Cotton Farming August 2021 by One Grower Publishing

Cotton Farming

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

MY TURN:

‘The Fickleness Of Love’

Park The Sandfighter West Texas Growers Adopt No-Till Coupled With Cover Crops

Look For Wet-Weather Diseases In The Southeast

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Vol. 65 No. 8

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

AUGUST 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

FE ATURES

8 Park The Sandfighter West Texas cotton producers Kris Verett and Ian McIntosh have adopted conservation tillage coupled with cover crops over the past few years for different reasons, but soil health has not led that list. Verett says the practice protects their soil from water and wind erosion and increases infiltration. McIntosh says their goal in using this approach was to address labor needs. Read how their innovative strategies helped them park the sandfighter.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 12 Industry News 6 Cotton’s Agenda 19 Specialists Speaking 11 Research & Promotion 22 My Turn ON THE COVER: Kriss Verett, who farms near Ralls, Texas, checks a cotton crop that was no-till planted into a terminated winter cover crop. Cover photo by Vicky Boyd.

WET-WEATHER DISEASES Following inclement environmental conditions in the Southeast, university experts advise cotton producers to watch for foliar disease in cotton.

COTTON RESOURCE GUIDE The Cotton Research and Promotion Program offers resources to keep producers advised of how it builds demand for cotton and increases profitability.

GINNERS MARKETPLACE

the official publication of the ginning industry The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association’s summer interns report on their 2021 experiences in the cotton ginning industry.

CCOY NOMINATIONS OPEN ONLINE The deadline has been extended to Aug. 16 to nominate a deserving candidate for the Cotton Consultant of the Year Award, co-sponsored by Cotton Farming and Syngenta. To fill out the form online, go to cottonfarming.com/ccoy. You also can download and print the form, and then mail or email it along with supporting letters to the address provided.

Cotton Consultant of the Year 2021 NOMINATION FORM

CCOY

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 recommendations via letters information. Additional or emails from other farmers, consultants and industry members are also encouraged to provide support for the nominee.

The Cotton Consultant of the Year (CCOY) Award marks more than four decades. The award recognizes a consultant who has made great contributions to the cotton industry through outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation. It honors a 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 2021 recipient, who will be named at a special celebration Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The winning consultant and the person who nominates the winner receive a two-night hotel stay and airfare to Memphis. The 2021 CCOY recipient also will be featured in a four-page salute in the February 2022 issue of Cotton Farming.

Submit nominations by July 31, 2021. Mail: Carroll Smith 7201 Eastern Ave. Germantown, TN 38138 Scan/Email: csmith@onegrower.co m You can print an electronic version of the form located on the Cotton Farming website at www.cottonfarming.co m. Nominate online: cottonfarming.com/ccoy

Consultant’s Name: Company Name: Mailing Address: City: Phone:

State:

DEADLINE EXTENDED Zip:

Email:

In your own words, please tell us why you are nominating the consultant above for the of the Year Award. Additional Cotton Consultant pages may be attached, emailed or attached to the online nomination form. Background:

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

Your Name: Mailing Address: City:

State:

Phone:

Email:

Sponsored by

Zip:

Cotton Farming

WEB EXCLUSIVE The Georgia Cotton Commission met recently to make appointments to its board of directors. The commission is a producer-funded organization in Perry, Georgia. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report that includes a short profile of Bart Davis and Chad Mathis who were reappointed to another term.

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 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

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

Always Have A Plan In Place To ‘Conquer The Curveball’

ave Hudgens was an outstanding baseball player for the Sun Devils at the University of Arizona. During his college career, he racked up some solid stats. After graduating, he played in the minor leagues for a few years and went on to serve in various coaching positions throughout the remainder of his career. In an article titled “Conquering the Curveball,” Hudgens wrote, “All Major League hitters can hit a fastball, but only the best have a solid plan to hit a curveball. … Your job is to be prepared.” To me, Hudgens’ advice seemed to be a good approach to facing the “curveballs” of a cotton-growing season as well. When visiting with farmers, I always ask them to tell me what keeps them motivated to get up each day and deal with the challenges they encounter along the way. Most say they enjoy the fact that every season and even every day — good, bad or ugly — is different, but never boring. They seem to enjoy figuring out how to overcome any obstacles that pop up and how to make their operations more efficient. A good example of farmer ingenuity to “conquer the curveball” is in the cover story, “Parking The Sandfighter.” For the past few years, West Texas cotton farmers Kris Verett and Ian McIntosh have adopted conservation tillage paired with cover crops. Verett says the practice protects their soil from water and wind erosion and increases infiltration. McIntosh says their goal in using this approach was to address labor needs. Read more about how the two producers came up with their strategies on page 8. And in the cotton industry, farmers aren’t the only ones looking for new, efficient ways to skin a cat. Currently, North Carolina State University Extension has two thresholds for bollworm, depending on the type of cotton planted. Now, they are adding an additional threshold for Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus and WideStrike 3 of 4% damaged bolls. When asked why they decided to make this adjustment, NCSU Extension entomologist Dominic Reisig says, “In our research, yield response was variable, with results ranging from 2% to 6% damaged bolls as the economic injury level (economic thresholds are set below this point). An economic threshold of 4% captures the variability in this research and is a good point for growers to determine if a spray is needed in Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus and WideStrike 3 varieties.” As Dave Hudgens wrote, “Only the best have a solid plan to hit a curveball.” And when it comes to problem solving, I like to think the U.S. cotton industry has the cream of the crop to achieve this goal.

Carroll If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN 38138.

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

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

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

One Grower Publishing, LLC 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305 Collierville, TN 38017

COTTONFARMING.COM

Look For Wet-Weather Diseases BY AMANDA HUBER SOUTHEAST EDITOR

anaging the cotton crop in many Southeast fields is presenting a challenge in 2021. Weather conditions shaped a planting window from April to June. Even into midseason, rain has prevented timely spraying and caused waterlogged soils in some areas. Cotton responds to oversaturation of soils in different ways. Plants may become chlorotic, reduce nutrient uptake and, therefore, shoot growth. Typically when soils dry, the crop rebounds and begins to grow again. However, extended leaf wetness can lead to foliar disease.

Target spot symptoms include irregularsized leaf spots with concentric rings. DR. BOB KEMERAIT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Wet-Leaf Foliar Diseases

University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says, “Rain and increased humidity create favorable conditions for infection and spread of target spot. Additionally, heavy rains can leach potassium from the root zone, thus increasing the risk for Stemphylium leaf spot and Cercospora leaf spot. Ascochyta ‘wet weather’ blight can also produce spots with To Improve Fungicide concentric rings.” Coverage: Although each of these dis Increase the spray volume eases produces leaf lesions, it and pressure. is the placement on the cotton  If possible, make the first plant that helps differentiate application before canopy closure. between them. Kemerait says Cercospora leaf spot, which is associated with potassium deficiency, and Stemphylium leaf spot appear first in the upper leaves. “Target spot disease, or corynespora, begins as a small spot and develops into white lesions with the characteristic, target-like concentric circles on them. At this state, the plants begin to defoliate rapidly.” Scouting Is A Must

Auburn University Extension plant pathologist Amanda Strayer-Scherer says areolate mildew is another fungal disease that begins in the lower canopy and can cause premature defoliation. “Target spot pressure is normally heaviest in southwest

