Cotton Farming May 2019

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MAY 2019

www.cottonfarming.com

Cotton Blue Disease Southeast Experts Share Information About Potential Threat To The 2019 Crop

®

LESS MEASURING. MORE CONTROL.

Introducing Acenthrin™, pre-mixed to deliver up to 30% better control.

By virtually every measure, Acenthrin insecticide is a great choice for cotton and soybean growers. It’s the first pre-mixed formulation of two IRAC groups (1B and 3A) available in the US. So, it delivers stronger insect control right out of the bag.

And because you don’t have to mix the two additives, it saves you a whole lot of time. Acenthrin is more effective and it’s more convenient. In fact, nothing else quite measures up. To learn more, contact your local UPL sales representative or distributor, or visit www.upi-usa.com.

Acenthrin and the UPL logo are trademarks of UPL Corporation Limited or its related companies.

Products manufactured for UPL NA Inc. 630 Freedom Business Center, King of Prussia, PA 19406. ©April, 2019. All rights reserved. www.upi-usa.com

Vol. 63 No. 5

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MAY 2019

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

9

DEER MANAGEMENT

12

SOUTHWEST REPORT

18

GINNING MARKETPLACE

The University of Georgia is trying to determine if Milorganite fertilizer spread on cotton fields may be an effective deer deterrent.

Funding from research partnerships supports efforts to counter Fusarium wilt race 4 fungal disease that is difficult to control in cotton.

the official publication of the ginning industry

Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association CEO Dusty Findley discusses air permits to prepare for plant expansion.

6

Cotton Blue

Cotton blue disease is caused by the Cotton leafroll dwarf virus and transmitted by aphids. Although it is not particularly worrisome for producers now, it has caught the attention of researchers, Extension personnel and others who work with farmers in parts of the Southeast. Experts are eager to share what they know to date and are asking farmers to “keep an eye out” in the field this summer.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 5 Cotton’s Agenda 10 Industry News

12 Southwest Report 14 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn

WEB EXCLUSIVE University of Arkansas Extension weed scientist Tom Barber says he has fielded several questions recently about dicamba regulations and what the rules “mean” and what can be sprayed. He says most of the questions revolve around what is “legal to spray” after April 15 for pre-plant burndown, emerged corn and Xtend soybeans or cotton. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report.

DIGITAL OFFERINGS Keep up with the latest from Cotton Farming by signing up for the monthly E-News. Go to www.cottonfarming.com and look for the Cotton Farming E-News link in the upper right corner of the home page.

Find Cotton Farming on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/cottonfarming and follow us on Twitter @CottonFarming.

ON THE COVER: This cotton plant exhibits early symptoms of the Cotton leafroll dwarf virus that causes cotton blue disease. Cover photo by Dr. Sudeep Bag. COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December by One Grower Publishing LLC, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, 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.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

3

Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

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

Teamwork Is Key To Success

W

hile interviewing University of Georgia cotton specialist Dr. Jared Whitaker about cotton blue disease, he wrapped up by saying, “The more people we have working on this issue, the quicker we can figure it out.”

It occurred to me that this thought is a great endorsement for teamwork. And if you want to see teamwork in action, read the cover story, “Cotton Blue Disease,” on page 8. It’s a good example of how university personnel and industry came together to try to pin down what was causing mysterious symptoms on cotton plants in the Southeast.

Auburn University plant pathologist Dr. Kathy Lawrence says the journey began for her when she received a call from Drew Schrimsher with Agri-AFC on Aug. 29, 2017. He asked her to come to the field to see the cotton leaf deformation that looked a lot like herbicide damage but was not. Lawrence immediately gathered the cotton team, and they set out to meet Schrimsher in southeast Alabama to look at the problem with fresh sets of eyes and to collect samples.

The Georgia pathologist says she thought the symptoms looked like a virus, so the group set out on a fact-finding mission to try to pinpoint it.

They recruited University of Arizona’s Dr. Judith Brown, who specializes in virology and vector biology, to help with the identification. No spoilers here, but as you will see in the article, their teamwork paid off.

The University of Georgia cotton team was busy working on the issue as well. They spent many hours in the field inspecting ratooned cotton stalks and collecting weed samples. The collective effort was successful, and in the fall of 2018, Cotton leafroll dwarf virus was detected in cotton plants in 14 Georgia counties.

UGA virologist Dr. Sudeep Bag says the cotton team also detected the virus in henbit and perennial peanut in Georgia, and Auburn University’s Dr. Kassie Conner found it in henbit from Alabama.

Farmers, consultants and anyone else who regularly observe cotton fields also are encouraged to join in.

“If anyone sees strange symptoms in the field, call your county Extension agent or a member of the UGA cotton team,” Whitaker says.

A determined team of players in the agricultural world is hard to beat.

It is the epitome of the inspirational quote: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” If everything stays on track, teamwork will keep cotton blue disease at bay until a solution can be handed to U.S. cotton farmers.

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.

4

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

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 2019 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Phone: 901-767-4020

COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Keeping Our Priorities Straight The National Cotton Council’s 2019 priorities are aimed at enhancing industry efficiency and economic stability.

What about key policy issues?

n Two major near-term priorities are pressing Congress to approve legislation that would provide disaster assistance for producers devastated by Hurricanes Florence and Michael and working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on 2018 farm law implementation. Regarding the latter, the NCC is developing a farm law education plan for our members. Simultaneously, the NCC is communicating with appropriate Congressional leaders on the need to protect the new farm law from any budget challenges — as this budget-neutral farm law will provide producers with a solid financial safety net and improve access to conservation programs.

Monitoring a range of trade issues is another major priority. That includes conveying to the Administration NCC policies are aimed at enhancing cotton’s our concerns timely flow to the marketplace. with China’s retaliatory tariffs and the opportunities and reforms we have identified that can lead to U.S. cotton regaining Chinese market share. We were encouraged by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer ’s recent comments to a House committee that cotton is among products expected to realize substantial increases in Chinese purchases.

What are some other NCC priorities?

n U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol development continues with a pilot launch planned for summer 2019. This new initiative will enable the U.S. cotton industry to meet national goals regarding sustainability and expand acknowledge-

ment by major textile brands/retailers that U.S. cotton is responsibly produced. While U.S. cotton producers’ participation in the protocol will demonstrate that they are working continuously to shrink their environmental footprint, the NCC realizes that cotton producers must be profitable. That’s why the Council will keep working to reverse burdensome regulations and preserve critical crop protection products.

For example, the NCC is working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to minimize unworkable label requirements involving plant protection products and getting in place a practical Waters of the U.S. rule.

Elimination of contamination remains a Council goal. We continue to closely monitor incidences of lint contamination being reported to U.S. cotton’s textile customers, develop seed cotton/lint contamination prevention educational programs, and provide support for research projects for detecting and removing contamination at the gin. Our Quality Task Force will be forming a committee to assess the market implications of plastic contamination in bales with a 71/72 call and options regarding the classing/reclassing of bales with a 71/72 call.

The NCC will continue to be proactive on getting policies implemented that can enhance cotton’s timely flow to the marketplace. NCC Board-adopted recommendations call for revising the definition for bales that can be counted in the weekly “Bales Made Available for Shipment” reporting. They also call for requiring industry use of batch files for shipping date requests, which would establish an audit trail of bales for addressing any warehouse performance complaint. NCC staff recently met with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to reiterate these policies need to be implemented for the 2019 crop. We also consulted with them on the required rulemaking process and worked with other industry associations on consolidated comments regarding the rule.

