Cotton Farming March 2015

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Cotton Farming

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ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MARCH 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

TEXAS UNITY Q&A WITH TCGA & PCG PRESIDENTS

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Vol. 59 No. 3

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MARCH 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

F E A T U R E S

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CHARTING A COURSE

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ANALYZING VARIETY DATA

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GINNING MARKETPLACE

Ross Rutherford of Lummus Corp. continues to be optimistic about the 2015 crop season.

Cotton Incorporated and Cooperative Extension have developed a new SeedMatrix web-based tool to help in studying cotton varieties.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Kelley Green of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association discusses the importance of ginners trimming electricity costs as a way of becoming more efficient in their operations.

Texas Partners

Ginner Buzz Cooper (left) and producer Shawn Holladay have created an excellent partnership as presidents of two important Texas industry organizations. Cooper leads the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association, and Holladay is the current president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Together, they are keenly aware of the issues confronting Texas cotton.

D E P A R T M E N T S

4 Editor’s Note 19 Cotton’s Agenda 22 Specialists Speaking

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WEB EXCLUSIVE The rich history of U.S. cotton was on full display at the National Cotton Council’s Annual Meeting in Memphis, Tenn. No matter how many years go by, the organization always honors those who have made a significant contribution to the industry. Cotton Farming Editor Tommy Horton offers some observations. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for his report.

C O L U M N S

26 Field Test 34 My Turn

ON THE COVER: TCGA president Buzz Cooper and PCG president Shawn Holladay understand cotton’s issues. Photo by Mary Jane Buerkle.

WEB POLL RESULTS

Do you plan to utilize rotation crops as part of your production plan in 2015? Go to www.cottonfarming.com for the results.

Look for the Soybean South supplement following page 18 in the Mid-South and Southeast editions of Cotton Farming.

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

COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

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Editor’s Note Tommy Horton

Cotton Farming

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

Cautious Optimism For Texas This Year

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hen you thumb through this issue of Cotton Farming, you will notice a definite Texas theme in the stories – and there is a reason for that. Our staff is preparing to travel to Lubbock next month for the annual meetings of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association (TCGA) and Plains Cotton Growers (PCG). This is easily one of the highlights of the year. It’s a time to reconnect with Texas friends and continue the successful co-sponsorship of the TCGA Cotton Trade Show. Even with low cotton prices this year, Texas producers and ginners remain steadfast in their quest to deliver a quality crop in 2015. It won’t be easy, but this is an innovative group. Producers will undoubtedly try to be efficient in all phases of their farming practices – particularly for input costs. Meanwhile, ginners will maintain their equipment and be diligent as they invest in new technology. To gain a better perspective on how TCGA and PCG are approaching this year, we thought it would be informative to interview the presidents of each organization. On pages 8, 9 and 10, you will find a candid conversation with Buzz Cooper (TCGA president) and Shawn Holladay (PCG president). Their comments reflect a no-nonsense assessment of the many challenges that Texas producers and ginners face. And yet there also is a resolve typical of anybody connected to the state’s cotton industry. Yes, the price situation isn’t encouraging. So how do you deal with it? You shoot for the highest possible yields and take advantage of positive soil moisture levels. No, the drought hasn’t ended in Texas, but conditions are drastically improved compared to recent years. In their interview, Cooper and Holladay also talk about the importance of TCGA and PCG members continuing their support of these respective organizations. At a time when everyone in the cotton industry is learning how the new farm law works, it pays to have these groups doing their part to help in the education process. Is it possible that Texas could deliver a seven or eight million-bale crop this year? It is an ambitious target in light of reduced cotton acres. But don’t be surprised if the state defies the odds and finds a way to overcome these numerous obstacles. We expect to hear this kind of talk when visitors walk around the TCGA trade show at the Lubbock Civic Center. Through the years, Texans have always exuded contagious enthusiasm for cotton – even in the face of adversity. It figures to be that way again this time.

Southeast Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Carol Watson

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 767-4020 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Janet Owens (229) 386-8809

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

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

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Copyright 2015 ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

One Grower Publishing, LLC

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

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COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

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

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SPECIAL REPORT

TPA Crucial For U.S. Agriculture BY BOB STALLMAN AMERICAN FARM BUREAU

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merican agriculture exported priorities based on what they’re hear- exported $12.7 billion in agricultural products to the EU, but we also more than $152 billion in ing directly from American businesses. This is where agriculture can contin- imported $18.7 billion in agricultural products last year alone, and there’s room for more growth ue to take a leading role in shaping our products from the EU. These numbers yet. With Trade Promotion Authority trade agenda. Farmers and ranchers don’t mean we had less to sell. Our markets are simply more open expected to take center stage on the know the challenges we face in other while the EU conlegislative agenda tinues to let politics this spring, farmrather than science ers and ranchers dictate its trade are ready for trarestrictions. Meande agreements thwhile, on the other at create business side of the globe, and boost the Amour trade with Jaerican economy. pan is just a fracTPA legislation tion of what it could isn’t new, but now be, largely because is prime time for of price restrictions renewal. It first and high tariffs. passed in 1974 American busiand has been critnesses rely on trade ical to the success agreements to breof important trak down barriers ade agreements and create a more for U.S. agriculbalanced marketture with South place for all. But we Korea, Colombia must come to negoand Panama. tiations with a clear We’re now reaagenda and the dy to expand our PHY 333 WRF. WRFF. For outstanding yield potentia t ti authority to back it markets even furpick this broadly adaptable variety in our lineu up completely. ther with ambiContact your sales rep at 800-258-3033 or vis The U.S. is on tious trade negoPhytoGen.com to learn more. the verge of comtiations across the pleting one of our globe from Asia to most ambitious traEurope. But we de agendas in decneed to stand fiThe PhytoGen Logo is a trademark of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo are trademarks of ades. TPA is essenrm and show otThe Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen tial to completing her countries that Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. L38-076-131 (08/14) BR 010-34789 DAAGPHYG4057 these agreements, we’re ready to act including the Trans on final offers at Pacific Partnership the negotiating table. TPA creates an important part- markets, and it’s our job to get this with 11 other countries across nership between the administration message to policymakers. When we’re the Asia/Pacific region and the and Congress to move trade agree- all on the same page in negotiations, Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment the process moves swiftly as Congress Partnership with the EU. ments forward. TPA expired too long ago. Congress The U.S. economy loses out when can act on final agreements with a and the administration need to work trade agreements are crushed in the straight up or down vote. together to renew it before valuable final hour by deal-killing amendments. global trade relationships are ultiPossible Market Expansion We weaken our standing in the global Limiting access to American food mately spoiled. marketplace and hand economic leadership over to other countries. With just doesn’t make sense. Farmers and TPA, the administration represents ranchers are ready to bring their goods Bob Stallman is president of the our best interests before other coun- to new markets, but high tariffs and American Farm Bureau Federation. tries without flying solo in negotia- non-scientific barriers place our For additional information, go to tions. Congress and the administration exports at a disadvantage. Take the www.fb.org or call the organization’s must continue to shape and set EU, for example. Last year the U.S. office at (202) 406-3600. ®

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MARCH 2015

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Tailor Plans To Achieve Goals Les Goodson Goodson Crop Consulting, LLC Monette, Ark. In 1998, while I was in high school, Dale Wells hired me to scout cotton. I guess something stuck, because this will be my 18th consecutive season to be scouting crops. After graduating from college, I continued working with Dale, as a full-time consultant, for Cotton Services, Inc. in Leachville, Ark. This year, I branched out on my own and formed Goodson Crop Consulting, LLC. Last fall, an untimely hailstorm hit open, ready-to-pick cotton, which hurt a lot of area producers. This year, they are hoping to rebound, and margins are tight. Right now, I am meeting with farmers and studying budgets to see what will make the most money for them in 2015. For example, we are considering planting peanuts and grain sorghum on soils where we have root-knot nematode problems. Then we can rotate those acres back into cotton next year, hoping that the price comes back. We want to grow cotton because most of our equipment is geared toward that crop. Plus, we’re more comfortable with cotton due to years of experience. But, we have to grow whatever crop is most profitable this year. In providing crop consulting services, my farmers get the whole package, the year-long deal. We look at fertility recommendations and apply variable-rate lime, phosphorus and potassium based on the needs of each crop and the yield goals. After deciding what we are going to plant on what acres, we check soil test levels and tailor the recommendations to fit each specific crop.

