Cotton Farming August 2020 by One Grower Publishing

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2020

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Reeves Family Farms Rockin’ The Hills Of West Tennessee

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Vol. 64 No. 8

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2020

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FE ATURES

10 Tennessee Legacy In the late 1800s, Ernest Reeves traveled from Canada and settled in Fayette County, Tennessee, where the Loosahatchie River runs through the rolling hills and bottomland of this fertile agricultural area. Today, three generations of the Reeves family, pictured above, farm cotton, corn, soybeans and Bermuda hay in the same location with the hope that a sixth generation will choose to follow in their footsteps.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 13 Research & Promotion

14 Industry News 16 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn

ON THE COVER: From left: Billy, Joey, William and Chip Reeves pose in a field of PHY 400 W3FE in West Tennessee. Cover photo by Carroll Smith.

GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR Lee Nunn of Madison, Georgia, was named 2020 Georgia Farmer of the Year and is now in the running for Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

COTTON MARKET FORECAST Because cotton and cotton-related products are discretionary items, COVID-19 has significantly affected the demand for the fiber.

GINNERS MARKETPLACE

the official publication of the ginning industry The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association lists details regarding new nighttime lighting requirements for the state.

2020 CCOY NOMINATIONS

Cotton Consu ltant of the Year 202 0

40 th

ANNIVERSAR

CCOY

NOMINATION FORM

If you would like to nominate a consultant recognition, deserving of please take a this outstanding moment to fill out the following Please use a separate form. page for biographical recommendations /professional via letters or emails from other farmers, information. Additional members are also consultants and encouraged to industry provide support for the nominee.

The Cotton Consultant (CCOY) Award celebrates of the Year its 40th anniversary this year. The recognizes a consultant award who has made great contributions cotton industry through to the outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation. It 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 2020 recipient, who will at a special celebration be named Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The winning consultant person who nominates and the the winner receive a two-night hotel stay and airfare to Memphis. The 2020 CCOY recipient also will be featured in a four-page salute in the February 2021 issue of Cotton Farming.

The deadline has been extended to Aug. 14 to nominate a deserving candidate for DEADLINE the Cotton Consultant of the Year Award, EXTENDED co-sponsored by Cotton Farming and Syngenta. To fill out the form online, go to cottonfarming.com/ccoy. You also can Cotton Farming download and print the form, and then mail or email it along with supporting letters to the address provided. Submit nominat by July 31, 2020.ions

Mail: Carroll Smith 7201 Eastern Ave. Germantown, TN 38138 Scan/Email: csmith@onegr ower.com You can print out an electronic version the form located of on the Cotton Farming Web site at www.cottonfar ming.com. Nominate online: cottonfarming.com/ccoy

Consultant’s Name: Company Name:

Mailing Address: City: State: Phone: Zip: Email: In your own words, please tell us why you are nominating of the Year” Award. the consultant above Additional pages may be attached, for the “Cotton Consultant emailed or attached to the online nomination form.

Background:

Biographical/Industry

attached to this

Involvement Background. This information form, emailed or as well as support attached to the online letters may be nomination form.

Your Name: Mailing Address:

City:

Phone:

State:

Email:

Zip:

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WEB EXCLUSIVE Clemson University irrigation expert, Michael Plumblee, urges farmers to pay close attention to the water needs of all their crops — cotton, corn, peanuts and soybeans — at this point in the season. Go to www.cotton farming.com for this Web Exclusive report.

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

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

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AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

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

Family Ties Run Deep

e all are experiencing a time in our society when anxiety and fear have crept in and challenged our ability to maintain a sense of normalcy. Those who are fortunate enough to be surrounded by family are connecting with one another for the support needed to make it through. Extended family not necessarily related by blood plays an important role as well. When I sat down with three generations of the Reeves family in Fayette County, Tennessee, recently, I was pleasantly reminded by specific examples of how powerful this support system can be. William Reeves, the patriarch of the family, initiated the conversation with an account of how his granddaddy Reeves came from Canada to settle atop a beautiful hill in West Tennessee, marking the first generation of a legacy that continues to grow and flourish today. One story reminded him of another that he recounted with a delightful sense of humor. At one point, he reminisced about picking cotton with a one-row picker and then pulling the crop to Longtown Gin in Mason, Tennessee, with an old two-cylinder tractor hooked to a trailer. That memory sparked another of buying a snack of bologna and cheese from the store across from the gin to eat while passing the time waiting his turn in line. And he was reminded that his transportation setup was actually quite modern compared to the cotton arriving at the gin in a wagon pulled by a string of mules. William’s son, Billy, a fourth-generation cotton farmer, gave a good example of how the extended family supported him during tough times. When he returned to the home place from the coal mines of West Virginia in 1994, all he brought with him was a strong desire to grow cotton. Billy had no machinery and no history with the crop with which to get a loan from the Farm Service Agency. However, he was blessed with good neighbors — the Stevens family and the Morrison family — who allowed him to farm with them and ultimately helped him get started on his own. Joey Reeves, Billy’s youngest son, began a career in coaching and education but was drawn back to the farm as well. Family ties run deep. “I enjoyed my years as an educator, but I realized four years ago that God’s plan was for me to be here. I figured farming was best for me and my wife and daughter. We wanted to be around family more.” Joey’s brother, Chip, who also is a fifth-generation cotton farmer, says as far as he is concerned, he has been farming since he was born. “It’s all I ever wanted to do,” he says. Chip also acknowledges the important role extended cotton family has played in their lives. “We have been fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of good people who have helped us out along the way,” he says. To learn more about how this remarkable family is rockin’ cotton in the hills of West Tennessee, check out the cover story on page 10.

Carroll 4

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

Southeast Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 For circulation changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email cottonfarming@omeda.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Copyright 2020 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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2020 Georgia Farmer Of The Year

ee Nunn of Madison, Georgia, planted his first wheat crop on 50 acres of his wife’s family farm when it became available to rent just over a dozen years ago. He quickly realized his passion for farming and began renting more land, now growing wheat, soybeans, field peas, corn and cotton on more than 1,500 acres. Nunn’s relatively quick success and community involvement have led to him being honored as the 2020 Georgia Farmer of the Year. He’s now in the running for the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition/Swisher Sweets Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. Nunn was nominated by Lucy Ray, Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Morgan County. He grew up visiting and helping at his grandfather’s row crop and dairy farm in his native Morgan County until the farm was sold. Although Nunn has been around agriculture most of his life, it was not a given that he would go into farming, and he doesn’t farm any land his family owned. “I was very humbled and shocked, but I appreciate the honor as it shows the hard work we farmers do,” says Nunn, who owns related agribusinesses including custom farming services, agricultural construction and a trucking division. “I’ve been thrilled to be able to do it every day. I’m on the farm all day every day, doing what I love.” Technology Proponent

An avid believer in using the latest technologies available, Nunn is always open to field research, says Ray, who has collaborated with him on projects including cover crops and thrips control in cotton. “He definitely will try something new but makes sure the research and data back up the decisions he makes,” she says. Although almost all of his crops are dryland, Nunn is collaborating on UGA Extension’s soil moisture sensor project to optimize irrigation for about 5% of his land. “Water is the limiting factor, so that’s why we have to be so efficient,” he says. “We have to micromanage every decision. It’s a totally different atmosphere up here than in south Georgia.” Nunn started working with precision agriculture about eight years ago and has progressively increased its use on his land every year. All of his tractors, sprayers and combines are now auto-steer. “I’m a very big believer in precision guidance,” he says. “It’s the only way to go. We do yield mapping on the combine. We save on fertilizer by having that system pay for itself. It’s a good initial investment but pays in the long run. Even when I talk to some of my friends (who aren’t involved in agriculture), they’re amazed about what the technology can do.” Some of his notable production achievements include a 30% reduction in pesticide use, a 75% increase in conservation tillage with no-till or minimum-till cropland, and improved soil fertility using local poultry litter. “We test every batch of litter we buy so we know what we’re getting, and we know exactly what we’re putting out,” Nunn says. “He’s a good example that conservation practices are profitTWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Governor Brian Kemp, right, recognized Lee Nunn of Madison, Georgia, as the 2020 Farmer of the Year July 8. able in the long term and they make sense in today’s production system,” Ray says. Community Involvement