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 2019 | COTTON FARMING

5

DR. SUDEEP BAG/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

“After harvest, ratoon cotton and regrowth in leftover stalks in the field could act as overwintering host for the virus and vector (aphid),” says UGA’s Dr. Sudeep Bag. “In spring 2019, we are able to detect the virus in ratoon cotton and regrowth leaves.

These cotton stalks need to be removed from the ground/field as soon as harvest is over as a part of field sanitation.” (Ratoon is a shoot growing from the base or crown of a crop plant after the main harvest).

6

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

COTTONFARMING.COM

COVER STORY

Cotton Blue Disease Southeast Experts Share Information About Potential Threat To The 2019 Crop

BY CARROLL SMITH EDITOR

C

otton blue disease is caused by the Cotton leafroll dwarf virus and transmitted by aphids.

Although it is not particularly worrisome for producers at this point, it has caught the attention of researchers, Extension personnel and others who work with farmers in parts of the Southeast.

The University of Arizona’s Dr. Judith Brown, who has extensive expertise in plant pathology (virology and vector biology), says, “Cotton blue disease has been associated with the exotic Cotton leafroll dwarf virus in Argentina and Brazil. The virus is thought to be endemic in Africa or Asia and has spread to South America only recently. During 2017, an aphid-transmitted polerovirus, was identified for the first time infecting cotton plants in Alabama.”

During the Cotton Disease Council session at the 2019 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Auburn University plant pathologist Dr. Kathy Lawrence provided the Alabama backstory about cotton blue disease. She says she was first alerted to “a problem in the field” on Aug. 29, 2017, in a phone call from Drew Schrimsher, an agronomist with Agri-AFC. He asked her come to the field to see the cotton leaf deformation that looked a lot like herbicide damage but was not.

“On Aug. 31, we loaded up and went to visit Drew in the cotton field,” Lawrence says. “We went through three counties in the Wiregrass Region of southeastern Alabama that day looking at field symptoms, including crinkling of the upper leaves.”

She reiterated that the problem was not herbicide damage although the disease symptoms were visually similar.

The group collected numerous plant samples and returned to the lab. Lawrence says she thought the damage looked like a virus. She was initially drawn to the Cotton leaf crumple virus transmitted by whiteflies. A whitefly epidemic was in full swing at the time, which seemed to support that possibility.

“Because this virus is known to appear in the Southwest, we sent the samples to Judy Brown in Arizona,” Lawrence says. “None of them tested positive, so in September we went back to the field to collect more samples. This time, the symptoms were more dramatic — stacked internodes, more leaf puckering and no flowering. We also sent those samples to Judy.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

“On March 18, 2018, I received an email from her saying we had Cotton leafroll dwarf virus, commonly known as cotton blue disease. This was quite a surprise — not what we were expecting. She contacted APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to let them know it existed here in the Southeast.”

Searching For Answers Lawrence says at that point, a fact-finding mission kicked in. One of the big questions was, “What are they doing in Brazil to combat this problem?” Weed control came up because some weeds serve as a reservoir for the virus. Other options included eliminating cotton regrowth, cultivar selection and chemical control of aphids when 5 to 10 percent of the plants were infected. Lawrence says the aphid control approach was cautionary because of problems with insecticide efficacy.

“We knew the virus had to live in a plant somewhere, so we started looking for weeds,” she says.

The team collected numerous weed samples and sent them to Brown as well, but everything tested negative.

This didn’t mean the virus was not there. It had just not been found in the weeds yet. However, their efforts to locate the virus paid off later in the season.

According to an April report posted by Auburn University, “In September 2018, cotton plants with similar (viral) symptoms were collected from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Plant Breeding Unit in Elmore County, and the presence of the virus was confirmed by both the Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab and the University of Arizona….To date, the virus has been detected, through molecular methods (RT-PCR) in samples collected from commercial fields and AAES outlying units in 24 counties across cotton producing regions of Alabama, along with multiple counties in the cotton producing regions of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and Mississippi.”

Georgia Weighs In The University of Georgia Extension cotton team was making progress as well. A report posted by UGA on March 7, says, “In the fall of 2018, Cotton leafroll dwarf virus was detected in cotton plants in 14 Georgia counties.

During the winter of 2019, this virus appears to infect MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

7

Symptoms And Aphid Control According to the UGA cotton team’s March 7 report, symptoms to look for include, “leaf curling, reddening and drooping of leaves, subsequent distortion of leaf growth above the nodes where reddened leaves were first observed, and shortening of upper internodes and their discoloration to deep green. Some view the symptomology to resemble that often observed with drift from herbicides such as 2,4-D, 2,4-DB and dicamba.”

If it seems logical to try to manage the issue by aggressively controlling aphids, it’s not that simple as aphids “infest a vast array of plant species in varying landscapes,” UGA’s report says.

“Thus, chemical control methods could actually increase pest management issues (i.e. treating for aphids would likely flare other more nefarious insect populations) without reducing impact from the virus; much more research is needed to better understand this scenario before providing

Give Credit To The Experts University personnel continue to work diligently and collaborate to gather information and develop strategies to combat cotton blue disease and slow its spread. Kudos to the following university team members and others who have contributed: University of Arizona • Dr. Judith Brown

Auburn University • Dr. Kira Bowen • Dr. Kassie Conner • Dr. Austin Hagan • Dr. Alana Jacobson • Dr. Jenny Koebernick • Dr. Kathy Lawrence • Dr. Edward Sikora • Dr. Ron Smith

8

University of Georgia • Dr. Sudeep Bag • Dr. Peng Chee • Dr. Bob Kemerait • Dr. Philip Roberts • Dr. Jared Whitaker Agri-AFC • Drew Schrimsher

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

DR. SUDEEP BAG/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

cotton regrowth from ratooned cotton stalks and several weeds even though screening has just begun.”

UGA virologist Dr. Sudeep Bag says, “These could serve as overwintering alternate hosts and primary inoculum for the virus and vector during the early growing season.

This spring, we have detected the virus in henbit deadnettle and perennial peanut in Georgia. Auburn’s Dr. Kassie Conner detected the virus in henbit from Alabama. Weed control is very important in managing this virus.”

Georgia cotton specialist Dr. Jared Whitaker says there are still a lot of questions surrounding the Cotton leafroll dwarf virus and cotton blue disease. One of the team’s main goals is to communicate everything they know so far and solicit the help of farmers, consultants and anyone else who regularly observe cotton fields to “keep an eye out.”

“At this point, we don’t have any issues because we have not had a yield loss,” Whitaker says. “We hope that will still be the case this time next year. But we do want to get information out there.

“If we find something of significance, we will post it on our Web page at ugacotton.com. People can go there and sign up to get email alerts when we make a new post. If anyone sees strange symptoms in the field, contact your county Extension agent or a member of the UGA cotton team.”

“Leaf curling, reddening and drooping of leaves were first observed early in the season,” says UGA’s Dr. Sudeep Bag. “As the disease progressed, we saw reddening of petiole, shortening of upper internodes and leaf discoloration to deep green. “Infected plants later in the season (SeptemberOctober) may look much taller than non-infected plants, with less boll and square retention and bushy foliage on top.” aphid management recommendations.”

As far as aphid control, Whitaker reminds everyone that aphids are rarely an economic pest in Georgia, and a fungus typically wipes out populations.