Alabama, and symptoms include irregular-sized leaf spots with concentric rings. Areolate mildew is easily identified by a white mildew covering parts of or entire leaves.” Fungicides should be applied preventatively for target spot starting at the first or third week of bloom followed by a second application at the third or fifth week. “Alternatively, you can apply fungicides at the first sign of target spot or areolate mildew and apply a second application as needed. However, keep in mind that target spot can be difficult to control with fungicides if 25% to 30% of the leaves are already gone. Priaxor, Revytek, Elatus and Miravis Top should do well against both diseases,” she says. Improve Application Coverage

Kemerait says it can be a challenge protecting the crop against a disease such as target spot where fungicide coverage is needed deep in the canopy. “Getting sufficient fungicide coverage can be improved by increasing spray volume, increasing spray pressure and making the first fungicide application early enough before the canopy of leaves is fully closed.” This is one reason farmers are advised to scout the crop often checking the lower canopy for tell-tale symptomatic leaves. “If target spot is not identified after scouting, growers may delay a fungicide application and scout again in the coming weeks. Fungicides are not needed after the sixth week of bloom.”

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AUGUST 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Sustainability Story Shared Cotton Council International, the National Cotton Council’s export promotion arm, is educating manufacturers, mills and brands/retailers on why U.S. cotton is the “The Cotton The World Trusts” to drive the fiber’s export growth.

How important is sustainability to creating demand?

■ Although U.S. cotton producers traditionally

have led the world in innovation, quality and responsible stewardship, there is not enough awareness of their efforts to produce more sustainably grown cotton. That’s why sustainability now is a core component of CCI’s export promotion strategy. CCI shares U.S. cotton producers’ leadership in and commitment to sustainable growing practices with mills, manufacturers, and brands/retailers around the globe.

cotton. That’s because the program aggregates yearover-year data on critical metrics including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon, soil loss and land use efficiency. U.S. cotton producers’ participation in this data-backed and third-party verified program also provides another significant benefit — it draws important attention to their commitment to “continuous improvement.”

What about Trust Protocol participation?

■ To demonstrate their sustainable stewardship,

about 300 U.S. cotton producers were fully enrolled in the Trust Protocol for the 2020 crop. For those producers who want to enroll their 2021 crop, click the Join Now button at the top of the Trust Protocol website’s home page, www.trustuscotton.org. The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 450 members since its launch in 2020. This includes Levi Strauss & Co, one of the most recognizable denim companies worldwide, and its legacy brands Levi’s®, Dockers®, Denizen® by Levi’s®, and Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™; Gap Inc. and its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan.

Levi Strauss, Gap and Gildan are among the more than 450 members that have joined the Trust Protocol since the program’s 2020 launch. Brands and retailers are under more pressure to embrace sustainability, including proving they are doing their part to combat climate change, but they have lacked the data to do so. No doubt, the demand for more sustainably produced products will mean U.S. cotton producers must show their past and future commitments. Fortunately, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® is proving to be a great vehicle for providing brands and retailers with a measurable sustainability program and the confidence they need to source U.S.

Some Trust Protocol brand/retailer members, in fact, are participating in the pilot phase of the Protocol Credit Management System, which provides its members with complete supply chain transparency through use of TextileGenesis’ blockchain technology. U.S. cotton textile mills — including Buhler Quality Yarns, Cap Yarns, CCW, Contempora Fabrics, Cotswold Industries Inc., Frontier Yarns, Hamrick Mills, Inman Mills, Parkdale Inc. and Swisstex Direct — were some of the first to join the Trust Protocol. They were featured in a public relations campaign highlighting their transparency and sustainability to raise awareness of the individual companies and their products.

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

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

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COVER STORY

Parking The Sandfighter West Texas Growers Adopt No-Till Coupled With Cover Crops To Reduce Erosion And Protect Young Cotton Plants BY VICKY BOYD MANAGING EDITOR

est Texas cotton producers Kris Verett and Ian McIntosh have adopted conservation tillage coupled with cover crops over the past few years for different reasons, but soil health has not led that list. “We needed to look at something different in 2010 when it was so dry and we and everybody was struggling with the crop,” says Verett, who farms with his father and uncle near Ralls, Texas. They transitioned to no-till that year and in 2013 began adopting cover crops. “We were trying to insulate ourselves and make ourselves more resilient,” Verett says. “How much can we lessen water erosion and wind erosion and increase water infiltration? Essentially, if we can keep this ground covered, we’ll reduce water runoff and shade it, and we’ll be doing good.” McIntosh, who farms with his father near Floydada, says they began using no-till into wheat stubble in the early 2000s to address labor needs. “It became real obvious,” McIntosh says. “We didn’t have a lot of help. It was just me and Dad and a hired hand. We were just trying to minimize the trips in the field. “If we were to have to plow all of this, we would have to have three more tractors and three more hired hands and be burning diesel.” What the two producers do share is their disdain for the sandfighter — or rotary hoe — after a rainstorm, and minimum tillage combined with cover crops help avoid the equipment. “I can tell you there’s been a lot of times when I’m just piddling around the barn when I see rotary hoes running around here,” McIntosh says. “I can’t put a dollar on that, but I love it.” Challenges To Adoption

Calvin Trostle, an Extension specialist and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Lubbock, has worked with conservation tillage and cover crops for more than two decades. And he says Verett’s and McIntosh’s motivations are in line with those of other West Texas growers with whom he’s met.

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

COTTONFARMING.COM

VICKY BOYD

Kris Verett is experimenting with 80-inch row spacings this year on a half circle of cotton. His seed costs were cut by about 40%. Although he plans to broadcast herbicide, he will band nutrients and crop protection materials. At the end of the season, Verett will compare the 80-inch performance and costs to an adjacent field on 40-inch rows.

KRIS VERETT

VICKY BOYD

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Ralls, Texas

ris Verett , who farms with his father and uncle near Ralls, Texas, credits a field day hosted by R.N. Hopper of Petersburg, Texas, for planting the cover crop seed. “I immediately thought, this is what we need to be looking at,” he says. The family had moved to no-till in 2010 and began implementing cover crops in 2013. Their system begins immediately after cotton harvest with planting a winter cover of cereal rye, haygrazer (sorghum-sudangrass hybrids), millet or other grass species. Verett uses a Case I-H planter equipped with Yetter finger-style row cleaners and depth band along with spiked vertical closing disks. During most years, cover crops help capture heavy rainfall, slowing runoff and allowing it to percolate into the soil, he says Without the vegetation, rainfall frequently runs off their fields, taking soil with it. In the long run, Verett says, cover crops yield a net benefit as far as soil moisture. Normally, Verett terminates the cover crop in late winter or early spring before it goes to seed to reduce volunteers. But with rye seed prices double what they have been, Verett let some fields go to seed for harvest this spring. Come August or September, he returns to plant a warm-season cover blend that may include up to 10 species of grasses, such as spelt or triticale, radishes and legumes. On his irrigated ground, Verett may