• B.S. degree in Plant Science – Arkansas State University • Certified Crop Adviser • Has consulted full-time since 2004 • Consults on cotton, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, wheat and peanuts • Member of the Arkansas Agricultural Consultants Association • Married to wife Hollie. One daughter: Hadlie, 6 • Enjoys hunting, fishing, sports and spending time with friends and family

Recap: Tailor Plans To Achieve Goals

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Insect And Weed Control We dabbled in a little grain sorghum last year, and, fortunately, did not have any problems with the sugarcane aphid. However, with more acres being planted this year, we anticipate having to treat for this pest and are already planning our control strategy. In cotton, the main pest in our area is the plant bug. Transform has worked well for us to control this pest, so we are budgeting for two shots of this chemistry. We use the IPM approach and only treat when we have reached economic threshold levels. We usually treat with a neonicotinoid the first time across to help preserve beneficial insects, then come back with a shot of Transform pre-bloom followed by another Transform application at bloom. We’ve noticed that we get much better season-long plant bug control if we can zero out that population before canopy closure. Later on, if we have to treat for plant bugs again, we will use tankmixes and switch chemistries to avoid building up resistance. Glyphosate-resistant pigweed is definitely the main weed issue in this area. All of our acres are infested. Our control plan includes overlapping residuals, taking advantage of new technology and doing everything we can to stay on top of this pest. The positive side of having fewer acres of cotton this year is that we will be able to stay on top of it and never get behind with weed or insect control. We’ll definitely be able to manage the cotton more intensely.

1. We are considering planting peanuts and grain sorghum where we have root-knot nematode problems. Then we can rotate those acres back into cotton next year, hoping that the price comes back. 2. We look at fertility recommendations and apply variable-rate lime, phosphorus and potassium based on the needs of each crop and the yield goals. 3. With more grain sorghum acres being planted this year, we anticipate having to treat for the sugarcane aphid and are already planning our control strategy. 4. In cotton, the main pest in our area is the plant bug. Transform has worked well for us to control plant bugs, so we are budgeting for two shots of this chemistry. 5. We usually treat with a neonicotinoid the first time across, then come back with a shot of Transform pre-bloom followed by another Transform application at bloom. We’ve noticed that we get much better season-long plant bug control if we can zero out that population before canopy closure. 6. Our plan for controlling glyphosate-resistant pigweed includes overlapping residuals, taking advantage of new technology and doing everything we can to stay on top of this pest.

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Q&A

Texas Unity A Conversation With Buzz Cooper And Shawn Holladay Buzz Cooper • Ginner, Lubbock & Lynn counties, Texas • Manager of Texas Star Cooperative Gin • Resident of Lubbock County, Texas • Current TCGA president • Graduate of Texas Tech University • Previous manager of Union Cooperative Gin • Served as TCGA secretary and vice president

“As ginners, it’s our responsibility to help maintain that quality throughout the ginning process.” – Buzz Cooper, Ginner, Lubbock and Lynn counties, Texas

EDITOR’S NOTE – Ginner Buzz Cooper and producer Shawn Holladay know the importance of industry organizations working together for the betterment of U.S. cotton. Holladay is president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., while Cooper is president of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association. In this interview with Cotton Farming, they address key issues confronting the Texas cotton industry as well as the entire Belt. Is it safe to say that the worst part of the drought has finally ended in Texas? Cooper – Here on the High Plains, the rains we’ve had certainly are a start, but as far as the drought being over, I

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don’t think so. Other parts of Texas, especially south, are a little wetter, which is good. Up here, we’re in decent to good shape in some areas, while others are still pretty dry. Holladay – I think we’re in better shape than we’ve been in a long time, but we started at such a deficit that we’ll need to have timely rains throughout the summer to make it impact the crop. What areas are still feeling the effects of the drought? Cooper – From what I’m hearing, the affected areas are near the New Mexico state line and up in the northern parts of the Panhandle. But really, we’re all still feeling the effects of the drought. It will take some time to recover from the last three years, and that’s assuming it keeps raining. Holladay – Our soil moisture is very good where I farm south of Lubbock. In fact, that whole southern region has had a pretty wet winter so far. However, the rain didn’t start until September, which was way too late to have a positive impact on production for 2014. How are you dealing with cotton’s current low prices? Cooper – Our producers are trying to figure out a way to cut costs, hoping and praying the rains are saving money on pre-watering. Cotton’s certainly what we want to grow, and what works best, but we have to be realistic, and some of our producers may consider temporarily diversifying more to help mitigate these low prices.

Holladay – All options are on the table. All of our variable costs are cut to the lowest level, which brings up the question of fixed costs and how to cut from those. It’s a tightrope act when you start looking at what you can cut that won’t affect production, because the only way we can make any money in West Texas in cotton is to outproduce the price. Do you think U.S. cotton is gradually recapturing markets? Cooper – It’s a given that the export markets are critical to U.S. cotton production because of our lack of textile infrastructure. But here in Texas and across the Cotton Belt, we know that’s where our markets are, and we have to continue to do everything we can to improve our product. Whether it’s bale packaging or the quality of the fiber, we have to do everything we can to maintain that reputation. Holladay – Quality cotton is the key. If you look at export markets, every time we get down in the 50-cent range, we start increasing exports. These mills are looking for quality cotton, and we have made such tremendous strides in research, especially over the past decade. I am confident that we can continue to produce the kind of cotton the world has come to expect from the United States. How difficult has it been to educate producers and ginners about the new farm law? Cooper – Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association has partnered with other entities such as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the National Cotton Council and Plains Cotton Growers to

Shawn Holladay • Current president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. • Farms 9,200 acres in Dawson and Martin counties, Texas • Fourth-generation farmer • Chairman and partner with United Cotton Gin • National Cotton Council delegate • Chairman of American Cotton Producers Policy Task Force

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host workshops and meetings regarding the 2014 Farm Bill. But there’s not a morning that goes by without someone in the gin office mentioning it.

can to stop them from spreading. As for banking, the producer’s relationship with his banker may have the biggest impact over the next few years.

Holladay – Crop insurance will be key, and producers need to consider those decisions in addition to the ones surrounding the Farm Bill itself. The one thing I’d tell people is not to wait until the last minute.

In the current Farm Bill when it comes to cotton and where prices appear to be headed, it just doesn’t cash flow. We don’t have any price support whatsoever, other than the loan program, which is well below the cost of production. So, in times of low prices, cotton farmers, compared to other commodities that do have price support systems, have a much more difficult time when they’re trying to bank their operations. However, much of our area is cotton-specific. We don’t have the other options for crops. We’re cotton farmers, and our infrastructure is built as such.

Do you agree that overseas mills still want U.S. cotton quality? Cooper – Certainly they do. As ginners, it’s our responsibility to help maintain that quality throughout the ginning process. Our bale packaging ensures that as the cotton is delivered to its final destination.

Is new technology the solution to cotton's future health? Holladay – Sure they do. They’ve come to expect it from us, and we’ve delivered on not only that, but also with the creditworthiness of our U.S. merchants, packaging standards, reduced contamination and a whole host of other factors that play into quality cotton. What other issues will directly or indirectly affect Texas cotton?

Cooper – Technology in ginning continues to evolve, and that’s definitely a positive for the industry. It’s helped keep us in business. Automation in ginning has been huge, especially in the drying systems now. These control systems have made a huge difference. We have seen improved quality preservation. Years ago, everybody had four guys to a press, ginning 10 to 12 bales an hour. Today, we’re ginning 60 bales with three workers.

