Cotton farming may 2017

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MAY 2017

www.cottonfarming.com

DOUBLE E FARMS TEXAS BROTHERS FOCUS ON WATER-USE EFFICIENCY, HIGH-PERFORMING VARIETIES

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CF0517 Layout_CF 11/13 template 4/19/17 9:01 AM Page 2

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Vol. 61 No. 5

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MAY 2017

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

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UNSTAIN YOUR STYLE Cotton Incorporated launches new social media campaign to provide detailed cotton care and stain removal information.

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COTTON PLANTING TIPS

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GINNERS MARKETPLACE

North Carolina cotton experts provide key points designed to help farmers achieve optimal stands and good early season growth.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Dusty Findley of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association discusses how ginning organizations keep up with regulations.

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SUPPLEMENT

Double E Farms

In the Texas Permian Basin where vast open land meets the horizon, Bo and Russ Eggemeyer are dedicated to growing white gold. These sixth-generation farmers are taking advantage of new subsurface drip irrigation technology to maximize water-use efficiency across their cotton acres. The brothers also grow varieties bred to deliver a high-yielding, high-quality crop. This is their story.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 14 Industry News 5 Cotton’s Agenda 16 Specialists Speaking 6 Research & Promotion 22 My Turn ON THE COVER: Texas producers Russ (left) and Bo Eggemeyer farm 3,500 acres of cotton in Reagan and Upton counties. Cover photo by Pam Caraway.

Look for Soybean South following page 12 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.soybeansouth.com.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, discusses a collaborative endeavor between Cotton Incorporated and Archroma, a global color and specialty chemicals company. The goal is to use sulfur dyes derived from cotton waste and gin waste to color cotton denims. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report.

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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 1388, Northbrook, IL 60065-1388 (Phone: 847-559-7578) (Fax: 847-564-9453). Annual subscriptions are $40. International rates are $55 in Canada/Mexico, $90 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

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MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

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Editor’s Note Carroll Smith

Cotton Farming

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

Technology Continues To Evolve

I

n my early years as an ag journalist, one of the biggest challenges was fine-tuning the timing for getting in touch with farmers and university personnel who spent their days from sun up to sun down in the field. After leaving a message on their home and office phones, I waited patiently for a call back late in the afternoon or early evening.

Cell phone technology eventually increased the efficiency of my job.

These people were now more accessible during the day, depending on coverage in their area.

I remember chatting with Mississippi cotton specialist Will McCarty who told me about a new tool they were trying internally at Mississippi State — something called electronic mail. He said this technology allowed you to communicate with people via your computer. I said, “Will, why would you take time to type out a message to someone when it is much easier just to pick up the phone and call them?” He went on to explain the benefits, but I was not convinced. I was thinking, this would never catch on.

Well, I stand corrected. Since then, technology has continued to evolve at a lightning pace, moving from cell phones to text to smartphones to FaceTime…the list goes on and on.

And all types of new technology are available to the ag sector today. In the cover story on page 8, Texas cotton farmers Russ and Bo Eggemeyer are precision planting high-performing varieties and remotely controlling their subsurface drip irrigation system from their smartphones using the EC III Pro — a precision irrigation tool.

New herbicide technology brings more products to the market to help farmers rotate modes of action and give them powerful tools to fight tough-to-control weeds such as glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth.

In the insect arena, Dr. George Kennedy, North Carolina State University, has developed a forecasting tool for predicting thrips risk to cotton. Farmers can benefit by focusing their thrips management efforts at the most opportune time.

And hats off to Cotton Incorporated as it continues to fund projects that make U.S. cotton farmers even more efficient and viable.

All of the above are just a few examples of how technology is advancing communication and cotton production practices today.

Let’s keep the ball rolling!

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 MAY 2017

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 (847) 559-7324 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 2017 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

A New Marketplace Advantage?

Cotton remains in an all-out war with manmade fibers, but the National Cotton Council (NCC) sees some reason for optimism, particularly regarding the battle against polyester.

What about world fiber consumption?

n A major reason behind the decline of cotton’s share of global fiber consumption is that global synthetic fiber production capacity is three times the level of global cotton production. That helps explain why on today’s retail shelves polyester is found in about 60 percent of garments. That equates to approximately 21.3 million tons of polyester — a 157 percent increase between 2000 and 2015. Demand growth for polyester filament is expected to take more share from cotton in apparel.

On the bright side, consulting firm PCI Fibres indicated at a recent polyester conference that the China Chemical Fiber Association is proposing to adjust the planned annuSynthetics such as polyester, when home laun- al growth rate for dered, release microfibers that are dispersed into chemical fibers from 9.2 percent to waterways and oceans.

3.6 percent in its five-year plan. This appears to be part of an effort to address the long-term issue of over investment and overcapacity in several Chinese industries — noteworthy because nine of the top 12 polyester manufacturers are in China.

How is the NCC responding?

n As noted in a previous column, a comprehensive examination of all policies affecting global fiber production and trade — including subsidies provided to synthetic fibers — is desperately needed.

The NCC also wants to increase awareness

about a specific threat to the environment from synthetic fibers that may finally be gaining recognition worldwide. Scientists know polyester decomposes at a much slower rate than cotton and other natural fibers, creating a landfill challenge from synthetic clothing. What most consumers may not know is that multiple studies are finding other harmful effects from polyester microfibers prior to their decomposition. The outdoor apparel brand Patagonia recently published the results of “Microfiber Pollution and the Apparel Industry,” a study commissioned at the University of California, Berkley. The investigation revealed that for each time a polyester fleece jacket is laundered, up to 40 percent of polyester microfibers leave the washing machine and continue on into rivers, lakes and streams. These particles were found to cause physical and chemical effects in aquatic organisms and were found in marine species consumed by humans. Even worse is these synthetic textiles do not release odors as well as cotton. This means synthetic apparel may require additional launderings, which disperses even more microfibers.

As a natural fiber, cotton biodegrades more readily on land but cotton microfibers are released during laundering, too. However, their risk for accumulation and damage to aquatic life is believed to be negligible. Cotton Incorporated, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, is conducting a twoyear study to examine the effects of aquatic environments on cotton microfibers to find out 1) if cotton fibers accumulate and 2) how quickly they decompose in water. The investigation should confirm that cotton fibers are not polluting waterways and oceans, which could provide a marketplace advantage for cotton products. The NCC, meanwhile, plans to continue shedding light on synthetic microfibers’ harmful effect on the environment.

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

Twitter: @CottonFarming

MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

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RESEARCH & PROMOTION

Unstain Your Style

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ational Prime Rib Day, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and National Wine Day – there is actually a national food holiday for every single day of the calendar year. To engage with consumers and take advantage of conversations happening around these celebrations, which often trend on social media, Cotton Incorporated merged two of consumers’ favorite social passion points — food and fashion. This effort is to help tell the story of cotton’s ease of care and to drive demand for cotton.

To demonstrate how easy cotton is to wash and care for, the new social media campaign, #UnStainYourStyle, adopts a quirky approach featuring high fashion models posing with over-exaggerated and highly stylized foods incorporated into their looks.

One image shows a man in a light colored shirt lying on his back with a glass of red wine balanced on his chest; another pictures a woman dangling a bangle of glazed doughnuts from her wrists; while another model, in white, has spaghetti with red sauce draped from her arms.