“If we try to control aphids in the cotton crop, we will introduce pesticides that can hurt our beneficial populations and may flare pests such as spider mites that cause economic damage,” he says. “These insects will cost us more money to control and may result in yield loss.”

‘An Ounce Of Prevention’ To curb the potential threat of the disease spreading and becoming more of an issue in the future, the Georgia cotton specialist recommends that producers make sure all cotton stalks are completely killed after harvest and do a good job controlling winter weeds at least three weeks prior to planting their cotton crop.

“Someone once told me that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Whitaker says. “These cultural practices are something that we should be doing anyway.

If you are going to plant cotton and have viable cotton stalks in the field, they will take away energy, nutrients and water from your crop. We’ve also had issues where farmers don’t burn down winter weeds quickly enough to prevent insects from living in that green bridge and jumping on a young cotton crop.

“Our strategy at this point is to do what we can to keep cotton blue disease at bay until we can develop resistant cultivars to eliminate the threat of significant yield loss.”

COTTONFARMING.COM

Pictured is an overhead view of a cotton field affected by deer in Burke County, Georgia. Deer can damage as much as 50 percent of a farmer’s crop.

Burke County Extension agent Katie Burch may have found an effective deer deterrent in Milorganite fertilizer.

Fertilizer Offers Potential Deer Management Solution

BY BRYCE ETHRIDGE

T

he threat of deer eating the cotton grown on local farms sent University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent Katie Burch searching for a solution. With the help of UGA East Georgia agronomist Mark Freeman, the Burke County, Georgia, agent may have found one.

Although the potential solution needs further research for verification, Burch says she believes Milorganite, a fertilizer made from treated sewage collected in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an effective deterrent.

Milorganite was chosen because of its pungent smell and likely foul taste. Conducting her own research last year, Burch spread the fertilizer over cotton plots and then checked a week later to see if deer had been browsing them. From all visible signs, the Milorganite had deterred the deer.

“Visually and percentage-wise for the counts we took in the field, you can tell where the deer were deterred — where the Milorganite was spread — versus where they weren’t,” Burch says.

Significant Yield Loss The fertilizer treatment was applied once a week for four weeks. As for the plots that weren’t treated with the fertilizer, deer continued to mow through the cotton.

Burch started the project after she began working for UGA Extension in 2016, when deer caused major yield losses for a farmer in Burke County. Prior to testing Milorganite, Burch tried various chemicals and found none were an acceptable solution.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

“This trial saw more success and the producer was happy about it,” she says. “This is something I think a lot of growers across the state can benefit from if we do find that it is successful long term.”

According to Burch, deer are known to damage at least 50 percent of farmers’ crops across Georgia. This represents a major profit loss for farmers.

Annually, a farmer will spend thousands of dollars to try to stave off wildlife pressure. Some of those alternatives include night hunting equipment and traps, which are costly and not completely effective.

“Not only do farmers have to spend additional money, but they have to work all day and stay up all night to protect their crop,” she says. “It’s very hard for a producer to budget every year for wildlife damage control.”

Cost Savings Is Key Burch wants to make sure that the farmers of Burke County and across Georgia don’t have to deal with those high expenses much longer. If another year of research produces positive results, producers may be able to save on wildlife management.

Georgia cotton is typically planted in May and early June.

For more information about how to manage wildlife on your property, see the UGA Extension Wildlife Management Series at extension.uga.edu/publications.

Bryce Ethridge is a writer for the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences — University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

9

Industry News First Residual Dicamba Pemix Herbicide Is Now Available

Rick and Brenda Heflin (center) won the FiberMax One Ton Club truck drawing.

Pictured with the Heflins from left are Hadley Howard, BASF cotton seed product manager; Stan Warren, BASF seed adviser; Ty Heflin, son; Rachel Walters, BASF cotton seed marketing manager; Monty Christian, BASF global head of cotton seed and traits.

BASF Recognizes One Ton Club And Maximizer Club Farmers BASF recently celebrated cotton growers who achieved 4-bale or greater yields by welcoming them to the exclusive FiberMax One Ton Club for their 2018 harvest results. Ninetyone new members joined the club this year, bringing total membership to 1,181 cotton growers.

Several members received special awards at a banquet held recently in Lubbock, Texas. } Most acres and most varieties: H Bar H Farms in Dalhart, Texas, harvested an average yield of 2,208 pounds per acre on 3,996 acres with FM 1900GLT, FM 1911GLT, FM 1320GL and FM 1888GL. } Highest yield: Shane and Sammi Jo McLain of Hart, Texas, harvested an average yield of 2,798 pounds per acre with FM 1911GLT. } Highest gross value: Doug and Cari Ruble of Visalia, California, earned $1,530.77 per acre on their qualifying acres with FM 2498GLT. } Highest loan value: Steve and Gina Milanesio of Strathmore, California, garnered 57.64 cents on their qualifying acres with FM 1830GLT. “It’s been a tough year for growing cotton, but these growers took on the challenge and still accomplished excellent results,” says Rachel Walters, cotton seed marketing manager, BASF.

10

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

The FiberMax Maximizer Club, now in its third year, recognizes growers with dryland cotton fields that yield at least 1,000 pounds per acre with FiberMax varieties.

Special awards for the Maximizer Club include: } Most acres and most varieties: Darren and Lorre Haseloff of Farwell, Texas, averaged 1,351 pounds per acre on 749 acres with FM 1830GLT and FM 1911GLT. } Highest yield and highest gross value: Louis and Pamela Davis of Hawley, Texas, harvested an average yield of 1,736 pounds per acre and earned $902.03 per acre with FM 2498GLT. } Highest loan value: Ben Gwynn of Robstown, Texas, gained 56.27 cents on his qualifying cotton acres planted to FM 1830GLT. “Averaging 1,000 pounds or more per dryland acre is remarkable,” Walters says. “These growers are up against the worst that Mother Nature has to offer. Despite this, they are able to take our FiberMax varieties and pair them with their knowledge and skill to achieve these excellent yields. We’re honored to recognize them for their accomplishments.”

Maximizer Club members are entered into a drawing for a Polaris Ranger XP 1000 EPS utility vehicle.

This year’s winner was Ben Gwynn of Robstown, Texas. Gwynn qualified for the Maximizer Club with FM 1830GLT.

Syngenta now offers its newest herbicide, Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology herbicide, has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As the market’s first residual dicamba premix herbicide, Tavium contains built-in residual control to manage resistant weeds and maintain clean fields throughout the season. Tavium, a proprietary Syngenta premix, will be available for the 2019 growing season, subject to state approvals.

Tavium can be used preplant, at planting and early post-emergence on Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans and Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton. The premix of dicamba and S-metolachlor offers growers a convenient new tool to manage key ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant broadleaf and grass weeds.

“Unlike all other standalone dicamba products, the multiple effective sites of action in Tavium broaden the activity spectrum and increase its overall efficacy and sustainability,” says Bobby Bachman, Syngenta herbicide product lead. “The addition of S-metolachlor with dicamba in a premix not only helps manage resistance, but it offers up to three weeks longer residual control than dicamba alone.”

The Tavium formulation targets driver weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, horseweed (marestail), common and giant ragweed, kochia, morningglory, barnyardgrass and foxtail.