Cooper – Our gins have seen an increase in OSHA inspections. Thanks to the excellent relationships developed through the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association, we work well with the Texas Commission on “I am confident that we Environmental Quality. Labor also is can continue to produce an issue. Our increased oil field activity the kind of cotton the over the past few years has hurt a lot of gins. My ginning costs make it to where world has come to I cannot compete with what these expect from the United workers can make in the oil field. Holladay – Two of our main issues right now are resistant weeds and banking. We have to continue our attack on resistant weeds by mixing modes of action and doing whatever we

States.” – Shawn Holladay, Producer, Lamesa, Texas

Holladay – I think new technology, if it’s affordable through production, definitely will be cotton’s future. We would not be where we are today without research and development. If you had one message to deliver to the rest of the Cotton Belt, what would it be? Cooper – The cotton family is small but powerful. We have to work across the Cotton Belt to put our best foot forward. Texas may grow the most cotton, but to be considered a national commodity we need everyone from all the states working together. That’s especially critical on the ginning side. Holladay – It’s extremely important that we make every effort to keep our grower organizations from the national to the state to the local level as strong as we possibly can. While we all have to do what’s best for our individual operations, every producer should ask himself if he has done his part in ensuring we have the tools to advance our cause for cotton. If all those things don’t get better, if we don’t stay strong, if we don’t get better at supporting those organizations, we’ll be in trouble because cotton from a national perspective is not that big, and we can’t afford for it to get any smaller.

PCG president Shawn Holladay has high hopes for the 2015 crop season.

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Contact Buzz Cooper via email at texas.star.coop2@pcca.com. Contact Shawn Holladay at slholladay1@me.com.

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INGENIOUS.

BASF is about to advance weed control even further with our newest dicamba formulation, engineered to stop yield-robbing weeds and effectively help increase your yield potential. Research shows this formulation, speciďŹ cally designed for dicamba-tolerant cotton, will offer enhanced performance with both contact and residual control of more than 190 broadleaf weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate. The smart money is on BASF, and so are the smart growers. To learn more about this new herbicide coming to market soon, visit IngeniousHerbicide.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 improved germplasm, excellent disease tolerance, high yield potential and high-quality cotton. Now that there’s a cottonseed that delivers it all, the sky’s the limit.

©2014 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Stoneville and Stoneville Design are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.Stoneville.com CR0914STONEVA105V00R0 A-27190-1

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SPECIAL REPORT

Ginners Investing In Industry’s Future BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

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oday’s Texas cotton ginner has a forward-thinking approach to the future and isn’t deterred by low prices or fewer acres. That’s the opinion of Ross Rutherford, product general manager of Lummus Corporation, and a long-time observer of the Texas cotton ginning industry. In fact, Rutherford says a prime example of this philosophy is the way Texas ginners continue to invest in technology and timely upgrades. “A lot of this is being driven by consolidation within the ginning industry, but much of it is a reflection of our customers looking to the future,” he says. Low cotton prices are nothing new for producers and ginners, according to Rutherford. And, since crop options are limited in the country’s largest cotton production state (Texas), gin owners aren’t afraid of making investments in machinery.

Maintaining an efficient bale press at the gin is crucial. Some examples of new ginning equipment will be on display at the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Trade Show on April 9-10 at the Lubbock Civic Center.

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Ginners Must Embrace Technology To the uninformed outsider, it might be hard to understand that cotton has its own unique infrastructure that includes gins and warehouses. However, as Rutherford points out, cotton does not acquire any value until it is in a bale ready to be shipped. For that reason, he is encouraged that many ginners are choosing to replace equipment. “Ginners have seen low prices in the past, and that hasn’t stopped them from making a timely investment,” he says. “When it comes to technology, the innovative ginner knows he has to get on board or he’ll get left behind.” Another trend is having an impact on the decision to invest in new ginning technology. Many older gins are finding it more difficult to maintain old equipment that is now obsolete. According to Rutherford, gin equipment companies can no longer replace old parts. Other examples of gins investing in cotton’s future involve proactive efforts on issues such as contamination, labor and safety. He says equipment companies are trying to do their part to promote clean bales at the gin and safety in all aspects of the operation. “At our gin schools, safety continues to be a major priority in the classes,” says Rutherford. “We can never become complacent on this.” Contact Tommy Horton at thorton@onegrower.com or (901) 767-4020.

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TCGA TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show April 9-10, 2015, Lubbock, Texas

FULL SPEED AHEAD – THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH THE 2015 COTTON GINNING SEASON IN TEXAS! This season holds the most promise and potential since the drought began in 2011. That is good news for ginners who depend on what farmers can produce. So, when you visit this year’s TCGA Trade Show, you’ll find equipment representatives, producers and ginners with a positive attitude about the upcoming season. You’ll also learn about the latest technologies now available to ginners. Could it be a record crop year? Some industry observers think so. Make your plans now. Don’t miss this year’s show in Lubbock.

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PRODUCTION

SeedMatrix Can Help In Variety Decisions

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otton Incorporated and the Cooperative Extension cotton specialists across the Belt have partnered to combine field variety trial data in a single webbased resource called SeedMatrix. This online program provides access to new variety performance data. It is just one example of how the Cotton Research and Promotion Program leverages its funding to produce unbiased research, which generates information important to a producer’s bottom line. “Cotton Incorporated is supporting research to provide valid comparisons of new varieties as soon as we can get hold of the varieties,” says Dr. Bob Nichols, senior director of ag research at Cotton Incorporated. The SeedMatrix program allows producers, crop consultants and researchers to access data from seed variety tests across the Belt. It can help the producer make the best variety selections for their operations. The program can be accessed from smartphones and tablets and computers at https://seedmatrix.com/CottonIncRegistration.

Assistance From Specialists In the SeedMatrix database, the Cotton Incorporated designated trial data is generated in large-plot, replicated trials conducted by cotton specialists with Cotton Incorporated support. The data is available at no cost to cotton producers through a contract between SeedMatrix and Cotton Incorporated. Because producers requested unbiased results on new varieties, Cotton Incorporated has sponsored rigorously conducted, replicated, large-plot trials. Each trial encompasses approximately 20 acres and compares 10 to 12 new and standard commercial varieties. Gaylon Morgan, Extension cotton specialist at Texas A&M University, calls SeedMatrix a powerful variety selection tool. “The power is there to make it a very good decision-aid tool for making

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SeedMatrix data can be helpful when producers make seed variety decisions. variety selection,” he says. “It’s a good way to compare varieties across a number of locations and years to determine yield stability and where a variety performs its best and worst.” The tool was developed by Dale Logan at PLAN, Inc. of Collierville, Tenn. While SeedMatrix is a tool that compares yields of varieties from several different crops, Cotton Incorporated has developed a cooperative agreement with SeedMatrix that allows cotton producers to receive open access to view public variety data, including important data developed by the Cotton Incorporated/Cotton Specialist Partnership. Invaluable Information Data from replicated, large-plot trials of new cotton varieties in respective states give producers an idea of how those same varieties may perform on their farms. The program includes key information on plot location, soil type, water management, yield, turnout, fiber strength, staple length and micronaire. Data in the SeedMatrix program can be viewed as the overall means or split out by type of trial, year and state and used to make comparisons. For example, Bill Robertson, Extension agronomist at the University of Arkansas says, “We don’t have five years of data for many varieties, so

SeedMatrix is a good way to evaluate varieties using data from several trial sites with similar characteristics. “For Northeast Arkansas, trial site comparisons in the Bootheel of Missouri or in West Tennessee might be more applicable than trial sites further south in the Delta.” The map tool is one that Morgan finds very helpful. It uses mapping to plot variety tests, linking them to trial results. The data can be sorted according to specific criteria, such as regional location or soil type. Comparisons can then be made between varieties or single variety results. Guy Collins, Extension associate professor for cotton at North Carolina State University, says that the robust data system is a valuable tool that will assist the producer in making decisions that can affect their profitability. He has begun to publicize the program to producers and consultants at county meetings in his state, calling it an important one-stop shop for viewing variety performance. Cotton Incorporated remains committed to seeking cost-cutting tools and practices that can improve the cotton producer’s bottom line. The Cotton Board, which administers Cotton Incorporated’s Research and Promotion Program, contributed information for this article.

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Taylor

Overcoming Obstacles As implementation of the 2014 farm law continues, the National Cotton Council (NCC) reminds industry members of the obstacles that were overcome in order to maintain effective risk management tools in that law.