Social Media Presence Cotton Incorporated drew upon the expertise of photographer Jimmy Marble to create the “tasty” imagery, which is featured on the full range of Cotton Incorporated social media channels, such as Instagram and Twitter. The campaign also includes a dedicated website, www.unstainyourstyle.com, which provides detailed cotton care and stain removal tips.

The campaign launched in January, and Cotton Incorporated is releasing approximately one new tip a week for 52 weeks – a full calendar year. It is offering tips for removing a wide range of stains, including grease, red sauces and sticky foods, to help celebrate days like National Greasy Foods Day and National Candy Cane Day. So far, the campaign has garnered over 380,500 social engagements (likes, shares and comments). To furGet Rid Of Grease • Sprinkle cornmeal or talcum powder on the grease spot until the grease is absorbed.

• Brush off with a dry cloth.

• If the stain is still there, try a spot remover (multiple treatments may be needed to remove completely).

• Wash as directed. Don’t tumble dry until you are certain that the stain has been removed.

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COTTON FARMING MAY 2017

How To Remove Red Sauce Stains • Working from the reverse side of the stain, flush with cool water and pre-treat with a liquid laundry detergent; pat down stain with repeated light strokes and let stand for several minutes.

• Rinse well with water and then sponge with white vinegar.

• Rinse again with water and then repeat steps 1 to 2 until you have removed as much stain as possible.

• Treat with a prewash stain remover and then wash as directed by the care instructions.

ther build brand loyalty with these fans, Cotton Incorporated used a surprise-and-delight tactic and gave more than 25 fans an #UnStainYourStyle 12-month calendar.

“We are excited to bring this campaign to life and offer consumers visually engaging content that is also utility driven,” says Jill Orsini, director of advertising for Cotton Incorporated.

“We are hopeful that delivering this cotton ease-of-care message will motivate consumers to look for and buy cotton.”

The Cotton Board, which administers Cotton Incorporated’s Research and Promotion Program, contributed information for this article.

COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Weed And Insect Control Are Key Dee Boykin

Boykin Agri Management Inc. Yazoo City, Miss.

I grew up in the Mississippi Delta surrounded by agriculture.

While in high school, I worked on various farms and even in a cotton gin. During college, I started working with Jimmy Walker, who was an independent consultant from Rolling Fork, Miss. It was my admiration for him as a person as well as a consultant that ultimately steered me toward becoming a crop consultant myself.

In 2016, we struggled with establishing a good stand because the last two weeks of May and the first week of June were very dry.

The growing season went well until wet weather hit in August and September, which led to target leaf spot showing up in almost every field. Despite these rough patches, harvest season was dry, we picked a good crop and grades were excellent.

Pigweed And Plant Bugs

Our most challenging weed is glyphosate-resistant pigweed, especially following the major flood we experienced in 2011. We primarily depend on overlapping residuals and look forward to new herbicide technology to control this pest. We have also learned a lot from people north of us who have fought pigweed for 10 years before it invaded our area. And we follow the recommendations of weed scientists in Mississippi and the neighboring states of Tennessee and Arkansas as well. Italian ryegrass and marestail are two other weeds we contend with, but pigweed remains No. 1.

In the insect arena, tarnished plant bug is our most troublesome pest, followed by thrips, two-spotted spider mites and bollworms.

We typically spray Transform WG insecticide during the first couple weeks of July. It is a selective insecticide that doesn’t stir up a lot of other pests. If Transform were not available as an option for plant bug control, we would be putting pressure on the more broad-spectrum insecticides and likely have problems with secondary pests.

Removing Transform’s mode of action from the toolbox also would increase the potential for resistance to build up.

By the time farmers are reading this article, I hope they have corrected any drainage problems that exist and begun making plans for irrigating throughout the season. Our Extension scientists have made huge strides in helping us with irrigation, and our producers can benefit from adding it to their production strategy. They should also have potassium, phosphorus and lime out in time to meet fertility needs for the upcoming season.

Farmers are excited about growing cotton again, and acreage is predicted to increase significantly throughout the state this year.

Yields are going up and fiber quality is improving with every new generation of technology introduced to the market. We’ve seen this happen for about four years now so it’s not a fluke. I believe we have some bright years ahead. ®

• B.S., agricultural entomology, Mississippi State University • Operated Boykin Agri Management Inc. for 36 years • Consults on cotton, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, wheat and peanuts. Boykin also offers soil sampling services.

• Owned Southern Soils Lab Inc. in Yazoo City, Miss., since 2011 • Past president of Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association (MACA) • Member of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation • His nephew, Dee Nelson Boykin (above center), has worked with Dee for 15 years. His nephew, Don Collins (above left), has worked with him for nine years.

• Enjoys hunting and following Mississippi State sports

Recap: Weed And Insect Control Are Key

1. Our most challenging weed is glyphosate-resistant pigweed. We primarily depend on overlapping residuals and look forward to new herbicide technology to control this pest.

2. In the insect arena, tarnished plant bug is our most troublesome pest. We typically spray Transform WG insecticide during the first couple weeks of July. It is a selective insecticide that doesn’t stir up a lot of other pests. ®

3. If Transform were not available as an option for plant bug control, we would likely have problems with secondary pests. Removing Transform’s mode of action from the toolbox also would increase the potential for resistance to build up.

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t

COVER STORY

PAM CARAWAY

Bo (left) and Russ Eggemeyer are sixth-generation cotton farmers who use subsurface drip irrigation technology to maximize water-use efficiency. They also grow varieties bred to deliver a high-yielding, high-quality crop.

DOUBLE E FARMS

Texas Brothers Focus On Water-Use Efficiency And HighPerforming Varieties

BY CARROLL SMITH EDITOR

V

ast open land meets the horizon in the Permian Basin — breathtaking and Texas big. The landscape is interrupted only by oil wells and the occasional home with two or three trees in the yard to provide shade from the summer sun. In early April, wheat stubble graces the row middles of empty fields. In the fall, these same fields are covered with cotton awaiting harvest.

The Eggemeyer brothers, Russ and Bo, are sixth-generation farmers dedicated to growing white gold. They take advantage of new technology to get the most out of available water and plant varieties bred for high yields and quality.

The brothers farm 3,500 acres of cotton, as well as some corn and winter wheat as rotation crops, in Reagan and Upton counties. Because this area has a semi-arid climate and typically receives about 14 inches of rain per year, Russ and Bo put a lot of effort into improving water-use efficiency.

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COTTON FARMING MAY 2017

Subsurface Drip Irigation The Eggemeyers installed subsurface drip irrigation on 1,700 acres to minimize water evaporation and runoff and fertigate their cotton crop.

“We use technology to better understand how the water works underground,” Russ says. “For the past few years, we have installed soil moisture probes that measure water-holding capacity and electrical conductivity, which provides data on soil variability within our fields.

“The water table is falling so we want to pinpoint how much irrigation water we should use and how frequently to apply it. Our goal is to maximize water-use efficiency without giving up yield and quality.

“The new SDI system we installed has automatic valves, which watered the cotton every two days instead of every eight days. The cotton that was watered on the automatic valve system made about 0.4 bale an acre more than the manual system. We are going to look at the data again COTTONFARMING.COM

This medium maturity variety has excellent yield potential complemented by high gin turnout and a good fiber package, according to Bayer CropScience. It also is tolerant to Liberty and glyphosate herbicides and has TwinLink two-gene Bt protection.