apply 0.25 inch to spur cover crop germination. With his dryland ground, he relies entirely on rainfall. He also has begun partnering with a cattle operator who shares a similar land stewarding philosophy to implement mob grazing on some fields. During the intensive rotational grazing, cattle eat a portion of the cover while still leaving a significant amount of plant biomass. Their manure also helps return nutrients to the soil. As a result, the practice provides a revenue stream during the period when fields are in cover crops. As with anything living, though, Verett says their cover crop program is still evolving. “We’re constantly learning,” he says. “As a system, this thing is changing. I don’t ever see getting to a static position on this stuff.” That said, Verett can’t envision returning to a program without covers because of the positive impact they have made on their bottom line. “We’re reducing hours on equipment and fuel use by 70%. It’s just phenomenal,” he says. Before, they would make two to three passes just for tillage, not counting the additional passes with the sandfighter. Now they pull the drill to plant a cover crop using a much lighter tractor and possibly make one pass with a spray rig. And rarely does the sandfighter enter a field. AUGUST 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Ian McIntosh, who farms with his father near Floydada, has about two-thirds dryland and one-third irrigated ground. Since the early 2000s, they have no-till planted their cotton into harvested wheat stubble. “We’re so dry around here that dryland farming with growing a cover crop is usually a miss because you can’t count on the rain,” he says. “Under the pivots, it’s cotton behind cotton, and winter wheat is the only thing that will grow and give us cover.” McIntosh has been working with consultant Jeff Miller to look at different mixes suited to the dry West Texas plains. One that McIntosh liked was a summer grazer blend that grew 6 feet tall and included flowering cowpea, sun hemp, sudangrass, millet, okra and radish. Based on the planting rate and species mix, cover crops can be pricey. But Environmental Quality Incentive Program funds may be available to help offset part of the cost, depending on county priorities. McIntosh says he tries to shoot for $13 to $15 per acre. In one of his worst fields, he realized he had spent about double that after he finished planting. His targeted budget is in line with recommendations from Calvin Trostle, an Extension specialist and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Lubbock. Trostle says he believes cover crop seed costs should not exceed $1 per acre for each inch of average rainfall — plus irrigation, if used. This limits their cost in drier parts of West Texas to no more than $16 to $18 per acre. When the efficacy of glyphosate began to fade, McIntosh began looking to intentionally grow cover crops to compete against weeds. “With the summer grazer, I planted it in late July, and it was the last I sprayed preplant because it had so much cover,” he says. “The weeds just didn’t have the sunlight until it got warmer.” McIntosh uses his normal planter with trash wheels on the front to help move plant residue away and allow for better

Even if growers don’t want to dive into cover crops, Trostle says, they can obtain partial benefits by reducing tillage and keeping more plant residue on the soil surface. “When you do tillage operations, you may be setting your land up for more erosion from wind,” Trostle says. Probably the most common cover in West Texas is terminated wheat or rye into which the subsequent cotton crop is drilled, he says. Katie Lewis, an associate professor of soil chemistry and fertility with joint appointments at Texas Tech and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, says cover crop adoption in Texas lags that of many other states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated that cover crops were planted on only 8% of Texas cropped acres in 2018. Conservation tillage — whether no-till, strip till or targeted tillage — was practiced on 37% of cropped acres. Particularly in West Texas, the 17-19 inches of average annual precipitation can be a deterrent to using covers, she says. “Where it’s dryland farming, I’d be nervous doing a cover crop,” Lewis says. “On irrigated ground, I still think there’s the

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

VICKY BOYD

IAN MCINTOSH Floydada, Texas

Floydada, Texas, cotton producer Ian McIntosh has been a proponent of no-till planting into terminated wheat for nearly two decades. seed-to-soil contact. He also has changed out his V closure chain for two disks and a press wheel. As part of his weed-control program, McIntosh relies on Enlist herbicides and PhytoGen varieties with the Enlist trait. On McIntosh’s dryland ground, PhytoGen PHY 300 W3FE is a mainstay. Under his pivots, the West Texas stripper variety, PhytoGen PHY 394 W3FE, has worked well. “When I stick that seed in the ground, I want to know it’s sprouting and coming up,” he says.

perception of moisture limitations.” Trostle agrees and says cover crop’s water requirements are a major concern when he’s conducted grower meetings. Cover crops typically need 2 to 4 inches of moisture over the winter to ensure they produce enough plant growth and biomass to provide soil protection. But that’s just part of the equation. Citing research conducted in Akron, Colorado, Trostle says cover crops didn’t negatively affect water use within a cropping system. “The net water use is going to be same,” he says. “If the cover crop requires 4 inches, then you can make that back up with capture of rainfall.” Although many growers say soil health is not a driver behind their cultural conservation practices, Lewis says they frequently talk about factors — such as seeing more earthworms in the soil — that indicate soil health improvements. For more information on cover crops, download Trostle’s guide — “Fall Cover Cropping for Texas—Is it for you? How many species should I plant and what should I pay?” — from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at https://bit.ly/3r1jnuy COTTONFARMING.COM

RESEARCH & PROMOTION

Cotton Producer Resource Guide

ver its 50-year lifespan, the Cotton Research and Promotion Program has created a strong infrastructure of resources to support upland cotton producers. These resources offer expert insights and unparalleled access to information aimed at keeping cotton producers advised of the ways the program is working to build demand for and increase profitability of cotton. So grab your scissors and get ready to cut this page out, because you are going to want to keep the information handy. Or feel free to send me an email, and I’ll send you an electronic version of the resource list. In-Person Resources

The Cotton Board regional communication managers are a direct link to the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. They share information about the program with producers, ginners and certified producer organizations. They also host tours of Cotton Incorporated and are available to speak at key industry meetings. All RCM contact information can be found at cottonboard.org. Current RCMs include:  Monty Bain, Southeast, with a territory of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  Grant Saum, Mid-South, with a territory of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.  Shelley Heinrich, Southern Plains, with a territory of Kansas, Oklahoma, and North and West Texas.  Christi Short, Southwest, with a territory of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Central, South and East Texas. Producer Tour Program — For more than two decades, The Cotton Board Producer Tour Program has given thousands of cotton producers the opportunity to see their ag promotion dollars at

BY STACEY GORMAN WARREN, ARKANSAS

work inside Cotton Incorporated’s World Headquarters and Research Facility in Cary, North Carolina. The Cotton Board, along with tour sponsors, covers the cost and takes cotton producers on this eye-opening tour. Producers interested in attending an upcoming tour should contact their Cotton Board RCM. Virtual Resources

Cotton & Coffee — The Cotton Board created a virtual meeting series as a quick way to keep producers informed about the activities of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. Each session starts at 7:30 a.m. CDT and includes a 30-minute presentation with time for discussion and questions at the end. Contact your Cotton Board RCM to register to attend. Upcoming 2021 Cotton & Coffee dates and topics include:  Aug. 17: 2022 Cotton Incorporated Plan and Budget Overview with Berrye Worsham.  Sept. 21: Economic Outlook with Jon Devine.  Oct. 19: Cotton Incorporated Efforts in Asia with William Kimbrell.  Nov. 16: Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green Denim Recycling Program with Andrea Samber.  Dec. 14: Cotton’s Importer Support