What was the initial obstacle? ■ Even before the Agricultural Act of 2014 was being developed, cotton was the only commodity facing the consequences of an adverse ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) – specifically a finding against the U.S. cotton program in a case brought by Brazil. Following a 2009 ruling by an arbitration panel authorizing Brazil to impose more than $800 million in trade retaliation, the U.S. and Brazilian governments signed a “Framework Agreement” under which Brazil agreed to delay retaliation against U.S. products during the development of the 2014 farm bill. Brazil also indicated that a mutually agreed outcome in that bill would provide a long-term settlement in the WTO case.

How was the 2014 farm bill debate affected? ■ The WTO panel’s findings created challenges for maintaining the countercyclical payment and marketing loan programs. In addition, the U.S. politiThe NCC continues working to ensure cal/budget environthe 2014 farm law’s cotton programs are ment made it very implemented effectively. difficult to maintain the direct payment. The NCC proactively responded to those pressures by advocating a creative insurance product for U.S. cotton

producers – the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) – for the 2014 farm bill. STAX, as originally proposed, had a coverage band of 70-95 percent and a reference price of 65 cents. The NCC also proposed a formula-driven approach for the marketing loan, with the loan rate allowed to float between 47-52 cents. As the farm bill debate progressed, Brazil registered a number of concerns with the initial cotton provisions, first and foremost being the reference price. The Brazilian government further advocated: 1) eliminating the protection factor or requiring that it be less than 100 percent; 2) introducing a maximum projected price; 3) reducing the premium subsidy; 4) increasing the insurance deductible beyond 10 percent; and 5) setting the marketing loan at a level below 47 cents. Because trade retaliation would have targeted a number of industrial products, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also advocated Brazil’s demands. The NCC worked hard to preserve a safety net and avoid having cotton singled out for damaging amendments. Yielding to Brazil’s full list of demands would have taken support much lower. After the Congress passed and the President signed the farm bill in early 2014, Brazil continued to express concerns and threatened to take the new farm bill back under WTO scrutiny. Fortunately, the U.S. and Brazilian governments resolved to have our government transfer $300 million to the Brazilian Cotton Institute in exchange for Brazil not bringing action against 2014 farm law cotton policies during the law’s life. Also, any future Brazil actions will have to involve an entirely new WTO case. The NCC, meanwhile, has been diligently communicating to its members the choices and options under the new farm law, and we continue working to ensure its programs are implemented effectively.

Gary Adams was elevated to president/chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council of America in March 2015. He and other NCC leaders contribute columns on this Cotton Farming page. COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

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CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:02 PM Page 16

Strike back against plant bugs.

Tarnished plant bugs have come to dine on Trent Felton’s cotton for more than a decade. But nothing compares to infestation levels of the past few years. “We had plant bugs even before we eradicated the cotton bollworm, but they’ve become more of a problem recently,� says the Marianna, Arkansas, grower. “This past year, we had above-average treatment levels very early on in the year and that continued on throughout the rest of the season.� ?>=<;:987<6<>8<;:987<6<5432>610/.964<96<6-,:=+<*>6-1=>:>)< Arkansas, consults on thousands of cotton acres in northeastern Arkansas. He says plant bug pressures started worsening about 10 years ago, when corn became a more prevalent crop in the Midsouth. ('/,6.<=041<,:-<,..:,&.-%<.><.$-<&>:6<19/#)"<;:987<6<1,+1!< “They really start migrating to cotton when the silk starts drying down. That’s when you can really get into trouble if you’re not on top of it.�

“We’ve tried many treatments,� Felton continues. “Some have worked pretty well and some have not been good at all. But we know that if we didn’t treat for plant bugs, we would hardly have a crop to harvest in the fall.� Since the commercial introduction in 2012, TransformŽ WG insecticide has given growers a new -, >6<.><7<4$.<.$-<4:> 964<6- -191!< :,618>: <8-,.0:-1< a unique mode of action and a new class of chemistry for outstanding control of plant bugs, in addition to aphids, $9.- <9-1<,6%< <-,$> -:1! 6< )<;:987<6<:-&> -6%-%< -/.>6<01-<.$-< :>%0&.< in his spray rotation. He applied it in back-to-back applications around bloom, with spectacular results. “Transform actually controlled the plant bugs, unlike some of the other products that we have used,� Felton says. “The residual control was better than anything else that we’ve used. It just seems to hold, and it works.�

Devastating impact on yield. Plant bugs start affecting the cotton plant once it has a small square set. If uncontrolled, the pest can cause severe yield loss, depending on the level of infestation.

;:987<6<,%%1)<( :,618>: <91< +<4>3.>< :>%0&.<96<,< systems approach for controlling plant bugs. It gives me consistent, reliable control with great residual activity.�

CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:03 PM Page 17

Ž back-to-back applications. With the recent increase in plant bug infestations in the Delta, staying a step ahead of the pest is crucial for maintaining a healthy crop. Timely crop scouting and carefully timed insecticide treatments are key. It’s not uncommon for growers to make multiple insecticide applications for plant bugs. Increased pest pressure and threat of resistance call for a carefully planned Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. TransformŽ WG insecticide offers growers a new tool to -88-&.9 -/+<&> =,.< /,6.<=041)< 9.$>0.< <,:964< 9.-1<>:<, $9%1!< The unique chemistry also helps growers manage resistance. Back-to-back applications at or near bloom at 1.5 oz./A is the best timing for Transform to control plant bugs. Sequential applications of Transform have proven more effective than the commercial standard plant bug programs. TRANSFORMŽ WG INSECTICIDE VS. OTHER INSECTICIDE PROGRAMS

Lb. lint/A

1,400

Ž TransformŽ WG insecticide features the ,&.9 -<964:-%9-6.<10/8> , <>:)<%91&> -:-%< by Dow AgroSciences, and is from a new chemical class called the sulfoximines. Transform effectively controls sap-feeding insects through translaminar activity. Once sprayed on the plant, Transform moves from the surface of the leaf to inside the leaf and then up into new growth through systemic activity. “That allows it to control insects not only by contact but insects that are out of the direct /96-<>8<1 :,+<,1< -//)"<1,+1< ,::+< ,/.>6)<7<-/%< scientist for Dow AgroSciences. Because Transform is the only member in the new class of Insecticide Resistance 5&.9>6<2> 9..--< 52 <;:>0 < 2< chemistry, it gives growers a much-needed rotation option for resistance management in their spray programs. “With a new class of chemistry and a unique mode of action, Transform empowers growers to protect their cotton yield and 96&:-,1-<.$-9:< :>7<.< >.-6.9,/)"< ,/.>6<,%%1!

1,300

Ž WG insecticide. • Unique mode of action, ;:>0 < 2< insecticide 1,200

2014

Average lint yield with TransformÂŽ WG

Average lint yield with commercial programs

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• Protects cotton yield • Valuable rotational partner with other chemistries • Exhibits no cross-resistance to insect pests resistant to neonicotinoids or any other class of chemistry

75%

Back-to-back applications of Transform at 1.5 oz/A at or near bloom provided a yield advantage approximately 75% of the time compared with other plant bug programs.

