Cotton farming february 2016

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

FEBRUARY 2016

www.cottonfarming.com

THE INNER CIRCLE TEXAN TAPS INTO NETWORK OF ADVISERS

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Vol. 60 No. 2

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

FEBRUARY 2016

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

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IT’S SHOWTIME!

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‘ENORMOUS POTENTIAL’

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GINNING MARKETPLACE

Make plans now to visit the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show that will be held Feb. 26-27.

TCGA’s Tony Williams says optimism about cotton is running high in Texas and invites everyone to attend the Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Lubbock on April 7-8.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Kelley Green discusses issues involving noise citations that were issued by OSHA for two cotton gins in South Texas.

The Inner Circle

Bill Myatt farms 8,000 irrigated acres of cotton, corn and peanuts in the Texas Panhandle with his son, Jake. Myatt attributes much of his success to information he gleans from an “inner circle” of advisers who cover every aspect of his operation. Myatt also is a Deltapine New Product Evaluator who won an award for making the highest yield in the Southwest region on his plot of DP 1612 B2XF.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Tiffany Dowell Lashmet is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in Amarillo and nationally recognized author of the Texas Agriculture Law Blog. Dowell discusses “Drones & Privacy (Part I): Potential Common Law Claims” and “Drones & Privacy (Part II): Texas Privacy Act.” Although her comments are Texas-specific about a state law related to drones, everyone will enjoy reading these articles. Go to www.cottonfarming.com to read more about this Web Exclusive report.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 18 Western Report 6 Cotton’s Agenda 26 My Turn 14 Specialists Speaking ON THE COVER: Texas producer Bill Myatt farms cotton, corn and peanuts in Castro, Bailey, Hockley and Cochran counties. Photo by Brad Robb.

2016 Market Outlook

CornSouth ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

Southern Production & Marketing Strategies

February 2016

SUPPLEMENT Look for CornSouth following page 22 in the Mid-South and Southeast editions of Cotton Farming. To have industry news and content delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at www.cornsouth.com.

A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December by One Grower Publishing LLC, 6515 Goodman Rd., Box 360, Olive Branch, MS 38654. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omeda Communications, Customer Service Department, P.O. Box 5024, Brentwood, TN 37027 (Phone: 847559-7578) (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.

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

®

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

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From Turnrows To Trade Shows

arming can often be a solitary endeavor during the growing season — kicking up dust behind your pickup while running for muchneeded parts, patiently cutting bolls prior to harvest and catching up with recordkeeping late nights on your tablet. But wintertime’s different. An impressive lineup of trade shows provides an opportunity to commiserate with fellow farmers and others in the industry while walking the aisles of your favorite venue.

On Feb. 26-27, visitors will flock to the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show as the event opens its doors for the 64th time. Exhibitors carefully put their booths in order to showcase the latest equipment, products and services designed to enhance the region’s diversified operations. Respected, knowledgeable speakers check their notes prior to taking the podium for the early morning Ag Update meetings and afternoon seminars.

Then there are the “added extras” that contribute to the fun, family friendly ambience of the show, including Helena’s popcorn and Coke stand, the always popular puppy giveaway and the cash prizes announced periodically over the loudspeaker by show manager Tim Price. Be sure to save a little energy to show off your best dance moves at the Saturday night “Krackerjack extravaganza” at the Peabody Hotel.

In the Lone Star State, the Texas Cotton Ginners Association puts Lubbock on the map as the place to be April 7-8. Since the drought lifted and moisture returned to the fertile Texas soils, cotton farmers and ginners have an extra spring in their step as they prepare for the TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show.

This event features a large gathering of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses that provide parts or services to the ginning industry. Products and services available to cotton farmers are represented as well. Prior to the show, gin employees can get up to date by attending the Southwest Ginners School. When the show wraps up Friday afternoon, be sure to take in the TCGA’s Awards Dinner followed by the Vegas Night Celebration at the Overton Hotel.

TCGA executive vice president Tony Williams says, “Optimism is running high in Texas as cotton farmers and ginners prepare for the 2016 season.” To get everyone involved in the excitement about this year’s show and the upcoming cotton season, TCGA has started a hashtag – #RockCotton. As Williams explains, “You can use #RockCotton on Tweets, Facebook, Instagram or other social media to share information about the Annual Meeting and Trade Show or express your passion for cotton in the great state of Texas and beyond.”

Join the conversation and rock cotton Texas style in 2016!

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 Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (615) 377-3322 For circulation changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 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 2016 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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When weeds ďŹ ght back, rein them in.

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Always read and follow label directions. Helena, Latigo and People...Products...Knowledge... are registered trademarks of Helena Holding Company. Š2016 Helena Holding Company. HPGSD0116

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Working To Improve Profitability U.S. cotton producers undoubtedly are hoping 2016 will bring better economic opportunities than was afforded in 2015 – and the National Cotton Council will continue its efforts to make that a reality.

Can the economic status be improved? n Thus far in 2016, the markets suggest that making sufficient yields to cover fixed and variable costs may again be a challenge for U.S. cotton producers. That’s why, as I reported in last month’s column, U.S. cotton’s overall dire business climate was brought to Congress’ attention by NCC leaders. Included was the call for Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to exercise his authority under 2014 farm law and designate cottonseed as an “other oilseed” and be eligible for Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage. The NCC believes so strongly about this action that it coordinated industry leaders’ efforts to submit letters to the editor to more than 60 Cotton Belt newspapers. Leaders offered personal assessments of their cotton economic situations, including such The NCC will continue to help improve cotton produc- e y e - o p e n i n g ers’ safety net and overall economic position. facts as 2015 U.S. acreage was the lowest in more than 30 years, exports were the smallest in 15 years, and cotton prices were at their lowest level since the 2009 recession. These factors negatively affect not only industry infrastructure but input suppliers, jobs and overall local and state economies.

As this column was submitted, no decision had been made by the Secretary regarding the cottonseed designation, but the NCC is continuing efforts at improving cotton producers’ safety net and overall economic position.

What other efforts are targeting economic improvement? n Early in 2015, the NCC sought relief from the onerous payment limit provisions of the 2014 farm law by urging Congress to restore USDA’s authority to allow marketing loan redemptions with commodity certificates. Fortunately, commodity certificates were restored in the omnibus appropriations act approved late in 2015. Redemptions with certificates are applicable to the 2015 crop, and any marketing loan gains under certificate redemptions do not apply to a producer’s payment limit nor are those gains subject to the Adjusted Gross Income means test. The NCC also was successful in working with USDA’s Risk Management Agency to bring new crop insurance options. Beginning in 2016, cotton producers have the option to add the cottonseed coverage to their Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) policy. Also, for producers with both irrigated and non-irrigated acres in the same county, there will be new flexibility that essentially allows the acres of one practice to be covered by a STAX policy without requiring the acres of the other policy to purchase coverage. Producers are encouraged to work with their agents to better understand the new options.

The trade and regulatory arenas also remain important to our industry’s health. For example, U.S. negotiators stood firm at the December WTO ministerial, withstanding calls for further restrictions on U.S. cotton domestic support. They emphasized that U.S. cotton producers are competing with some countries’ direct support that’s estimated at four times the U.S. level. Also, for the past year we have remained united with the American Cotton Shippers Association and AMCOT to work for a successful end to the Turkish government’s anti-dumping investigation against U.S. cotton exports to that country.

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

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

COTTONFARMING.COM

COVER STORY

The Inner Circle Texan Taps Into Network Of Advisers

BY CARROLL SMITH EDITOR

The ‘Network Of Minds’ Myatt attributes much of his success to information he gleans from an “inner circle” of advisers who cover every aspect of the operation from production to marketing.

“We call it our ‘circle’ or ‘network,’ which is made up of 40 to 50 people who are experts in their fields,” he says. “My Dad, who is semi-retired today, is intense, determined and was the beginning of what we call our inner circle of advisers because TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

PHOTO BY BRAD ROBB

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immitt is a small town on the Old Ozark Trail in the Texas Panhandle and is known as the home of bluegrass musicians Smokey, Edd and Herbert Mayfield. Cotton producer Bill Myatt began farming with his dad, Jerry, and granddad, Tubb, in Levelland and eventually bought land in Dimmitt, which is in Castro County. He now farms 8,000 irrigated acres of cotton, corn and peanuts with his son, Jake, in Castro, Bailey, Hockley and Cochran counties where they also run a few head of cattle.