“Our yields were good, and the the quality turned out really well,” Russ says. “The loan value on most of our cotton was 57 cents. This year, we will again plant FM 2334, FM 1944 and FM 1830. We’re also adding FM 1953GLTP and ST 4946GLB2 to see how they perform on our farm.”

Because the climate is so dry, the Eggemeyers haven’t had a lot of weed issues in the past. Last year was the first time they saw glyphosate-resistant pigweed on their farm.

“All of our varieties are tolerant to Liberty herbicide so we can apply it over the top if we need to spray for pigweed,” Russ says. “Farmers have been good stewards in our area. If the label calls for a certain rate, we spray that rate. This practice, along Furrow Diker, Cover Crops with plowing, has kept the weeds out The Texas farmers use a furrow for a long time. But we may have to diker that runs behind the plow to spray for pigweed this year.” capture precious rainwater.

Russ and Bo have also been for“This implement has either two tunate when it comes to insect or three paddles that mechanicalpressure. “Since we’ve been farmly scoop up dirt and form a bowling, we’ve never had to spray for an like indention in the soil,” Bo says. insect,” Russ says. “Stink bugs move “When it rains, water stays in the middle of the rows and doesn’t run Russ Eggemeyer’s smartphone is connect- in occasionally, but they are spotty off the field. It’s a highly effective, ed to the EC III Pro precision irrigation and never hit the threshold.” tool. This screen shows the zones being low-tech way to capture water.”

Protecting Their Product Russ and Bo are planting a mixed watered in real time.

If weeds and insects are not much cover crop on a few acres this year to of a problem, then what do the Eggemeyers consider their see if it’s a viable practice for their farm. primary challenges?

“We hope it will help retain moisture and prevent the “Water is No. 1,” Russ says. “We also face contamination sun from baking the ground all summer long,” Russ says. issues from trash, such as plastic bags, water bottles and “We realize our cotton benefits from the corn and wheat debris in general. We attribute this trash to the recent oil rotation and want to take it a step further by planting a boom in the area because it wasn’t here before. When oil cover crop. We’re also trying some strip-till this year to prices dropped, there wasn’t much activity. Today, it’s hard manage residue.” to move equipment with all the 18-wheelers on the road.

To put it in perspective, there are 100 registered voters in Variety Selection Midkiff. Now I estimate there are 10,000 people out here In 2016, the Eggemeyer brothers planted FM 2334GLT, in the general area, and a lot of trash is being thrown out.

FM 1944GLB2 and FM 1830GLT on their irrigated It’s frustrating and slows down the work flow when we acres for seed production. Dryland acres were planted to have to clean up our fields before harvesting.”

FM 2007GLT. As the 2017 season gets underway, the Eggemeyers conRuss and Bo are members of the FiberMax One Ton tinue to fine-tune water-use and fertilizer efficiency across Club for the second year in a row. To qualify, farmers must their farm. meet the required 2,000 pounds per acre or higher. In “Technology has contributed a lot to our operation in 2016, the average in Texas was 720 pounds per acre, and terms of high-performing varieties and precision planting,” the national average was 855 pounds per acre. Last year, Russ says. “Our goal now is to be more precise with water the Eggemeyers made yields more than double the state use and fertilizer to help the crop reach its full potential.” and national averages with FM 2334GLT. this year to see what happens. We also want to determine if the cotton plants are taking up the nitrogen we put out through fertigation. We have a pump we can turn on remotely to monitor our fertilizer and see how much we are using.”

Russ and Bo remotely control and manage their SDI system with Eco-Drip’s EC III Pro. This precision irrigation tool can be installed on a desktop computer, tablet or even a smartphone. It also adapts to deficit irrigation.

“It’s amazing we can do things like schedule irrigation, set fertigation pumps and view soil moisture sensors on our phones,” Bo says. “The EC III Pro also shows total flow. We can tell when a pump goes off because the gallons of water per minute go down. So we can see exactly what we would see at the drip house. And when we do need to go there, we know what we are walking into. There are no surprises.”

SARAH KALINA

In 2016, Bo and Russ Eggemeyer qualified for the FiberMax One Ton Club by meeting the required 2,000 pounds per acre or higher average yield with FM 2334GLT.

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

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7

Tips For Successful

COTTON PLANTING

From planting depth to thrips control, North Carolina cotton experts designed these reminders to help you achieve optimal stands and good early season growth.

BY GUY COLLINS NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

T

he wet and cold 2016 planting season we encountered in North Carolina reminded us all about the fragility of cotton seed and the difficulty in establishing an adequate stand when Mother Nature is not cooperative. There are key points to keep in mind throughout the planting window every year and steps to take to avoid potential problems.

In years like 2015, when planting conditions were ideal across much of the state, it is easy to overlook some of these points when easily achieving optimal stands. And in years like 2016, when planting conditions were some of the worst on record, certain problems may be unavoidable.

However, in most years, challenges encountered during planting can be averted. Below are a few tips to consider for achieving optimal stands and early season growth.

TIP #1: Know what you purchased. Document each seed lot number, the seed treatment and all products included in the treatment, and whether the seed was treated upstream or downstream. Determine warm and cool germination percentages (contact your dealer or seed company rep for cool germ values) and seed size (seed per pound). Seed size is either explicitly printed on the bag or can be calculated by dividing the number of seeds in a bag by the bag weight.

The lot number and seed treatment code can be traced in case you have questions later or encounter emergence problems. Knowing the type of seed treatment tells you which products are included and rates of each for thrips management, and whether it includes additional fungicides or nematicides. Take extra effort to secure cool germ values.

Knowing seed size (seed/pound), along with warm and cool germ values, is a good indicator of likely seedling vigor relative to other varieties. Lastly, we encourage all producers to save a small seed sample (resealable plastic bagful) from each lot number in case problems occur during planting so the seed can be re-evaluated for various factors.

TIP #2: Adjust your planting depth. One of the most common mistakes is planting cotton too deep. When young, the cotton plant is weak. It generally struggles to sprout, emerge and grow until it reaches the four- to five-leaf stage. In

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COTTON FARMING MAY 2017

Document each seed lot number, along with the seed treatment, whether it was treated upstream or downstream, warm and cool germination percentages, and seed size. many cases, I see cotton planted at depths 1 inch or even greater. In 2015, warm temperatures and optimal moisture promoted rapid emergence so problems with planting too deep were infrequent. However, excellent planting conditions are not normal for us. Planting too deep will result in poor emergence and poor stands in most years, especially when less-than-ideal conditions prevail.

In most cases, producers set their planters at a certain depth, roll on and do not make adjustments for weather or seed size. In some cases, farmers plant deeper than they should to chase moisture. But the deeper cotton is planted, the more time and energy it has to expend to fully emerge.

This lowers the chances of achieving an optimal stand, increases the likelihood of encountering injury, and results in a weaker seedling that has used up much of its energy reserves and seed treatment insecticides. If these seedlings emerge, they often are weaker and more vulnerable to thrips and seedling diseases.

Cotton should be planted no deeper than 0.5 to 0.7 COTTONFARMING.COM

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Take a proactive approach to crop health.

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ENC and Megafol can provide that nutrition — and more. Together, these products deliver complete, balanced foliar nutrition and stronger crop vitality.