Off the farm, Nunn and his wife, Sally, have two children, Claire and Mason, and he is very involved in the local agriculture community. He has served as president and treasurer of the Morgan County Farm Bureau and chairman of the local U. S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency board. Nunn has also participated in the Conservation Stewardship “He’s got a Program offered by the USDA reputation as Natural Resources Conservation Service and serves on the counsomeone who ty’s Extension advisory board. can get things “He’s got a reputation as someone who can get things accomplished accomplished and a really good heart,” says Ray, who helped and has a really Nunn jumpstart a Morgan good heart.” County Row Crop Association in 2015. He sought her help in creating a place for quarterly updates similar to other commodity associations. “We never had something specifically for row crop farmers,” Nunn says. “It’s been a good thing.” He will compete against nine other state winners this month for the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award, which will be announced Oct. 20 at the expo. The University of Georgia contributed this article. AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

A Plant Protection Priority The National Cotton Council worked closely with EPA and agribusiness allies to ensure dicamba’s continued availability.

What was the threat to dicamba?

n After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth

Circuit vacated the 2018 registration of Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia dicamba herbicides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in June, the NCC immediately sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler. The correspondence noted that most of the 2020 U.S. cotton acres had been planted to varieties that were tolerant

brief supporting EPA’s position and defending the use of existing stocks. The brief explained that without access to dicamba products, cotton producers could expect up to an $800 million yield loss. This would exacerbate the already tenuous economic situation they faced from depressed market prices and increased market uncertainty, due to ongoing trade tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief also emphasized that terminating the EPA’s existing stocks order would set a disruptive precedent with profound, long-term consequences for all farmers and ranchers for years to come. The court quickly denied the opponents’ emergency motion to halt dicamba use. The ruling meant that cotton producers and commercial applicators could continue applying existing stocks (those in hand as of June 3) of XtendiMax, Engenia and FeXapan through July 31.

What is the status of Enlist Duo?

Maintaining dicamba access was critical to early season weed control and weed resistance management. to over-the-top applications of these herbicides, which are a critical component in weed resistance management. The letter stated that the U.S. cotton industry would support an appeal of the court’s decision, if such an appeal were to be filed. The more urgent request, though, was asking EPA to allow the use of existing dicamba stocks, which it did in its subsequent cancellation order. When opponents filed an emergency motion asking the court to stop the use of existing stocks and hold EPA in contempt, the NCC joined with the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association and National Sorghum Producers in filing an amicus

n The plaintiffs who brought the dicamba lawsuit also have a pending lawsuit, filed in 2017 in the same court, against EPA’s registration of Enlist Duo, an important 2,4-D-choline and glyphosate premix herbicide. This lawsuit, like the dicamba lawsuits, argues that Enlist Duo’s registration violates FIFRA through EPA’s use of the wrong legal standard and the Endangered Species Act by EPA's failure to consult with wildlife services. It makes some of the same claims that these plaintiffs successfully made against dicamba’s registration and asks for the Corteva product’s registration to be vacated.

Corteva defended the Enlist Duo system saying, “The Enlist Weed Control System is an important tool for farmers, and Enlist Duo provides critical weed control with reduced potential for drift and near-zero volatility.” The NCC agrees and will continue to monitor this legal situation and, if necessary, engage with EPA as it did with the dicamba lawsuit to preserve this valuable plant protection product.

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 | AUGUST 2020

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Forecast Remains Cloudy For The Cotton Market BY YANGXUAN LIU

Consumers’ Consumption Decline

As cotton and cotton-related products are discretionary items, COVID-19 has significantly impacted demand for cotton. The greatest decline in consumption has been observed in China and India. Retail sales in clothing and clothing accessories in the United States experienced an 87% decline in April from the previous year. With the anticipation of a decline in consumers’ consumption of apparel, the recovery of the spinning industry is anticipated to be slow. Slightly lower production, reduced consumption, and higher beginning and ending stocks are projected for the 2020 cotton crop globally. World cotton production in 2020 is forecast at 118.7 million bales, 3% (4.2 million bales) below the previous year. TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

U.S. cotton exports are projected at 16 million bales for 2020. This is 1 million bales above the 2019 crop and the third highest on record.

LIA GUTHRIE

ince the f irst diagnosis of COVID-19, the spread of the pandemic worldwide has negatively affected global economic growth. According to a release by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, global economic growth will decline by 6% to 7.6% in 2020, depending on whether there is a second wave of infections. Similar trends are also observed for the U.S. economy. Real gross domestic product in the United States decreased at an annual rate of 5% in the first quarter of 2020. The unemployment rate in the United States has reached its highest level since 1929, with a peak of 14.7% in April during the COVID-19 lockdown. The June unemployment rate indicates that the labor market has improved since the reopening of the economy. However, with the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States since reopening and as some of the hardest-hit states begin to pause reopening, it is difficult to predict how long the pandemic’s negative impact on the economy will continue.

Global cotton mill use is forecast at 114.4 million bales in 2020, 11.5% (12 million bales) above 2019 but still significantly lower than 2017 and 2018 levels. The world ending stocks are also projected at 104.7 million bales, the second-highest level on record. U.S. cotton production is projected at 19.5 million bales in 2020, 2% (400,000 bales) below the 2019 crop. However, this number will most likely be adjusted down due to weather-delayed planting in several states and reduced acreage in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s June acreage report. The U.S. planted acreage for cotton was forecast at 12.2 million acres, down 11% (1.5 million acres) from last year. Fifteen of the 17 major cotton-producing states have seen a decline in Upland planted acres compared with 2019, with the largest decline in Texas. In Georgia, the planted acres declined to 1.2 million acres from 1.4 million acres in 2019. This decreased acreage nationwide is primarily due to lower

prices and provides some opportunity for price recovery. Exports, Stocks-to-Use Ratio

U.S. cotton exports are projected at 16 million bales for 2020, 1 million above the 2019 crop and the third highest on record. U.S. ending stocks are projected at 7.3 million bales in 2019 and 8 million bales in 2020. Stocks-to-use ratio is projected at 43% for 2020, the highest since 2007. This increase in ending stocks in the United States creates downward pressure on U.S. cotton prices. The season-average farm price is projected at 57 cents per pound in 2020 compared to 59 cents per pound in 2019 and 70.3 cents per pound in 2018. New crop December futures closed at 62.95 cents per pound July 2. Yangxuan Liu is a University of Georgia assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics. She may be reached at Yangxuan.Liu@uga.edu. AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

NexGen® Varieties Tested in Americot’s ACE Trial Program

mericot’s investment into the research and development (R&D) of high yielding, high quality varieties has expanded over the last three years into a full-scale field trial program called Americot Cotton Evaluation (ACE) Trials. This year, our nine Germplasm Specialists across the cotton belt have collectively planted 217 ACE Trials with cooperating growers. “These trials will be very helpful to not only our R&D and sales teams, but especially our growers. We are generating information on water utilization, plant growth regulator (PGR) response and input management that will provide our growers insight and confidence in our current variety line-up and future releases,” says Dr. Doug Jost, Director of Research and Germplasm. “Every piece of data, from heat tolerance to PGR management, provides knowledge to our sales teams and growers alike. It builds grower confidence in NexGen® varieties knowing they have the power to perform under their own growing conditions in their own specific regions.”