Of the 8,000 acres, 5,000 are under pivots and 3,000 are watered by subsurface drip systems. “We would like to have every acre in drip because it’s much more efficient,” Myatt says.

“With drip irrigation, we can come close to 4 bales of cotton per acre compared to 2 to 2 ½ bales per acre with pivot irrigation. We get almost twice as much yield from the same amount of water with drip. Drip irrigation doubles what the water can do.”

Jake adds, “We can start pre-watering earlier and more efficiently with drip irrigation because the water-holding capacity is a lot better since the drip tape is below ground.

There is no run-off.”

Texas Panhandle cotton farmer Bill Myatt has been a Deltapine New Product Evaluator since 2011 and farms 8,000 acres of irrigated cotton, corn and peanuts with his son, Jake. he gave me such a good foundation when I began farming. Now our network includes Larry Martin with Deltapine, Kyle Lawless with Dekalb, as well as other seed and chemical reps, people at our tractor dealership, our drip irrigation installer, cotton buyers, bankers and my accountant.

“These are all examples of people in our ‘network of minds’ that we can depend on and trust. There are too many important decisions to be made on an operation this size. I couldn’t

possibly handle them all myself. If we make a wrong decision, it hurts us financially.”

Myatt says he and Jake don’t mind asking questions, and the people that they count as members of their circle offer their knowledge willingly, which helps the operation prosper.

“We appreciate them and respect their opinions,” he says. “I believe the best way to learn is to get information from someone who is doing something better than we are. If you’re on my COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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Bill and Jake Myatt are avid proponents of drip irrigation and laughingly refer to themselves as “drip doctors” after designing drip houses that allow them to water 1,500 acres on one of their farms.

“This project involved a circle of advisers, too,” Bill says. “We pooled the expertise of seven or eight people to put this system together. We did the design work, then turned it over to a skilled installer.”

Jakes explains that they insulated all of the buildings and placed the zone valves and filters inside so the water wouldn’t freeze. Because of this design, the Myatts can begin pre-watering whenever they decide it’s time to start building up subsoil moisture. The drip tape is buried underground, so nothing in the drip system is exposed to the elements of nature.

“Each house has a certain amount of acres that it can water,” Bill says.

“Our big drip houses can water 460 acres, which is the largest we have ever built for one filter station. Most drip houses water 100 to 200 acres.

“This particular block of land lays perfectly for drip because it is 2 miles east and west, a mile and a half north and south, and the highest elevation on the farm is right through the middle. I’ve farmed drip-irrigated land for 13 years and was moderately sold on it. Then when the drought hit in 2011, we became very committed to drip irrigation. Our drip land made three times the yield with less water than our land under pivots did.”

The Myatts shelter all of their drip irrigation equipment within insulted drip houses so they can water year round.

‘favorite list’ on my phone, then you are in my circle. And we have some guys on speed dial.”

New Product Evaluator Myatt also has been a Deltapine New Product Evaluator since 2011.

The NPE Program is made up of more than 200 cotton farmers across the Cotton Belt who evaluate pre-commercial Deltapine varieties on their farms on 20- to 25-acre plots. These farmers provide feedback on variety performance and yield results, then vote on which varieties should be commercialized.

In 2015, some of Myatt’s planted acres included XtendFlex cotton varieties DP 1518 B2XF, DP 1522 B2XF and an NPE variety that is being brought to market this year as DP 1612 B2XF. The Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton technology, upon regulatory approvals, will allow three modes of action over the top – dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate – for a more flexible and reliable weed management program.

Myatt points out that seed was limited for 1518 and 1522 last year, but, this season, he intends to plant a significant amount of acres to DP 1522 B2XF and the new Deltapine Class of 16 variety DP 1612 B2XF. In fact, he received an award at the 2015 NPE Summit for making the highest yield

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in the Southwest region on his plot of DP 1612 B2XF. “In 2015, we had the best grades we’ve ever had,” Myatt says.

“Although it wasn’t a typical year to have good grades, our Deltapine cotton varieties, on average, went into the loan for about 57 cents. And although 2010 was the best yielding crop we’ve ever had, 2015 came close to those yields with even better quality. We typically expect 3- to 4-bale cotton every year. “ To d a y, w e a r e b u i l t i n t o a high-quality market. The higher quality cotton is something that you can sell. Last year, most of our cotton was contracted early, but on the small amount of cotton that we didn’t have contracted, we received a premium.”

The Myatts also attribute improved grades to the John Deere 7760 round bale cotton picker that they added to their equipment line-up last year. “We had never picked cotton until 2015,” Myatt says. “We just used a stripper.”

Weed Control The most troublesome weed that plagues the Myatts’ operation is careless weed, or pigweed. They currently apply pre-emerge herbicides to keep this pest under control.

“We haven’t found any resistant pigweed yet, but we have to keep fighting,” Myatt says. “Once dicamba

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL MYATT

The ‘Drip Doctors’

is approved for Deltapine Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton, we can add it to the fight to keep our fields cleaner.

It will give us a stronger program to help control pigweed, tumbleweed and other broadleaf weeds, while glyphosate or glufosinate can take care of the grasses.”

As the Myatt family continues to stay loyal to cotton in the Texas Panhandle, Bill says he is glad that Jake chose to return to the farm after graduating from Texas Tech.

“I didn’t pressure him to farm because it’s high-stress, high-intensity and extremely demanding,” Myatt says. “Very few days go by when you can just forget about it.”

But, despite the challenges associated with farming, Jake says he enjoys the work. “I’ve been going to the farm with Dad since I was 4 or 5 years old, working for $1 a day and free food,” Jake says. “That’s really the only job I’ve ever had. I feel like we are blessed to be able to do something that we enjoy, and I always knew that I was going to farm.”

And how does Bill Myatt feel about his family’s chosen profession?

“Like my Dad and my Granddad before him, we are in it for life,” he says.

Contact Carroll Smith at 901-326-4443 or csmith@onegrower.com.

COTTONFARMING.COM

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Introducing oducing our NEW NEXGEN B2XF & XF cotton ton varieties – tolerant to THREE different ff herbicides: dicamba, glyphosate, & glufosinate.

NG 3500 XF Get flexible protection otection with BOLLGARD IIŽ XTENDFLEX™

Monsanto Company is a member mb be of Excellence Through StewardshipŽ (ETS). Monsanto products aree commercialized inn accordance with ETS Pr Product oduct Launch Stewardship S Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Monsanto’ Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products od in Commodity Crops. As of January 30, 2015, this product has been ee approved for import rt in Australia, Mexico, Japan Japan and Canada.

C Any crop or material produced from this product oduct can only be exported e to, or used, processed or sold in countries where al all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation on of national and international onal law to move material containing conta biotech traits across boundaries into nations wheree import is not permitted. permit Growers

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE DE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup ReadyŽ crops contain genes en that confer tolerance to glyphosate, sate, the active ingredient edient in RoundupŽ R brand agricultural herbicides. Bollgard IIŽ XtendFlex XtendFle TM Cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active vee ingredient in RoundupŽ brand agricultural herbicides, es dicamba, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in LibertyŽ brand and herbicides. RoundupŽ brand agricultural al herbicides will kill crops cr that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not n tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill cropss th that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Dicamba ba herbicide is not currently ently approved appr for commercial in-crop use with Bollgard IIŽ XtendFlex XtendFle TM cotton and nothing herein is a promotion or an offer to sell dicambaa herbicide for this use. It is a violation of federal al law to promote or offer to sell an unregisteredd pesticide or a registered register egistered pesticide for an unregistered use. For 2015, Monsanto does not authorize growers gr to apply dicamba herbicides in-crop to Bollgard IIŽ XtendFlex™ te Cotton. otto Commercialization is dependent ep on multiple factors, including successful conclusion onclusion of the regulatory egulatory process. pr Contact your dealer aler for updated information. Bollgard IIŽ, Bollgard II and DesignŽ, RoundupŽ, Roundup ReadyŽ, and Bollgard Bol g IIŽ XtendFlex™ Xten are trademarks off Monsanto M Technology LLC. LibertyŽ and LibertyLinkŽ are registered trademarks trademark ademarks off Bayer. AmericotŽ and NexGenŽ are registered ed trademarks tr of Americot, Inc.