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22 24 25_CF 11/13 template 2/21/15 10:33 AM Page 22

Specialists Speaking Producers Adapting To Price Environment FLORIDA David Wright Another growing season is fast approaching with much indecision on what to plant. Our producers had a good experience in 2014 even though we had record drought in many areas during the summer months. There is optimism that cotton prices will move into the 70-cent range or above, which would allow some profit with high yields. Several cotton varieties have high yield potential, and some have nematode resistance and have done well in nematode-infested fields. Rotation is still one of the top production practices that results in lower pest pressure, lower production costs and high yields. This is a year to look for practices like good rotations that have little cost but lead to high yields. Variety trial information is abundant in most areas, and it is advisable to look at trials from a wide area to determine if there is high yield capability over many different environments. wright@ufl.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam It’s not hard to see why cotton acreage in Missouri is in a downward trend. The National Cotton Council’s Planting Intentions report shows a 23.3 percent decrease to 192,000 acres. We are not much different from the entire Mid-South’s acreage decline of 25.9 percent. It’s hard to make money with cotton in the 60-cent range. Most of the cotton will be planted on acres associated with cotton gins and their contracts. Only eight years ago, Missouri producers planted half a million acres. In 1987, the acreage was 200,000 acres, which was the last time that the planted acres were in this year’s range. One concern for this year is moisture level. This should be our wettest time of the year. We have not had as much rain and very little of the snow and ice that we experienced last year. So, a large portion of our cotton acreage is in the abnormally dry to moderate drought. Another concern with the lower prices is that it is easy to reduce inputs to save money. It’s never a good idea to skimp on insecticide and herbicide treatments. While progress is being made, we still have a long way to go in reducing the glyphosate-resistant weeds. Palmer pigweed will still be a major problem for years to come. It’s very important to reduce the seed bank, which includes the field borders and ditch banks. milammr@missouri.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme The annual Louisiana Agricultural and Management Conference was conducted last month in Marksville. 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. Going into the 2015 season, a half-day session on irrigation topics pertaining to timing and termination, new technologies for water management, strategies to improve irrigation efficiency, sustainable irrigation practices and tailwater recycling were discussed. A two-hour session was held, and updates were discussed on variety and irrigation effects on potassium rates, mepiquat chloride applications, nematode management, target spot and the selection of

22 COTTON FARMING

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cotton varieties. The third and final session included a half day on insect and weed management, which had discussions on thiamethoxam resistance and management of thrips, tarnished plant bug control, spider mite management, abamectin resistance, efficacy of various Bt toxins against bollworms and weed management. This well planned and coordinated event is important for professionals involved in the cotton industry throughout Louisiana and the Mid-South. If you have never attended, make plans to attend in 2016. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson In the past, most producers at this point in the season have had their game plan for the coming season pretty firm. Planting decisions right now for 2015 are a long way from being written in ink. Cash margin information being distributed at production meetings in January and February by our economists show little differences in our major row-crops. They are all very tight, and none have much margin for mistakes. With this in mind, it is recommended that we not plan to shift significant acres to crops in which our knowledge or level of comfort is limited because of the tight margins. Regardless of the commodity we plant, we must be smart to get the most out of our inputs. We need to watch our costs yet provide necessary inputs to protect yield potential. Variety selection for yield and quality is an important first step in establishing our yield potential. Matching nutrient applications to the crop requirements, utilizing all IPM tools to manage pests and using tools like the PHAUCET Irrigation Program can represent real savings in cost, preserve yield potential and help improve our efficiency and conserve natural resources. Contact your local county Extension agent to obtain information or receive assistance in improving efficiency and profitability. brobertson@uaex.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper According to the National Cotton Council, Tennessee is expected to plant 176,000 acres of cotton in 2015. If that estimate proves true, cotton acreage in the state will be less than the previous 40 year-low in 1983. Unfortunately, this drastic reduction in acreage occurs alongside the commercial release of one of two highly anticipated technology trait platforms. Due to large acreage investments in other crops, most Tennessee producers will be well buffered from risks associated with placing one or two new cotton varieties on the majority of their cotton ground. Still, it is very important to practice restraint when adopting new varieties on which little data has been collected. Many colleagues and I evaluated a few of these varieties during the 2014 season, and several appear to fit well in the upper Mid-South. Keep in mind that this data was collected in one of the cooler, wetter seasons we have seen in quite some time. As you move forward with variety selection for 2015, 1) gather as much information on varieties as you can, 2) place proven performers on the majority of your cotton acreage and 3) evaluate new cotton varieties on a limited number of acres. traper@utk.edu

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SPECIAL REPORT

California Farmers Work To Improve Water Quality BY CHRISTINE SOUZA CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU

I

n counties throughout California, farmers and ranchers are working to improve the quality of water that leaves irrigated fields by using best management practices to reduce sediment, silt and other materials through regional Irrigated Lands Regulatory Programs. The managers of one successful program say a new order by a regional water board will mostly likely raise the costs for farmers to participate. Since 2000, the Imperial County Farm Bureau has taken a leadership role in creating and overseeing operation of the TMDL Voluntary Compliance Program. TMDL stands for the total maximum daily load of potential contaminants that must be achieved to meet water-quality standards. The San Diego County Farm Bureau provides members with a similar program, the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group, in order to comply with San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations for agricultural and nursery operations. Project Produces Results Working with their regulatory agency – the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board – Imperial County farmers have prevented more than 33,000 tons of silt from entering the New and Alamo rivers and ultimately the Salton Sea. “The Imperial Farm Bureau stepped in, and we developed guidelines for the TMDL program,” says Farm Executive Director Linsey Dal, who manages the program. “It has been the most successful TMDL program in the state. We’ve won awards, and the target goals that were set? We blasted through them with no problem. “The reason it is so successful is that it is simple. It allows farmers to do what they needed to do. We told them, ‘Do whatever works on your land, as long as you meet the goals.’”

With nearly 100 percent participation by Imperial County farmers, the program had operated, until recently, under a “conditional prohibition,” which means there is no charge to producers, and it does not expire. Participating farmers develop best management practices for controlling pollutant runoff and then prepare plans for their farms.

California farmers have been proactive in reducing the amount of silt entering the state’s rivers. “When we started, within three years we had met the goal set by the regional board on one of the rivers, and we had 99 percent signup; there were 450-plus farmers participating, and almost all of them signed up for the program,” says Al Kalin, on-farm consultant for the Imperial County Farm Bureau program. Kalin, a farmer in Westmoreland, says giving farmers flexibility to meet the water standards “has worked exceptionally well, and some farmers have had some really novel ideas that nobody had even thought of before,” because they know their fields better than anybody. Soon, he says, the regional board was impressed with the farmers’ results and wanted to analyze what management practices eventually proved most effective. “Every farm is different, every field grade is different and fields have

different crops, so I invited the staff down to tour the area,” says Kalin. “I showed them what we were doing, why we were doing it, and basically educated them.” Another Effort Underway As a result of Imperial’s success, the Palo Verde Irrigation District expressed interest in modeling a program after the one offered by the Imperial County Farm Bureau. In that process, Dale says, the regional board approved the plan, but it was not approved by the State Water Resources Control Board, which directed the regional board to adopt a conditional waiver instead of the existing conditional prohibition. A conditional waiver must be renewed every five years and can require farmers to pay fees to fund the water board’s activities. The state board also ordered that those in the region that currently operate under the conditional prohibition change to a conditional waiver. Goals Being Reached Recently, the regional board approved the conditional waiver, and the Imperial County Farm Bureau had until mid-February to submit a letter of intent to develop and implement a Coalition Group Compliance Program. “We continue to meet the goals, and we are being forced into a conditional waiver and again, nothing in the program is changing except that my guys are having to write a big, fat check at 75 cents per acre,” Dale says. “A year ago it was 52 cents per acre, so that 75 cents per acre equates to approximately $355,000 that the State Water Resources Control Board is going to get.” Christine Souza is an assistant editor of California Farm Bureau’s Ag Alert. Contact her at csouza@cfbf.com. COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