SHANE HALFMANN Central and South Texas 2020 started off dry in South Texas, causing growers to plant deep, chasing moisture. But as luck would have it some areas got a big rain event following planting, causing widespread replants. I was concerned about the late-planted cotton, but a wet summer has allowed the crop to reach full potential. The early-March planted cotton also looks beautiful. At the time of this writing, I do not want to speculate, but it’s a very strong crop with excellent yield potential. NG 4936 B3XF and NG 4098 B3XF look very good in the Coastal Bend. The Upper Coast had a similar weather pattern and insect pressure was light across the whole region. Fruit retention was high, allowing for easier management. I think this will also allow for an earlier harvest season, which is always beneﬁcial as we strive to avoid any tropical weather events. NG 5711 B3XF remains our number one variety here, but NG 4936 B3XF looks very good and the two varieties complement each other on the farm. In central Texas many growers got a Father’s Day gift in the form of a timely rain. The cotton was just beginning to bloom, and soil

moisture was limiting. NG 4936 B3XF and NG 5711 B3XF are both looking strong here, as well. We are fortunate to have several new options in our ACE Trials this year. AMX 19B001 B3XF and AMX 19B003 B3XF are being tested for the ﬁrst time in 2020. We implemented 27 ACE Trials across the region with excellent grower-cooperators and are looking forward to great trial results.

BROOKS BLANCHE, PH.D. South Delta The 2020 cotton season began with negativity surrounding the trade war and relations with China, a major buyer of US Cotton. Because of the depressed prices resulting from reduced U.S. exports to China, cotton acres dropped significantly below last year’s levels. In some areas, cotton acreage is estimated to be 50% lower compared to last year. A grower made the comment to me, “So far, 2020 tastes like toothpaste and orange juice.” That is the bad news. The good news is that planting conditions were better than last year, and replants were down significantly. Cotton has grown nicely and has benefited from better rainfall than we’ve seen in recent years. Going into the major bloom period, we are in a good position to make high yields a reality. One component of working in R&D is that we are living and working in 2020 but preparing for 2021. We have approximately 25 unique ACE Trials scattered throughout the South Delta and we will have a very good understanding of variety performance and characteristics of new varieties heading into 2021. In addition to multi-location yield data, I’m also looking at several trial sets evaluating soil type preferences of varieties. Attempts are made to manage planting date, location, fertility, etc. identically such that the only differing factor is soil texture. It never ceases to amaze me just how differently varieties perform on a Sharkey clay compared to a Commerce silt loam. As any grower knows, cotton varieties are often specifically adapted to certain soil characteristics, e.g., NG 5711 B3XF on clay-textured soils. This research gives us a better understanding of new varieties and their management characteristics beyond their “average” yields.

My trials this year include standards like NG 5711 B3XF and NG 4936 B3XF along with several experimental lines being considered for variety launch in 2021. ACE Trials such as these are essential to understanding new varieties, so growers can be confident and successful growing them for the first time. If you are interested in the data from these trials, please reach out to me or your local NexGen rep, and we’d be happy to share it with you!

TODD SPIVEY, PH.D. Carolinas 2020 has been a season of extremes thus far. From low temperatures in the 30s into the second week of May, to rainfall totals as high as 28” in some areas. Consequently, we have already seen a full season of cotton stress events. Our ACE Trial program in the Carolinas and Virginia is in full force again this year, expanding our geographical reach out to the Blacklands in Eastern North Carolina; north to Sussex County, Virginia; and south to Kline, South Carolina. This year’s program includes an improved variation of irrigated and non-irrigated trials, a wide range of tillage options from strip-tilled cover crops to conventional, raised beds, as well as a couple of double-cropped plots behind winter wheat. Because of the tough spring weather, many fields were planted under less than optimum conditions. As a result, many fields were planted late and early-season growth was slow, so growers are working hard to manage for earliness. Plant growth regulator management is key to insuring we protect against rank growth, improving pest control and harvestability. Across the board, our NexGen varieties showed outstanding vigor, despite the terrible planting and early season growth conditions. Great stands of NG 4936 B3XF and NG 5711 B3XF are a common sight across the region, and the new standout, NG 4098 B3XF, is off to a roaring start with market-leading vigor! Despite all the hinderances already encountered, the NexGen portfolio of Bollgard® 3 XtendFlex® varieties is primed to turn heads in 2020.

KAREN GELDMACHER Arizona This time of year, cotton in Arizona is approaching cut-out along the Colorado River and peak bloom in the central growing regions. We

are watching the weather, specifically for temperatures associated with cotton heat stress. Meteorological reports for the region suggest monsoon humidity and above average temperatures will continue through the summer growing season. We have a research program in Maricopa, Arizona collecting heat stress data, including pollen dehiscence, floral morphology and boll formation. Over the years, this research has shown us that NG 3729 B2XF, NG 4936 B3XF and NG 5711 B3XF possess excellent heat tolerance. This research provides the information we need to assist our growFor further information on Americot ers with proper variety Cotton Evaluation Trials in your region, placement. Arizona ACE contact your Americot Germplasm Trials are at various Specialist. Visit www.americot.com/ developmental stages research-team for contact information. across the state, including peak bloom, cut-out, and some getting the final irrigation. Our ACE Trial grower-cooperators are very excited about NG 4098 B3XF. They were very impressed with its large seed size, excellent stand establishment, very high early-season boll retention and ease of management.

SCOTT RUSSELL South Alabama and Georgia This is the best start we’ve had in several years! I have seen exceptional stands on fields that typically have emergence issues. The stand establishment and early season performance of the NexGen Bollgard 3 XtendFlex varieties has been excellent. We are really standing out against the competition. NG 4936 B3XF demonstrated outstanding emergence and growers are very impressed with its strong early season growth. Another variety worth noting is NG 4098 B3XF. We were a little dry early in the planting window and we were planting deep, chasing moisture. Growers that planted NG 4098 B3XF couldn’t stop talking about its outstanding emergence. One grower told me he’s never seen that kind of vigor in the 25 years he’s been farming. Two experimental lines, AMX 19B001 B3XF and AMX 19B003 B3XF have us excited about their potential fit in southeast Georgia. Overall, we’re very pleased with our crop and the performance of the NexGen varieties!

Sponsored by

CARROLL SMITH

COVER STORY

Left to right: Chip, Billy, Joey and William Reeves are proud of their five-generation legacy at Reeves Family Farms in Fayette County, Tennessee, where they grow cotton, corn, soybeans and Bermuda hay.

Reeves Family Farms Rockin’ The Hills Of West Tennessee BY CARROLL SMITH EDITOR

n the late 1800s, Ernest Reeves traveled from Canada and settled in Fayette County, Tennessee, where the Loosahatchie River runs through the rolling hills and bottomland of this fertile agricultural area. When Ernest passed away in his 80s, his son, E.A. Reeves, dropped out of the 11th grade to farm the land he inherited from his father and take care of the rest of the family. E.A.’s son, William, followed in his footsteps until he was called to be a missionary in West Virginia. Touched by divine intervention, William packed up the family, including his 13-year-old son, Billy, and headed east. Billy spent 16½ years working in the coal mines, which had a rich heritage in much of the state’s history. Although he was making good money, Billy still dreamed of farming. At the time, he satisfied that yearning by growing soybeans, corn and hay on the side. “Farming got in my blood because my dad farmed before we moved to West Virginia,” Billy says. “In 1994, when I was 34, we moved back to the home place in Tennessee where I started farming from scratch.