Websites  CottonBoard.org — Information for producers, importers and buyers, including links to Board rosters, annual reports, budget information, RCM and Producer Tour info, upcoming industry events and so much more.  CottonInc.com — The leading resource on cotton production and marketing efforts. Cottoninc.com features information and links on everything from performance technologies and sustainability practices to fabric developments and economic analysis. TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Program with Elizabeth King and Sonja Chapman. Focus on Cotton Webcasts — These webcasts give real-time access to scientific information on a wide variety of agricultural production topics. To access Focus on Cotton and take advantage of this free resource, please visit planthealth exchange.org/cotton. Cotton Leader — The Cotton Board’s monthly email newsletter, Cotton Leader, offers timely program highlights and information. To get on the email distribution lists, visit cottonboard.org, click the “email newsletter” link located at the top right of the homepage and enter your email address. Social Media — From up-to-date news and information to fun cotton contests and giveaways, The Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated’s social media channels are a great way to stay in the loop about the program:  Facebook Pages: The Cotton Board, Cotton Incorporated and Cotton.  Twitter Handles: @TheCottonBoard, @CottonInc and @DiscoverCotton.  Instagram: @TheCottonBoard and @DiscoverCotton.  YouTube Channels: The Cotton Board and Discover Cotton. Cotton in the Classroom — There are a variety of educational resources including videos, downloadable in-class curriculum and activity sheets available at cottonboard.org/news/education/. If you have questions about where to find information or need someone to talk to about the Cotton Research and Promotion Program, reach out to me or anyone at The Cotton Board. We will be happy to point you in the right direction. Stacey Gorman is The Cotton Board’s director of communications. Contact her at sgorman@cottonboard.org.

 CottonCultivated.CottonInc.com — One-stop source for region-specific cotton ag data, resources and news.  CottonLifestyleMonitor.com — Range of marketing data and analyses on the global cotton supply chain.  CottonToday.CottonInc.com — Information on cotton’s sustainable practices, resources and byproducts.  TheFabricOfOurLives.com — Shop curated cotton collections, learn about cotton benefits care tips, discover fashion trends and much more. AUGUST 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Industry News Rhino Medical Supply Tapped As Exclusive Distributor For Cotton Medical Scrubs Field to Closet’s vision of providing 100% Deltapine cotton medical scrubs crafted with cotton grown in Georgia and created in an end-to-end U.S. supply chain took a giant step forward recently with the announcement Rhino Medical Supply is joining as the exclusive distributor. “We are thrilled to announce an alliance with Rhino Medical Supply as the distributor of our cotton scrubs,” says Ed Jernigan, founder and CEO of Field to Closet. “Rhino Medical’s focus on sustainable, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable products, along with their emphasis on philanthropy and diversity initiatives, pairs perfectly with our scrubs program. It is truly a perfect union of businesses with similar visions.” Field to Closet’s Cotton Project uses Georgia-grown cotton from Deltapine seed to reshore American manufacturing by revitalizing an end-to-end U.S. supply chain. The initiative establishes a Farmer GiveBack program to address a fundamental issue in the garment industry, which typically sees the brand or end seller with the most significant profit. The GiveBack program recognizes the rebirth of a robust cotton garment industry isn’t possible without the grower; therefore, this initiative is designed to ensure the grower is included financially by sharing in the profit of the goods sold. “Rhino Medical Supply seeks companies and products that align with our corporate citizenship commitments, including giving back to others, using renewable resources, and encouraging inclusion,” says Lance Brown, CEO. “Our organization is proud to work with Field to Closet and America Knits to distribute these 100% Deltapine cotton medical scrubs.” The Field to Closet 100% Cotton medical scrub is treated with the latest technology, PROTX2 AV, which is a metal free, medical grade antiviral, antibacteria, and anti-odor treatment that kills viruses or bacteria within 10 minutes (or less) of contact. This is the first surgical scrub made from 100% cotton that has been treated with this technology. Lance Brown of Rhino Medical calls the tech-

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

NC State Extension Adds Additional Bollworm Threshold Currently, North Carolina State University Extension has two thresholds for bollworm, depending on the type of cotton planted. Now, they are adding an additional threshold for Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus and WideStrike 3 of 4% damaged bolls. NCSU Extension entomolgist Dominic Reisig explains why: “Recent research in North Carolina found that yield losses were more closely aligned with damaged squares and bolls than number of live larvae,” he says. “This difference in feeding behavior is an important consideration for Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus and WideStrike 3 cotton in North Carolina. “A similar damaged boll threshold for bollworm is used throughout much of the Cotton Belt, however, at a higher level (6% damaged bolls). One difference for this damage threshold difference could result from our shorter season compared to the Mid-South (less time to compensate due to shorter growing season). “In our research, yield response was variable, with results ranging from 2% to 6% damaged bolls as the economic injury level (economic thresholds are set below this point). An economic threshold of 4% captures the variability in this research and is a good point for growers to determine if a spray is needed in Bollgard 3, TwinLink Plus and WideStrike 3 varieties. “We don’t want to jettison the live second-stage live bollworm threshold at this point. Our research also verified the utility of these thresholds, but found that percent damaged bolls was a more consistent threshold connected to yield. At this time, we can use these two thresholds in tandem.” Read more at https://bit.ly/3kE1TDr. nology a “game changer” for the U.S. medical industry in its fight to prevent another pandemic outbreak. PROTX2 AV has been proven to deactivate 99.9% of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in 10 minutes as well as hospital-associated infections, both viruses and bacteria, according to the press release. The scrub is made in the United States with a transparent supply chain that assures the safety and quality of the product. U.S. companies benefit by avoiding the cost and delays

being experienced with global shipping. “Partnering with R hino Medical Supply means our scrubs will be available to hospitals and other health care facilities from coast to coast,” says Steve Hawkins, president of America Knits. To wrap up the initiative’s kick off, 15 rural Georgia hospitals will receive medical cotton scrubs at no cost this summer. To order the scrubs in bulk, go to Rhino Medical Supply https://www.rhi nomedsupply.com/. COTTONFARMING.COM

Industry News Californians Urged To Watch For The Cotton Seed Bug

MS’s Largest-Ever Outdoor Show To Be Held At Trade Mart

According to the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association’s July newsletter, a cotton seed bug was found and identified in Los Angeles in 2019. At the time, it was a single find and no other specimens were located in the vicinity. In 2020, the cotton seed bug was found and identified in five more locations across three counties, including Los A ng e l e s , O r ang e and Riverside counties. While the locations are more than 100 miles from the nearest cotton fields, the association is concerned with the potential spread of the devastating pest to California cotton fields. As its name suggests, the pest attacks the cotton seed but damages the lint on its way into the seed. More importantly, if the pest were to be found in cotton, it could end the shipment of cotton planting seed out of California as a quarantine area would more than likely be established. CCGGA is currently working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to find a way to trap the pest and possibly keep it in the Los Angeles Basin and maybe even erradicate it. In the meantime, the association is asking growers and pest control advisors to be on the lookout for the invasive pest. Should you see one of these bugs, please contact your local county ag commissioner or the local CDFA field office.