SPECIAL REPORT

Enlist Cotton Launched First Variety Available From PhytoGen

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armers now have access to the breakthrough technology of Enlist cotton in 2016. As part of the Enlist weed control system, the Enlist cotton trait represents the most innovative advancements in weed control technology for the cotton industry. Enlist cotton provides exceptional crop tolerance to Enlist Duo herbicide — a combination of glyphosate and new 2,4-D choline — and full tolerance to glufosinate herbicides.

“We have a level of glufosinate tolerance now that is comparable to the other products that you see in the marketplace,” says Chris Main, Ph.D., PhytoGen cotton development specialist for the Upper Mid-South. “In 2016, cotton farmers will have the option to apply glufosinate over the top of these varieties with confidence since the glufosinate tolerance has been increased.”

Growers such as Virginia-based Mike Griffin participated in the 2015 Enlist cotton grower research plots.

He understands the importance of new technology and is ready to use the Enlist system on more acres.

“The Enlist system specifically has been brought forward to help control weed species that have been unmanageable,” he says. “We look forward to using this technology to help us with resistant and hard-to-control weeds.”

Enlist cotton will be available in proven, consistent, high-yielding PhytoGen cottonseed, stacked with Genuity Roundup Ready Flex and WideStrike 3 Insect Protection. “This marks the first trait within the Enlist weed control system to be launched,” says Brian Barker, U.S. seeds general manager, Dow AgroSciences.

Top Three Benefits On-target application, weed control and crop tolerance top the list of benefits. In the United States, more than 84 million acres are infested with resistant and hard-to-control weeds. Cotton producers deal with some of the most difficult weeds,

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

Virginia producer Mike Griffin says the Enlist system exceeds his expectations for crop tolerance and weed control. including Palmer amaranth, marestail and giant ragweed. Texas farmer Jon Whatley and other research plot participants saw the quick action of Enlist Duo on troublesome weeds.

“Shortly after application, we came back to the field and were amazed at how the weeds were already drooping and curling. Better yet, the Enlist cotton was thriving,” says Whatley.

Enlist Duo herbicide is optimized for on-target application with Dow AgroSciences’ proprietary Colex-D technology. Colex-D technology not only minimizes the potential for physical drift and provides near-zero volatility but also decreases odor and improves handling.

Diverse agricultural landscape means specialty crops may be located near cotton acres. Mississippi grower Trey Koger, Ph.D., participated in the Enlist cotton grower research plots and says it is important to be mindful of neighbors’ crops when making a herbicide application.

“We have a lot of crops, such as rice, grain sorghum and peanuts, growing in close proximity to one another,” Koger says. “I had no issues at all with drift or volatility with Enlist Duo. The Enlist cotton field shows that we’ll be

able to utilize this technology to help us manage glyphosate-resistant and hard-to-control weeds.”

With tolerance to three distinct modes of action (2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate), PhytoGen cotton with the Enlist trait gives growers more flexibility in their weed control programs. Using multiple modes of action delivers proven results, controlling resistant weeds in the field while helping growers prevent resistance for seasons to come.

Educational Training Programs “We have planned a coordinated launch of the Enlist cotton trait that includes an educational training program for farmers who will be the first in the country to experience Enlist in the PhytoGen brand,” Main says. “Farmers can check with their PhytoGen seed sales representatives for more information about PhytoGen cottonseed with the Enlist trait.”

Enlist Duo herbicide is not yet registered for use with Enlist cotton. Dow AgroSciences anticipates registration in time for 2016 applications.

Dow AgroSciences provided information for this article.

COTTONFARMING.COM

YEAR IN REVIEW

Texas Agriculture Law

BY TIFFANY DOWELL LASHMET Editor’s note: Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in Amarillo and author of the Texas Agriculture Law Blog, is among the top 100 legal bloggers in the nation, according to an announcement by the editors at the ABA Journal. Following are excerpts from her “Texas Agriculture Law Year In Review” for water and oil.

To view both articles in their entirety, please visit http:// agrilife.org/texasaglaw/.

Water-Related Highlights ■ Bragg takings decision will stand. In May, the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in Bragg v. Edwards Aquifer Authority, a groundbreaking groundwater law case in Texas. This means that the opinion of the San Antonio Court of Appeals remains in force. That opinion found that when the Edwards Aquifer Authority denied permits to a Medina County pecan farmer, a taking occurred, requiring just compensation be paid to the farmer. This case is the first in Texas to find a taking did indeed occur when a permit was denied and to award compensation. Currently, the case is on remand to the trial court to properly calculate just compensation based on the difference in the value of the property with and without the requested irrigation water.

■ Texas Supreme Court hears oral argument in City of Lubbock v. Coyote Lake Ranch. In October 2015, the Texas Supreme Court heard oral argument from counsel about whether Texas should recognize the accommodation doctrine when dealing with groundwater.

The doctrine, which has been applied for years in Texas oil and gas law, offers protection to preexisting surface owners in limited circumstances when oil and gas operations commence on the property and substantially interfere with the existing surface use. In this case, the city of Lubbock purchased groundwater rights from the ranch in the 1950s and included the right to use the surface of the ranch to produce the water in the deed.

When Lubbock was ready to start drilling in 2012, the current owners of the surface estate argued that the accommodation doctrine should prohibit Lubbock from interfering with their current use of the land. The trial court found for the landowners, issuing an injunction preventing Lubbock from moving forward. The Amarillo Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the accommodation doctrine doesn’t apply to groundwater as it is not part of the dominant mineral estate as is oil and gas. The Texas Supreme Court decision, which will likely be issued sometime in 2016, will be the first pronouncement from the state’s highest court on this important question.

■ Texas Supreme Court punts on underground trespass question. When the Texas Supreme Court issued its opinion in Environmental Processing Systems v. FPL Farming, I read with excitement the answer to TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

the important question posed: Would Texas recognize an underground trespass claim? In this case, a rice farmer owned property that neighbored property owned by a disposal well company. Over a decade, the disposal well company pumped more than 100 million gallons of waste water over a mile beneath the ground into an unproductive aquifer. The rice farmer argued that because of the time and volume of water, the plume had crossed property lines, which should allow him to recover for subsurface trespass. Whether Texas would recognize this type of claim was a question of first impression. Unfortunately, the question was not answered, as the court decided the case on a technicality regarding burden of proof, and was “without the need to decide whether Texas law recognizes a trespass cause of action for deep subsurface water migration.” Thus, the question remains until another case can make its way through the Texas court system where the answer is critical to a decision.

Oil-Related Highlights ■ Court clarifies that control of subsurface rests with surface owner, not mineral lessee. Lightning Oil Co. v. Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC raised a very interesting issue of who has control over a property’s subsurface. Here, one oil and gas company sought to drill through the subsurface owned by a ranch whose minerals were leased to a second oil and gas company. The first company obtained consent from the ranch to drill through the subsurface in order to reach their own mineral lease on neighboring land. The second oil and gas company filed suit claiming that it, as the mineral owner, should have the right to determine whether someone could drill through the mineral estate. The San Antonio Court of Appeals found that it was the surface owner, here the ranch, that controlled the subsurface of the property.

It remains to be seen whether the mineral owners will appeal this decision.

■ Texas Supreme Court addresses cost-free royalty issues in Chesapeake Exploration LLC v. Hyder.

Texas courts have long sought to define the circumstances under which royalty language could successfully prohibit oil and gas companies in requiring royalty owners from sharing in post-production costs. This case involved an oil and gas lease between Chesapeake and Hyder, in which Hyder sought to do just that. Out of three different provisions, one was found by the Texas Supreme Court to allow Mr. Hyder’s interest to be free from post-production costs.