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probably be challenged and have to 45,000 seeds per acre. Seeding rate inch deep, from the top of the seed to poor emergence. In great conditions, adjustments are warranted for difthe top of the soil. For modern plantall seed sizes can achieve an optimal ferent planting dates, environmental ers, the center of the furrow is often stand and good early season growth. conditions and soil types. There is no higher than the edges. Consider the In marginal conditions — less than one size fits all. distance from the seed to the soil surideal but not terribly poor — seed size Use higher seeding rates in lessface directly above it (not the sides or and warm/cool germ values can mean than-ideal conditions as is often walls of the furrow). the difference in whether an optimal observed in the early part of our In fields with a history of crusting, stand is achieved or skips are present. planting window. Also plant at higher seed should be placed at even shalUnless fields frequently have signifrates toward the end of the planting lower depths (if adequate soil covericant challenges with stand establishwindow to manage for earliness. If age can be achieved) and/or planted ment, make variety decisions based on stands are poor, optimal yields cannot in a hill-drop configuration. In no-till performance, such as yield potential be achieved in any scenario. However, situations, cotton generally should be and stability, fiber quality, trait packskippy stands may perform better planted as shallow as possible with ages, etc. However, it’s important to than later-planted cotton where the ideal soil-to-seed contact. consider vigor and seed size during crop has less time to compensate.

In all cases, plant into adequate In addition, the lower range soil moisture. When “chasing” of recommended seeding rates moisture by planting deeper, only applies to excellent plantit typically is marginal at best. ing conditions (more likely to Unless you are planting very occur in the middle part of our late in the window and under planting window) in soft soils excellent temperatures in soft with ideal moisture. In chalsoils without a threat of crustlenging fields that often develing, it’s best to plant shallower op a surface crust, or in lessand wait on a rain. Chasing than-ideal planting conditions, moisture presents a signifihigher seeding rates should cant challenge in some cases. be used. This applies to any Ideally, cotton should be other scenario that may result planted into sufficient moisin poor stands. ture for germination and emergence to avoid herbicide TIP #5: injury. Dusting in cotton and waiting on a rain may result Watch the weather forecast in the first drink of water conand adjust practices accordtaining significant amounts i n g l y. T h r o u g h o u t e v e r y of herbicide, which can cause planting window, Dr. Keith injury. However, the same Edmisten does an excellent results can happen if you job of posting biweekly weathplant deeper to chase moiser predictions and projections ture and that moisture expires for DD60 accumulation. He Because there is no one-size-fits-all planting depth, it before adequate germination also alerts growers when conshould be adjusted for various situations, such as temand emergence occurs. ditions are favorable to plant perature, moisture, potential for surface crust, etc.

If possible, delay planting cotton. Find these notices at and wait on a rain so you can https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/ plant into adequate moisture. Because planting and adjust management and use them to adjust seeding rates, there is no one-size-fits-all planting practices and planter depth depending planting depths and planting considdepth, make adjustments for various on soils and prevailing conditions. erations for different varieties. situations, such as temperature, moisComparing varieties for two years Paying attention to weather foreture, potential for surface crust, etc. may indicate which ones will be more casts as well as planting depth and vigorous than others. Roughly 65 pervigor characteristics can help avoid TIP #3: cent of seedling vigor ranking — how potential herbicide injury issues. For one variety compares to another — is example, Warrant is a commonly used Manage varieties according to related to seed size. It is important herbicide that can be applied both pre vigor. This is a combination of Tips to document seed size for your lot and post emergence. As seen in Dr. 1 and 2. Knowing a variety’s warm number, and then compare it, along Alan York’s research over the past sevand cool germ values along with seed with warm and cool germ values, to eral years, it is very effective and is size is a great predictor of relative other varieties. All can vary across lot an integral part of many weed manvigor compared to another variety. numbers. agement programs. When planting Larger-seeded varieties with higher cool germ values can tolerate slightly deeper planting and slightly cooler weather than smaller-seeded varieties with lower cool germ values.

In very poor conditions, like we observed in 2016, all seed sizes will

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TIP #4: Manage seeding rates for planting date, environmental conditions, soil types, etc. Generally speaking, North Carolina growers should plant 38,000

conditions are good and seedling emergence occurs within a relatively timely manner — about four to six days after planting — there typically are few to no problems with using this herbicide.

When planting in poor conditions COTTONFARMING.COM

and when seedlings are very slow to emerge, about eight to 10 days after planting or longer, injury is likely.

This is due to the herbicide’s encapsulation breaking down and seedlings emerging through a high concentration of herbicide. Considering forecasted planting conditions and adjusting planting practices accordingly helps you avoid this issue.

Farmers can expect less-than-ideal thrips control if in-furrow insecticide coverage is not adequate.

TIP #6: Consider placement of starter fertilizers, which occasionally can benefit producers by somewhat improving seedling vigor. We generally support starter fertilizer use under certain conditions. These include: 1. Use the correct rate and don’t overapply starter fertilizers (10 to 13 gallons of 10-34-0, for example); 2. Apply adequate, actual pounds of nutrients versus exceptionally low rates of trace amounts of nutrients; 3. Apply starter sources that are economical in their contribution to the entire fertility program; and 4. Do not apply starter fertilizers in-furrow.

The last point is the most important. Now that many farmers are using in-furrow liquid insecticides, starter fertilizers are sometimes being applied in-furrow as well. Producers may get away with it several years in a row.

However, when problems occur, they are usually severe with no recourse but to replant. Therefore, we do not recommend starters be applied in-furrow for cotton.

TIP #7: Ensure that liquid in-furrow insecticides directly contact seed and good coverage is achieved. Farmers can expect less-than-ideal thrips control if coverage is not adequate. This is especially important now that thrips resistance to neonicotinoids has been observed in North Carolina.

Farmers also have expressed interest in reducing at-planting costs by eliminating the seed treatment and only using liquid in-furrow products.

Some growers may not observe much thrips injury when doing this if thrips numbers are low and seedlings are growing vigorously.

However, neglecting to use a seed treatment is not advised. Dr. Dominic Reisig’s research indicates that a liquid in-furrow insecticide alone results in similar thrips control to a seed treatment alone, which we know is not adequate.

Without a seed treatment to provide TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

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some protection, there is no room for error in applying a liquid in-furrow insecticide and its direct contact with seed.

Lastly, compare the active ingredient concentration across many of the in-furrow imidacloprids. Some generics have a lower concentration of active ingredient per gallon of product compared to Admire Pro. Therefore, some in-furrow insecticides should be used at higher rates to be equivalent to Admire Pro in terms of active ingredient per acre. Apply all

products according to their labels.

In all cases, scout thoroughly and frequently for thrips — both adults and juveniles — and the presence of injury. If warranted, timely foliar sprays are important. If scouting suggests an application is needed, don’t put it off. Delaying foliar sprays can result in significant yield losses.

North Carolina State University contributing authors are Keith Edmisten, Alan York, Dominic Reisig and Carl Crozier.

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Industry News Samuel Jackson Inc. Receives Texas Rain Catcher Award The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recently announced the recipients of its annual Texas Rain Catcher Award, a rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program, which began in 2007.

Samuel Jackson Inc. was recognized in the manufacturing category.

The award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes rainwater harvesting technology and educates the public on this important water-saving practice.

Samuel Jackson Inc., which produces moist air generators used in the cotton ginning process, turned to rainwater harvesting following the 2011 drought when groundwater wells could not produce enough high-quality water for the plant’s operation.