This herbicide will be a valuable tool for growers in the fight against the most difficult-to-control resistant weeds by: } M a n a g i n g e m e r g e d w e e d s through contact activity } Controlling weeds that have yet to emerge with residual activity } Providing up to three weeks longer control than dicamba alone } Working in all tillage systems and various geographies in both preand early post-emergence applications Tavium should be used as part of a two-pass program in order to preserve the efficacy of auxin technologies like dicamba. Syngenta recommends applying Tavium in a two-pass COTTONFARMING.COM

Industry News system, following a pre-emergence application of Boundary 6.5 EC, BroadAxe XC or Prefix herbicides in soybeans, or after Caparol 4L herbicide in cotton.

“The premix formulation provides an easy way to reduce selection pressure on dicamba, but a system of preand post-emergence herbicides is still crucial,” Bachman says.

Deltapine NPE Program Kicks Off Its 12th Season Growers in the Deltapine New Product Evaluator Program will evaluate Bollgard 3 XtendFlex variety candidates this season for the Deltapine Class of 20 that show potential to raise the yield bar across the Cotton Belt.

“In every region of the Belt, there are variety candidates, nine in all, being evaluated that have shown yield potential greater than or equal to DP 1646 B2XF,” says Keylon Gholston, Deltapine Cotton Products Manager. “The Class of 20 has poten-

tial varieties that offer outstanding fiber qualities and significantly more disease tolerance than previous classes. The Class of 20, which will be introduced in December, has the potential to continue driving average yield for U.S. growers upward.”

Regionally, Deltapine NPE growers will plant a larger number of candidates than in previous seasons, including six candidates in the Southeast, Mid-South and Far West regions, and seven candidates in the Southwest region. A focus of this year’s NPE program is identifying Bollgard 3 XtendFlex varieties for each production region that offer similar or better performance than DP 1646 B2XF and other high-performing Deltapine varieties currently on the market.

Based on company breeder testing the past two seasons, here are highlights of the Class of 20 variety candidates: } All nine of the NPE candidates have shown yield equal to or greater than DP 1646 B2XF in at least one region of the Cotton Belt } Two of nine candidates show

potential for staple length greater than 39. Four of nine candidates have shown staple length greater than 38 } Two of nine candidates show potential for fiber strength greater than 31.5 g/tex. Five of the nine candidates have demonstrated strength greater than 30 g/tex } Six of nine candidates are resistant or moderately resistant to bacterial blight } Five of nine candidates being evaluated in Texas are moderately tolerant or tolerant to Verticillium wilt “I can’t express how important the NPE Program has become to my farm and my neighbors’ farms,” says Jason Waltz of St. Matthews, South Carolina, an NPE grower since the program began in 2008. “We need the Bollgard 3 gene in varieties that yield and grade like DP 1646 B2XF, so evaluating for the Class of 20 this season will be exciting.”

The plots will be managed accordingly to each grower’s practices, consist of both irrigated and non-irrigated fields, planted on various soil types and be subjected to local environmental conditions.

Want to increase yields by 100 -150 lbs?

The increase in total cotton yields over four years of trials for SOAR micronutrients ranged on the higher end from 100 to 150 pounds per acre, depending on the season. For every one dollar invested in SOAR applications, the return at harvest showed at least a four dollar increase*. Let’s talk ROI.

®

Southeast Sales Representative

Michael Cobb • Mobile: 662.587.3763 MichaelC@ChemicalDynamics.com *To receive a copy of the SOAR field trials on cotton and learn more about how to improve your crop yields, please contact your sales rep Michael Cobb at: 662.587.3763

Order SOAR® from your favorite supplier or call 800.277.4950 4206 Business Lane • Plant City, Florida 33566

Always read and follow label directions carefully. ® SOAR is a registered trademark of Chemical Dynamics, Inc.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

CHEMICALDYNAMICS.COM MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

11

SOUTHWEST REPORT

California Fights To Beat Fusarium Wilt Race 4

A

n increasing topic of conversation between researchers and producers at area meetings across the Cotton Belt is Fusarium wilt race 4 (FOV4) — a fungal disease that is difficult to control in cotton and can survive in soils indefinitely.

With vital support from Cotton Incorporated, scientists in California have been investigating resistance to FOV4 since 2003 when the disease was first confirmed in the San Joaquin Valley. But, for many other researchers, such as those in Texas, this seems to be a relatively new threat. With the identification of FOV4 in far West Texas in 2017, researchers have placed urgency on breeding, genetics and molecular approaches to resistance.

Collaborative Research Effort When the disease emerged in the San Joaquin Valley, the U.S. Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research Service research stations in California, in conjunction with the University of California, worked tirelessly to improve resistance in Pima cotton. Researchers studied what made these Pima lines more resistant than the Upland cotton varieties. They also increased the genetic base for FOV4 resistance and identified more tolerant breeds. Pima cotton varieties with high FOV4 resistance ultimately replaced Upland cotton in California fields.

Research has found that measuring the foliar symptoms, root vascular staining and plant mortality of affected cotton plants shows that affected Upland cotton is generally less severe than the affected Pima cotton.

Understanding that FOV4 might look different in Pima and Upland cotton is key in understanding how to diagnose the disease in the field.

Since 2013, several thousand breeding entries have been developed at California research stations that show signs of resistance or tolerance.

Currently leading these research

12

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

BY CHRISTI CHADWELL LUBBOCK, TEXAS

efforts are Drs. Mauricio Ulloa with ARS, Robert Hutchmacher with the University of California, Margaret Ellis with California State University, Fresno, and Philip Roberts with the University of California, Riverside.

With funds from Cotton Incorporated, California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, and the California Cotton Alliance, they are developing new breeding lines in Upland cotton. Without the research partnerships and much of the early work started in California years ago, the outlook for dealing with FOV4 would not be as optimistic.

“Our approach has involved introducing tolerant genes from identified Upland tolerant lines from our research from ARS Cotton Germplasm Collection and the University-Breeding Programs,” Ulloa says. “From 2006 to 2018, we have been evaluating Upland germplasm or breeding lines from about 13 public cotton breeding programs across the Belt through the regional breeder testing network sponsored by Cotton Incorporated.”

An Eye On Texas Significant improvement and progress has been made through these research initiatives since FOV4 was discovered. While there has been a push to incorporate tolerant Pima cotton into several farming operations in California, the threat of FOV4 is still looming since most Pima varieties

aren’t suited for other U.S. growing regions. With the recent diagnosis in far West Texas, the opportunity for the disease to spread throughout the rest of Texas is daunting.

Ulloa is now lending his expertise to the Texas area experiencing the disease. The strides he has made with other California researchers could be crucial to countering FOV4. Current research is analyzing California cotton fields to isolate the disease and identify better cotton lines that demonstrate higher resistance to FOV4.

Educational Material With support from Cotton Incorporated, the California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association, and the California Cotton Alliance, these researchers were able to publicly release for-purchase tolerant or resistant Pima cotton lines, first in 2008 and again in 2016. Recently, they have identified Upland cotton entries that should have tolerance to FOV4, with the hope they could be released to the public in late 2019 or 2020.

To educate producers, Cotton Incorporated, with the help of industry partners, has released a FOV4 fact sheet, including the “quick test” guidelines developed in California to identify the disease in the field. It also describes safe practices to help avoid FOV4 contamination. The document provides crucial information to growers as they use and purchase seed and equipment from other areas of the Cotton Belt.

To view the FOV4 publication, go to https://bit.ly/2GhCaL9.

Christi Chadwell is the Cotton Board’s regional communication manager for the Southwest. Please contact her at cchadwell@cottonboard.org.