Currently, a motion to reconsider is pending at the Texas Supreme Court.

Contact Tiffany Dowell Lashmet at 806-677-5600 or tdowell@tamu.edu. To view both articles in their entirety, please visit http://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/.

COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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TCGA

#RockCotton

TEXAS STYLE TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show April 7-8, 2016, Lubbock, Texas COTTON FARMERS AND GINNERS ARE GEARING UP TO #ROCKCOTTON TEXAS STYLE IN 2016.

Now that good moisture has returned to the Lone Star State, farmers stand ready to produce top yields, while ginners strive for high turnout rates. To make sure that cotton farming and ginning remain a viable part of the state’s economy, TCGA is a vigilant watchdog on the issues that could affect our industry.

The annual TCGA Meeting and Trade Show is one of the largest gatherings of cotton ginning equipment, supplies and affiliated businesses that provide parts or services to the ginning industry. More than 130 exhibitors are eager to inform visitors about their products and services related to all things cotton.

Make plans now to attend the show and share our optimism about the upcoming season via #ROCKCOTTON on Twitter and other social media.

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Specialists Speaking And So It Begins...

FLORIDA David Wright Overall, cotton producers had good yields in 2015, which is necessary at current prices. Many growers are concerned about what to do for the coming year as peanut, cotton and corn prices are not attractive to increase acreage. However, university Extension, crop consultants and agribusiness can provide much information to help growers make decisions on what varieties to plant, which fields are best for the various crops, and how to use variable-rate technology to help reduce the risks and costs of growing crops in different fields.

There are always meetings that growers can attend on almost any subject throughout the winter to keep them up to date on the latest technology. All of the new varieties and technology go through testing under many different conditions and locations, making the U.S. farming community the bright spot for agriculture in the world.

Continued state and federal support for research and Extension, as well as being blessed, will help maintain U.S. agriculture’s position as the leader in information and the food and fiber supplier for a growing world population. wright@ufl.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam Missouri producers made it through the 2015 season with near record yields, so there is a lot to be thankful for. Although we didn’t have optimum climatic conditions, we were fortunate to have had had an overall favorable growing season. I have often wondered how much higher our yield could be with early planting and favorable conditions during the season. One thing that we learned this year is that even with a later planted crop, we were able to harvest one of our better crops.

Producers are making decisions on varieties and trying to finetune their fertilizer and herbicide practices. This time of year is dedicated to meetings by the chemical and seed companies and Extension. The Missouri Cotton Production and Outlook Conference will be held at the Fisher Delta Research Center at Portageville on Tuesday, Feb. 9, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. The program starts at 8 a.m. and concludes with lunch. There is no charge for the program. The usual topics of weed control, insect control, the cotton outlook and updates on products from industry will be discussed.

After a very wet fall, we are just starting our winter weather season. We anticipate going into planting time with enough moisture to keep the plants growing until we get rain. We also have to do a better job of drift control. Our Missouri Department of Agriculture inspector has a heavier workload than the rest of the state. When we have the other plant traits and chemicals available, it will be even more hectic. milammr@missouri.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson It is encouraging to see renewed interest in cotton. However, planting decisions for this season are not final. Cash margin information developed by our economist for various commodities is all very tight and none have margins for mistakes.

Cutting costs is high on everyone’s list. Regardless of what we plant, we must be smart to get the most out of our inputs. We need to watch costs, yet provide necessary

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inputs to protect yield potential. The importance of meeting the nutrient requirements of the crop cannot be understated. Pulling soil samples, evaluating fertility levels across time and taking into account nutrient removal are all important considerations in developing your fertility plan based on the recommendations from the soil testing lab.

Variety selection for yield and quality is an important first step in establishing our yield potential. Producers are also encouraged to closely evaluate host plant resistance traits of varieties for specific issues including nematodes, diseases and tolerance to insect pests.

Matching nutrient applications or timing to the crop requirements, utilizing all IPM tools to manage pest and using tools for irrigation like Pipe Planner – a computerized hole selection program – can represent real savings in cost, preserve yield potential, and help improve efficiency and conserve natural resources. Contact your local county Extension agent to obtain information or get assistance in improving efficiency and profitability. brobertson@uaex.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan Some cotton remains in the Rolling Plains due to continuously wet conditions and the inability to get strippers in the fields. Ginning remains in full swing in the northern Rolling Plains. Fortunately, fiber quality characteristics have remained constant over the past 45 days from the Abilene classing office, with only a small increase in bark.

Visiting with cotton producers across Texas over the past couple of weeks, I am expecting a small increase in cotton acres, due to the prevented planting of wheat last fall in the Rolling Plains and Blacklands and the low alternative crop prices. The entire state is in the best shape in five-plus years for soil moisture, where all the cotton production regions have a full profile of soil moisture. The moisture situation and the El Niño effect expected to continue through early summer is providing some optimism about the 2016 cotton crop.

With current cotton prices, producers are looking to cut input costs and improve production efficiency. Reducing seeding rates is one option being considered by producers to save on expenses.

Optimum seeding rate is dependent on several factors, and multiple agronomic management strategies may also need to be adapted to maximize yield. For specifics, contact me at gdmorgan@tamu.edu, and I will be glad to discuss. gmorgan@tamu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame One of the most frequent questions I have been getting is: Where can producers save on inputs when cotton prices are low? Two of the largest input costs to cotton producers are seed cost and soil fertility programs.

You can lower seed cost somewhat as cotton tends to be able to compensate with varying plant populations. However, you need good high-yielding genetics in seed if you are going to grow cotton so there’s only so much you can squeeze there. The second is reducing the amount of fertilizer applied. I consider a soil fertility program as the foundation for any cropping system. That being said, if you reduce your fertility program, you may be able to get by one, maybe two years if your soil phosphorus and potassium levels are built up to high or very high soil test levels.

COTTONFARMING.COM

However, if you have medium or lower soil test levels, you are taking a chance. For nitrogen and sulfur, I recommend fertilizing based on yield goals. The typical rule of thumb for cotton is 50 pounds of nitrogen per bale of expected yield. This is total N (soil N + fertilizer N), so you will have the soil supplying some N, even in sandy textured, low CEC soils. Our data have shown that over three years, cotton yields were maximized in Virginia between 90-120 pounds of APPLIED (fertilizer) N. Cutting fertilizer rates, especially N, may carry a yield penalty in a growing season where weather conditions are optimal.

Since we cannot predict the weather, cutting soil fertility programs is a gamble. Plant nutrition and genetics are your building blocks for yield. Without them, yield will suffer. I recommend never cutting soil fertility costs, as I have seen many instances across crops where producers have been unhappy with the results. Consult with university specialists in all crop management fields about other expenses that may not have the same return on investment to find ways to save when commodity prices are low. whframe@vt.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds There is a sense of renewed optimism regarding cotton production in Mississippi. Our growers have delivered three of the top four state average crops on record during the past three growing seasons. In light of that as well as market price and yield expectations for other commodities, many are talking of increasing acreage over last year and/or growing cotton again for the first time in several years.

Those who have not grown cotton in the past couple of years but plan to in 2016 should spend as much time as possible on variety selection. Variety choices are continually changing, and even those who grow cotton every year struggle to some degree with variety selection.

The overriding thought about producing any crop in 2016 is that of making the largest possible crop on the smallest possible inputs.

The current commodity price structure will likely present challenges with respect to profitability not seen in the past several years. There are many areas where the temptation to reduce input costs may be overwhelming, including fertilizer and pest management. Keep in mind that these areas are critical for maximizing yield, and that large cuts in inputs in these areas could lead to decreased yield. Although spending must be minimized in order to maximize potential profitability, don’t let spending a nickel prevent you from making a dollar. darrind@ext.msstate.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins During the winter months, many growers are making important variety decisions for the 2016 season.

Variety selection is one of the most important decisions producers can make that impacts their bottom line. As illustrated from the on-farm trials in 2015, improper variety selection could cost producers anywhere from $120 to $156 per acre. With that said, North Carolina producers have two robust programs from which to evaluate variety performance: North Carolina State University Official Variety Trials and the North Carolina On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program, which was launched in 2015. Collectively, these programs provide producers with a means to effectively evaluate variety performance across a very broad range of environments, soil types, regions, etc.