The company installed two 15,000-gallon fiberglass tanks in September 2015 to capture rainwater. The tanks reduced the company’s dependence on groundwater, and soon after, the company installed four additional 15,000-gallon tanks. In total, the system has the capacity to capture 90,000 gallons of rainwater.

The system functions by collecting rain from the 48,000-square-foot roof surface of the industrial plant. It is then stored, filtered and used onsite.

The plant can sustain its operations on a total annual rainfall of only 6 inches. The system also allows the company to increase water-use efficiency and sustainability by monitoring the tanks for water-use trends.

NPE Farmers Set To Evaluate Class Of 18 Varieties The Deltapine New Product Evaluator (NPE) Program kicks off its 10th season with nearly 200 growers evaluating pre-commercial variety candidates for the Class of 18.

“Since it began in 2008, the Deltapine NPE Program has resulted in the commercialization of new cotton varieties that have raised the bar for cotton performance in all regions from a production and pest management standpoint,” says Keylon Gholston, Monsanto cotton product manager.

Feedback from NPE growers about the candidates will help determine

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COTTON FARMING MAY 2017

TCGA Names Ron Craft 2016 Ginner Of The Year Ron Craft, owner/manager of New-Tex Gin in Plains, Texas, was named 2016 Ginner of the Year by the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association. Friends and family joined Craft at the awards dinner, which was held during the TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Lubbock. From left are Larry Mason, Sara Mason, Brandon Craft, Jean Craft, Ron Craft, Felipa Villarreal, Juan Villarreal, Morgan Craft, Landon Craft and William Boyles. which ones are commercialized as the Class of 18 and how to best position and manage those new products.

Included in this 10th season’s evaluations are 12 variety candidates — all containing XtendFlex technology.

There are seven Bollgard 3 XtendFlex variety candidates, three Bollgard II XtendFlex variety candidates with resistance to root-knot nematodes, and five candidates that offer resistance to bacterial blight.

Bollgard 3 XtendFlex technology provides season-long protection against damage caused by key lepidopteran pests and in-crop use of dicamba for weed control.

In 2007, high-performing varieties were being replaced due to the introduction of newer technology.

Monsanto, having just acquired the Deltapine seed brand, met with farmers to discuss their concerns. The result of those conversations was the Deltapine NPE Program.

Select producers from every region of the Cotton Belt were invited to evaluate pre-commercial variety lines on their farms and in their growing systems.

Planting his 10th NPE plot this season, cotton farmer Kent Wannamaker, St. Matthews, S.C., says, “The NPE Program has created teamwork between Monsanto and

growers, allowing us to evaluate new Deltapine varieties on large-acre plots on our farms. It has helped the cotton industry by delivering improved cotton varieties with better traits to grow cotton more efficiently and with increased yield potential that improves the bottom line.”

For more on Deltapine cotton varieties and the NPE Program, visit www.deltapine.com.

New Herbicide Launched For Use In Cotton UPI has launched two new herbicides in the United States, one of which is labeled for use in cotton.

Moccasin is the first post-patent herbicide containing the active ingredient S-metolachlor.

Labeled for use on a wide spectrum of crops (including cotton, soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, sugar beets and corn), and with multiple application timings, UPI says Moccasin is one of the most versatile soil-applied herbicides available today.

The company also launched Shutdown herbicide for use in soybeans, sunflowers, tobacco and several vegetable crops.

“We are excited to add Moccasin and Shutdown to our growing portfolio of products,” says Chris Bowley, product COTTONFARMING.COM

Industry News manager. “UPI’s mission is to bring high-quality and economical options to market that help American growers combat the challenges posed by herbicide resistance. These two products help to reinforce our commitment to this mission.”

For more information, go to www. upi-usa.com or call 800-438-6071.

Johnny Lindley (right), Lakeview, Texas, had the highest yield for those who qualified for the One Ton Club in 2016: 3,059 pounds per acre. Lindley is joined by his wife, Kayla, and Allen Gent, Bayer strategic business lead.

FiberMax One Ton Club Membership Tops 1,000 The FiberMax One Ton Club celebrated 389 producers who qualified 4-bale and higher yields with FiberMax varieties in 2016. Now in its 12th year, the club has 1,048 high-yielding farmers as members.

Johnny Lindley, who farms near Lakeview, Texas, recorded the highest yield for those who qualified for the One Ton Club in 2016 — 3,059 pounds per acre.

Lindley’s yields were more than four times the Texas average in 2016, which was 720 pounds per acre. This is more than double the national cotton yield average in 2016, which was 855

pounds per acre, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Every One Ton Club member, including 199 farmers who qualified for the first time, recorded yield averages that were more than 2 ½ times higher than the Texas state average.

The highest acreage winner, Craig McCloy, who farms near Morse, Texas, averaged more than 2,000 pounds per acre on 2,046 acres.

“This club is solid evidence of the success growers enjoy when they com-

bine their knowledge and skills with our science — cottonseed varieties and inputs focused on increasing a grower’s opportunity for profit,” says Jason Wistehuff, U.S. product manager for FiberMax cotton.

Of the 389 members who qualified for the 2016 crop, six have qualified for 10 years or more and 9 percent have qualified for five years or more.

“Growers have qualified for the FiberMax One Ton Club with 37 different varieties,” Wistehuff says.

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MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

15

Specialists Speaking Early Season Management ARKANSAS Bill Robertson The Prospective Plantings report released in March

by U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated Arkansas cotton plantings to be 500,000 acres, up from 380,000 planted acres in 2016. It is good to see the rebound of cotton in our state. Many feel this number could have been higher with additional harvest capacity. We will plant to meet or exceed our picker capacity this year.

Cotton planters have been active in Arkansas through much of April. We’ve also received reports of some March-planted cotton.

Generally, our earlier planted cotton performs best within reason. Establishing a healthy stand of cotton is the first step toward a successful season.

When pushing the limits on earlier-than-advised planting, replanting is sometimes necessary. Since the optimum soil temperature for cotton germination is near 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it is understandable that soil temperatures less than 60 degrees F can lead to failure.

Cold weather slows cotton growth, increasing its vulnerability to fungal pathogens, which grow well at 65 degrees F. When planting into cold soils, it is imperative to use the highest quality seed. As seed size decreases, seed quality becomes more critical when planting in marginal conditions.

Consider many factors when determining if replanting is necessary.

First, evaluate the current plant stand that will survive. This may not be evident for a few days after a storm if assessing hail damage. Nonetheless, it is crucial to calculate population, uniformity and health of the existing stand. Establishing the occurrence of skips greater than three feet long is critical, especially when this occurs simultaneously in adjacent rows. Calendar date is also important. A thin stand is more acceptable near the end of the planting window. Cotton’s ability to adapt and maintain yield potential at lower plant populations is often underestimated. If the decision to replant is difficult, it is usually best to keep what you have. brobertson@uaex.edu

CALIFORNIA Bob Hutmacher California Central Valley farmers have finally been blessed with some decent rain, snowpack and irrigation water supplies for this year. Although we have water, variable cool weather periods mean a limited acreage of cotton seed was in the ground and coming up in late March.

More planting is expected in April as warmer weather heads our way (we hope). Most San Joaquin Valley producers typically want to get Pima cotton planted by April 15-20 to increase their chances of getting a long, full growing season and limiting later season problems associated with extending the crop.