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

“I had no machinery and couldn’t get a loan from the Farm Service Agency because I didn’t have a history with cotton, so my neighbors stepped in and helped me get started. My first crop was 75 acres of cotton right here on the same hill where we first began. Fortunately, I made a bale and a half per acre in 1994 and sold it for about 74 cents per pound.” Through the years, Billy continued to pick up ground, and today farms about 3,000 no-till dryland acres of cotton, corn, soybeans and Bermuda hay in partnership with his sons, Chip and Joey. “We don’t hire any other farm labor,” Chip says. “What you see here — the three of us — this is it. We make it happen.” 2019 Season In Review

About 70% of Reeves Family Farms is rolling hills, and the rest of the acreage is bottom ground. In 2019, they planted their largest amount of cotton ever — 1,400 acres — to PHY 340 W3FE, PHY 350 W3FE and PHY 430 W3FE. “It was a good year,” Chip says. “We grew the best cotton we’ve ever had, but our overall yield didn’t reflect that. We COTTONFARMING.COM

Rocky Start To 2020

The Reeveses say they had intended to plant 1,400-plus acres of cotton in 2020.

CHIP REEVES

had about 400 acres in the Loosahatchie River bottoms that went underwater in July when the plants were fruiting. “Surprisingly, the cotton put on a good crop after the water receded, but we didn’t get enough heat units to finish out the bolls. This brought our overall average yield down to 930 pounds per acre on the whole crop. “However, the hill cotton — all dryland — picked anywhere from 1,100 to 1,400 pounds per acre. It was beautiful. We also had some of the best grades we’ve ever had, including several 11s on color. And before the rain came, we had a turnout of 44% at Longtown Gin in Mason, Tennessee. “One of the reasons we like PhytoGen is that it yields well and nine times out of 10, the quality is high. We think both yield and quality are important when choosing what varieties to plant. Every cent counts in cotton.” Chip also credits the yield increase they have experienced to having good cotton scouts — John Hines and Hunter Sheehan — check their cotton once a week and help them make timely decisions on inputs. “In addition to checking for weeds and insects, they keep an eye on the growth of the cotton plant and make recommendations for applying a plant growth regulator,” he says. “They want to make sure the cotton loads up with blooms and bolls versus stalk and vegetative growth.”

William Reeves, who represents the third generation at Reeves Family Farms, stands in front of the last module he packed in 2017 before retiring. He says he still recalls pulling cotton to Longtown Gin in Mason, Tennessee, on an old two-cylinder tractor hooked to a trailer back in the day. But when cotton prices dropped from 72 cents in January to 52 cents at planting time and the presence of COVID-19 was changing everything, it was back to the drawing board. “We changed our minds five or six times on the amount of cotton we were going to plant,” Billy says. “We didn’t

know what to do. We finally decided to go with 600 acres and hope next year is more stable.” The family chose to grow PHY 400 W3FE, PHY 430 W3FE and PHY 360 W3FE. They planted 500 acres from May 1 through noon, May 3, before rain delayed planting the last 100 acres until

DREW HARRIS

In 2019 before the rain set in at the end of the harvest season, Chip Reeves says they captured several 11s on color grade and 44% turnout at the gin.

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

“The first year I grew cotton, I had an old International gas-burning two-row picker that looked like it came over on Noah’s Ark. We went from that to a four-row John Deere.” May 21. As of midseason, Chip says the crop is “loaded up and looking good.”

Dump And Go

When asked to share what they liked best about growing cotton, the Reeves crew were all in agreement — harvest time. William says he remembers running a one-row picker where the picker unit was mounted on the back of a 3020 John Deere tractor, and the tractor ran in reverse. After harvest was over, the picker unit was removed, and the tractor resumed its more “normal” tasks during the spring and summer. “The first year I grew cotton, I had an old International gas-burning two-row picker that looked like it came over on Noah’s Ark,” Billy says. “We went from that to a four-row John Deere.” Today, their harvest equipment con-

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

PHOTOS BY CHIP REEVES

Weed And Insect Control

When it comes to the most troublesome weed that challenges their cotton crop, Chip says pigweed is definitely the frontrunner. To keep it in check, he sprays Enlist One herbicide. “We like Enlist because we can still get it, and it stays in the field where you put it,” he says. “As of right now, we haven’t had one off-target issue with Enlist. We’ve also tankmixed Liberty herbicide with it. This combination wipes out pigweed.” The fifth-generation Tennessee farmer says he would describe 2020 so far as a light insect year for cotton. “We made only one thrips application and sprayed once for plant bugs,” Chip says. “They weren’t at threshold, but we decided to clean them up anyway. “Because our PhytoGen varieties have the WideStrike 3 technology, we don’t have to spray for bollworms. We start out $18 ahead at the beginning of the year by avoiding sprays and don’t lose money from damaged bolls.”

As of midseason this year, the Reeveses agree the cotton is loaded up and looking good. The inset photo shows a five-lock boll of PHY 430 W3FE. sists of a six-row John Deere 9976 basket cotton picker, a boll buggy and a module packer. Billy runs the picker 90% of the time, and his sons man the boll buggy and module packer. “We can get the picking done with just three people,” Billy says. “We average about 65 acres a day. One day we picked 100 acres while running at night until about 4:30 in the morning because it was breezy and didn’t dew. We can all operate the machinery, so we change up if we need to. “We have an efficient harvest system worked out. It takes about 45 to 60 seconds to dump, and then I am back on the row. It never stops.” The Resilience Of Cotton

Although cotton has its challenges with

price and weather, it can survive the hot, dry climate of Fayette County, Tennessee, year in and year out, Billy says. “We have also found that corn is a good rotation crop for cotton, especially when it comes to pigweed,” he says. “Pigweed doesn’t like atrazine, so we can clean it up in the corn crop. “And the organic matter left on the ground from the corn helps retain moisture during dry times. Every acre has been no-till since 2006.” In looking to the future, the Reeves family is optimistic about planting and nurturing their favorite crop — cotton. It’s in their blood and dear to their hearts. And maybe one day, they will turn it over to the sixth generation of Reeveses who hopefully will enjoy it as much as they do. COTTONFARMING.COM

RESEARCH & PROMOTION

The Evolution Of Back-To-School Shopping

rowing up in a small town in Southeast Arkansas, I always looked forward to the arrival of August. This meant it was time for one of my favorite traditions — driving to Little Rock and visiting the mall for back-to-school shopping. I loved everything about it. Searching the crowded stores for the perfect, first-day-of-school outfit, going up and down the escalators, hitting up the food court, and carrying all of those shopping bags made for the perfect escape from smalltown life. Fast-forward to August 2020. The mall scene of yesteryear is now a stark contrast to what I would see if I went to a mall today. The COVID-19 pandemic has closed many malls, and the BY STACEY GORMAN number of customers allowed in retail MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE stores is limited. All the while, questions loom about what going back to school will even look like for students across the nation. Back-to-school shopping is usually the second highest apparel-buying season for consumers, only behind holiday shopping. Last year, back-to-school spending was expected to reach nearly $83 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. Dark Times And Bright Spots

However, like so many other aspects of life in the midst of a pandemic, the 2020 back-to-school shopping season will likely be like none we have experienced before. There are plenty of news stories about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected brands and retailers, and they do not paint a pretty picture. There have been store closures, bankruptcies, furloughs and a reduction in consumer spending like never before. However, if you look closely enough, a few bright spots emerge from all the gloom. Some shutdown behaviors, such as how people shop, how they pick up their purchases and even how they pay, might serve as lessons for retailers as consumers slowly begin to navigate shopping in a COVID-19 world. For starters, consumers have come to truly embrace ecommerce. A majority of them (63%) say they “discovered new ways to shop” during this period, according to a Cotton Incorporated 2020 Coronavirus Response Survey*. Close to half of all consumers (44%) are shopping online more than before the pandemic. ‘Shop Cotton’ Is Born