This cotton plant shows vascular root staining, one of the symptoms of FOV4 fungal disease.

COTTONFARMING.COM

Early Season Kick-Off Growers Launch Into 2019 Planting Season with AgLogic™ Aldicarb At a time when crop protection choices are dwindling, growers have options in 2019. AgLogic™ aldicarb has made a rather remarkable comeback to the marketplace. Originally marketed under the brand name Temik, aldicarb was mostly unavailable to growers for several years until 2016.

“That works very well to knock down nematode populations - immediately and over time. You have to consider more than just one season.”

EARLY SEASON VIGOR

we haven’t seen the level of problems we were starting to see with thrips, aphids and spider mites.”

THRIPS, APHIDS & MITES

After emergence, seedlings are generally attacked by a plethora of early season insects beginning with “I told growers after we lost Temik that thrips. we would probably start seeing pest problems occur that we hadn’t seen for “The plant has a stronger root system in the first place,” Royal says. “Then it years,” says Jack Royal, crop consultant in Leary, GA. “Sure enough, jumps out of the ground. Additionally, it started happening. Everybody got so AgLogic aldicarb provides protection against our most devastating early used to aldicarb, they didn’t realize how much protection they were getting season foliar pests. from the product.”

“Since we started using aldicarb again, Early season vigor, grow-off and pest protection provide a foundation for healthy plant development, higher yield and premium quality.

More than 45 years of university trials have consistently shown that cotton treated with aldicarb emerges as a stronger, more vigorous seedling.

“Over the years you didn’t even have to know which row was treated or untreated in field trials,” Royal says.

“Most of the time it was just obvious.”

Content sponsored by

AgLogic Chemical Company THE ROOT FACTOR

Nematode protection is one of the critical cornerstones of pest management, according to Royal. “Our rotations often include cotton, peanuts and corn. Different species of nematodes affect different crops.

“Aldicarb is not registered on corn, but you can make a significant difference in nematode pressure over multiple rotations and years because you can use aldicarb on both cotton and peanuts, even though not corn.”

AgLogic vs. SEED TREATMENTS During the absence of aldicarb, some growers turned to seed treatments to fill the void. “At first, it was an acceptable alternative,” Royal says.

“However, after a few years, the seed treatments began to lose effectiveness. Then, we had to start using over-the-top clean-up sprays for secondary pests.”

LESS HERBICIDE INJURY “In fields where growers needed to use herbicides prior to planting, we started seeing more herbicide injury during the absence of aldicarb,” Royal says.

“We’re not seeing that now. The plant is simply stronger coming out of the ground with aldicarb under it.”

www.aglogicchemical.com

Specialists Speaking Tips To Establish A Good, Healthy Stand CALIFORNIA Bob Hutmacher The good news of more rain and snow and an improved water supply situation has been a highlight of the year so far. However, rainy weather patterns that were holding through most of March had many wondering if we were going to get some decent cotton planting conditions this spring. It finally looks like the rain and snow have started to shift, so drying out, warming up and planting can happen.

The scenario that includes delays in getting some fields planted and chances for a few more rainstorms has a potential down side. It could set us up for worse-than-normal pest pressure during squaring and early bloom. We will have to see how May and June shape up.

Green, weedy roadsides and plants that can potentially host lygus will likely persist well into May and even beyond in range and open land. Be vigilant in looking for early problems with lygus populations and resulting square losses this year.

If you want to set early fruit successfully and strive for high yields, monitor plants early (about the seventh to eighth leaf) to assess whether growth is progressing. Also evaluate the presence of beneficial insect populations and developing pest pressure, particularly early lygus populations. A wide range of crops neighbor your cotton fields, including safflower, vegetables, and continued tree and vine plantings that often include weedy middles. There also are more roadside and field edge weeds due to late rains.

Consequently, there are many possible situations that could significantly affect the number of beneficials and pests as well as the timing related to when they show up in your cotton fields. Twice or at least once-a-week field evaluations starting at or before very early squaring can help give advance notice of developing problems warranting your attention.

If mid-April weather warms up considerably, both cotton and weeds will start to grow rapidly. This is because soil surface layers will start out with a higher water content to get plants up and growing. In this type of year in certain rotations, glyphosate-only weed control approaches may be hard pressed to stay ahead of some weed species.

Consider timely mechanical cultivation and additional chemical controls for problem fields. rbhutmacher@ucdavis.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton Fusarium wilt in cotton is caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV). Many different races of FOV can occur across our cotton producing regions of the United States, including Arizona. Cotton infection by the more common FOV race 1 is dependent on a simultaneous infection of root-knot nematode. However, a more recently discovered race of FOV in California and West Texas/eastern New Mexico (FOV4) does not require the presence of RKN for infection.

The disease can be introduced into a field through infected plant debris, water and soil. In some instances, it may be seed borne. Continuous production of susceptible cotton cultivars allows the buildup of inoculum in the soil, eventually leading to populations that can completely decimate a cotton crop. Disease severity depends on the amount of FOV in the soil and the susceptibility of the cotton variety.

14

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

From former University of Arizona pathologist Mary Olsen, we have the following description of symptomology. “Symptomology of infection is manifested in seedlings at the one- to two-leaf stage as wilt and/or defoliation and collapse. Severely affected plants will die.

Symptoms are similar to those of other seedling diseases that occur in Arizona, and their cause should be determined in the laboratory. In plants with four to 10 nodes, symptoms may include pale yellow to tan patches on the lower leaves. When the root and lower stem are cut diagonally along portions of the root and lower stem, dark brown discoloration is observed in the vascular tissue.

“Plants may be partially or totally defoliated. Recovery depends on susceptibility of variety and the amount of the fungus in the soil. At this stage of growth, cotton in Arizona usually has no other disease problems except root-knot nematode, so new symptoms are especially worrisome. Disease may appear in small areas that will not be observed later in the season as infected plants recover (although usually stunted) and unaffected plants fill in the gaps.”

If you encounter symptomatic plants, contact your local county Extension office to determine the appropriate course of action for sampling and laboratory analysis. Extensive surveys across the Arizona cotton regions have been conducted over the past three years with no documented cases of FOV4. We definitely want to remain FOV4 free by being vigilant and responsive to any suspect conditions. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan The Lower Rio Grande Valley is expected to have about 175,000 cotton acres in 2019 with the last of the planting wrapping up. Some much-needed rain in the region has removed the LRGV from the drought monitor, and fleahoppers are beginning to appear in some areas.

The Coastal Bend will be nearly finished by midApril, with some replanting required in fields planted just prior to the March 30 cold weather. The Upper Gulf Coast planting was just getting started in early April, which is slightly behind due to wet conditions. Growers in the Blacklands will be one to two weeks behind normal in getting planted due to cold weather and poor seedbed conditions. But planting should be at full speed by mid-April.

Overall, we are expecting an acreage increase of both XtendFlex and Enlist varieties across Texas as the Flex varieties are phased out.

With these technologies, optimizing plant stands is more important than ever. The diversity of soils, tillage types and planters makes it difficult to make any specific recommendations on the best planting method, which varies by individual operation and field.

However, we do know seed size has decreased dramatically over the past decades. This has several implications for stand establishment. In the past, seed was less expensive and seed size was larger.

We had the flexibility to err on the side of planting deeper in search of soil moisture because of the high seeding rate and vigorous seeds that could push through.