Coming out of a wet winter (and spring too, so far), we expect more weed management issues in a lot of fields. We may have more complicated insect management decisions that come with more weeds, less fallow ground, and more sources of both beneficial insects and pests. This could be the type of year where we see more early season thrips damage and unusual problems, such as damage from false chinch bugs coming from grain fields.

In irrigated cotton production, farmers and pest control advisers have to be vigilant to sort out problems as they develop. Likely issues with lygus will depend on additional rains, weed and range plant

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drying, and warming temperatures later this spring.

With more available water, producers may be tempted to start irrigations earlier than usual, but resist that temptation. If you have decent moisture for planting and early root development in the upper 18-24 inches of the soil profile, it is usually better to hold off to avoid cooling the soil, which can slow growth. Early irrigations also can increase the risk of losses associated with seedling diseases. The time for extra early water would have been with your pre-plant irrigation.

If you missed that opportunity to leach accumulated salts, add more water and make an earlier first in-season irrigation in May or June.

Although cotton is quite salt-tolerant, stressors produced by delayed irrigation and salt accumulation can eventually affect plant growth and yields as well as other rotational crops. If in past years you have relied on mild to moderately saline well water to irrigate crops on the ground where you have cotton this year, it is not too late to collect soil samples to determine the salinity level in the upper root zone. rbhutmacher@ucdavis.edu

FLORIDA David Wright With planting upon us, farmers continuously tweak planting rates and other at-plant treatments. For most growers, two to three seeds per foot of row is viable for top yields. Seed treatments can vary so use those that have been effective for your area.

Thrips are one of the major concerns we deal with, and many of our growers use only a seed treatment in most years. We often have cool weather that slows cotton growth at some point, but this is normal while the root system continues to grow rapidly. It is important to have fast, early growth for weed control and for crop earliness at harvest.

Some of our producers use a starter fertilizer of no more than 20-30 pounds of nitrogen with sulfur and micronutrients. This encourages early and later growth since the fertilizer is either applied in a 2 inch by 2 inch fashion or as a surface dribble near the row. This concentrates fertilizer near the row where there is less chance for weed use and more help for cotton to outgrow thrips damage. wright@ufl.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme Currently, cotton acres are expected to increase when compared to last year in Louisiana. As we proceed to plant, cotton producers have experienced abundant rainfall and wet soil conditions during March.

The trend in reduced seeding rates continues and reflects using more precise planters and the desire to manage high-value seed costs by reducing the number of seeds per acre. An efficient and well-timed planting operation can result in a $10 to $25 seed cost savings and technology fees. Plant 2.75 to 3.25 uniformly spaced seeds (drilled or hill-drop) with good seed-to-soil contact, warm soil temperatures and adequate soil moisture. Use the high side of these recommended rates when planting early into cooler soils. The minimum plant population in the final stand should be about two plants per foot or about 30,000 plants per acre. Planting less than 2.5 seeds per foot can significantly delay maturity.

Once planting is completed and cotton seedlings have emerged from the ground, producers should concentrate on managing the cotton plant from the first- through fifth-leaf stage. Reaching the fifth COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking true leaf stage as quickly as possible and unscathed from thrips is important in producing good cotton yields at the end of the season.

In Louisiana, yields can be reduced by 200-300 pounds of lint per acre from severe thrips damage. Seed treatments for controlling early season insect pests through the fifth true leaf stage play a viable part in getting off to fast start.

Depending on environmental conditions, seed treatments may last anywhere from 14-22 days. Oftentimes under cool spring temperatures, reaching the fifth true leaf stage is delayed and seed treatments no longer offer protection. Under these conditions, foliar sprays are needed even though a seed treatment was used at planting. However, make sure economic thresholds are exceeded before applying a foliar application for thrips control. Avoid automatic or convenience applications if economic thresholds have not been reached. Such practices can create other pest problems, particularly from spider mites. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds The first part of April was warmer and drier than the past several years. As a result, a few folks started planting about April 10. Seed planted in 2017 will contain more technology than ever before. Much has been said about 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant cotton that is now available and can be legally sprayed with these products. Discussions particularly address off-target movement. Most of the concerns you have heard were likely rooted in truth at some point. For nearly all pesticide applications, those made when winds are excessive will result in off-target movement.

Given the sensitivity of many broadleaf species to relatively low levels of 2,4-D and dicamba, a tremendous amount of educational effort has been put forth to minimize the number of drift complaints. In addition, most folks recognize that if not properly stewarded, the life span of these technologies is likely to be short.

Also keep in mind that a new mode of action has not been commercialized in decades. If these technologies are only available for a short time and if resistance develops to products we currently have, consider what our options for weed control may be. I may have just found a use for that weed hook in my garage that was my companion while walking many miles of soybean rows as a teenager. dmd76@pss.msstate.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam By the time this article appears, Missouri producers will be actively engaged in planting cotton. Planting intentions indicate we should have about a 2 percent increase in acreage. Keep in mind that these are just “intentions.� This early estimate is based on prices for other commodities. We have had damage to wheat from the late freeze, which may affect double crop beans. Planting intentions typically are based on getting the cotton planted. If we have severe weather problems, we may lose some of this acreage. Currently, we are experiencing warm days and cool nights. Temperatures should be warmer when most of the acreage is planted.

Gov. Eric Greitens signed into law bipartisan legislation increasing the penalties for illegal use of herbicides. The Missouri House passed the bill 143-12 with an emergency clause, which means the law takes effect immediately. The bill authorizes the Missouri Department of Agriculture to issue a $10,000 penalty per violation. Chronic violators can now be fined up to $25,000 per violation. I hope these penalties and the threat of lawsuits will reduce the problem that we faced last season. milammr@missouri.edu Twitter: @CottonFarming

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten It is often easy not to pay attention to details in anything we do, including cotton production. A couple details I think are important this time of year are seeding rates and proper nozzle selection. It is tempting to get rolling with planting and not adjust seeding rates. Planting rates should be adjusted with the varying weather and soil conditions we encounter in May in North Carolina.

Refining seeding rates based on cool germination test results is also advisable. Warmer planting conditions and higher cool germination results allow us to use the lower end of the seeding rates. However, we should keep in mind if we are still planting in late May or early June when we typically have optimum planting conditions, we cannot afford not to have a population of at least 40,000 plants per acre.

Cotton planted this late will likely not have time to compensate for skips with bolls on outer positions and vegetative branches.

Farmers using phenoxy herbicides with XtendFlex or Enlist varieties must use approved nozzles. The approved nozzles must also be operated at approved pressures. Make sure you check the latest updates for approved surfactant, additives and herbicide mixtures.

Although it may be tempting to leave those nozzles in the sprayer for the remainder of the season, they should be changed for insecticide and defoliant applications for better canopy penetration. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman Late winter and early spring rains have been quite a blessing in the southwestern corner of the state. The good news is soil moisture and reservoir levels are looking great. The bad news is commodity prices for a lot of crops are not good, especially for wheat. Because of this, we may see the highest cotton acreage planted in the state since 1982. The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings report indicated Oklahoma might plant up to 470,000 acres in 2017.

Some producers are pondering grazing out their wheat and then taking the opportunity to plant cotton in fields in need of crop rotation to clean up winter weed problems. After grazing out the wheat, no-till cotton planting into the terminated standing wheat residue is a good option.

Several new XtendFlex (dicamba-tolerant) varieties will be sold in 2017. Producers in some areas may prefer Enlist (2,4-D choline-tolerant) varieties. A large number of producers who planted some of these varieties with new technologies had record yields and sometimes quality on their farms last year.