Cotton Incorporated has taken note. “Staying comfortable in your clothes is always important — but never more so than TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

right now. Whether students are preparing to go back into a classroom setting or will be learning from home in a virtual classroom, cotton clothing can make this trying time a little more comfortable,” says Kim Kitchings, vice president of consumer marketing at Cotton Incorporated. To make shopping for cotton easier for consumers, Cotton Incorporated has a “Shop Cotton” section on thefabricofour lives.com. Seekers of this fabric can browse through specially curated items for children, women and men. They may also shop for home goods. The featured items span a wide range of styles, brands and price-points to make sure there is something for everyone. The section also features cotton non-medical face masks for adults and children, just in time for the back-to-school season. Out of crisis comes change, but people do not abandon things that are familiar and provide comfort. It just means they tend to evolve. For me, this year’s back-to-school shopping for my children will mean shopping online via Shop Cotton rather than making a day-long trip to the mall. And who knows, maybe I will even look up a recipe so we can make our own “food court” style soft pretzels. I wonder if I’ll get bonus points if I find one that calls for cottonseed oil. Stacey Gorman is The Cotton Board’s director of communications. Contact her at sgorman@cottonboard.org. *Cotton Incorporated’s COVID-19 Consumer Response Survey, a survey of 500 U.S. consumers conducted April 27 (Wave 2). AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Industry News Stewart Named Director Of UT’s West Tennesse Ag Center An entomologist well known to row crop producers throughout the South, Scott D. Stewart has been named the director of the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Stewart, who currently serves in Jackson as a University of Tennessee Extension specialist in Scott D. integrated pest man- Stewart agement and professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, will begin his appointment Oct. 1. He is no stranger to the center, having worked there as a faculty member of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology since 2002. Beforre that, he served at Mississippi State University for seven years. Stewart’s pedigree includes serving as author, co-author or presenter on hundreds of scientific papers as well as shepherding nine students through graduate school. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s degree in entomology from Texas A&M and his doctorate in entomology from Auburn University. Among his best-known efforts has been as a leader in the development of the popular UTCrops.com website and news blog, which together serve as a hub of historic and week-by-week information for crop producers in West Tennessee and the Mid-South. “I’ll enjoy working with an even wider group of scientists and stakeholders in Tennessee,” Stewart says. “My plan is to leave things better than I found them. That’ll be a challenge, considering the current director has done an excellent job.” Stewart will be the seventh director of the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.

New Program Pays Growers For Climate-Smart Practices Bayer will start rewarding farmers in the United States and Brazil for generating carbon credits by adopting climate-smart practices, such as no-till farming and the use of cover crops.

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

The goal of the company’s Carbon Initiative is to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and field greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. The effort is the result of years of work validating a science-based approach and methodology, according to a company news release. “If anyone has a vested interest in battling climate change, it’s farmers, and we are committed to developing new business models like this unique Carbon Initiative to help them in that fight,” Bayer Crop Science Chief Operating Officer Brett Begemann said in the release. Soil is one of the most effective ways of sequestering carbon. Offering farmers incentives to embrace no-till, precision nitrogen use or cover crops helps further sequester carbon in the soil, reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gases. The program’s 2020-21 season will include about 1,200 farmers in Brazil and the United States. In both countries, farmers will receive assistance in implementing climate-smart agricultural practices, and Bayer will acquire the carbon removal credits created by those practices at transparent prices. The company is also collaborating with partners such as Embrapa in Brazil to build a viable carbon market for farmers. Bayer plans to expand the program in the United States and Brazil to other farmers and then later into other world regions with tailored approaches that will allow growers to choose what climate-smart practices and implementation works best for them.

Savannah Is Now The Top Port For U.S. Ag Exports The Port of Savannah’s proximity to major producers, direct access via road and rail, broad global network and responsiveness to customer needs have made it the top port in the nation for the export of containerized agricultural goods. “Agriculture is a major driver for Georgia’s economy, contributing $74 billion in annual economic benefit and nearly 400,000 jobs across the state,” says Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “As this country’s No. 1 port for the export of agricultural products, Savannah provides vital support for the state and nation, helping our farmers reach overseas buyers efficiently.” In 2019, agriculture accounted for

60% of Savannah’s exports, or more than 843,000 20-foot equivalent container units. Forest products such as wood pulp, paper and logs made up the largest category of goods, followed by clay, cotton and poultry. During the pandemic, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has focused on ensuring both chassis and empty containers are available to support the movement of export commodities. Through its association with the South Atlantic Chassis Pool II and the completion of a new on-terminal chassis yard, the Port of Savannah provides customers with access to the largest chassis pool in the Southeast. In addition, GPA’s team has focused on cargo owners and other contacts to ensure a reliable supply of containers. GPA’s inland terminal, the Appalachian Regional Port, has seen increased volumes and export commodities coming from Northwest Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. At the Port of Savannah, the port authority increased on-time performance of vessel operations to achieve its best performance in three years. Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 439,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $25 billion in income, $106 billion in revenue, and $2.9 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8.5% of U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10% of all U.S. containerized exports in fiscal year 2017. For more information, go online to www.gaports.com.

AFBF Accepting Nominations For 2021 Farm Dog Of The Year The American Farm Bureau Federation and Nestle Purina PetCare Co. are looking for the best farm dog in the country. Desired attributes for the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year include helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and obedience. The grand prize winner — Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year — will win a year’s worth of Purina dry dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the AFBF Convention in January. Up to four regional runners-up will win $1,000 each in prize money. COTTONFARMING.COM

Industry News To apply for the 2021 Farm Dog of the Year contest, go to https://bit.ly/32SKpdS to complete the application. The deadline to enter is Aug. 20 at 4:59 pm CDT. Be prepared to provide written responses to the questions below about your farm dog:  How does he/she enrich your life and that of your family?  How does he/she support you, the farmer, in doing your job?  Does he/she interact with farm animals? Does he/she help to guide farm animals where they need to go or help in other ways?  What non-farmwork activities do you and your dog do together for recreation? Describe your commitment to responsible dog ownership (safety practices, current vaccinations, proper nutrition and care, etc.). List any awards your dog has received, and any special skills your dog has, or tricks he/she can perform.

Long-Time Texas A&M Leader, Entomologist Dies Perry Adkisson, the former leader of the Texas A&M University System and internationally known agricultural scientist in the area of entomology, has died. Adkisson became a professor of entomology at Texas A&M in 1958 and went on to serve as the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System from 1986 to 1990 before retiring in 1994 as a distinguished professor. During his career at Texas A&M, he also served as deputy chancellor, vice president for agriculture and renewable resources, and head of the Department of Entomology. “Texas A&M and Texas agriculture are eternally grateful for the contributions Dr. Adkisson made during his years of service,” says Patrick Stover, vice chancellor of Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “His leadership and dedication will serve as an example for all faculty, current and future.” Adkisson was an early pioneer in developing the concepts for integrated pest management through his research on control of the insect pests of cotton. He led the development of highly successful integrated control programs for the boll weevil, bollworm and other key cotton pests and saw these programs TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Joshua Bell was inspired to solve the problem of his chemical tank blocking the tractor headlights at night.