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Specialists Speaking TEXAS Gaylon Morgan As of Feb. 16, there are still a lot of non-committable crop acres in Texas. We will see some regions of the state decrease their cotton acreage more than 10 percent, but the statewide average will likely wind up around 10 percent. Wheat has captured some of these acres, but it is still unknown which crops will pick up the remaining cotton acres. Much of South Texas and East Texas has a full profile of soil moisture, which has many folks optimistic about the potential for the 2015 season. The Southern Rolling Plains are currently categorized in a moderate drought, but the Northern Rolling Plains remain in a severe to extreme drought, according to the drought monitor. With low cotton prices, prioritizing expenses becomes even more important. We typically see a 20 to 30 percent difference in yield between the best- and worst-yielding varieties in our on-farm trials, and this can mean the difference in profitability. For the Rolling Plains, the cotton variety results were recently completed and can be found at cotton.tamu.edu. Fertilizer also remains one of the biggest expenses. By soil sampling and analysis, the adequate but not excessive nutrients can be applied to optimize yield. It is common to see cotton fields with sufficient soil residual nitrogen in the soil to make one-plus bale cotton. However, deeper soil tests are required to quantify this residual nitrogen level. For additional details, go to the publication available at cotton.tamu.edu/fertility. One area not worth cutting expenses is on pre-season and early season weed control. The pre-emerge applications and/or PPIs should be included in everyone’s 2015 crop budget. Go to cotton.tamu.edu/-weeds.html for labeled products in Texas. gmorgan@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman Results from various cotton variety trials have been summarized and are now available online at cotton.okstate.edu. Yields ranged from about a bale per acre in dryland trials to about four bales per acre in some irrigated trials. The importance of variety selection cannot be overstated. The “broken record” sound endures as Exceptional Drought (D4) continues to paint much of Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas. In spite of the drought, there is no doubt that the 2014 crop is the largest since 2010. Based on Abilene Classing Office data, the 2014 Oklahoma cotton crop continues to grow, and it appears that we will be on track to make the NASS estimate. Classing results indicate fiber quality has been good. A lot of important issues are being pondered by cotton producers this winter. Many of these pertain to provisions of the new Farm Bill, STAX and how all of this will affect profitability and planting decisions in 2015. We will soon be heading into our “rainy months” and remain optimistic that 2015 will be a better growing season. Despite the drought, most Oklahoma dryland producers had a harvestable 2014 crop due to limited-till or no-till production techniques. When growing no-till cotton, herbicides are essential to replace tillage as the primary weed management tool in these systems. The existence of glyphosate-resistant horseweed in most cottonproducing regions of Oklahoma magnifies the importance of tankmixing with additional chemistries. According to recent producer surveys, horseweed continues to be one of the most difficult weeds to control in preplant burndown situations in minimum/no-till cotton. Studies conducted in Oklahoma have shown that effective control of horseweed can be achieved by including dicamba or 2,4D with glyphosate to obtain good weed control, especially with some species.

24 COTTON FARMING

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It cannot be overstated that weed size at application is critical for success. Research has shown that excellent horseweed control has been observed when applications were made at the rosette stage (flat or prostrate prior to bolting or vertical growth). It is important to take note of the plant-back restrictions required for both dicamba and 2,4-D. Following a dicamba application of up to 0.25 pounds/acre active ingredient, planting cannot occur until 21 days after a minimum accumulation of one inch of rainfall or overhead irrigation. In addition, dicamba is not recommended for preplant use in areas that receive less than 25 inches of annual rainfall. For 2,4-D, Oklahoma studies have shown that planting may occur 30 days after application of up to one pound per acre active ingredient without concerns of crop injury or yield reduction. As always, producers should read and follow label directions. randy.boman@okstate.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds The latest National Cotton Council survey projects Mid-South cotton acres will decrease by nearly 26 percent in 2015 compared to 2014. Mississippi is projected to have the least decline in acreage with an estimated 14 percent reduction. The NCC survey indicates Mississippi producers intend to plant 368,000 acres in 2015 compared to 425,000 acres in 2014. As a whole, all U.S. cotton is projected to decrease by nearly 15 percent in 2015. March tends to be a very transitional month for cotton production in Mississippi. Burndown applications were applied in many areas; however, it will likely be four to six weeks before we think about planters rolling through fields. Producers will likely be busy planting corn and gearing up for soybeans, as well as cotton. One thing that should be considered in fields not yet planted is drainage. Although drainage furrows are cut in many fields, give some consideration to areas where drainage furrows will discharge. The wet spring we experienced in 2014 reminded us that the best drainage furrow in the world is useless unless it provides an avenue for excessive water to escape. Areas surrounding drainage furrows had striking reductions in yields in 2014 as excessive water had nowhere to go. A well thought out drainage plan will go a long way toward maximizing yields in the event of another wet spring. darrind@ext.msstate.edu.

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten Although there have been some good developments recently, we are most likely looking at rather low prices for this coming year’s cotton crop. Producers need to think hard about money spent on inputs this year. Even with three-bale per acre yields, we did not see increases in yield this year due to various “luxury” inputs, including increased fertilizer and foliar fertilizer applications. Very often a producer will make these applications across the board and may notice an improvement in the appearance of the cotton afterwards. Often these improvements are cosmetic and do not result in improved yield. This may be an example of the plant having enough nutrients or that the roots reach a subsoil area where some nutrients tend to accumulate. The best way to learn about the true value of any input you are considering is to leave out a few untreated check strips. We will certainly remind you later in the year, but, if you do not have someone who has a handle on plant bug scouting and thresholds, try to get someone trained. Plant bug damage has increased the

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past few years and has moved inland from the areas where we have seen plant bug pressure in the past. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton The 2015 cotton planting season is just around the corner, and many decisions affecting this year’s crop are being made right now. Cotton acreage overall is expected to be down in 2015 with upland cotton acres estimated to be around 60,000 acres and Pima cotton acres near 35,000 acres. This represents a potential major shift in production for Arizona. There has been a lot of durum wheat planted across the state this winter, which is where much of the cotton acreage has shifted. Potential profit margins for cotton during the 2015 season are likely to be very thin with the current low commodity prices, which are expected to remain soft for the near future. Decisions related to production practices will need to be scrutinized at an even higher level to ensure that every dollar invested in the crop will provide a net positive return. Selecting an appropriate variety for your area and management style will be critical to achieve a maximum yield and return. Consult variety testing information from the university and seed companies to get the latest performance data on new and existing upland and Pima cotton varieties. Cotton variety evaluations have revealed that total dollar value differences from the highest yielding variety to the lowest yielding variety in a trial may be as much as $200 to $400 per acre. A poor decision on variety selection may be very costly. Decisions related to fertility management for optimum crop growth and yield are also critical to achieve a maximum return on the 2015

crop. Pre-season soil sampling will help decide the level of nutrients needed to be supplied in-season through supplemental fertilization. Soil test levels are particularly useful for determining phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) needs. Nitrogen needs are better determined by using a yield goal approach, assuming that for every bale of lint produced, the crop will utilize approximately 50 pounds of N. This may come from several sources, including irrigation water, residual soil N and supplemental N fertilizer. In general, the contributions to the total N requirement from sources other than fertilizer N are small, so plan to supply the majority of the needed N through fertilization. Go to cals.arizona.edu/crops for more information and specifics regarding these and other topics. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

TEXAS Mark Kelley Soil moisture levels are currently in better shape than we’ve seen in some time. If the region continues to receive winter moisture, and the “strange” weather events (late final freeze, early season cold snaps) don’t occur this year, most areas should get off to a good start. Aside from uncontrollable weather, choosing the right variety with good seed quality and seedling vigor, planting three to four seeds per rowfoot to warm, firm, moist seed beds along with good seed/soil contact can help optimize stand establishment. Results from our 2014 cotton variety trials are currently being analyzed and should be available to producers by early March to assist them with variety selections. If assistance is needed prior to release, producers are welcome to contact me at (806) 781-6572! Hope to see many of you at the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Trade Show on April 9-10 in Lubbock. mkelley@ag.tamu.edu

KEEP CALM AND

PL A N T ON

Croplan 3787 B2RF has shown the stability to yield in dryland f ields and under irrigation in the Southeast. Lo o k f o r its pe rf o rman ce u sin g th e UGA Co tto n Pe rf o rman ce Calcu lato r at h ttp://www.u gaco tto n .co m/vau lt/co tto n calc/.

COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

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Field Test Bruce Kirksey

Is It Time To Consider Precision Farming?