It is very important for producers to evaluate the stability characteristics of varieties using multi-year and multi-location replicated trials across a broad range of factors. Stability (consistent performance across a number of factors like rainfall, soil type, regions, planting dates, etc.) is really the best indicator and predictor for how well a variety can perform from field to field and year to year. The

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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Specialists Speaking issues. This well-planned and coordinated event is key for professionals involved in the cotton industry throughout the state of Louisiana and the Mid-South.

If you have never attended, make plans to go this year. Information pertaining to conference registration and lodging can be found at http://www.laca1.org. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

2015 trials clearly identified some new varieties that can perform well in a number of situations.

We were very excited to unveil the NCSU Cotton Variety Performance Calculator at the North Carolina Commodities Conferences in January. This valuable online tool will enable producers to quickly evaluate variety performance from both replicated on-farm trials and OVT using a number of selection criteria of their choosing. The calculator can be found directly at https://trials.ces.ncsu.edu/cotton/ and is also smartphone friendly. This calculator also is available on the NCSU Cotton Portal website at https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/. guy_collins@ncsu.edu

TEXAS Seth Byrd This is my first article as the new Extension cotton agronomist for the Texas High Plains region. I am excited to be working in cotton in this region and to be surrounded by a great group of researchers, county agents and producers. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to work with Dr. Gaylon Morgan and the tremendous cotton support organizations within the state.

Looking ahead, variety selection is often the first decision a grower will make. Evaluating variety performance, as well as technology packages and various disease ratings, can help determine what variety characteristics are needed compared to past issues and aid in narrowing down the broad range of options.

For information on variety characteristics and other information, county production meetings are a great opportunity to hear from several expert researchers who cover a broad range of topics and current subjects. A schedule of upcoming production meetings can be found at http://lubbock.tamu.edu/programs/crops/cotton/extension-cotton-agronomy/. seth.byrd@ag.tamu.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme The 2016 Louisiana Agricultural Technology and Management Conference will be held Feb. 17-19 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, La. This annual event is sponsored by the Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association. Each year, current production issues relevant to cotton are discussed in detail by the presenters.

On Feb. 17, a half-day session on irrigation topics will feature presentations on timing and termination, new technologies for water management, strategies to improve irrigation efficiency, sustainable irrigation practices and tail water recycling.

On Feb. 18, another half-day session will feature presentations on foliar disease management, Bt resistance and insect management, growing cotton in tough times, nematode update and fiber quality

It’s Showtime!

BY CARROLL SMITH

MID-SOUTH FARM & GIN SHOW

I

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EDITOR

n a few short weeks, it’s time to head to Memphis, Tenn., to attend the 64th Annual MidSouth Farm & Gin Show. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand to provide the latest information suited to the region’s diversified operations.

Visitors are invited to attend the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation Annual Meetings that will kick off Thursday, Feb. 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the Peabody Hotel. Featured speakers include Jay Mahaffey, Mark Messura, Dr. Tommy Valco, Larry Falconer and Dr. Bill Robertson.

Show manager Tim Price says, “There are three reasons for optimism in the Mid-South for cotton.

As you will see at the trade show, companies are still bringing forth products and services for cotton, yield and quality potential from today’s varieties are amazing and the adoption of cotton technology is at an all time high. Farmers are taking advantage of every ounce of value that cotton provides.”

The show officially begins on Friday morning with the Ag Update Meetings, which are held at the Cook Convention Center. The program commences at 8:30 a.m. Shane Stephens, National Cotton Council, will discuss cotton issues; Carl Brothers, Riceland Foods,

COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

will present the outlook for rice and wheat; and Joe Nicosia, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, will discuss the outlook for U.S. and world cotton. Show exhibits open at 9 a.m.

A special Mid-South Ag Forum – “Profitability and Stewardship Together – Through Technology” – begins at 1:30 p.m. and features presentations from Dr. Mike Daniels, Dr. Bill Robertson and farmer Steve Stevens. The show resumes Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with another important ag update meeting where Richard Brock, Brock Associates, will talk about grain market outlook/marketing strategies and projections for 2016.

The Exhibit Hall re-opens at 9 a.m Saturday, and Georgia farmer Randy Dowdy will be on hand at 11:30 a.m. to conduct a special seminar on “Southern Corn Production Success – 486 Bushels Per Acre and Counting!” A rice marketing seminar will convene at 1:30 p.m., featuring Milo Hamilton.

Show closing times are 5 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively. This year’s informative and family-friendly show again promises to be an event that you don’t want to miss.

We look forward to seeing you in Memphis!

COTTONFARMING.COM

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WHEN YOU GIVE COTTON GROWERS THE TOTAL PACKAGE, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT. It’s time for growers to expect more from a cottonseed. And Stoneville ® delivers. Through advanced breeding, growers can expect better cotton quality, improved disease tolerance and high yield potential. Now that there’s a cottonseed that delivers it all, the sky’s the limit.

Learn more at Stoneville.com

WESTERN REPORT

Growers Express Concerns In CI’s Natural Resource Survey

C

otton Incorporated has released an executive summary report on the Natural Resources Survey that was conducted in late spring and early summer 2015. Results indicate the No. 1 concern of growers across the Cotton Belt is input costs, but as usual, the West varies from the rest of the cotton community on the other top five priorities. The executive summary can be viewed at https://cottoncultivated.cottoninc.com/.

Water Supply It is no surprise that an adequate water supply is the No. 2 concern for growers in California, New Mexico and Arizona, while the No. 2 priority for growers farther east is herbicide-resistant weed control. So far, 2016 has seen a good supply of snowfall in the Sierra of California, as well as the watersheds for cotton producers in Arizona and New Mexico.

“I don’t know that the recent storms are going to help much in the short term,” says Aaron Barcellos, a California cotton grower and current

BY BRENT MURPHREE MARICOPA, ARIZ.

Cotton Board chairman. Growers in the West will be planning their crops and pre-irrigating before the real impact of this winter’s storms is known. We are on a good pace to establish the needed water for later in the season, and we’re all optimistic.”

And, while growers are more optimistic regarding the supply for this season, infrastructure and water policy will continue to remain a priority for the West.

The third ranking concern for the West is cotton’s tolerance to heat and

Top 5 Major Production Concerns by Region Far West: 1. Input costs (82%) 2. Adequate water supply (82%) 3. Tolerance to heat and drought (58%) 4. Weed control (48%) 5. Herbicide-resistant weeds (45%) and variety selection (45%)

Southeast 1. Input costs (76%) 2. Herbicide-resistant weeds (68%) 3. Weed control (60%) 4. Cottonseed value (44%) 5. Spread of plant diseases and weeds (41%)

Southwest: 1. Input costs (86%) 2. Herbicide-resistant weeds (69%) 3. Weed control (67%) 4. Cottonseed value (62%) 5. Adequate water supply (60%)

Mid-South: 1. Input costs (86%) 2. Herbicide-resistant weeds (73%) 3. Weed control (69%) 4. Plant bug control (66%) 5. Cottonseed value (53%)

Information provided by Cotton Incorporated

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

drought, which is directly related to water and weather concerns in the region. The rest of the Cotton Belt lists weed control as their third concern.

Less rain means more volatile heat with temperatures along the Colorado River and in Central Arizona occasionally reaching into the 110-degree range.

Heat can have a huge impact on plant health even if there is ample water supply. Dr. Paul Brown at the University of Arizona says heat stress produces reduction in fruit retention, which can reduce overall lint yields, delay crop maturity and reduce lint quality.

Weed Control For Western growers, weed control comes in at No. 4 on the list.

Producers who farm in the arid West typically have fewer worries about weed control. Herbicide-resistant weeds are tied in fifth with variety selection, both coming in at 45 percent of those surveyed.

Variety selection can be correlated with all of the priorities ahead of it in the ranking. Higher yields and better quality increased the opportunity to decrease input costs.

