning to the product mix for a more affordable option to Bayer’s Ginstar.

Norton notes that Pinal and Graham counties in Arizona have seen a noticeable shift away from the sodium chlorate applications since the generic thidiazuron/Diuron products have become available.

According to University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Steve Wright, the move to thidi-

Variability In Prices Product rates vary in both states depending on whether the crop is upland or Pima. According to Extension publications, low to moderate rates work well on upland cotton in the warm or hot conditions of the West.

Over application in warm weather can cause leaves to stick to the plant and fiber. In cool weather and on Pima cotton, if growth is still vigorous, full rates of the formulation continue to be recommended.

Wright notes that Pima and Acala cottons are more difficult to defoliate than upland and may require a bit more finesse.

Other harvest-aid formulations are also used in California and Arizona. It is best to check with the Extension specialist crop consultant to identify the best possible defoliation options.

Both the University of California and University of Arizona have several publications online that specifically address application rates and the best use of many products used to enhance harvest efforts on different varieties of cotton.

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

To prevent boll damage, proper defoliation is crucial for Western cotton producers.

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Lint contamination continues to be an important concern.

Recently, both the National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA) and the National Cotton Council (NCC) have produced multiple educational pieces to assist ginners and producers in meeting our industry’s goal of zero contamination.

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There was a learning curve on the proper handling and unwrapping of the John Deere round modules.

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Other potential contamination sources are thin plastic films such as those used in vegetable production and in shopping bags. Ginners should remind their producers to police fields for these and other types of potential contaminants. It should be noted that research from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service shows that these thinner plastics are more likely to make their way through the ginning process and into baled lint. It appears that lint cleaners are not effective in removing this material. Thus, it is very important that plastic be kept out of seed cotton.

There were two documented reports of another plastic contaminant – polyethylene terephthalate (PET) strapping fragments – in lint this year. Ginners should make sure that strapping heads are inspected by a qualified strapping head technician and working properly before the first bale is ginned each ginning season. Once the season starts, the welds and cotton around the welds should be inspected daily. If small pieces of PET plastic strap are observed during this inspection, the strapping head and associated strap feeding mechanism should be adjusted, re-aligned or repaired immediately.

In a future article, I will address some other key lint contaminants and prevention steps. In the meantime, the NCC’s website contains a number of educational pieces related to contamination and quality preservation at http://www.cotton.org/tech/quality/ index.cfm. NCGA videos are available as DVDs and can be ordered at http://www.cotton.org/ncga/requestncga-media.cfm. Ginners are strongly encouraged to use all these tools and make zero contamination a priority!

Cotton Gin Brushes

Harrison Ashley, executive vice president of the National Cotton Ginners Association, contributed this article. Contact him at (901) 274-9030 or hashley@cotton.org.

Cotton’s Calendar Aug. 17-19: ACP Meeting, New Orleans, La. Aug. 19: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas.

Aug. 20: Calcot Board Meeting, Bakersfield, Calif.

Aug. 24-26: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Charleston, S.C. Sept. 16: Staplcotn Meeting, Greenwood, Miss.

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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Industry News Tidewater Research Station To Host Cotton Field Day The Tidewater Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Suffolk, Va., will host its 2015 Cotton Field Day on Aug. 11, beginning at 8 a.m. A broad range of cotton discipline research findings will be presented at nine different tour stops by some of the leading researchers in Virginia and North Carolina.

“The tours will include information about weed and disease management, variety selection and plant growth regulator management, as well as nitrogen timing and sulfur management,” says Guy Collins, North Carolina State University Extension Cotton Associate Professor, Crop Science.

Todd Spivey, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Keith Edmisten’s program at NCSU, will highlight ongoing research in the university’s Cotton Agronomics Research and Extension program.

Other tour stops will cover topics from High Input Cotton Management Systems and Optimal Nitrogen Rates to In-Furrow Fertilizers and In-Season Insect Management.

For more information, contact Gail White at (757) 657-6450, extension 430 or via e-mail at guwhite@vt.edu.

Private pesticide re-certification credits will also be available. The Tidewater Agricultural and Research Extension Center is located at 63321 Holland Road, Suffolk, Va. On-site registration will begin at 7:30a.m.

persons can contact their local USDAFSA office or the Georgia Cotton Commission at (478) 988-4235 or www.georgiacottoncommission.org

Jesse Curlee To Retire From Supima Association Following an illustrious career that has spanned more than three and a half decades at Supima, Jesse W. Curlee, president/CEO, has announced to the Supima Board of Directors that he will retire effective Dec. 31. Curlee’s stewardship of the organization during his tenure has covered a remarkable career of more than 36 years of service to Supima, its producer-members and the American Pima cotton industry.

Curlee began his career with Phoenixbased Supima in October of 1979 as general manager, and in 1981 he was named president/CEO. American Pima cotton production averaged approximately 75,000 bales annually when he joined Supima and steadily increased to more than 850,000 bales in recent years – a 1,000 percent increase.

The Supima Board of Directors has selected Supima’s current executive vice president, Marc A. Lewkowitz to assume the duties of president/CEO effective Jan. 1, 2016.

For additional information, go to www.supima.com.

Georgia Producers Urged To Enroll In CTAP By Sept. 30

Texan Industry Leader Dan Krieg Passes Away

Eligible Georgia cotton producers are reminded that the enrollment period for the Cotton Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) is currently underway until Sept. 30. CTAP was created in the 2014 Farm Bill as a means of transitioning producers into the new Stacked Income Protection Program (STAX).