To optimize our seed today, depth and other planter settings should be adjusted for each variety, seed lot and field conditions. When small-seeded varieties are planted more than 1 inch deep, the likelihood of the seedlings emerging drops. But the seedling also is using additional energy from the seed that could be directed toward root and shoot growth. gdmorgan@tamu.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking TEXAS Murilo Maeda

OKLAHOMA Seth Byrd

Hopefully, by the time this issue of Cotton Farming reaches you, everything is looking good for planting. I know many in the Texas High Plains are itching to get out there since temperatures have started to warm up a bit. By now, you should have made the decision of what to plant based on previous experiences, RACE trial results, yield potential, fiber quality, disease tolerance and traits needed.

When to plant becomes an important decision that will affect the rest of the season. There is a lot of good information out there to help us, but we often get into a “hurry-up” mode when planting season comes around. While speed is necessary to cover all those acres in a timely fashion, good seed-to-soil contact cannot be overstated.

We do not always check the planter and its settings unless something is broken. But making sure opening discs are in good shape, pressing wheels are properly adjusted, and the planter is doing a good job closing the seed trench can go a long way in establishing a good, uniform stand. Also check to see if the bushings on the row units are in good shape, and do not have excessive play in them, especially for those planting circle rows around center pivots.

Check planter settings and planting depth as you move from one field to the other and adjust as needed. A cotton seed is fairly insensitive to cold temperatures when dry but becomes very sensitive to chilling injury at soil temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit once it absorbs water. This can lead to delayed germination, weak plants (more susceptible to early stage disease and insect pressure), as well as some plant death.

Under less-than-favorable conditions, deciding when to plant based on seed vigor index (warm and cool germination test values) and adjusting seeding rates based on current field and weather conditions can help achieve acceptable stands. Always remember at the end of the day, uniformity improves input-use efficiency, optimizes productions costs, and improves yield and quality potential. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

Planting season in several parts of Oklahoma will be underway by the time this issue of Cotton Farming reaches you. For other areas, it will likely begin before the month is over. While much of our early season success is governed by factors such as heat, moisture and avoiding extreme weather, there are some things we can control to benefit cotton and help it get off to a good start. And these are mainly minimizing the effect of early season pests.

Hopefully, you have already used some sort of residual herbicide in your weed control program — a yellow earlier in the spring or a white or other residual product just prior to or at planting. Continuing to apply residuals will help keep weed pressure down while the proper selection of products with post-emergence activity targeting the weed species that are present will help eliminate competition for young cotton plants. The cotyledon — two-leaf stage — is a good scouting window for weeds and making an early post application.

Early season insect pests can severely damage cotton and lead to delayed maturity if not controlled in a timely manner. Scouting for and controlling thrips is particularly important for cotton, and more so as we move north in Oklahoma where we encounter more host crops and shorter production environments.

Scouting for thrips and targeting an overspray window around the first true leaf stage will bridge the gap after seed treatments have worn off to typically provide thrips control until the plants reach the four- to five-leaf stage. At this point, the plants are typically big enough and are producing new leaves at a quick enough rate to be out of the susceptibility window for thrips.

We hope the weather is favorable and pest pressure is minimal, and good luck in 2019! seth.byrd@okstate.edu

After you have determined what to plant, then when to plant becomes an important decision that will affect the rest of the season, says Texas cotton specialist Murilo Maeda.

Twitter: @CottonFarming

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson The Prospective Plantings report released in March by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated cotton plantings in Arkansas at 580,000 acres, up 20 percent from the 485,000 acres planted last year. Many believe this number could grow with favorable planting conditions in southwest Arkansas.

Oftentimes, we feel the need to plant as early as possible. Our data show we can still optimize yields with planting delays. The optimum planting window in southeast Arkansas historically is April 20-30. Locations at and north of Interstate 40 see their optimum window shifting to as late as May 9. Weather varies from year to year. However, the most important thing is to do it right the first time.

When pushing the limit on earlier-than-advised planting, replanting is sometimes necessary. 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.

When determining if replanting is necessary, many factors should be considered. First, evaluate the current stand of plants that will survive. Establishing the occurrence of skips greater than 3 feet in length, especially when this occurs simultaneously in adjacent rows, is critical. Cotton’s ability to adapt and maintain yield potential at lower plant populations is often underestimated. If the replant decision is difficult, it is usually best to keep what you have.

The period from planting to first square is a critical time for the cotton plant. While water and nutritional requirements for the plant are low, cotton is not a good competitor. Allowing weeds or other pests to overcome pre-squaring cotton will affect yield potential.

MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

15

Specialists Speaking Sometimes it is easy to overlook the importance of early season weed control when we have the tools to clean up a weedy mess down the road. It is important to place a high priority on early season weed management to avoid losing yield potential early in the season that is difficult to regain and can be very costly. brobertson@uaex.edu

MISSOURI Calvin Meeks I hope by the time this issue of Cotton Farming reaches you, field conditions have improved and planting is in full swing. Only 2.1 days were suitable for fieldwork as measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in March. I expect this will be an extremely busy planting season as the Missouri acreage prediction is 380,000 acres for 2019, an increase of 17 percent over last year.

This acreage increase makes it difficult to stay timely with early season management due to the additional area to be covered in a short time period. Due to cotton’s slow growth early in the season, I encourage you to consider applying an in-furrow material to help control thrips and reduce the threat of cutworms. This is especially critical if you burn down at planting instead of three to four weeks before. Thrips have demonstrated some resistance to imidacloprid so keep a close eye on cotton at the first true leaf stage to determine if a post application will be needed to control this pest.

Regardless of when burndown is done, apply residual herbicides to prevent early season weed pressure and don’t rely purely on the auxin technologies. It is also critical to determine if a replant is needed in this time frame. Skips less than 3 feet that aren’t excessive should not be yield limiting, and keeping the earlier planted stand would be preferable to a replant at the end of May. Also, new rules are in place for dicamba in Missouri this year. No applications are allowed more than 60 days after the cotton is planted with a maximum of two applications. meeksc@missouri.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme As we proceed into planting, cotton growers have experienced abundant rainfall and wet soil conditions during the first part of April. Once planting is completed during the month of May and cotton seedlings have emerged from the ground, producers will want to concentrate on early season thrips control.

Yields can be reduced by 200 to 300 pounds of lint per acre from severe thrips damage.

In Louisiana, thrips species are usually a mixture of tobacco and western flower thrips. Tobacco thrips adults are black while western adults are amber to yellow in color. Immature thrips are small versions of adults that lack wings. Immature thrips from both species appear yellow to orange. Thrips species can dictate how well an insecticide seed treatment holds up. Westerns are still susceptible to Cruiser (thiamethoxam) while tobacco are resistant. Both species are susceptible to imidacloprid.

Depending on the species present and environmental conditions, seed treatments may not last long enough to protect the plants until they are safe from thrips damage. Under these conditions, foliar sprays are needed even though a seed treatment was used at planting.

Thrips are an economic pest in cotton from the one- to four-true-leaf stage. In years when cotton plants are growing slowly due to cool temperatures and thrips pressure is heavy, foliar sprays may have to be applied at the five-true-leaf stage.

Once the plants are past being susceptible to thrips damage, they become an important natural control agent that will help keep mite

16

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

populations in check. Therefore, avoid automatic or convenience applications if economic thresholds have not been reached. Such practices can create pest problems, particularly from spider mites. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds The weather cooperated enough in late March and early April to plant a portion of our corn crop and get some spring tillage operations performed. However, for those along the river, excessive water has created persistent issues. If the weather decides to cooperate, cotton planters will be rolling in Mississippi as you read this issue of Cotton Farming.