The inaugural Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo, the largest outdoor show to ever be held in Mississippi, will be held Aug. 6-8 at the new Mississippi Trade Mart at the state fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi. The show will be hosted by The Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and presented by Southern AgCredit. “We are thrilled to bring a brand-new show in a new venue to Mississippi,” says Don Brazil, CEO of the foundation. “This show will highlight the incredible hunting, fishing, agricultural and utdoor spirit of our great state.” Here are the show hours:  Noon-7 p.m. — Friday.  9 a.m.-7 p.m. — Saturday.  9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults 13 years and older, $6 for kids 6-12 years old, and free for kids 5 years and under. A concert featuring three musical acts will take place Saturday evening, Aug. 7. For more information, contact Don Brazil at don@foundationmwfp.com or 769-243-7291. For expo and concert sales, contact Jack Fisher at jack@great southernexpos.com or 601-345-1560.

Texas A&M AgriLife Offers Practical Tips On Legal Issues Many state and federal laws regarding land ownership can be complicated, but a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service course helps make the content more accessible to landowners. “Owning Your Piece of Texas: Key Laws Texas Landowners Need to Know” is an online course and handbook that

covers key laws that may affect rural landowners and agricultural operations. The online course combines practical tips and examples to help better explain important legal concepts that are included in the handbook authored by Tiffany Dowell Lashmet. Topics include landowner liability, special use tax valuation, water law, fence law, eminent domain, agricultural leases, renewable energy leases, the Texas Right-to-Farm statue and more. “Whether you have owned land for generations or are looking to purchase your first acre, this course is designed to provide practical and helpful information to make your experience in land ownership more enjoyable,” says Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist in Amarillo. The self-paced course takes about 8.5 hours to complete. It is available on AgriLife Learn. Participants can decide to take the entire course for a total cost of $150 or pay $20 for individual, shorter courses. AgriLife Extension noted those who register online will have access to the course for two years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was taught at various locations across the state each year. The in-person workshops are expected to resume this year. Those interested in finding a future in-person or online event to attend can visit Lashmet’s Upcoming Presentations webpage. The handbook can be downloaded as a PDF, and a hard copy can be purchased by emailing lacrecia.garza@ag.tamu.edu. For more information on landowner resources and information, visit Texas Farm Bureau’s Farm and Ranch Resources webpage at https://texasfarmbureau.org/ advocacy/small-farm-ranch/.

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mericot’s investment into the research and development (R&D) of high yielding, high quality varieties has expanded over the last four years into a full-scale field trial program called Americot Cotton Evaluation (ACE) Trials. This year, our eight germplasm specialists across the Cotton Belt have collectively planted over 200 ACE Trials with cooperating growers. “These trials are 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 lineup and future releases,” says Doug Jost, Ph.D, 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.”

TODD SPIVEY, PH.D. Carolinas and Virginia “Similar to 2020, the 2021 season has been one of extremes thus far. From being overly wet coming into the spring, followed by droughty conditions and low temperatures in the 30s into the third week of May, and then back to season rainfall totals as high as 30” in some areas already, we have already seen our fill of cotton stressors. That being said, the Americot Research and Testing Program in the Carolinas and Virginia is in full force again this year, continuing for the third straight year to expand our geographical reach out to the Blacklands in Eastern North Carolina; north to Sussex County, Virginia; and south to Hampton County, South Carolina. Like last year, this year’s plots include a variation of irrigated and non-irrigated plots; 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. “Windows of adequate planting conditions were few and far between this year due to the struggle we faced early on. To that end, a significant portion of cotton across the area is late due to either late planting or poor weather causing slow or stagnant growth early in the season. Growers are now tasked with managing for earliness to the best of their abilities. Ensuring that we protect against rank growth is vital for many decisions that will be made later in the growing season, ranging from pest control to harvestability. “Across the board, NexGen’s newest varieties are still maintaining outstanding vigor, even in the face of terrible planting and early-season growth conditions. Though some stands started a little slow due to poor planting conditions, most fields had solid stands throughout by the end of May. Great stands of NG 3195 B3XF are a common sight across the region with market-leading vigor. Despite all the hinderances already encountered, the NexGen portfolio of Bollgard® 3 XtendFlex® varieties is ready to impress in 2021.”

KAREN GELDMACHER Arizona “A cool, wet, replant start along the Colorado River rebounded to stands boasting good fruit retention and with defoliation underway, a promising harvest will begin by early September. Approximately 35% of seed production acres in Yuma are NG 3195 B3XF and experimental variety, AMX 20B037 B3XF, due to their quick starts, speedy boll loads and potential to finish early.

Midsouth field of 4936 B3XF

Americot’s ACE Trial Program continues to expand testing of NexGen Varieties ®

“A perineal area of focus in our Maricopa, AZ ACE Trials is our variety heat tolerance research where pollen dehiscence and pistil morphology are ranked for endurance and boll performance during Level 2 heat stress events. NG 4936 B3XF has shown stellar heat tolerance, ranking number one in 2020 and in the top three every year for the past four years. This research transitions across the Cotton Belt where heat stress is a concern for growers. “August will bring peak bloom and cut-out to the central and eastern regions of Arizona. On the mind of every grower will be management of fragile drought water allotments to finish the season with adequate irrigations. “NexGen’s latest accolade must be our experimental ThryvOn™ varieties. Exceptional early-season plant vigor and outstanding stand counts combined with 4th-node first-fruiting branches and excellent square retention have transitioned to boll counts that are sure to impress. Pending final regulatory approvals, I would recommend saving room for NexGen ThryvOn Cotton varieties for your farm in 2022.”

SCOTT RUSSELL Southern Alabama and Georgia “After saying goodbye to 2020 I think we were all looking for (or dreaming about) a much better planting and growing season for 2021. I cannot say it was better, but I will say it was different. Both Georgia and Alabama started planting season with ample moisture but below average air and soil temperature. A few brave souls did not hesitate and planted into substandard conditions but were blessed with good stands. As conditions improved into mid-May, planting took off like a rocket with the bulk of crop going in within a 10–12-day period. Dry weather slowed later plantings to a crawl but as of mid-June much of the crop was in and to a stand. “I was excited to see our three new releases, NG 3195 B3XF, NG

4190 B3XF and NG 5150 B3XF, all come to good, solid stands. Many growers report that our latest full-season variety, NG 5150, came out of the ground extremely well. I expect to see expanded acres of all three varieties in the coming years once more growers are exposed to them. We are looking at one experimental variety this season in AMX 20B37 B3XF. I am seeing good establishment of good stands so far. I am very enthusiastic about the future of this variety at this point. Of course, NG 5711 B3XF is pulling the load again. It is important to remember with NG 5711 to apply a PGR between the 8-10 leaf stage to optimize yield potential and obtain better control with your PGR’s later in For further information on Americot Cotton the season. Evaluation Trials in your region, contact “There are still a fair your Americot Germplasm Specialist. number of acres this Visit www.americot.com/research-team season planted in for contact information. NG 3522 B2XF and NG 5007 B2XF. These two varieties have been extremely consistent when it comes to yield and still have faithful followers. I will remind you that they are the older Bollgard II® varieties so escape worms can be an issue. I urge you to be scouting your B2XF varieties intensely as the season continues. “Going into 2021 and into the future I would say I am very pleased with the portfolio we have available to growers here in the Southeast. To say we are stacked in the B3 department would be an understatement at this time. With escapes in Bollgard II varieties on the increase, it is important to be looking ahead and making the move to the Bollgard 3 Technology if you have not already. With the lineup we have, I am confident we have something that will fit your management practices.”