BASF Recognizes West Texas Farmer’s Ingenuity No one knows how to think outside the box and create practical solutions better than a farmer. Joshua Bell, a cotton grower from West Texas, did exactly that. He submitted his pioneering idea in response to an invitation from BASF for cotton growers to share their best on-farm innovations. “I took the chemical tank and made a brace to mount on the tractor weight,” Bell says. “I think this could be advantageous to anyone who doesn’t have tanks for every tractor.” The idea occurred to him when he realized the tank blocked the tractor headlights, making it difficult to work at night. Bell decided to use material he already had on the farm instead of changing the tractor lights. In addition, the innovation gives him the ability to “grab and go” with a chemical tank — significantly decreasing the time needed to change tanks or using one specific tractor for a particular job. Bell’s innovation enables him to work faster and more efficiently, allowing any tractor on his operation to apply chemicals with the field cultivator. “In our business, efficiency is how you make money,” he says. Bell grows FiberMax and Stoneville cottonseed as well as peanuts, corn and wheat. He also operates a custom harvesting and spraying business. To enter the contest, growers had to submit a photo or description of an innovation they successfully implemented on their farm. Other submissions included implement modifications and small-scale test plots. BASF sent Bell and his family a prize package containing a Traeger pellet grill, Yeti cooler and a beef grilling package. Additionally, BASF will recognize Bell in upcoming grower communications. implemented on millions of acres of Texas cotton. His most important work was toward preventing the spread of the boll weevil in the High Plains of Texas. Adkisson received many awards, both national and international, and was a leader in many professional groups.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Arkansas. He earned a doctorate in entomology from Kansas State University in 1956 and did his postdoctoral work at Harvard University. AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking

2020 Cotton Crop Update FLORIDA David Wright

Florida cotton has good yield potential at this point. Weather has been mostly good for growing and fruit set. Many of our growers use conservation tillage when planting but may plant into winter fallow weeds while some plant into cover crops. Our data over the years with cover crops shows that they can help with erosion control and moisture conservation but may not always increase yields. However, data from the last 20 years of a long-term cotton/peanut rotation shows that if winter covers are grazed, fields that have often been breakeven in yields or less can be converted into some of the top yielding fields while using less nitrogen. In addition, we have shown that 40%-70% less irrigation is needed, depending on the year, following winter grazing due to enhanced (almost double) rooting of cotton plants. This practice is beginning to be recognized by many of our cotton growers across the Florida Panhandle with cattle producers teaming up with row croppers to make this a mutually beneficial enterprise. We have emphasized to growers to start with the worst fields that they have. Every grower who has tried it has come back with positive stories. Yields can be increased by a minimum of 150 pounds per acre of lint up to 400 pounds per acre every year with grazing. We have not seen this with cover crops alone even if it is high residue. Grazing takes most of the cover crop out but results in higher yields with less input. This gives farmers an incentive to plant cover crops that they would otherwise avoid because of the expense and lack of return in yield in many cases. Likewise, calf gains have been 50-100 pounds per head higher following row crops as fields are usually a little higher in fertility than many pastures. I have heard many testimonies about ways that cattle and row crop producers are working together to make it profitable for both sides while contributing to soil health and other environmental services. wright@ufl.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown

Rapid fruiting describes most varieties in the field in 2020. Given built-in worm control, good plant bug management and favorable growing conditions, fruit retention through early bloom and boll set should be extremely high, perhaps 90% or better. But we know we can’t retain every position. In 2019, I counted bolls on DP 1646 B2XF that picked almost 1,400 pounds per acre. Percent harvestable bolls versus possible fruiting sites was 43%. That seems low, but I suspect in the Southeast, no matter how good the yield, that number rarely exceeds 55% or 60%. So how many weeks of flowering are needed for big yields? Last year, we participated in a Cotton Incorporated study in which we monitored growth stages and heat units. At three sites, days from first bloom to cutout (as measured by NAWF 4) was 28 days. Yields of DP 1646 B2XF in these trials ranged from 1,399 to over 2,100 pounds per acre. “Cutout” suggests that the progression of fruiting and flowering is moving up the plant so rapidly that few additional meaningful, harvestable bolls will be set in the upper canopy. In the long seasons of the southernmost areas, some think that cotton may stay at 4 NAWF for a couple of weeks or so. Granted, 2019 was extraordinarily hot, so plant processes were accelerated. Still, this indicates that in four to five weeks of bloom, we can make a very good crop.

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

Another implication is that in good growing conditions— and as of mid-July our Alabama crop looks extremely promising because of favorable rainfall — extra vigilance is needed through the first several weeks of bloom. While we might name several important management factors, especially critical in August are stink bug control and where possible, timely irrigation. Every input, every decision builds the crop for boll production. These are key weeks for production and protection. cottonbrown@auburn.edu

MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi

Mississippi experienced hot, humid and wet conditions for the first part of July. Cotton has responded well to the heat and humidity, which has allowed for laterplanted cotton to catch up with earlier-planted cotton. Consequently, weed pressure has increased tremendously during this time period and will need to be addressed prior to canopy closure. Successful pre applications prior to the wet period seem to still be holding, but I have seen an increase in annual grasses among others. There will be some Palmer amaranth escapes in fields that will need to be pulled or chopped, which is part of any weed management strategy. At this point, cotton looks good across the state and the situation is relatively quiet. Most of the cotton is ranging from early to mid-bloom, and fruit retention is high in most locations. I have had a few isolated locations experiencing low fruit retention, which is attributed to a combination of proximity to corn, excessive growth and poor drainage. Rapid vegetative growth needs to be managed with plant growth regulators, especially given the weather pattern we have been in. It is important to be aware of the rain fastness of PGRs, insecticides and herbicides applied during a pop-up shower weather pattern similar to the one we are in now from both an economic and efficacy standpoint. Plant bug pressure has been relatively light at this point. However, I look for this to increase in the next week or two, especially with corn maturing and peak bloom in cotton. It is after July 4, so I anticipate egg laying to begin in the next week to 10 days as well. It is still early, and the fate of this crop is still in the hands of the weather. bkp4@msstate.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten

We often say there is no such thing as a normal growing season for cotton in North Carolina, and this year is certainly no exception. Most of the crop is at least two weeks behind schedule due to cooler weather in May. Some of the crop is as much as six weeks behind, especially where we have had excess moisture in combination with cooler temps. This means our effective bloom period is shorter than usual. A fairly safe assumption is that you will have enough time and heat to mature a boll if the bloom occurs by Aug. 25. It would be a good idea to go out Aug. 25 to determine on what node your crop is blooming. This might help you later in determining what bolls are worth waiting for in the fall. A short bloom period means fruit retention is more important than a normal crop that has time to set fruit over a seven- or eight-week period. Unfortunately, late crops are also more attractive to insects. We need to make sure we don't let our guard down in terms of scouting and timing sprays where needed. COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking Mepiquat applications can help with maturity, but don’t overreact and make them where conditions are not favorable for growth as they could reduce potential fruiting sites on the plant. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper

As I write this July 20, our crop remains 10 to 14 days behind. Much of the area struggled with high temperatures over the past week and only scattered rainfall. I still think yield potential for this crop is good to very good, but I’m banking on a rain within the coming week. More plant growth regulator applications have been made in the past 10 days, but selecting rate has been difficult given our lack of rain. Retention has been good, but as our corn crop matures, we have seen increases in plant bug numbers. Field days will obviously be much different this year than in years past. The 2020 Milan No-Till Field Day is no exception. Recordings of all tours have been completed, and the entire event will be virtual. By the time you read this, all content will be posted online. Our Cotton Tour is likely going virtual also, but the final decision on that event has not yet been made. I would, however, encourage you to contact your local county agent if you are interested in walking any variety trials. Most will be able to provide a plot map and give you directions to the trial locations. Walking these trials will provide the opportunity to see new cultivars in action even during the pandemic. traper@utk.edu

MISSOURI Calvin Meeks

The Fourth of July brought us some flowering cotton here in the Missouri Bootheel. But the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report shows only 24% of the cotton is squaring, putting the crop behind the five-year average of 64%. However, we are slightly ahead of the 2019 squaring percentages. Our warm days as of late should help build heat units nicely, especially with such cool weather to start off May. The cotton appears to have great yield potential, but I have concerns about the cool May start delaying maturity. Cotton crop conditions were rated extremely variable in the Crop Progress and Condition Report due to the issues we faced with the cool May weather. This variability will play havoc with irrigation needs. Keep a close eye on crop growth stage on a field-by-field basis.