Drought-tolerant varieties help ease or alleviate some concerns over water availability. And, of course, herbicideresistant cotton can help cut manpower passes with machinery.

Another take away from the survey says Ed Barnes, Senior Director of Agricultural & Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated, is that because of diverse cropping systems, good irrigation efficiency and high yields, Western cotton growers continue to manage and improve their crop, taking advantage of new technologies and research.

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

COTTONFARMING.COM

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BELTWIDE

COTTON CONFERENCES

2016 Beltwide Wrap-Up

W

es Briggs of Bainbridge, Ga., winner of the 2015 Cotton Consultant of the Year Award, was honored by his peers at a reception last month at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans. The event was held in the RiverView room overlooking the Mighty Mississippi at the Marriott Hotel. The award, established in 1981, is co-sponsored

by Cotton Farming and Syngenta.

Briggs and his wife, Beth, along with numerous friends and cotton industry representatives, were in attendance. Publisher Lia Guthrie and Syngenta’s Josh Kelley presented the traditional green jacket and plaque to Briggs.

“There are many consultants across the Cotton Belt deserving of this award, and I am very honored to have been chosen as the new member of this brotherhood,” Briggs said upon accepting the award. “It marks a special moment in my career.”

The Georgia consultant established Briggs Crop Services Inc. in 2001 after gaining experience in several other consulting positions

CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR

Wes Briggs, who was named the 2015 Cotton Consultant of the Year, is joined by Cotton Farming publisher Lia Guthrie and Syngenta’s Josh Kelley during a special reception at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences. Wes, wife Beth and daughters Mabry-Grace and Emma reside in Bainbridge, Ga. in Mississippi and Georgia. He is a member and past president of the Georgia Association of Professional

Dr. Darrin Dodds, associate Extension professor for Mississippi State University, accepts his award from Dr. Russell Nuti, cotton development specialist for PhytoGen.

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

Agricultural Consultants and has five full-time men in his company that he counts on every day.

Darrin Dodds Recognized The National Cotton Council and its partners have named Dr. Darrin Dodds, associate Extension professor for Mississippi State University, the Dr. J. Tom Cothren Outstanding Young Cotton Physiologist. Dodds has been an associate Extension professor and cotton specialist at Mississippi State University since 2007.

Dodds was nominated by Dr. Angus Catchot, Extension entomologist for Mississippi State University; Dr. Randy Boman, research director and cotton Extension program leader for Oklahoma State University; and Dr. Chris Main, cotton development specialist for PhytoGen. Main, who worked with Dodds while he was in a similar lead Extension role in Tennessee, wrote in Dodds’ nomination letter: “He is intense in his attention to detail in research design, implementation, management, data analysis and writing, which sets him above most agronomists. Darrin is respected as an Extension cotton specialist because he has actually conducted the research results he presents. Darrin is well deserving of this award.”

Derek Racca, brand manager for PhytoGen, says, “PhytoGen and Dow AgroSciences are proud to support this recognition for cotton physiology researchers by sponsoring this award.”

COTTONFARMING.COM

Weaver Wins Genetics Award Dr. David B. Weaver, a cotton breeder who conducts plant breeding research and educates generations of students at Auburn University, received the 2015 Cotton Genetics Research Award.

One of his nominators, Dr. Jodi Scheffler, a USDA Agricultural Research Service geneticist and the previous year’s Cotton Genetics Research Award recipient, names three of Dr. Weaver’s top accomplishments. These include his evaluation of the effect of genes for resistance to reniform nematode on agronomic and fiber quality traits; impact of exotic germplasm introgression on cotton agronomics and effect of selection and inbreeding methods on fiber quality traits.

Dr. Weaver also was selected as a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.

Gaylon Morgan Named Top Specialist Gaylon Morgan, Ph.D., Extension cotton specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is the 2016 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year. The prestigious award is voted on by Extension cotton specialists who represent every cotton-producing state across the U.S. Cotton Belt. The annual Award Banquet has been a featured event at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences since 1984 and has been sponsored by Bayer since 2008.

Morgan holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree

in agronomy from Texas A&M University as well as a Ph.D. in horticulture/ plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin. He has worked within the Texas A&M University system since 2003. Currently serving as the Texas state Extension specialist, Morgan is involved in multi-disciplinary fields of research pertaining to cotton production as well as the practical implementation of those scientific advances to the field.

Morgan was presented the award by last year’s recipient, Dr. Guy Collins, North Carolina State University Extension associate professor of cotton.

“Gaylon is very deserving of this award,” he says. “If I had to single out one attribute that is really remarkable about Gaylon, it would be his ability to look at an issue through a different lens and create a well-thought-out approach to study and solve the problem.”

Steve Nichols, head of Agronomic Services for Bayer, adds, “At Bayer, we have the privilege to work with some of the brightest and most dedicated individuals in the cotton industry. Dr. Gaylon Morgan represents the very best of scientists involved in U.S. cotton research and outreach.”

Morgan says one of the most rewarding aspects of his position is that the learning curve continues to be fairly steep, which keeps things interesting. “In our state, cotton is here to stay,” he says. “I am proud to be a part of the Texas cotton industry.”

Gaylon Morgan, Extension cotton specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, was named the 2015 Cotton Specialist of the Year. To top off the exciting event, Bayer CropScience arranged for Gaylon’s wife, Christine, to make a surprise appearance.

David Baltensperger, department head for soil & crop sciences at Texas A&M University, also was present to congratulate Morgan.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

Bayer Announces Three Varieties Farmers will have three new cotton varieties from Bayer CropScience for the 2016 growing season, including one FiberMax and two Stoneville offerings. All three are stacked with proprietary Bayer traits, including GlyTol, LibertyLink and TwinLink technologies.

FM 1911GLT – This variety is very well adapted to the High Plains of the Southwest and offers high yield potential with a robust fiber package. FM 1911GLT features full tolerance to both Liberty and glyphosate herbicides, plus broad-spectrum lepidopteran insect protection (cotton bollworm and pink bollworm) using two Bt genes. FM 1911GLT has yield stability across multiple environments with a broad-spectrum disease package. Other key benefits include excellent early season vigor, high gin turnout, very good root-knot nematode and Verticillium wilt tolerance as well as resistance to bacterial blight.

ST 4848GLT – This is a new early/ medium maturing GlyTol LibertyLink TwinLink variety with exceptional yield potential, herbicide flexibility and the added benefit of insect protection of TwinLink technology. ST 4848GLT is well suited for the East Texas, Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the Cotton Belt.

It is easy to manage with moderately aggressive growth characteristics.

ST 4949GLT – This variety is a good fit for the Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the Cotton Belt.

It is an early/medium maturing GlyTol LibertyLink TwinLink variety with exceptional yield potential. This variety has good fiber quality with a very high lint percent. ST 4949GLT is easy to manage with moderately aggressive growth characteristics, and early data suggest the added benefit of intermediate Verticillium wilt tolerance.

“When we introduce new FiberMax and Stoneville varieties to growers, our goal is to provide solutions to their cotton production challenges with options that complement our current cottonseed portfolio,” says Jeff Brehmer, U.S. product manager for FiberMax and Stoneville.

“Our researchers and breeders continue to select and improve varieties for wateruse efficiency, insect and nematode tolerance, and superior fiber characteristics and yield potential with the ultimate goal of providing the very best available germplasm on the market for ultimate profitability.”

COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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TCGA ANNUAL MEETING & TRADE SHOW

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers for “Made for Me” Advertisement for Deltapine

‘Enormous Potential’ Sets The Stage

BY TONY WILLIAMS TCGA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides, dicamba, the active ingredient in M1691, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.

Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba.

Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate.

Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System weed control programs.

O

DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton in 2016 unless a dicamba herbicide product is approved that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application.

Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton.

IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN IN-CROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON BOLLGARD II XTENDFLEX COTTON UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THAT USE. Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship ® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Only commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted.

It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product.

B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states.

Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year.

This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.