Newcomers, or those who haven’t raised cotton in several years, should do a thorough job of planning their crop strategies prior to planting. The bottom line: A good and thorough overlapping residual herbicide program should be planned and executed. Start clean, and then stay clean. For glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth sneaking through residual herbicide programs, some of the new dicamba products, such as XtendiMax, FeXipan and Engenia, will be important tools to consider for the XtendFlex varieties. Enlist Duo (glyphosate plus 2,4-D choline formulation) has been labeled for use on Enlist varieties.

Labels for these new herbicide products are complicated. Extremely high management efforts by producers with respect to spray drift are crucial. It is important that producers read and follow the labels for these new products. Liberty herbicide can also be a critical, overthe-top defense, and can be used on XtendFlex, Enlist and other varieties containing the LibertyLink trait.

MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

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Specialists Speaking We hope to get adequate rain and distribution to make all the factors align for excellent weed control as well as crop yield. It’s nearly time to be “off to the races” once again, and it’s up to producers to be good stewards of their herbicides. randy.boman@okstate.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper Many of you have already made preplant herbicide decisions by the time you read this column, but for those who haven’t, allow me to bend your ear. Many I’ve visited with have indicated they were considering dicamba at planting. Although I recognize the potential for injury to adjacent plants is generally lower in late April/early May, I would encourage you to delay the use of dicamba for a later date for a few reasons.

First, the most common reason I’ve heard to explain the use of dicamba at planting is to replace the use of other pre-emerge residuals behind the planter. We typically receive frequent rainfalls during our planting window. Unfortunately, it only takes a very light rain to eliminate the inconsistent residual control provided by dicamba. As such, I strongly discourage you from attempting to use dicamba as a replacement for other more rain-tolerant pre-emerge materials.

Second, consider stewardship. You likely used dicamba in your burndown and will use in-season as well. You are probably considering using dicamba to control weeds that have emerged or were missed by the burndown application. In order to mix modes of action, I encourage you to use another product, such as paraquat, at planting. This will reduce the resistance selection pressure placed on dicamba and help protect the value of the trait. traper@utk.edu

TEXAS Seth Byrd Much-needed rain fell across many areas of the High Plains during the first week of April. We hope to receive additional moisture over the rest of the month and into early May as preparations for the 2017 season ramp up.

Seeding rates have been a hot topic of discussion as we witnessed a wide range of rates in 2016. Interest in reducing seeding rates, particularly in the southern area of the region, is likely an effort to offset rising seed costs of varieties with the new auxin herbicide traits. Although we observed good results from lower-than-normal seeding rates in 2016, it is important to remember we had favorable early season conditions and overall success last year. Decreasing seeding rates will reduce the per-acre input costs.

However, if cool or dry conditions or pest pressure exists in May and June, we must strike a balance to make sure enough seed are in the ground to establish an acceptable stand with less-than-optimal germination and/or emergence.

Variety placement also can be used to address unfavorable conditions at planting. We recommended planting varieties with good early season vigor in conditions or areas that may challenge emergence or stand establishment. Environmental conditions, such as a dry, crusted soil surface or cool temperatures, are the most common threats to early season growth. These can be intensified by low seeding rates or varieties with poor vigor.

Rapid emergence and vegetative growth can also stave off early season pests such as thrips. Although thrips pressure is hit and miss in West Texas, it can be damaging when present. Seed treatments and over sprays of an insecticide can aid in minimizing thrips damage.

But the best way to avoid early season challenges is with a rapidly growing seedling, one that gets to the four- to five-leaf stage as quickly as possible. Placing the correct variety in the right field and planting under optimum conditions is likely the most important guideline

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COTTON FARMING MAY 2017

to follow from an agronomic perspective. However, with a projection of about 4 million acres of cotton to be planted this year on the High Plains, getting everything in the ground in optimal conditions will be a tall order. Taking into account the conditions and variety characteristics, along with prioritizing locations, can help in deciding what to plant, and when and where to plant it. seth.byrd@ag.tamu.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan A very warm spring has everything progressing quickly across Texas. The Rio Grande Valley is no exception as cotton approaches the bloom stage and is looking good. Fleahopper pressure is about average, along with some whiteflies and spider mites, but aphid pressure is high again this year across much of the RGV. Cotton establishment has been better in the Coastal Bend and Upper Gulf Coast compared to past years. We have no reports of major pests in these regions, yet. Some early fields were planted in late March in the Blacklands, and adequate stands were obtained; however, cooler weather and rainfall delayed planting to the more traditional mid-April timeframe. Although an additional rain will be needed for adequate planting moisture, the Rolling Plains received some widespread rains in late March and early April that improved the soil moisture situation.

The conversation at educational meetings and other gatherings continues to revolve around XtendFlex and Enlist cotton technology.

In much of South and East Texas, a mixture of all the herbicide-tolerant traits have been planted with no major issues reported to date.

There has been some adoption of Flag the Technology, but more needs to occur.

I am hearing that a mixture of herbicide-tolerant traits will be planted in the Southern Rolling Plains, while the Central and Northern Rolling Plains will be dominated by XtendFlex varieties. In all these regions, it appears the adoption of XtendFlex and Enlist varieties is being driven by high-yielding germplasm and a defensive play against off-target movement into farmers’ fields.

There are also some pockets of dryland producers planning to increase their non-herbicide-tolerant cotton acreage, due to input costs concerns. gdmorgan@tamu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame As we move into May and cotton emerges, having sound thrips and weed management is critical. One new item recently released by North Carolina State University is a thrips pressure forecasting tool, which predicts where treatment/scouting may be necessary.

Thrips are the major early season insect pest, and control is critical to keep cotton maturity on track for a timely harvest in Virginia’s climatic conditions.

The second consideration is to keep cotton weed free during the first 40 days of development. This time period is critical to cotton root development. Any competition for nutrients and water will impede root development. The use of residual herbicides is recommended, especially in areas where glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth and ragweed are present.

The safe use of in-season applications of auxin herbicides will also be tested as trait technology and herbicide registrations are finally available. One important aspect to remember is auxin traits are not interchangeable. So dicamba will damage 2,4-D cotton and vice versa. I am confident producers will use these technologies effectively and safely to minimize drift and injury to non-target species. whframe@vt.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

COTTON

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

Keep Up With Regulations Under New Administration

Electronic Reporting Rule One example is the rule on electronic reporting of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 300 Summary. This rule has been published for several months and has an effective date of July 2017. OSHA says the mechanism to report the Accident and Illness Summary would be in place by now, but we haven’t heard a peep.

The president’s first pick for secretary of labor was adamantly opposed to this as well as several other changes the

OSHA.GOV

If you are an active member of a ginning association, you probably know that these organizations typically tend to deal more in the regulatory world than the policy world.

The past few months have been tough for many of us since the new administration has made keeping up with regulations much more difficult than in the past. Well, that’s not exactly right. The government’s law (Administrative Procedures Act) on making rules is exactly the same, but the pace (or lack thereof) at which the rules have come out has left many regulatory changes up in the air.

Department of Labor had in store. Alexander Acosta, the second selection, has yet to be confirmed as of this writing so it may be some time before OSHA moves forward. The agency is likely waiting on whether the program may be scrapped completely.