With the bloom period upon us, water needs will increase from an inch per week to 2 inches during the third and fourth weeks of bloom. Peak bloom will occur the last two weeks of July for fields that had blooms July 4, and water demands will taper off as we progress into August. Cotton during this period will transition from needing 2 inches of rain per week to 1-1.5 inches during the final stages of bloom. Regardless, the crop is currently growing very rapidly, and a final plant growth regulator application will be needed to ensure sufficient crop earliness, especially if higher temperatures hang around. For the remainder of the season, plant bug and bollworm control should be on everyone’s minds as well as keeping an eye out for stink bugs. Hopefully, the 2020 Missouri cotton crop will catch fall weather similar to what was observed in 2017. We had rain during August that year to help finish out the crop, followed by a warm, dry start to the fall that allowed for timely defoliation applications and harvest season. meeksc@missouri.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson

The Prospective Plantings report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated cotton plantings in Arkansas to be 590,000 acres. The 2020 planting season was difficult on and off the farm. The Arkansas Acreage Report estimated acres at 500,000. Mid-June, our crop was running almost two weeks behind on average and with the current market situation, we must concentrate on the basics. Tracking nodes above white flower (NAWF) from first flower to cutout (NAWF=5) can offer great insight on the crop’s condition and potential. 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. In Arkansas, the latest possible cutout dates using a 50% 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 cutout dates is important in identifying the last cohort or group of bolls that will contribute significantly to yield and profit. It is on this group of bolls and their development that we base our end-ofseason decisions. General termination guidelines include plant bug, cutout + 250 HU; bollworm and tobacco budworm, cutout + 350 HU; stink bug, cutout + 450 HU; fall armyworm, cutout + 500-550 HU; defoliating insects, cutout + 650 HU; harvest aid initiation, cutout + 850 HU. As we go into August, we must continue to manage this crop in a timely fashion to maintain yield potential while keeping expenses in check. For more information on crop termination, contact your local county Extension agent. brobertson@uaex.edu

TEXAS Ben McKnight

“With the bloom period upon us, water needs will increase from an inch per week to 2 inches during the third and fourth weeks of bloom,” says Missouri cotton specialist Calvin Meeks. TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Growers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend will soon be gearing up for the approaching harvest. Much of the early planted cotton in these regions is heavy with open, cracked bolls. As of this writing July 10, first shots of defoliants will be applied on the early planted cotton in these areas in the coming week or weeks. After a very dry start to the season, expectations for the crop in the Coastal Bend are drastically different than what was expected much earlier in the season. Abundant, timely rains fell in this area, and many are talking of exceptional yields this year. The condition of the cotton crop along the Upper Gulf Coast is also promising, and most of the acreage in this region is at cutout. The area experienced a large moth flight in June. Timely scouting and management AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

Specialists Speaking decisions in susceptible varieties aided growers in minimizing damage from the pests. It has been a dry start to July in Southeast Texas following periods of heavy rain and an extended period of cloudy weather in late June. A significant amount of fruit shed was observed in this region following nearly a week of overcast skies. High temperatures are projected to be more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit with dry conditions in the coming days. Irrigated acres will receive another shot of water. Most of the crop in this region is at 6-7 NAWF. The Blacklands has also been dry, and another round of rainfall is greatly needed. Without another substantial rain soon, cotton will be approaching cutout on the dryland acres in this area. Rainfall in the Rolling Plains at the beginning of July helped cotton that had emerged following a hot June. The condition of irrigated acres in the Rolling Plains looks good as of the first weeks of July, and many fields have squaring cotton. bmcknight@tamu.edu

TEXAS Murilo Maeda

Early cotton season in the Texas High Plains has been challenging, mostly because of moisture (or lack thereof). It is unbelievable to think July is already gone. All things considered, though, this may (or may not) be quick enough! Generally speaking, most of West Texas remains dry, with only limited spots receiving any recent rainfall. Moisture came too late to do any good for our dryland, but it will certainly help out in keeping the irrigated crop going. As I write this in mid-July, dryland cotton is scattered across the region and good-looking fields are few and far between. Irrigated acres that escaped blowing dust and hail early on look to be in great shape overall and may be running a few days to a few weeks late. While it may be fair to attribute the late start to the widespread lack of moisture during planting, it is worth noting that in many cases even irrigated fields (where water is limited) have struggled to get a good stand this year. Yes, it’s truly been that hot and dry. Looking through the end of July, weather forecast indicates high temperatures will be hovering around 100 degrees Fahrenheit with virtually no precipitation in sight. As we begin the crop’s reproductive phase, that forecast is far from ideal. From here on out, our attention has to be on high square retention, so keep an eye on possible sources of stress. From a management standpoint, input timeliness is crucial moving forward. Managing the crop for earliness (e.g. growth regulators, fertility and irrigation) can minimize potential negative effects of an early freeze. With all the uncertainties of 2020 thus far, it is important to set realistic expectations. If I may give you one piece of advice this year, avoid trying to push your crop too hard if you had a late start. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton

With most of the 2020 crop on the back side of peak bloom, decisions will soon be made regarding terminating the crop and preparing for harvest. The 2020 situation at this stage of the season is significantly better than where we were one year ago. Heat unit accumulations are much more in line with normal, and the fruit load on most of the crop looks good. Research plot assessments across the state indicate above-average fruit retention going into the final weeks of the growing season. Insect pressure up to this point in the season has been minimal, and beneficial/ predator populations have continued to help keep insect pests at bay. One area of concern is the growing populations of glyphosate-resistant pigweed seen in fields across the state. Since the first glyphosate-re-

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2020

sistant pigweed was discovered in Arizona in 2012, they have spread to all cotton-producing regions of the state. Use of alternate chemistries, residual chemistries and crop rotation are among some of the strategies to assist in combating this problem in our cotton fields. I am optimistic about the prospects for the 2020 crop, if we can continue into late summer and early fall with optimum conditions for finishing it out. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

CALIFORNIA Bob Hutmacher

Available irrigation water allocations have been reduced significantly in most valley irrigation districts, and growers may be making hard decisions about when and where to use water on their farms. August is typically when the final irrigation of the growing season is applied in many cotton fields, particularly in water-short years. This will still be true in many of the earlier-planted (March through mid-April) fields this year. But growers with sandy loam soils or late-planted fields might end up considering final irrigation in September. Where limited water and late-season water costs are concerns, it will be important to decide:  How long you need to maintain plants in a non-stressed or better than mildly-stressed condition.  How much of the later-developing bolls or “top crop” you can afford to mature out. Managed water stress levels have a definite place in crop management. But during the critical flowering and fruit setting period, you still need to avoid severe stress that could damage flower set and early boll retention. This is the vital “window” to set fruit and avoid having to extend the crop way Into the fall to go after a late top crop. For growers using leaf water potential (LWP) measurements in Pima cotton, our research suggests avoiding LWP values greater than about -21 to -22 bars during flowering and early boll set. This applies if you are using a stress management (bloom-it-to-the-top) approach in scheduling irrigations (about -19 to -20 bars in Upland varieties). If you don’t use LWP measurements, here is a general guideline. During the four- to five-week period following first bloom while you are trying to set a lot of bolls, don’t allow extended periods where the plants have visibly wilted leaves during all or most of the hotter afternoon hours. Significant wilting means little evaporative cooling and little photosynthesis will be occurring during those hours. These processes are needed for plants to be productive. This is especially true if there are extended periods with daily high temps in the 103110-plus Fahrenheit range. In addition, more severe water stress during the four- to five-plus-week period following first bloom tends to risk square and flower loss and even cavitation of small bolls. If water remains limiting, higher levels of plant water stress (LWP of -23 to -25 bars in Pima, -21 to -23 bars in Upland) can be tolerated during boll maturation after cutout with less impact on fruit retention or fiber quality. LWP target values can be somewhat different if you are using drip irrigation (sometimes 1.5 to 2 bars lower), so contact your University of California Cooperative Extension adviser or specialist if you'd like to have some additional discussion about that subject. If late-season water supplies are limited or costly, it is more important than ever to assess the top crop for additional yield potential. Decide if it represents cotton of adequate value to warrant costs for that last irrigation. Much of the primary fiber development affecting length and strength takes place in critical periods of about the first three-plus weeks after each flower blooms. Negative effects of stress on fiber quality will be much less if severe water stress is avoided through about five weeks after that flower blooms. Making the best crop under limited water situations requires good knowledge of where and when bolls were set on your crop to assess likely impacts of water stress severity and timing. rbhutmacher@ucdavis.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