Insect control technology provided by Vip3A is utilized under license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Growers may utilize the natural refuge option for varieties containing the Bollgard II ® trait in the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, and most of Texas (excluding the Texas counties of Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler). The natural refuge option does not apply to Bollgard II® cotton grown in areas where pink bollworm is a pest, including CA, AZ, NM, and the above listed Texas counties. It also remains the case that Bollgard® and Bollgard II® cotton cannot be planted south of Highway 60 in Florida, and that Bollgard® cotton cannot be planted in certain other counties in the Texas panhandle. Refer to the Technology Use Guide and IRM/Grower Guide for additional information regarding Bollgard II, Bollgard, natural refuge and EPA-mandated geographical restrictions on the planting of B.t. cotton.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready ® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides.

Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Bollgard II®, Genuity Design®, Genuity ®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design®, Roundup Ready ®, Roundup Technology ®, Roundup® and XtendFlex® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Dedicated to Cotton. Committed to You.® and Deltapine ® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company. LibertyLink and the Water Droplet Design® is a registered trademark of Bayer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2016 Monsanto Company.

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Industry Remains Resilient Ginners across Texas faced challenges last year with the arrival of El Niño in the fall, followed by a “Goliath winter storm,” which made harvest and ginning laborious and

costly. However, our resilient ginning industry is ready to move forward in preparation for what we hope will be record runs in 2016.

As the show week begins, full-time gin employees can gain additional knowledge and see the latest industry developments by attending the Southwest Ginners School.

The school is conducted at the USDA-ARS South Plains Ginning Laboratory north of Lubbock and is a collaborative effort of the National Cotton Ginners’ Association, USDAARS, regional ginner associations and gin equipment manufacturers and industry suppliers.

TCGA also will be hosting its annual golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Wednesday, April 6.

This event typically draws a large crowd of golfers who enjoy a relaxing day of friendly competition and visiting with friends.

The trade show starts at 9 a.m., on Thursday, April 7, and is held at the Lubbock Civic Center where more than 130 exhibitors will be on hand to inform you about their products or services. The day’s show concludes with a “Taste of Lubbock Party” that is open to all show attendees.

On Friday, show hours are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this time, Plains Cotton Growers Inc. also holds its Annual Meeting. The day concludes with TCGA’s Awards Dinner and Vegas Night Celebration at the Overton Hotel. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased at the show registration booth. Everyone is invited to the Vegas Night Celebration following the dinner, and no ticket is required.

For more information, visit our website at www.tcga.org.

Contact Tony Williams at tony@tcga. org or 512-476-8388.

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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ptimism is running high in Texas as cotton farmers and ginners prepare for the 2016 season. To help kick off the year on a positive note, The Texas Cotton Ginners Association invites you to join us a t o ur 109t h A nnual Meeting and Trade Show in Lubbock on April 7-8.

Our theme for the event is #RockCotton Texas Style with the goal of getting everyone involved in the excitement about cotton that is spreading across the state, beginning with this year’s show. We’ve started a new hashtag — #RockCotton — that you can use on Tweets, Facebook, Instagram or other social media to share information about the Annual Meeting and Trade Show or express your passion for cotton in the great state of Texas and beyond.

Our show is the largest gathering of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses that provide parts or services to the ginning industry. Visitors from all regions of the Cotton Belt and around the world attend the show to learn about the latest developments in cotton ginning and purchase equipment or services they need at their gins.

2016 has enormous potential for the Texas cotton industry. Many farmers indicate that they will plant cotton this year in spite of the price. I am excited about our opportunity to make good yields of high-quality cotton fiber in Texas in 2016, which, I believe, will be attractive to mills, both domestically and abroad.

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COTTON

Ginners Marketplace COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

OSHA Pushes The Envelope With Enforcement Actions

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It has been almost a year and a half since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued two violations for noise in South Texas. Two cotton gins were cited for noise levels, and OSHA is saying it wants these ginners to require all workers in their plants to wear hearing protection. This is in spite of the fact that OSHA’s hearing protection standard does not apply to agriculture and that cotton gins are considered agriculture by OSHA. The fact that the cotton gins were following OSHA’s own guidance to agriculture related to noise does not seem to help either.

The big issue here is that OSHA has never set a noise level for agriculture. Exposure time and duration are very important when determining noise limits, and agriculture is simply too seasonal for OSHA to have picked a level in the past. Under today’s OSHA, their inspectors have changed tactics. Rather than go through the work of developing a noise standard for agriculture, they simply issue two citations despite having no standard, and the two companies were actually following OSHA’s own guidance on the subject. In the citation, OSHA says that the gins are too loud and under the general duty clause, it believes hearing protection is necessary.

First Noise Citation For A Gin Fighting these types of citations is expensive, and a company typically will settle rather than go through the time, expense and strain of an OSHA hearing. In this case, however, the ginners feel strongly that they cannot settle. If OSHA wins this case, it will have successfully cited an agricultural operation for noise and may decide to start citing them for noise more often. As far as I know, this is the first noise citation we have ever seen in a gin, but make no mistake – OSHA is not just interested in cotton gins. If OSHA wins this case, it can use the same logic for any agricultural operation.

These cases have also moved further than any OSHA case I have seen. Each case has been scheduled on the docket to be heard by a judge, and both cases are scheduled to be

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early 2016. We are hopeful that only one case will be heard, and that the judgment will be used for both cases. But the timing is tricky, and the attorneys keep moving the schedule around. Hopefully, we will have a favorable ruling from the OSHA judges in the next few months and will finally get these cases behind us.

LEC-200 Electronic Seed Scale

Be Aware Of Your Options It is a sign of the times that OSHA can take a case where the company is doing exactly as the agency recommends and still cite them. This is the new way that OSHA operates. If you are visited or inspected by OSHA, keep this in mind and be sure to talk to your association staff or your legal folks before making any types of violation settlements with this agency. OSHA may be citing you for something that has never been against the rules, and you need to be aware of your options before making any agreements.

Kelley Green, director of technical services for the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association, contributed this article. Contact him at Kelley@tcga.org.

Come see us at the Mid-South Gin Show Moisture, Drying & Fire Prevention Solutions for your gin.

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Mid-South: 662-809-9730 Lubbock: 1-800-862-9966

Oil Free Air Cylinders & Valves Double Cylinders – Upper & Lower 100+ Bale per Hour Capacity

Lubbock Electric Co. 800-692-4474

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Lummus Corporation has available the following quality, high-capacity used gin machinery.

All machinery is offered “as is, where is” (unless noted otherwise) and is subject to prior sale.

“As is” machinery can be repaired/reconditioned for an additional charge.

1 – Consolidated 96” R-5000 Stick Machine* 2 – Consolidated 120” R-5000 Stick Machines* 1 – Lummus 60” overshot Standard Battery Condenser* 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot Standard Battery Condenser* 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot MC Battery Condenser*

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

1 – 1997 model Ginning/Lint Cleaning Line, consisting of a 96” wide Model 700TM Feeder, 170-Saw ImperialTM III Gin, Super-Jet® Lint Cleaner, and tandem (2) Model 108 Lint Cleaners, with all guards, duct work, and related items 2 – Lummus Model 66 Lint Cleaners with Condensers 1 – Belt-Wide 75-HP Flooded-Suction Hydraulic Booster Pumping Unit 1 – Lubbock Electric Hydraulic Pumping Unit for Gin Dor-Les® or E.E. Dor-Les® Press (single reservoir with multiple motor/pump groups) 1 – Lummus Bale Handling System for up-packing press 1 – Lot, miscellaneous Burner and Moisture Unit components (contact us for details)

1 - Complete 2/141 Gin Plant consisting of: Unloading System with 15” diameter single-lane Powered Telescope, Rock Trap with Trash Vacuum, 72” Unloading Separator/Feed Control with Vacuum Wheel and Flight-Saver, and No. 50 Unloading Fan; First-Stage Drying/Precleaning System with Continental 3 MBTU Burner and No. 40 Push Fan, 54” Tower Dryer, 96” Continental Inclined Cleaner with Vacuum Wheel over 96” Horn 3-Saw Stick Machine (with double 96” x 24” Vacuum Wheels), Second-Stage Drying/Precleaning System with Continental 3 MBTU Burner and No. 40 Push Fan, 54” Tower Dryer, 96” Continental Inclined Cleaner with Vacuum Wheel over 96” Continental 2-Saw Stick Machine; Distribution/Overflow System with Continental 2-Stand Conveyor Distributor and 72” Automatic Overflow Hopper with Breaker Cylinder; Feeding/Ginning System with two (2) Continental 141-Saw Gins (converted) and 96” Comet Supreme Feeders; Lint Cleaning System with four (4) 66” wide Continental 16-D Lint Cleaners (two tandem arrangements); Condensing/Pressing System with 50” Moss Battery Condenser, 20” x 54” Continental Bespress, and Bale Handling System with Bale Push Cart (manual) and Bagger (powered); five (5) Smith 35/40 Centrifugal Fans (only one season of operation)

* - does not include any Steel Supports or Platforms

®

Physical Address: 225 Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586 USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 929 • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 Toll Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com

© Copyright 2015 Lummus Corporation

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COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

COTTONFARMING.COM

Pacific Ginning Co. Gin Manager Ron Nimmo Passes Away On Dec. 26, Pacific Ginning Co. gin manager Ron Nimmo passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Ron was a board member and past chairman of the California Cotton Ginners Association.