A

s we begin making plans for our crop production this year, we will be scrutinizing some areas of our production that we haven’t been doing in the past few years. With crop prices the way they are and our input costs the same as last year or higher, we will have to focus more on certain areas than we have before. Soil fertility issues, weed control and crop scouting will have to be as precise as possible. This may be the year to emphasize precision farming. We got off to a good start in 2014 preparing our fields for planting. Preplant fertilizer (20-60-80) was applied, and all hipped ground for cotton was ready to plant by mid-April. We generally try and plant cotton by May 10. We received about 3.5 inches of rain during the first week. It seems that the last few years we’ve seen heavier rainfall events than previously received. More and more we are receiving two to three inches of rain. We started splitting our nitrogen application a few years ago because of this. We now knife in the remainder of our nitrogen right around pinhead square. This pretty much assures us that a lot of our nitrogen will not be leached out. There were many fields in West Tennessee this year with streaking in the fields due to excessive rainfall. This year’s cotton trial was planted on May 8, and cotton was harvested on Nov. 9. During the growing season, we received 34.6 inches of total rainfall. DD60s averaged 18.6 heat units for June, 16.6 for July and 21 in August. We were lucky to finally get some heat to finish the crop off this year. We accumulated 2,425 total heat units for the 2014 growing season. Our cotton variety trials were managed for optimum yields and quality. The variety trials were conducted on a Falaya silt loam with pH of 6.3 and OM content of 0.9 percent. We applied Cotoran + Dual Magnum

26

COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

preemergence and came back over the top with glyphosate two times. We also came in with a post-direct rig at layby to help control our Palmer pigweed with a residual. With the cool summer that we had, we were worrying about getting the bolls open. At about 60 percent open bolls, we went with a half rate of a defoliant and eight ounces of PGR. This seemed to work extremely well by knocking some of the top leaves off and allowing for more air to circulate under the crop. We came back 10 days later with a full shot of defoliant followed by a full shot of PGR. This combination seemed to work well for us. Conditions Affect Data Agricenter represents just one location, and the data presented here

Bruce Kirksey is the Director of Research at Agricenter International in Memphis, Tenn. Contact him at (901) 757-7754 or bkirksey@agricenter.org.

Stoneville/FiberMax

Deltapine Variety

corresponds to growing conditions that we had this year on that particular location planted on a certain date. Consult your university variety trials, local county variety trials as well as data from the seed companies. Be sure and attend some local producer meetings. Utilize all of this information prior to making your decision for which varieties you may want to plant. The Agricenter and I would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance in fulfilling our commitment to those in the agricultural industry. We hope you had a good year, and we wish you a very successful 2015.

Lbs Lint/A

DP 0912 B2RF 1,598

Variety

Lbs Lint/A

ST 5458B2RF

1,681

FM 1944GLB2

1,609

PhytoGen PHY 367WRF PHY 499WRF

1,667 1,676

Americot AM 1550 B2RF 1,625

Site Description Crop: Soil type: Fertilizer: Date planted: Row spacing: Date harvested: Plot dimensions: Irrigation:

Cotton Falaya Silt Loam 80-80-80 5/8/14 38” 11/9/14 2 rows by 30’ None

CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:29 PM Page 21

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ÂŽ 291'5/19 <>0<2"5<?>=<,"5/671&<,>/#14-< ?>= <>9<14<10 &61*5'<7>/#14-<>0<?>=!<291430>9/< <63<4>*<95:63*595'<0>9<31&5<>9<+35<64<1&&<3*1*53!<,>4*17*<->+9<3*1*5<#53*676'5<95:+&1*>9-<1:547-<*><'5*59/645<60<1<#9>'+7*<63<95:63*595'< 0>9<31&5<>9<+35<64<->+9<3*1*5!<;&=1-3<951'<14'<0>&&>=<&1)5&<'6957*6>43!< <?>=<;:9>87654753< ,<<< < < <<< <<<?;; 2 .

28_CF 11/13 template 2/21/15 10:53 AM Page 28

NCC ANNUAL MEETING

NCC Elects Taylor As New President

S

ledge Taylor, a Como, Miss., ginner, was elected National Cotton Council chairman for 2015. Named during the NCC’s recent annual meeting in San Antonio, he succeeds Wallace L. Darneille, a Lubbock, Texas, cooperative marketer. Taylor is president of the Como Consolidated Gin Co., Inc. in north Mississippi. He also is owner of Buckeye Farms, where he raises cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts and cattle, and was named the Sunbelt Southeastern Farmer of the Year for Mississippi in 2004. Taylor has a long and distinguished NCC service record. He served as the NCC’s vice chairman in 2014 and was its secretary/treasurer from 2011 to 2013. He was a NCC director from 2007 to 2009 and chairman of the Cotton Foundation in 2012 and 2013, after serving as its

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28 COTTON FARMING

MARCH 2015

president in 2011 and 2012. Taylor was president of the National Cotton Ginners Association in 2009. He is currently an active member of USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade. Taylor also has been active in regional, state and local organizations. He served as president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association in 2002 and 2003 and was vice president of the Delta Council in 2001 and 2002. Among other posts, he currently serves as a commissioner for the Panola County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Panola-Tate Drainage District and is a board member for Delta Wildlife. Taylor is a Mississippi State University graduate with a bachelor’s of science degree in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business. He and his wife, Denise, have three sons. Producers To Plant 9.4 Million Acres In 2015 U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 9.4 million acres of cotton this spring, down 14.6 percent from 2014, according to the National Cotton Council’s 32nd Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey. Upland cotton intentions are 9.2 million acres, down 15.2 percent from 2014, while extralong staple (ELS) intentions of 236,000 acres represent a 22.8 percent increase. Dr. Gary Adams, the NCC’s vice president Economics & Policy Analysis, said, “Planted acreage is just one of the factors that will determine supplies of cotton and cottonseed. Ultimately, weather, insect pressure and agronomic conditions play a significant role in determining crop size.” He said that with average abandonment for the United States at 12.8 percent, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 8.2 million acres. Weighting individual state yields by 2015 area generates a U.S. average yield per harvested acre of 817 pounds. Hancock Elected CCI President Dahlen K. Hancock, a Ropesville, Texas, producer, will serve as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2015. Hancock, who moves up from CCI first vice president, succeeds Jordan Lea, a merchant with Eastern Trading Company in Greenville, S.C., who becomes CCI board chairman. Hancock has been farming for 35 years. He is a fourth generation farmer following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who also chose farming as their professions. For more information about the NCC Annual Meeting, visit www.cottonfarming.com.

CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:06 PM Page 23

30 31 32_CF 11/13 template 2/23/15 9:53 AM Page 30

COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

Try To Minimize Gin’s Electricity Costs Predictions of increasing electricity costs seem to be constantly appearing from multiple angles. There are a number of environmental regulations that will potentially limit the number of new power plants and may cause some existing plants to shut down. In many parts of the country, there are also capacity issues, such as aging power lines, and lines that are simply not being upgraded quickly enough to meet the load growth in a given area. Reliability issues are a reality, as is the challenge of meeting ever-increasing demands for energy. These larger issues are typically addressed by your trade associations and business groups. What can an individual cotton gin manager do to help offset and/or control electricity costs? One of the biggest items an individual can do is review and understand the actual power usage at your gin. In Texas, we conduct an annual cost survey. One of the most important questions in the survey, in my opinion, relates to how many kilowatt-hours the plant used during the year. Most ginners tell me they prefer to look at how much their electricity costs per bale, and this is an important number. The problem is this number is a reflection of how much energy you used, combined with how much your electricity costs. The cost of electricity is generally a function of your power company, while how much power you use is a function of how your gin is operating. In my opinion, you should look at each of these items separately. Over the last 10 years, the energy use in Texas has varied from a statewide average of 40.92 kWh/bale to 47.9 kWh/bale. In the last four years, our highest statewide average energy use has been 44.81 kWh/bale. This is an important number to compare, as it reflects the actual amount of energy your plant used to gin your crop. While the statewide averages are pretty consistent from year to year, the range each year can easily go as low as 30 kWh/bale and as high as 70 kWh/bale. If you don’t know your gin’s usage number, take a few minutes and do the math. If your gin is averaging 45 kWh/bale or less, you are probably in pretty good shape. On the other hand, if you are using 50 to 70 kWh/bale to gin your crop (or more), you may want to conduct a review of your operation.