New Rules Still On The Books A number of executive orders have stopped government from moving on a lot of newer and some older regulations.

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* 1 – Belt-Wide 75-HP Flooded-Suction Hydraulic Booster Pumping Unit

1 – Lummus Bale Handling System for up-packing press 1 – Lot, miscellaneous Burner and Moisture Unit components (contact us for details) * - does not include any Steel Supports or Platforms

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MAY 2017 COTTON FARMING

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Cotton Ginners Marketplace

1 – Lubbock Electric Hydraulic Pumping Unit for Gin Dor-Les® or E.E. Dor-Les® Press (single reservoir with multiple motor/pump groups)

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)

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While the president has a certain amount of power, one of the things people and businesses across the country had complained about was making rules and regulations bypassing the Administrative Procedures Act. Thus, these executive orders can slow the progression of many new rules but without formal repeal, they will still be on the books… hanging over our heads.

Although the Congressional Review Act has only been used a handful of times since its passing, this Congress has used it with vigor. This seems to be the fastest way to stop the rules 3 template 3/7/14 3:26newer PM Page 1 from taking effect. OSHA has not been immune to the wrath of Congress and has taken at least one CRA hit in March.

Advertise in Cotton Ginner’s Marketplace

Associations Dedicated To Members These are some of the reasons you need to stay on top of the rules. The best way to do that is by continuing to support ginning associations. They are typically the first to let you know what technical change to a state or federal rule or regulation is happening or about to happen. We are dedicated to keeping our members up to date on the changes as soon as possible. And even better, we will let you know how they affect your business.

Yes, many cotton organizations are policy oriented and meet with members of Congress and their staff regularly. But where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, is how those changes to policy and law become the forms you have to fill out.

Dusty Findley of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association contributed this article. Contact him at 706-344-1212 or dusty@southern-southeastern.org.

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Cotton’s Calendar

LEC-200 Electronic Seed Scale

2017 ■ May 17: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ May 18: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Ariz.

■ June 13-15: Cotton Incorporated June Meeting, Dallas, Texas ■ June 15: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Ariz.

■ June 21-24: CWAA Meeting, The Benson Hotel, Portland, Ore. ■ June 21: Staplcotn/Stapldiscount Board Meeting, Greenwood, Miss.

■ June 21: PCCA Board Meeting and Delegate Body Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ June 29-30: Arizona Cotton Ginners and Growers Joint Meeting, Flagstaff, Ariz.

■ July 10-12: Southern Southeastern Mid-Year Board Meeting, Marriott Grand Dunes, Myrtle Beach, S.C. ■ July 10-12: SCGA Summer Meeting, DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette, Lafayette, La. ■ July 12: Plains Cotton Growers Inc. Board Meeting, Bayer Museum of Agriculture, Lubbock, Texas

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■ July 20: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Ariz.

■ Aug. 8-10: Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Joint Meeting, Durham, N.C. ■ Aug. 16: PCCA Board Meeting and Delegate Body Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ Aug. 17-18: 2017 American Cotton Producers/Cotton Foundation Joint Summer Meeting, Westin Buckhead Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, Ga.

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■ Aug. 23-25: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tenn.

■ Sept. 20: PCCA Annual Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ Sept. 20: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ Sept. 20: Staplcotn/Stapldiscount Annual Meeting, Greenwood, Miss.

■ Sept. 25: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors/Auditors Meeting, Phoenix, Ariz.

■ Sept. 26: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting/90th Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Ariz.

■ Oct. 11: Plains Cotton Growers Inc. Board Meeting, Bayer Museum of Agriculture, Lubbock, Texas ■ Oct. 18: PCCA Board Meeting and Delegate Body Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ■ Dec. 5-7: Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Joint Meeting, St. Petersburg, Fla.

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■ Nov. 15: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas

■ Dec. 20: PCCA Board Meeting and Delegate Body Meeting, Lubbock, Texas

2018 ■ Jan. 3-5: Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas ■ Feb. 9-11: NCC Annual Meeting, Omni Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas ■ April 5-6: TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, Lubbock, Texas ■ Aug. 20-22: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.

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MAY MAY 2017 2017 COTTON COTTON FARMING FARMING

My Turn ‘A Former Industry Icon’

A

Along with the National Cotton Council, FMC fter many years of being asked by One began sponsoring the Producer Information Grower staff for a Exchange (PIE) in 1989. The concept was to take My Turn article, I cotton farmers from the four growing segments relented and will try to give to visit their counterparts. As a lobbyist, I began you readers some things to traveling with all the tours not to sell or market our products, but to gain relationships beneficial to all ponder.

I spent my career as a involved. Two things among many that stood out research entomologist with were some growers who lived maybe only 5 miles the University of Tennessee, from each other had never met until they went Ciba-Geigy and FMC. These on this tour. The other thing I heard was, “This is Dr. Ed ventures put me in con- the best thing I’ve done in my adult life,” — strong tact worldwide with some words from highly successful people.

Cherry I have met many people throughout my career very important and impressionable people. However, who have aided my success. I don’t have time and before we get into these memories, let’s back up and space to list them all, but if you would indulge me, I want to mention three. Jim Burridge from see how this was made possible.

I began my life in Gainesboro, Tenn., a town of D.C. took me under his wing and taught me how to be a successful lobby900 and the county seat. ist. I look to Bud Lindler My family was poor but “Thanks for the wonderful from the Cotton Council as proud and I went to someone who should be the grammar school there. A memories.” template for working with big break, if you call losfarmers. Ben Lamensdorf ing your mother a break, came and I moved to Nashville for high school. This is a farmer and businessman who represents the opened the chance to go to college, and I went to leadership needed in agricultural affairs.

Now as I go to meetings in a retirement capacity, I Tennessee Tech wanting to be a dentist. However, organic chemistry got in the way and I wound up a am often referred to as “a former industry icon” and “the smartest man in America.” I can’t do anything biology major.

The summer before graduating I got a job for the to deny those comments but say thanks for the wonU.S. Department of Agriculture running Japanese derful memories.

The best career move I made was to do a postdoc beetle traps. At summer’s end, the man in charge of Tennessee for USDA said they wanted to send me to at Mississippi State University. As a tribute to MSU grad school. I replied, “Have you seen my grades?” and the Women for Agriculture in Mississippi, a But they got me in and an M.S., PhD and postdoc scholarship fund in honor of my late wife, Alma, and Pam Steele has been established through the later, I set out in the world.

Cotton and soybean research for the University B.F. Smith Foundation. These scholarships will go of Tennessee in Jackson led to jobs with Ciba-Geigy to women focusing on agriculture at MSU. We have and FMC directing product development worldwide. had tremendous response from many people and The time with FMC led my family to Philadelphia thank them very much. If you are reading this and and living in Cherry Hill, N.J. When introducing would like to contribute, please let me know.

For now, the No. 2 America’s guest Dr. Ed Cherry myself there, the most-often asked question was, “How do you spell that, cuz, and where are you from (I’ve always got a kick how we PhDs are treated as with that accent?” I’d reply New Jersey, and then, the little D when compared to MDs even though we took as many courses as they did) will sign off from oh, south Jersey.

I was sailing along when reorganization led me BugDoc Farms in New Tazewell, Tenn. to Washington, D.C., to lobby for the Agriculture — Dr. Ed Cherry, New Tazewell, Tenn.

Department. This is where I began to interact with bugdoc@sunsetcom.com many of you who may be reading this article.

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

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