As with every year, we will race to get as many acres planted as quickly as possible. While the logic of this makes perfect sense, do not forget about lessons learned in the past. On numerous occasions we have worked hard to get seed in the ground but run out of time and/or labor and not always gotten herbicides applied behind the planter in a timely manner. The end result has been a simultaneously emerging pigweed and cotton crop.

While we have options for postemergence pigweed control, the importance of including multiple herbicide modes of action, including residual herbicides behind the planter, cannot be overstated as part of a resistance management plan. Our past missteps should guide our future leaps in managing herbicide resistance and everything it entails. dmd76@pss.msstate.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper Over the past several years, visual injury in XtendFlex (XF) cotton to foliar applications of glufosinate has been reported. While many in Tennessee are comfortable applying glufosinate to WideStrike RoundupReady Flex (WRF) (I’m talking about the old WRF technology, not the new Enlist technology) cotton and expect injury in those varieties, most are also used to noting little to no visual injury in LibertyLink (LL) varieties.

From 2015 to 2017, we applied sequential applications of glufosinate to XF, WRF and LL varieties in what has been nicknamed “the glufosinate torcher-test.” There are several interesting components of this data, but two will be of interest to those growing XF, WRF or LL cotton during 2019.

First, visual injury was greatest in WRF (10 to18 percent), substantially less in XF (4 to 8 percent) and even lower in LL (2 to 5 percent).

Second, up to three sequential applications of glufosinate at 29 ounces per acre applied prior to first bloom did not significantly reduce yields in any tested variety. Take home? Glufosinate, applied at labeled rates and timings to glufosinate-tolerant varieties, isn’t hurting our yields. traper@utk.edu

FLORIDA David Wright It is hard to believe it is planting time again. The hurricane activity extended harvest into late fall and winter of 2018, and the cleanup is still going on in many areas to be able to plant this year. Florida planted about 117,000 acres in 2018, and the acreage will be similar for 2019.

Key considerations for this year have not changed.

Crops respond to rotation, and our studies indicate yields are often increased by at least 100 pounds per acre of lint for each year out of cotton. Two years out often results in 200 pounds per acre or more COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking lint than non-rotated cotton. This may be due to nematodes and diseases that can affect cotton yields.

Fields with high nematode numbers will often respond with yield increases of 200 to 300 pounds per acre lint increase from Velum Total, Telone or AgLogic use over untreated cotton. These yield increases make it profitable to use nematicides.

The key to a good crop is to have a management plan for fertility and weeds, insects and nematodes. wright@ufl.edu

GEORGIA Mark Freeman Good early season weed and insect control is the foundation for a successful crop as poor decisions in the beginning can have a big effect on yields. With 85 percent or more of Georgia’s cotton acres planted to dicamba-tolerant varieties, some growers have opted to not include a pre to try and skimp on costs. This is NOT a recommended practice and can have a drastic impact on the sustainability of our programs. Currently, there are five potential pre herbicide tankmix options, each of which include two of the available pre herbidices: Brake, Warrant, Reflex and Diuron.

Thrips are the most common early season insect pest. Due to their predictability, thrips are the only insect in which a preventative insecticidal treatment is recommended on Georgia cotton. The factors that affect this predictability and risk include planting date, tillage practices and environmental conditions.

Thrips populations and potential impact to seedlings tend to be higher early in the planting season. However, this is not always the case. Growers are encouraged to both scout and use the Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton model. Conventional tillage also increases the risk and severity of thrips infestations compared to reduced tillage. A rapidly growing seedling is better able to withstand thrips feeding compared to a slower growing stressed seedling.

With risk factors in mind, develop a control plan that best fits your needs. If risk is low, a commercial seed treatment may be all that is required. But if risk is higher, an in-furrow application of aldicarb, imidacloprid or acephate may be more beneficial. Another option is combining a seed treatment or in-furrow application with a foliar application of acephate at the one-leaf stage. Cotton is generally “safe” from thrips once it reaches the four-leaf stage and is rapidly growing. For more detailed information, refer to the Georgia Cotton Production Guide or contact your local University of Georgia Extension agent. markfree@uga.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins If the weather is suitable, planting will likely be in full swing during the first week of May. The last several years have brought significant challenges at some point during the planting season, and we’ve learned a lot in terms of planting management through challenging weather.

We hope the 2019 planting season will be more favorable. However, we do have a new tool to help guide our planting decisions when determining when to halt or resume planting to avoid poor planting weather. In January, we launched the North Carolina State University Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator. This tool can be found on the NCSU Cotton Portal website (https://cotton.ces.ncsu. edu/) or accessed directly at http://climate.ncsu.edu/cotton_planting.

This new online tool is a real-time calculator that uses National Weather Service forecasts to calculate a five-day DD-60 predicted forecast for the current day and the next two days. Each of those predictions will be color-coded to a rating chart with our recommenTwitter: @CottonFarming

Thrips damage seedling cotton, which can potentially lead to yield loss at the end of the season. Using the NCSU Thrips Predictor can help determine risks for thrips pressure during planting season, allowing growers to make decisions regarding planting, control strategies and product selection. dations for cotton planting, along with several warnings that may appear depending on planting conditions.

We all know how fickle the weather can be during the spring, and forecasts can and do drastically change within a short time frame.

Growers should check this calculator every morning and evening during the planting season to make the best decisions possible.

Additionally, growers should also use the Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton, which is another tool developed by NCSU entomologists and launched last year. The Thrips Predictor can also be found on the NCSU Cotton Portal or accessed directly at https://climate. ncsu.edu/cottonTIP. This tool will inform users on their risks for thrips pressure during the planting season, allowing growers to make decisions regarding planting, control strategies and product selection. guy_collins@ncsu.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame Planting intentions for Virginia cotton are expected to be more than 100,000 acres for the first time since 2010. With this acreage, Virginia producers will need weather conditions that are optimum for cotton emergence and early season growth. This means warm soil temperatures (65 degrees Fahrenheit or greater), adequate moisture and nighttime air temperature to remain above 55 F to avoid replant situations.

Currently, preplant and at-planting soil fertility recommendations are 25 to 30 percent of total applied nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applied at soil test recommendations, and 5 to 10 pounds of sulfur in preplant and starter blend with nitrogen. Data collected from multiple soil potassium research trials indicate that though soil test calibrations are dated, the recommended potassium application rates are adequate for high-yielding contemporary cotton varieties.

Another early season management factor for Virginia growers is thrips control. I encourage our producers to contact Dr. Sally Taylor (field crops entomologist) with up-to-date recommendations for early season thrips management. I am looking forward to increased cotton acreage and hoping that Mother Nature provides environmental conditions favorable for high yields.

Also, the annual Virginia cotton field day will be held Aug. 16, so go ahead and put it on your calendars! whframe@vt.edu MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

17

COTTON

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

Review Your Air Permit To Prepare For Plant Expansion The season that never seemed to end has finally ended, and many folks in the South and Southeast can put the 2018 crop behind them. Gins are just beginning to plan expansions and changes for the 2019 crop year and beyond. Don’t forget that these changes may affect your air quality permit.

Most gins in the United States have some type of regulation that involves an air permit. Those permits range from a full-blown air quality permit to a registration with the state and everything in between. All of these permitting or regulatory positions have underlying rules and conditions that dictate what is permissible. For example, if you swap a dual or tandem cyclone for a single larger one, it requires a permit in some states.