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2021 TCGA Summer Intern Reports In spite of the pandemic, we were able to host a few interns this year. These internships give college students a chance to see what cotton ginning may look like as a career path. Since the inception of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Summer Internship Program in 2008, we have hosted more than 30 individuals. Had it not been for TCGA’s internship, most of those students would have never set foot in a cotton gin. We currently have several former interns who are employed throughout the industry doing some good work. Our hope is the program will continue to produce quality young men and women who are ready to enter the workforce once they graduate from college. Below, Lane Fisher, who is from Lubbock, and Daylan Schulz, who hails from Abbott, Texas, talk about their experiences in this year’s program. Lane Fisher — Texas A&M University For the first half of my Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association internship, I have been working at Highway 67 Cotton Gin in Miles, Texas. I would like thanking my generous hosts, Mr. Willis Taubert, Mr. Max Kerley and the rest of the employees, for their immense hospitality.

My internship began with Mr. Taubert explaining each step in the ginning process from module to bale while giving me a tour of the gin. Most of the yearly maintenance had been finished before I arrived. However, I got to participate in changing leaky O-rings in the press hydraulic pumping units. I learned that no matter how hard you try not to, hydraulic fluid will get everywhere. Highway 67 has decided to replace their module feeder this year. We have been busy installing the parts as they come. A new power main needed to be installed to power the new fans for the new module feeder and precleaner, so I have learned a lot about electrical power and control equipment in a gin. In between the installation and maintenance of the machinery, Mr. Taubert taught me about the ginning industry as a whole. He took me to a local bale warehouse and grain elevator. Mr. Taubert taught me how gins make money as well as how they make money for their farmers. He also explained that not all gins operate the same and discussed some of the

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different ways gin operate. For the second half of my internship, I am headed to Taft Gin and Seed Co. with Mr. Kyle Taubert in Taft, Texas. I am looking forward to working at an operating gin as their ginning season should start while I am in Taft. I want to thank Mr. Aaron Nelsen and the rest of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association for giving me this internship opportunity. The experience and hands-on training I have received will be very valuable as I continue my education at Texas A&M this fall. Daylan Schulz — Texas A&M University For the first portion of my internship, I was assigned to Lone Star Farmers Co-op in Mereta, Texas, where I worked with Paul Schwernter and his staff. Specifically, through my first two weeks, I shadowed Tyler Davison and Heath Wyatt at the new gin. Every day of working with those two was different, and every day I learned something new. We spent the majority of our time in the gin making several repairs and upgrades in preparation for this upcoming gin season. Cotton, which was planted within the past few weeks, is just starting to peak out from the beds. One of the main tasks I assisted with was the installation of the plastic press in front of the module feeder in the gin. This consumed the majority of my time the first week due to the necessary wiring of the motor to the breaker box and repainting the equipment needed to get it into running shape. Another major task of my internship at Lone Star Farmers Cooperative consisted of operating the grain elevator in Lohn, Texas, where we loaded and unloaded wheat, and took moisture samples of loads coming in. I also have been fortunate to work in the agronomy department under Garrett Rogers and Jeff Rutledge. We load-

ed, unloaded and distributed seed and fertilizer to farmers as they called in and needed it. Garrett and Jeff are constantly helping farmers construct a plan, whether it is for cotton seed or necessary chemicals for their crops. Being able to work beside them has been very insightful and beneficial to my overall internship experience. Mereta, Texas, may be a small town, but the people and staff at the co-op are first class and did whatever was in their power to make me feel at home and treat me like family, regardless of how little time I’ve known them. Donald Draper of the television series Mad Men said, “When a man walks into a room, he brings his whole life with him. He has a million reasons for being anywhere, just ask him. If you listen, he’ll tell you how he got there.” Whether it is listening to the several people whose names I’ve mentioned above or simply listening to the local farmers over coffee in the office every morning, there is always something new for me to learn. I look forward to continuing to learn from the people in Mereta. The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association provided this report.

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Specialists Speaking

2021 Cotton Crop Update FLORIDA David Wright

August is a key month to finish off the cotton crop. Most of the crop management (fertilization, herbicides) is through, and it is important to protect the fruit from stinkbugs and plant bugs. We had a wet July, which allowed the crop to make excellent growth. In some places, the plants were too tall as wet soils stopped growers from getting across the field to apply growth regulators. Most of the sidedress nitrogen goes out in late June or July, and cotton petiole nitrate continues to goes down as a normal occurrence in August. Late N applications (after the third week of bloom) does not result in yield increases and often decreases yield as plants continue with new growth, making the crop harder to defoliate. Irrigation needs are less in late August and should be adjusted as bolls begin to open at the bottom of the canopy. Many of the new varieties have three Bt genes and set fruit earlier due to insect protection. We often debate whether to harvest early or a little later for best yields. But the best time to harvest is to have open bolls and good weather to coincide. However, none of us knows when that will be, so keeping on a normal schedule is the best we can do in most years. wright@ufl.edu

GEORGIA Camp Hand

As one of the newest specialists at the University of Georgia and in the cotton specialist group, I am still learning. One thing that I have been trying to do lately is spend time every week with some of the best county agents in the country and see what the crop looks like across the state (this has been my favorite part of my job so far). Based on what I have seen over the past few weeks, I would say the Georgia crop looks great. Of course, there have been some fields I have visited where the grower says to the county agent, “Don’t take him there, that’s some of our worst cotton.” And after looking at it. I tell them I think the field looks really good! Meanwhile, I have Dr. Phillip Roberts ride with me to my studies on the station where I think there is an issue. After examining the field, he says, “Oh you’ll be fine, this cotton will still make 3 bales.” He’s been at this a whole lot longer than I have, so I trust his judgment. At the time this is published, the majority of our crop should be right around peak bloom. In general, plant growth regulator applications should be winding down. Keep in mind, the bigger the plant gets, a higher rate might be necessary to manage growth. We also need to have boots

on the ground scouting insects (stink bugs and silverleaf whiteflies) and foliar diseases (target spot and areolate mildew). If there are any questions, reach out to your local UGA county Extension agent. They, along with myself and the other specialists, are here to help! camphand@uga.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten

August is normally a laxer time for cotton growers agronomically speaking. For the most part, we should have finished sidedressing nitrogen applications as well as plant growth regulator applications. God realized this and gave us insects to keep us on our toes in August. The crop is late overall, and protecting fruit from insects is more important with late crops. Cotton is great at compensating for some levels of fruit loss, but a late crop may not allow for a lot of compensation. Insects should be our focus in this month although there are always people promoting late growth regulator applications. We have several years of research and have seen no benefit to growth regulators after the second to third week of bloom. It would be a good idea to go out and tag some blooms around Aug. 20. Doing this can give you an idea of what bolls may be worth waiting for when we get to defoliation time. Blooms after Aug. 20 are less likely to result in harvestable bolls than earlier blooms. This is also a good time to evaluate your varieties in terms of desired stalk height and row closure on your soils. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper

As I write this July 13, blooms are just now becoming a little easier to find in Tennessee. It may still be another five days before the average field reaches the first week of bloom. Many of the conversations I’ve had of late tend to migrate toward last effective bloom date and its proximity in time to us. As you likely recall, last effective bloom date is calculated as the date in which the probability of a new flower developing into a harvestable boll drops below 50%. We calculate that date with historical weather data and the assumption that a flower will require 750 to 850 heat units to mature. This date is particularly important since it can help us identify the last harvestable fruiting position and understand when we may begin terminating insecticide applications. Usually, we reach the last effective bloom date with a minimum of four good weeks of bloom. This year, it appears some fields may reach last

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Specialists Speaking effective bloom date with less than three weeks of bloom. This sets us up for a difficult decision. We can either accept the short flowering window and stop protecting fruit that flower after our last effective bloom date OR accept a higher level of risk by continuing to protect fruit that flower after our last effective bloom date to potentially recoup lost time. As we move deeper into August, check our blog (news.utcrops.com) for a refresher on insecticide termination guidelines and for more information on last effective bloom date. traper@utk.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown

I had a garden this year. In fact, I participated in multiple gardens, three small and one large. One in particular comprised a few rows in a very, very prominent and shared spot alongside my university peers. When I planted my four rows of green beans, I knew my reputation was on the line. Most cotton producers have a field or two in a highly noticeable spot, or at least one they see every day, multiple times a day. Maybe the presence and prominence of that field(s) puts the farmer’s reputation on the line, so to speak. The field can provide a great sense of satisfaction or something less. I always chuckle (to myself, of course) that it seems that screw ups often happen in these exact fields. That visible, prominent field could possibly be more than a “show-off ” plot. Maybe it could be considered a “show-me” field, one in which the grower proves to himself just how efficient he can be, how much cotton he can make with his most careful, timely management. Soil scientist talk about the “4 Rs” —right source, right rate, right time and right place. That’s the spirit of such an effort. August is the home stretch in the Southeast. We’re dealing with stink bugs, finishing with plant growth regulators, maybe adding a final foliar fertilizer, and, if possible, supplying irrigation. In regard to all these inputs, doing the right thing at the right time maximizes potential. Given the rains in June and July and the relatively moderate temperatures, a good August just might push us to a record yield. We’ve got a ways to go, but this crop’s prospects look strong. cottonbrown@auburn.edu

MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi

Mississippi cotton growers have experienced challenges since the beginning of planting season. We have dealt with extremes from cool, wet weather early to excessive rainfall and backwater flooding. These conditions have plagued cotton from late April through the middle of June. As a result, many of our cotton acres have a poorly developed root system, small stature and are a couple weeks behind in maturity. A combination of these setbacks have only confounded management strategies as we move into the reproductive stages. Plant bugs are increasing across the state, requiring many repeat insecticidal applications — in some cases three to five days apart to manage the adult pest. Multiple trips across the field have allowed growers to fine tune their plant growth regulator management strategies. This year, cotton growth is highly variable from farm to farm, field to field, and even within fields. I have reports of cotton not growing the way it normally does, which is likely due to a poor root system from the prolonged early wet weather, compounded with plant bug induced poor square retention. Depending on variety and vegetative potential, the eight- to 12-node PGR application has been left out or applied only to vigorously growing cotton. Some farmers are applying variable-rate PGRs based on zones where rates range from zero, medium and high (relatively speaking). Also, multiple trips have allowed cotton growers to “spoon feed” PGRs to keep plants growing vertically. As I write this, most of our cotton ranges from early squaring to mid-

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

bloom. Daylight hours are getting shorter for younger cotton, and its success will depend on the fall we experiene. Since all of the cards for this crop haven’t been played yet, I remain optimistic we can still make a crop! bkp4@msstate.edu

LOUISIANA Matt Foster

As I write this July 13, about 80% of the cotton crop is squaring and 30% is setting bolls, which is behind the five-year average of 90% and 50%, respectively. This growth stage variability is due to high rainfall received in April, May and into June. Planting dates ranged from early April to the third week of June. June planted cotton is growing off fast and is about a node above last year’s crop at this point in the growing season. Square retention was good as we approached first bloom. Irrigation started in some areas of the state during the latter part of June. Despite unfavorable weather conditions encountered early on, most of the cotton crop throughout the state looks good. For the remainder of the season, growers and consultants will focus on plant bug and bollworm control. Insect pressure from plant bugs has been high in June and July, and bollworm numbers are starting to increase. Currently, mepiquat chloride applications are being made to manage plant height. Variability in planting dates, excessive rainfall and heavy plant bug pressure has made the 2021 cotton crop extremely variable. But I am optimistic we will have a good crop this year. mfoster@ agcenter.lsu.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson

In mid-July, our crop is currently 10 days to two weeks behind. A big part of the delay is a result of the record-breaking cold temperatures experienced during Memorial Day weekend. Tracking nodes above white flower 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 use the 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 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 that we base our end-of-season 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. Going into August, we must continue to manage this crop in a timely fashion to maintain yield and quality potential. For more on crop termination, contact your local county Extension Agent. brobertson@uaex.edu

OKLAHOMA Seth Byrd

As of mid-July, the cotton crop for much of Oklahoma has fared well. There have been pest concerns as of late, namely fleahoppers and even some plant bug issues, but the majority of the crop will be well into bloom by the time this issue of Cotton Farming reaches you. Although weather systems bringing rain to the state haven’t been as frequent, we’ve been able to make it to July with fairly minimal heat and water stress for much of the crop. COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking With the early moisture much of the crop received and continues to get intermittently, there will likely be plant growth regulator applications occurring on a large number of acres during July and potentially through August, even for the most conservative PGR users, like myself. This is particularly true for irrigated cotton. Keep in mind variety growth and maturity characteristics, as well as the traditionally recommended measurements or factors, such as internode length between the fourth and fifth internode, forecast, soil type, NAWF and fruit retention. For more information on PGRs in cotton, refer to our factsheet at https://bit.ly/2VUFCH7. seth.byrd@okstate.edu

TEXAS Ben McKnight

As of mid-July, wet conditions prevail for most of Texas. Rainfall, in some cases abundant, continued throughout most of the state last month. Most cotton in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is at cutout or quickly approaching. In the Coastal Bend, cotton that had recovered from extremely saturated conditions in previous months was met with another round of heavy rainfall in early July. Delayed maturity can be expected in areas that remained flooded or saturated for extended periods of time. Reports indicate that with the current crop condition, yields may be slightly above average for this region. Cotton in the Upper Gulf Coast is progressing nicely following recovery from saturated conditions. Fields that did not drain uniformly following inundation were left with plant uniformity issues when conditions improved, especially in low spots. While not completely caught up with cotton plants in higher areas, the crop looks much better. Most of the crop in the Upper Gulf Coast is at six- to nine-NAWF. In the Blackland Prairie, conditions are wet in some areas, making PGR applications difficult. Cotton in this region looks better than it did in the previous two months and has started to bloom. Rainy conditions hindered timely herbicide applications, but growers took advantage of gaps in the rainfall, and weed control has improved compared to May and early June. The Rolling Plains experienced warm, dry conditions in mid- to late June, but rainfall in early July has the crop looking good. Wet conditions have made timely herbicide applications difficult, and recent rainfall has brought on another flush of weeds. Some of the later planted fields in this region have cotton with only a few true leaves while earlier planted fields have six to eight leaves. bmcknight@tamu.edu