For 2015, CTAP is only available to cotton producers in counties where STAX is currently not available. For Georgia, those counties include Baldwin, Barrow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Newton, Talbot, Walker and Wilkes.

The 2015 CTAP payment is calculated as 36.5 percent of a farm’s upland cotton base (now generic base) times a farm’s direct payment yield times $0.09.

Payments are capped at $40,000 per individual or entity and are subject to congressionally mandated reductions of 7.3 percent.

For additional information, interested

Dan Krieg, long-time cotton producer, industry leader and professor at Texas Tech University, passed away earlier this summer at age 72.

Born in Thrall, Texas, in 1943, he grew up on a family farm and graduated from Thrall High School in 1961. He earned a B.S. degree in agronomy and later a Ph.D. in plant physiology from Texas A&M University.

He moved to Lubbock and pursued a career in teaching at Texas Tech University where he spent 35 years on the faculty. His devotion to improving cotton production on the High Plains helped farmers improve their crop management. As a teacher, he brought a unique perspective to the classroom.

Krieg served on the board of directors at Liberty Co-op Gin and as president of Lubbock County Farm Bureau. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lee Ruth; daughters Andrea and Dana; and brother Will.

CCOY 2015 Cotton Consultant of the Year

Deadline Nears For 2015 CCOY Nominations

How important are cotton consultants? They’re important enough that Cotton Farming magazine and Syngenta continue to co-sponsor a special award each year that honors the top consultant in the Cotton Belt.

Nominees are voted on by past Cotton Consultant of the Year winners. The honoree will be recognized at a special reception at the 2016 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans and featured in a special fourpage insert in the January 2016 issue of Cotton Farming.

Don’t delay. Fill out the nomination form on page 13 and send it to us. The deadline for entries is August 21.

Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by

Cotton Farming COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2015

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My Turn The Fabric Of My Life n August of 1978, I industry in various capacities. In 2006, I was was two weeks old hired as Program Manager for the Boll Weevil when we moved into Eradication Foundation of North Carolina our new house. It was (BWEFNC). In addition to running the day-to-day just outside of Princeton, operations, I was tasked with transitioning the N.C., and across the road program from an eradication mindset to one of from the home of my monitoring. It was during this time I had the privilege of getting to know Billy Carter. maternal grandparents.

Billy was CEO of the North Carolina Cotton Like many in his day, my granddaddy operated a Producers Association and also served as the small farm. He kept a Secretary/Treasurer for the BWEFNC. He was David herd of 20 to 30 cows, one of three people on the hiring committee when eight to 10 hogs and tend- I was being interviewed for the Program Manager Parrish ed about 80 acres of land. position. Billy didn’t say much during the interThe majority of the land view, but he had a presence that spoke volumes.

On Dec. 23, 2010, like many times before, Billy was planted to grain, and much of it was used to feed the livestock. But every year the best land and I met for lunch. I assumed our meeting was to was dedicated to tobacco, or what we called the discuss the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.

After some small talk, “Golden Leaf.”

Billy said he was planMy passion for agri“The agriculture industry ning to retire in a couculture was developed ple years and asked at an early age. As a is full of great people.” me to consider replacchild, I loved to help ing him as CEO of the granddaddy farm. By the early 1990s, when I was old enough to be of North Carolina Cotton Producers Association. any real help, he retired. At age 13, I wanted to Unfortunately, sometimes life doesn’t go according earn my own money, so I got a job “barning” tobac- to our plan. On Dec. 27, Billy was on his way co. Harvesting tobacco, then taking it out of the home from the office and was involved in a serious barn after it was cured, was hot, dirty and strenu- car accident. He passed away on Jan. 1, 2011, from injuries sustained in the crash. ous work, but I was proud of my job.

It was standing room only at Billy’s funeral.

In 1996, a few weeks before I graduated from high school, our horticulture teacher, Mr. Worley, Mrs. Beverly, Billy’s wife, had a section reserved told the class about a summer job opportunity. for their cotton friends. I was honored she asked “White Gold” was making a comeback in North me to be a part of that group; however, there were Carolina around then, and a crop consultant many there I didn’t know. Over the years, Billy named Danny Pierce was looking for some cotton had numerous friends across the Cotton Belt.

Over the past several years, I’ve had the pleascouts. Mr. Worley explained the job description and for someone who had spent the last few sum- sure to meet and get to know many of Billy’s cotmers in a tobacco field, scouting cotton sounded ton friends. The agriculture industry is full of great people, but in my opinion, the cotton induslike a job promotion!

That summer went by fast. I liked scouting cot- try has the best of the best.

My passion for agriculture is stronger today ton and working for Danny. Throughout college, I continued to work for him as much as possible. We than ever before. As a native of Johnston County, spent the fall and winter taking soil samples, and N.C., the “golden leaf” still shines in my heart, but spring was spent in a greenhouse raising tobacco cotton will always be the fabric of my life! plants to sell for transplanting. In the summer, it David Parrish, Nashville, N.C. was back to the cotton field.

CEO, N.C. Cotton Producers Association After graduating from N.C. State University, I dparrish@nccotton.org spent the next few years working in the cotton

I

Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to thorton@onegrower.com or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

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