30 COTTON FARMING

MARCH 2015

Stover Unwrapper GIS

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30 31 32_CF 11/13 template 2/19/15 1:57 PM Page 31

Crop condition will obviously affect this number, so cut yourself some slack if you had a very poor crop. This would include crops where a good bit of the cotton was wet or green, which slows the gin, and very low production crops where the gin is started and stopped more often than normal. Downtime can have a big impact, so factor this in, as well. Once crop condition and downtime are calculated, determining the next steps can be more elusive. Fan systems are often a major contributor. Be sure your fan systems are all moving the proper amount of air and are properly sized. Gins with fewer, more thoroughly utilized fan systems seem to have a greater chance of operating on less than 40 kWh/bale. The final factor is easy to say, but sometimes much harder to implement. A given gin will use about the same amount of energy to run at full speed as it will to run at partial speed. Keeping your plant running consistently close to its rated capacity as possible will go a long way toward getting your usage down to that low 40 kWh/bale goal.

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Kelley Green of the Texas Cotton Ginners Association contributed this article. Contact him at the TCGA office in Austin, Texas, at kelley@tcga.org or (512) 476-8388.

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30 31 32_CF 11/13 template 2/19/15 1:57 PM Page 32

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32 COTTON FARMING

MARCH 2015

33_CF 11/13 template 2/19/15 1:10 PM Page 33

SPECIAL REPORT Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

Snowpack Slows In The West

As of October 1, 2014, Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton has been approved for import in Australia, Mexico and Canada. Growers should refer to http://www.biotradestatus.com/ for any updated information on import country approvals.

A

n unusually warm, dry January slowed snowpack accumulation in much of the West, according to data from the second 2015 forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Water and Climate Center (NWCC). California, Arizona and New Mexico, as well as parts of Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Nevada, remain in prolonged drought. “January is usually a big month for snowpack accumulation,” NWCC hydrologist Cara McCarthy says. “But most of the West didn’t see significant gains this month. With isolated exceptions, only Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Montana received near average precipitation last month.” NWCC Director Mike Strobel echoes those comments. “This is as low a snowpack as I’ve seen across the Sierra Nevada and Cascades for many locations at this time of year,” he says. Unusual Lack Of Snow Several Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites in those ranges are snowless, which is very unusual for this time of year. Even the precipitation in the Southwest wasn’t enough to take these regions out of drought conditions. In Western states where snowmelt accounts for the majority of seasonal water supply, information about snowpack serves as an indicator of future water availability. Streamflow in the West consists largely of accumulated mountain snow that melts and flows into streams as temperatures warm in spring and summer. NWCC scientists analyze the snowpack, air temperature, soil moisture and other measurements taken from remote sites to develop the water supply forecasts. The Cascades of Oregon and Washington have received normal levels of precipitation this water year, but it’s mostly fallen as rain instead of snow. California’s Sierra Nevada has seen little rain or snow. The extreme drought in California may be further

Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. The information presented herein is provided for educational purposes only, and is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell, or a recommendation to use, any unregistered pesticide for any purpose whatsoever. It is a violation of federal law to promote or offer to sell an unregistered pesticide.

aggravated by reduced streamflow in other parts of the West. “This month the inflow forecast for Lake Powell fell from 90 to 70 percent of normal,” says McCarthy. “Because southern California draws water from the Colorado River, this may impact their water supply.” Monitoring To Continue The NWCC, part of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, monitors conditions year-round and will continue to issue monthly forecasts until June. The water supply forecast is part of several USDA efforts to improve public awareness and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including drought and other extreme weather events. Through the creation of the National Drought Resilience Partnership, launched as part of the President’s Climate Action Plan, federal agencies are working closely with states, tribes and local governments to develop a coordinated response to drought. Since 1939, USDA has conducted snow surveys and issued regular water supply forecasts. Other resources on drought include the U.S. Drought Monitor. For information on USDA’s drought efforts, visit USDA Disaster and Drought Information.

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. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization. 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. 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 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. ©2015 Monsanto Company. DP-15012 CF LC Feb 2015

USDA contributed information for this article. Go to www.usda.gov for additional details. COTTON FARMING MARCH 2015

33

34_Don Cameron My Turn #2 2/19/15 9:26 AM Page 34

My Turn The Newest Frontier

B

eing a farmer, point by our adaptation, grit, hard work and especially a cotton determination to carry on a profession that I perfarmer, is a chal- sonally feel is vital to our great nation’s security. Has our society come to the point where it takes lenging yet rewarding occupation that for granted that we have the world’s most abuntoday seems to be very dant food and fiber available to its citizens and underappreciated by our does not appreciate the efforts of the modern day consuming society as a agriculturalist to provide this nation with that whole. The profession of abundance? Time will tell, I suppose. As we look to the 2015 crop year, cotton producan agriculturalist was once viewed as a noble and ers face a particularly difficult set of new chalBrad lenges we have not seen in quite some time when proud profession. When did that change? it comes to Farm Bill policy as compared to previHeffington Many of this country’s ous decades. As a cotton producer, I have not seen founding fathers were a more challenging time in my career. It is nearly farmers looking for personal freedom, religious enough to make a farmer give up on cotton and freedoms and independence from an oppressive switch to other crops. So what does the producer on the High Plains of government that was denying these individual rights. These founding fathers set out on a new Texas do with cotton cash prices in the 50-cent frontier to make a better country for their families range, weak Farm Bill policy, herbicide-resistant weeds, $650,000 cotand fellow citizens. ton harvesters, high They also realized ‘Although times are tough, fertilizer prices, labor that this new country shortages and bags of needed commerce and not all hope is lost.’ cotton planting seed mechanisms to produce priced higher than a wealth for its citizens to bale of cotton is selling for? thrive and afford those freedoms. This cotton producer will look to the past for his In 1796, Benjamin Franklin was quoted as saying, “There seem to be but three ways for a nation answers. My dad, who was a cotton ginner for 53 to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the years before retiring three years ago, often makes Romans did, in plundering their conquered neigh- the following comment when people try different bors. This is robbery. The second is by commerce, crops out here: “That won’t work long. Cotton which is generally cheating. The third is by agri- built this country, and cotton will sustain culture, the only honest way, wherein man this country.” Although times are tough, not all hope is lost. receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle wrought by We were blessed with tremendous rainfall last the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his fall, and for the first time in five years we have a full soil moisture profile to start a crop. innocent life and his virtuous industry.” We undoubtedly will persevere if we adhere to Those are some pretty high marks by one of the founding fathers of our United States of America the basics for which our founding fathers fought. for the industry in which I toil. The founding We benefit by learning from the past and will fathers truly were in a time of distress and tackle this new frontier by using the wisdom of our country’s founding fathers when they faced embarking on a new frontier. I tend to look to history to inspire and motivate their new “frontier.” May God bless our nation and best wishes to me in times of concern. This certainly appears to be one of those times as a cotton producer. It is a you as you battle the new frontier in 2015. new frontier for me as a cotton producer. We – Brad Heffington, Littlefield, Texas have sustained four years of horrific drought brdhffngtn@aol.com throughout Texas and have survived up to this Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to thorton@onegrower.com or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

34 COTTON FARMING

MARCH 2015

CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:07 PM Page 25

A SERIOUS WEAPON IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PLANT BUGS. When plant bugs strike, it can feel like a losing battle because of the pests’ increasing resistance to many control methods. Defend your cotton with a different kind of weapon: TransformŽ WG insecticide. Transform hits plant bugs hard, with a novel class of chemistry and a unique mode of action. It’s a great rotational partner to have in your arsenal — helping win the battle against plant bugs and aphids. TransformMyCotton.com

ÂŽ 3210/.12-,+*,3)/,(+',&)/.%$1#,&+."1! , (+' ,+2,1!,1* #%1 /0,$+."1! ,+*,(+' ,321! *+2., ,% ,!+ ,2/ % /2/0,*+2, 1#/,+2, /,%!,1##, 1 / , Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ,(+', 2+ $%/!$/ ,

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CF0315 Layout_CF 11/13 template 2/18/15 2:11 PM Page 30

New Product Evaluator

Billy Elliott | Lake Village, AR

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 printed in this publication. Š2015 Monsanto Company. DP15012-CF-DE-1133, 1321, 1034-Elliott-MAR

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