Ron has been called an “innovator” and a “wonderful person and friend” by his colleagues. Truer words were never spoken. He will be sorely missed by this Association, his colleagues and the entire cotton industry in California.

Snowpack And Current Reservoir Conditions Encouraging In January, the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations reported that the electronic readings of the Sierra Nevada snowpack on Dec. 23 show that its statewide water content was 9.3 inches, which was 112 percent of the Dec. 23 historical average.

In looking back at 2015, below-normal precipitation and warm temperatures throughout the winter months combined to create a historically meager snowpack, according to the Department of Water Resource’s records. The snowpack at the start of February and March was only 23 percent and 19 percent of average, respectively, on those dates. By April 1, when the snowpack typically is at its peak, electronic readings showed the snowpack’s water content was only 5 percent of normal for that date, the lowest on record. El Niño needs to keep on coming!

Cotton Gin Brushes

Channel Saws

Our precision CNC fabricating equipment enables us to produce the highest quality gin brushes and channel saws at a very competitive price. When it comes to our products, we use only the highest quality “Made in the USA” raw materials available.

We know gin machinery and the conditions in which it has to perform, and our brushes and channel saws are manufactured to an exacting standard for the modern cotton gin.

Ask your supplier for

RAM Brushes & Channel Saws or give us a call

RAM Manufacturing Company 1333 E. 44th St. Lubbock, TX 79404 806-745-5552 Fax: 806-745-5582 rammfgco@rammfg.net www.rammfg.net

Cotton’s Calendar 2016

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

Feb. 5-7: NCC Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

Feb. 26-27: Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, Memphis, Tenn.

Feb. 29-March 3: Cotton Board Meeting, Memphis, Tenn.

April 7-8: Texas Cotton Ginners Association Trade Show, Lubbock, Texas.

June 7-9: Cotton Incorporated Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

July 31-Aug. 3: Southern/Southeastern Board Meeting, Amelia Island, Fla. Aug. 2-4: Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Aug. 24-26: NCC Board Meeting, Memphis, Tenn.

2017 Jan. 4-6: Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Dallas, Texas.

Jan. 18-21: Southern/Southeastern Annual Meeting, Charlotte, N.C. Feb. 10-12: NCC Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

Feb. 28-March 1: Cotton Board March Meeting.

April 6-7: Texas Cotton Ginners Association Trade Show, Lubbock, Texas.

June 6-8: Cotton Incorporated June Meeting.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

COTTON FARMING FEBRUARY 2016

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My Turn Old Pickup Remains An Anchor

M

y father’s 1954 ed to farm and fly. My wife and I both worked for International Valley Chemical Co. – a leader in technology for p i c k u p h a s the times – where we got our basic training that served as an has served us all our business lives. I spent five anchor to help me keep years with Valley Chemical and 25 years with my “bearings and sanity” Sandoz before starting our “off-patent” (generic) during all the technology chemical business. Our early business years were changes of my “agricul- tough. Sometimes while questioning my sanity tural lifetime.” This very and how we would make the payroll on Friday, I basic truck, made of steel, would sit in my father’s 1954 International pickup has a giant steering wheel to regain perspective. No matter how tough things and skinny tires to make were for me that day, they were probably never as James it easier to turn (pre-power tough as the challenges my father faced raising a Oliver steering), but when I first family and trying to stay in business.

My father, Woodrow Oliver, was born in 1916 started driving, I almost had to stand up to turn it. It’s slow, steady and and died in 1987. He and my mother, Donna runs best at 40 mph. My father passed it down to Mae, were Depression Era people with limited education. I asked him several times, “Woodrow, me; for many years, I wondered why.

Our family was raised on a small, rented cotton of all the technology changes in your lifetime – farm in Sunflower County, Miss. My family (like jet aircraft, space travel to the moon, penicillin, etc. – what technolomany Delta families) gy advancement was fell on “Hard Times” “My father passed it down to me; the most striking?” He during the Great Depression, and after for many years, I wondered why.” was real clear: rural electrification, “flip WWII, we still struga switch and have gled to survive. But, like survivors, we kids rode bikes on gravel roads light!” Through our love for agriculture and the and swam in “The 100-Foot Ditch” and the “Big financial blessing of our family-owned agriculSunflower River.” We were first on the bus, with a tural chemical business, my wife and I have been one-hour route to school, which was either “Delta able to acquire a number of farms over the years. hot or Delta cold.” Went to country church on Sometimes I fly over those farms (I finally got my Sunday, which was also Delta hot or Delta cold. wish of farming and flying!!) and remember the Times were good and times were hard. My father’s years our families spent working the fields, giving expression: “We never made a living, we had to us the chance for the life we have today.

When I sit in the cab of one of our modern live on what we made.”

My wife, Patricia, and I both grew up close to Chevrolet pickups, I quickly understand why techHighway 82 around the Holly Ridge communi- nology and comfort left the old 1954 International ty. How I envied the “Town Kids,” who played so far behind. But I also think my father left baseball while I hoed cotton, football while we me a strong, simple message: We must adapt, handpicked cotton, and basketball while we fed but remember where we came from and what is hogs and livestock that we needed to survive. important. The old 1954 International is in the Each cotton row had to be hand hoed every two restoration shop, getting ready for another generaweeks and then plowed after each hoeing. This tion of Olivers. I hope and pray it serves to anchor was all dryland farming, dependent on Mother them during times of change, which will come at a Nature. Cotton seed came from a Delta & Pine or much faster pace than anything we have known.

Stoneville “Blue Tag Grower/Ginner” bag.

– James Oliver is owner of Raymat My four siblings left agriculture for very sucCrop Science, Hernando, Miss. cessful, varied lives. But, as tough as agriculture www.cavalier2l.com was, I stayed with it; as a young man, I only want-

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

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Some things just aren’t like they used to be.....

In life and business, change is inevitable. How you deal with it determines your success.

Landmark ginning facilities around the world share something in common – Lummus machinery. Our customers value what makes us “second to none, including: • Proven Products and Demonstrated Performance • Genuine After-market Repair Parts and Upgrades • Unrivaled Engineering Expertise • Unmatched Technical Service and Support Because no two years are the same, you need a partner that understands the industry and your particular circumstances – one that won’t offer you a “one size fits all” solution.

Let us work with you to face the challenges and ever-changing climate of our industry.

225 Bourne Boulevard• Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586 USA P.O. Box 929 • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 Toll Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com ©2016 Lummus Corporation

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2:51pm New Madrid, MO Nothing but white.

What a season.

DELTAPINE.COM

That’s Deltapine® performance. Performance from varieties bred for my farm, tested in conditions like mine.

Varieties that are NPE-proven to maximize my yield potential.

These are varieties made for me. To produce for me.

Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides, dicamba, the active ingredient in M1691, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System weed control programs. Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers for “Made for Me” advertisement for Deltapine printed in this publication. ©2016 Monsanto Company. DP-16009-CF-DE-Ross-1646-1614-1612-FEB