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New Nighttime Lighting Requirements Go Into Effect For California The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, released a new regulation in California specifying lighting requirements for operation of agricultural equipment at night and agricultural employees who are working at night. The regulation went into effect July 1. Although these new requirements aren’t as intrusive as originally proposed, thanks to the involvement of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, they are still imposing. Details Regarding New Regulations The new requirements include the following highlights, when working between sunset and sunrise: ¡ All tractors, trucks and harvest equipment must have a light at the front of the equipment and one rear light to illuminate equipment. ¡ Lighting must be provided at the following illumination levels: — Meeting and meal/rest areas – 3 foot-candles. — Around agricultural operations, pathways leading to and around bathrooms and drinking water stations,

inside bathrooms and storage areas – 5 foot-candles. — Intermittently exposed points of operation or moving parts of machinery, or using tools that can potentially cause cuts, lacerations or punctures – 10 foot-candles. — Performing maintenance work on equipment – 20 foot-candles. — Note: The illumination levels can be provided by the use of one or more light sources including hands-free portable lighting (e.g. headlamp), equipment-mounted lighting or other sources. ¡ At the beginning of every shift, a safety meeting must be held to inform employees of location of restrooms, drinking water, break areas, bodies of water and high traffic areas. ¡ Employers must provide and require workers to wear high-visibility garments. For questions or additional information, please contact the CCGGA office at 559-252-0684. This information was originally published in the July 2020 issue of the CCGGA newsletter.

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AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

TCGA Summer Interns Check In The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association is continuing its summer internship program this year. The association says the goal is “to give these young people a chance to see if cotton ginning is a career they may want to pursue and showcase their value to potential employers.” In addition to the TCGA interns, the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Trust is also hosting an intern this summer. The two students selected to participate in the 2020 TCGA program are Amos Emanis, who attends Texas A&M University, and Oscar Herrera, who attends South Plains College. Emanis is interning at United Ag Co-op Inc. in El Campo, and Herrara is interning at United Cotton Growers Cooperative in Levelland. Here are their June reports describing their experience so far. Amos Emanis “Clay Whitley showed me around the Danevang and Hilje cotton gins on the first day, as well as a great place for a burger. For the majority of the first week, Zach, a gin-hand, installed a new Samuel Jackson humidifier in the Danevang gin. We hooked up the propane and water line, along with any electrical lines we needed for it to run smoothly. “The second week took me to Hilje. The press needed to be reassembled and cleaned, which took a total of eight gin hands and a small group of welders to accomplish — not to mention a crane that performed the brunt of the work. Altogether, my second week introduced me to more grease, grime and good country-style food than I have seen in a long time.”

Oscar Herrera “My first month working at United Cotton Growers has been a great learning experience. I love working with my hands and that's all we do here. Being new to this field of work was scary at first because I didn’t know anything about a cotton gin. But these very kind and welcoming co-workers have made it easy to settle. “Since I started working at the United Cotton Growers Cooperative Gin in Levelland, I've been working under Alex Salinas — the ginner. Alex has been teaching me how he normally does the job when the cotton season starts. Since the season still hasn’t started, we have been rebuilding, repairing and replacing crucial components that make the gin run. “We have rebuilt an air motor vent that needed the shaft and bearing replaced. We’ve installed new stick machine cylinders and screwed in the saws. We have also installed a new grid bed under a spike cylinder on a pre-cleaner using chain hoists. I have never seen anything more complicated happen so easily. “From there, we moved on to the disperser head where we replaced one of the cylinder bearings and serpentine belts using multiple chain hoists. Finally, we took out the chains from the module feeder cylinders and are currently soaking those in oil. As I am typing this report, we are rebuilding the module feeder catwalk for easier access. “Overall, I have really enjoyed this internship because it gave me a chance to experience life at the gin. I am going to take advantage of the rest of this internship to learn as much as I can and hope I can get an opportunity to work part-time as I continue my college career. I would like to thank Aaron Nelsen for this great opportunity to learn about the cotton gin industry.” The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association contributed this information.

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AUGUST 2020 | COTTON FARMING

My Turn

Momma’s ‘Lullabies’

hen my moth- and shaking of heads while they sang and inflections er was a young on strawberry leaves. g i rl g row i ng Another favorite was “The Old Apple Tree.” It, up in Leland, too, has several verses. And it, too, has a tragic end. Mississippi, she and her sis- Goes something like, “There’s an old apple tree in the ter, Babe, and their first cous- orchard, lives in my memory. It reminds me of my in (same age), Patsy Jeanne, Pappy. He was handsome, young and happy when he would get to spend a lot of planted the old apple tree.” And much like Poor Babes, time together in the summers. it takes a sad turn….something about Pappy running Momma especially liked off with Widow Norton and neighbors coming after learning to make homemade Pappy. Think they put the apples in a basket, cut the Lia bis c u it s f rom Mam m aw tree down for a casket and now poor Pappy’s gone with Guthrie Black. Other fun activities the tree. included Poppa Black playing I’m not sure I should even bring up the “Titanic.” his fiddle while they danced around the living room. Suffice it to say, “They built the old Titanic, and They also made up plays to perform for him because when that ship was through, they thought they built Poppa was a great audience. a ship the water would not leak through. But by God Probably the most memorable thing they did was learn Almighty’s hand, that old ship refused to stand, it was songs that Aunt Victoria and Baby Emma (Victoria’s sad when the great ship when down.” Then there was little sister) would teach something about the band them. I vaguely remember “Each verse was met with more broke out “Nearer My Momma singing them to God to Thee,” and “hussorrow and shaking of heads.” me and my siblings when bands and wives, little we were young. But I have children lost their lives.” a vivid memory of her singing them to my two children I mean, honestly, our parents thought OUR music when they were babies. would scar us? Many years later when we would have our annual I must say, I do enjoy listening to the three ladies still Black Family Reunion, singing these songs was a big sing these old songs. It seems to transport them back to part of the festivities. It was always interesting to listen a time where innocence was the order of the day. Heck, to them “harmonize.” Sometimes, they even mixed I even enjoy singing them myself! up the verses and put part of another song in the first Recently, Momma had a rough bout of pneumonia. song…must have been a favorite. Thankfully, with a lot of prayers, she is on the mend. By far, the “must-do” song was “Poor Babes in the She had a sweet nurse, Amanda, with her for several Woods.” Now, I don’t know whether any of you have days to monitor her closely. Because she was in the hosever heard this song, but surmise it to say, it is not pital, and because she is now in a health care facility, your average lullaby. Goes something like, “O say do she is in isolation for a few days due to COVID-19. you know, a long time ago, two poor little children I talked with her this morning and asked what she whose names I don’t know.” Now that should be your and Amanda were going to do today. She said she first clue, but it gets worse. About verse three, the poor thought they would do a little reading and colorlittle babes get lost in the woods, then night comes, ing. I asked if she thought she might want to teach the “moon went down and the stars gave no light, they Amanda some of those old songs they used to sing. Her sobbed and sighed and sadly they cried, and the poor response? “Heaven’s no. I don’t want to scare her off.” little things laid down and DIED!” But wait. There’s more. “And when they were dead, — Lia Guthrie the robin so red brought strawberry leaves and over Redwood Valley, California them spread.” Each verse was met with more sorrow lguthrie@onegrower.com

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

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