TEXAS Murilo Maeda

As I write this the first half of July, much of the cotton across West Texas looks good. Due to delays during planting season mostly related to excessive rainfall, we currently have quite the spread in crop stages. Irrigated fields are just beginning to bloom and dryland cotton is at four to five leaf with everything in between. While we have missed a few acres due to the cool and wet start north into the Texas Panhandle, we have a lot of good-looking dryland acres this year, especially in areas south of Lubbock. We have had reports of hail damage throughout the region the latter part of June and early July, ranging from minimal to complete field loss. These stormsseem to have been more isolated than widespread with only a few reports of complete wipeouts. Rainfall has been timely in recent weeks, and we are well positioned to make a good crop this year. A main concern will be overall crop maturity going into the fall. While we may be OK if it turns hot and dry from here on out, a few more rains and cooler weather may have us a little short on time to finish the season. Generally speaking, weather has been rather on the cool side compared to what we usually expect this time of year. With all things considered, I am always told the weather around here can quickly change. TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Just make sure you have a plan A and B, depending on what the weather decides to do. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton

The cotton crop in Arizona is in varying stages of development. As of this writing, we have cotton in the southwestern part of the state that is heading quickly toward cut-out. As I walked plots and other production fields in the area recently, the crop looks to be in very good shape. The intense heat experienced throughout mid-June had an impact on the crop, and evidence of small boll shed due to these events was clear. Despite the heat-induced fruit shed, fruit retention in general was still in the mid-70% range for everything I evaluated. For this time of year and for the growth stage of the crop, it is in very good shape. Final irrigation decisions will be made soon, if not already made at the time this writing. I am optimistic about the crop in that part of the state. Central and eastern Arizona are similar in their growth stage with most of the crop at the time of this writing heading full steam into peak bloom. The heat experienced in mid-June appeared to have only a minimal effect on the crop as it was in the very early stages of bloom while a good portion of the crop had not even begun blooming yet. The heat stress we are currently experiencing will have a much larger affect. Monitoring the crop for excessive fruit shed will be critical to successful management of the vegetative reproductive balance. Be prepared to slow down vegetative growth with healthy doses of plant growth regulator. Insect pressure has generally been light so far. Most of the fruit shed you observe will likely be due to environmental stressors such as heat and/or moisture stress. Monitoring crop growth and development can be achieved through simple plant mapping on a regular basis to determine where the crop is with respect to normal as it relates to fruit retention, height-to-node ratios, and nodes above white flower. For more information on this topic and others related to cotton crop management, go to cals.arizona.edu/crops. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

CALIFORNIA Bob Hutmacher

In a typical year for San Joaquin Valley cotton, most fruit is set during late June through early August flowering. August is typically when the final irrigation is applied in most fields. With irrigation water supply limits this year, this may still be true in many March- and April-planted fields. In sandy loam soils or late-planted fields or fields that had fruit losses due to high heat stress periods, growers may consider final irrigations that extend into 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. With the potential for sporadic hot weather to affect fruit set, it will be important to assess boll distribution sometime in August. In mid-July, some fields had good early and mid-canopy fruit retention but showed signs of reduced vigor (declining height:node ratios and NAWF) and may not end up with a large, late-developing top crop unless you push them with water and nutrients this month. Where yields were reduced by earlier heat or water stress and you want to push for later bolls, or in fields where continued boll set is strong right through August, you may not want to sacrifice significant top crops. In a year like this, there may be good yields out there for growers who properly assess developing boll loads mid- and late August and adjust water applications to fill out later-developing bolls. rbhutmacher@ucdavis.edu AUGUST 2021 | COTTON FARMING

My Turn The Fickleness Of Love

drove up to the barn that now numbers 10. But I quickly recognized the one morning a few futility of my pursuit as she rushed away to locate the weeks ago and was current Department of Agriculture Market Bulletin. greeted by quite a sight. Sure enough, I was busy the next day building a Standing on the seat of my multi-compartment enclosure complete with a cozy tractor, in all his finery, was roost for two and a large adjoining area suitable for a male peacock. Being that courtship displays or a bachelor pad conversion in we don’t have peacocks on case things didn’t work out. We were off that afterthe farm nor do any of my noon to pick up a peahen she found an hour away. neighbors begged the quesAs soon as we released her in the pen, “Pretty Boy” tion, “From where in the (Nancy’s name for him, I thought he looked more like Ray world did this guy come?” an Elvis or Liberachi) hopped back on my tractor and Oliver He hopped down and dis- stared at “Pretty Girl” for the rest of the afternoon. We appeared around the cor- left one end of the enclosure open hoping he would ner. As soon as I let the laying hens out, he strutted strut right up to her and introduce himself, but he into view in full display. If you’ve never seen a male was having nothing to do with that. On day four, peacock in full courtship fan, it is breathtaking. His son Les and I were watching him strut, and Les said, underside is dark indigo, transitioning on his breast “You know, he can’t see a thing behind him when he’s and neck to the Nassau blue color of a 1963 split-win- fanned out like that.” Although I knew it was a bad dow Corvette — my high school fantasy car. His fan idea, I couldn’t resist the redneck urge to say, “Watch consists of at least 50 feathers about 3 feet in length, this,” as Pretty Boy quartered away from me. I lunged dark green at the base and iridescent green at the tip. and grabbed him by the feet. That bird nearly beat Many have an “eye” me to death. With Les’s of concentric circles “The hens went about their business help, I managed to get of black, then green, him in the pen where he never looking his way again.” then brown with a blue was displaying within center containing an the hour. indigo spot. He directs these feathers into an acute Pretty Boy chased Pretty Girl around the enclosure angle pointing slightly forward enveloping himself for three weeks with an inspiring singleness of purin an emerald headdress with dozens of staring eyes. pose, but to no avail. Peahens apparently are notoriThe crescendo comes when he drops down his cara- ously picky, requiring much in the way of foreplay. At mel-colored coverlets and begins drumming, sound- last, his peacock equivalent of testosterone depleted ing like the wind rustling autumn leaves. It’s a show for the breeding season, his interest waned and his that could make the Wizard of Oz blush. beautiful fan feathers began to fall out. As the objects of his effort, the hens were Wouldn’t you know it, on the afternoon that he enthralled, bobbing their heads back and forth and lost the last majestic one, Pretty Girl started fanning chirping among themselves. As near as I could trans- her stubby little tail and chasing him around the pen. late henspeak, it was to the effect, “Are you serious? There’s a metaphor here somewhere but to avoid the What kind of rooster are you, and who pimped your wrath of “Pretty Girls” everywhere — especially the ride?” After a minute or two, the hens went about one living with me — I’ll let you write your own. their business never looking his way again. Not Popeye singing: “You can bet your last nickel that deterred, he fanned and strutted for them every day women is fickle,” says Popeye the Sailor Man [toot for the next week until I was embarrassed for him. toot]. Wife Nancy fell in love at first sight, and I knew what was coming. “We’ve got to get him a girlfriend,” — Ray Oliver she said. I reminded her she said exactly the same Elloree, South Carolina thing about “Cornbread,” our donkey herd of one riverrunfarms@live.com

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

COTTON FARMING | AUGUST 2021

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