Changes may require a letter to the state air pollution regulatory agency, and in some cases no notice is needed.

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

Solicit Advice From Gin Associations Navigating these rules and conditions on your permit is not always easy, especially if you haven’t looked at them in a while.

This planning phase, when repairs and changes are just getting talked about, is a good time to put hands on your air permit and re-read the conditions and rules it contains. Most of the time, your gin associations are there to help you understand what the conditions mean as well.

In nearly all cases, an expansion or increase in annual or hourly capacity of a gin beyond what is listed in the permit will involve a conversation with the air quality regulator. We recommend you discuss these changes with your gin association staff first. States are struggling for funds. This means many are adding to the permitting fees or, even in some cases, no-permit-required letters. Why is this significant? Because as you make your query about changes you may be planning, getting input from your gin association could make a difference in how much or even if you get a fee for making changes to your permit.

Take some time today to pull out your air permit and review its conditions and rules even if you aren’t planning on an expansion this year. You will learn what is needed to make changes in the future and take that into account when your next expansion comes along.

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

* * * * *

CCGGA Provides Sneak Peek Of Annual Meeting Activities The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association will host this year’s meeting, May 15, 17, at The Cliffs Hotel and

18

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

Introducing the

“BALE SAVER”

*

by

INDECO PRODUCTS INC. Why use this

When you can use the

“BALE SAVER”

*

R Waterproof R Reusable R Eco-friendly *

Patent Pending

Indeco Products, Inc. PO Box 865 140 Ridge Drive San Marcos, TX 78667 512-396-5814 COTTONFARMING.COM

E L E VAT E D S E E D H O U S E

“We really like the safety and the speed of this seed house.”

BILLY SICKLER Associated Growers Co-op, Inc., Athens, AL

Steeper Hoppers with 10-Gauge Steel 50% Larger Square Hydraulic Doors Conversion Kits for Most Seed Houses MINIMIZE SEED BRIDGING • SAFER • FASTER • STRONGER

Do you want a Heater that lights in 2 seconds...every time?

You want a new Cobalt Heater!

samjackson.com

Lubbock: 806-795-5218 Mid-South: 662-809-9730 Southeast: 425-244-0285 Advertise in Cotton Ginner’s Marketplace

Contact Sales Manager Scott Emerson 386-462-1532 • semerson@onegrower.com

NORTHERN / LUCUS MACHINE, INC 1116 E SLATON HWY LUBBOCK, TX 79404

FOR SALE: 1 – 158 GIN STAND W/ CONTROLS & 700 FEEDER MANUFACTURER OF HI- CAPACITY LINT CLEANING SYSTEMS IN 86” TO 110” WIDTHS NEW 60”, 72”, & 80” OVERSHOT BATTERY CONDENSERS

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

• Place classified ads for equipment, sales and help wanted • Generate leads, drive sales and INCREASE PROFITS

Call Jim - (972) 381-8899 / cliffgranberrycorp.com

96” TO 144” INCLINE CLEANERS, STICK MACHINES, & AIR LINE SEPARATORS HIGH CAPACITY VACUUMS USED & FACTORY REBUILT GIN MACHINERY PLASTIC BALING PRESSES COMPLETE LINE OF REPAIR PARTS FOR MURRAY, MITCHELL, H.E., CONSOLIDATED, CONTINENTAL, MOSS, LUMMUS, HORN, & CMI

806-745-8156 1-800-776-8182 FAX: 806-745-0564 NORTHERNLUCUS@YAHOO.COM WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

19

Spa in Pismo, California. According to the association’s monthly newsletter, the meeting features an informationpacked agenda, an annual golf tournament as well as comedic entertainment. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on tap for the annual event: Attendees can look forward to beautiful ocean views as the meeting kicks off Wednesday evening with a welcome reception. Golf tournament attendees will be heading to Avila Beach and Golf resort Thursday morning, returning just in time for the CCGGA Annual Meeting Reception and Dinner.

Comedic Entertainment And Industry Updates This year, guests will be enjoying the entertainment from comedian Greg Warren. Warren has been most recently seen on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,� “The Late Late Show on CBS� and “Last Comic Standing.� Warren is a favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom radio show and has toured theaters across the country with The Bob & Tom All Stars Comedy Tour.

To conclude the meeting, CCGGA will present critical updates from industry associations and updates on issues affecting the California cotton industry.

Throughout Friday’s agenda, the group will receive reports from USDA on the cotton ginning research labs, a water update, pressures on crop protection tools, reports on variety trials and a Sacramento update. Additionally, National Cotton Ginners Association, National Cotton Council, Supima, Cotton Incorporated and USDA AMS will provide the latest from their respective groups.

For more information, contact the CCGGA ofďŹ ces at 559-252-0684.

MODULE FEEDERS

CHANNEL SAWS

COTTON GIN BRUSHES

BATS & BRUSHES

VERTICAL COMBO DRYER

ROUND MODULE MACHINERY

RAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY 1333 E. 44th. ST. Lubbock, TX 79404 806-745-5552 Fax: 806-745-5582 rammfgco@rammfg.net www.rammfg.net

Lummus Corporation wants to express its appreciation to ourr many loyal customers forr their continued support and business. We have experienced unprecedented growthh and expansion unlike anything seen in recent times. Thanks for allowing us to partner with you " !

With that in mind, it$ never too

$

Regardless of the project scope, now is the time to contact Lummuss to discuss yourr goals and needs to ensure your success.

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

Just a short list of items we offer: All-new complete Gin Plants Ginning Machinery (individual machines, stand-alone systems, presses, etc.)

Press Consoles and Main Control Consoles Burner and Moisture Unit Gas Train/Contrrols upgrades Air Monitoring and Fire Detection Kits Gin and Feeder Controls

Gin Dor-Les e ÂŽ and E.E. Dor-LesÂŽ Press upgrades #

Hydraaulic Tramper/Pusher Conversion

Presss Rebuilds (strain rods, boxxes, es, sills, etc.)

Quality OEM E Repair Parts Unmatcheed Technical Service

The horizon is limitless. And 2019 holdss many new offerings from Luummus that no one saw coming.

Exciting times lie ahead " join us as we mov m e forrwar ward!

ÂŽ

20

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

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

Š 2018 Lummus Corporation

COTTONFARMING.COM

Remembering Hartford Smith Hartford Smith passed away March 27 in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 94.

He was the manager of McFarland Cooperative Gin and Central Valley Almond Association in McFarland, California, from 1973 through 1988. Prior to his position in McFarland, he was the gin manager at Dos Palos Cooperative Gin. Hartford had been married to his wife, Nadine, for 73 years.

He will lie at rest in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has chosen Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, 3160 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 120, San Ramon, CA 94583-1338 or the charity of your choice.

Order Gin Parts Online! https://shop.lubbockelectric.com

Cotton’s Calendar ¢ May 15: Plains Cotton Cooperative Association Board of

Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ¢ May 16: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix,

Arizona ¢ June 11-13: Cotton Incorporated Board Meeting, Omni

Mandalay Bay, Dallas, Texas ¢ June 19: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas ¢ June 19: Staplcotn and Stapldiscount Board Meeting,

Greenwood, Mississippi ¢ June 20: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix,

Arizona ¢ June 20-21: Arizona Cotton Ginners and Growers Annual

Meeting, Little America Hotel, Flagstaff, Arizona ¢ June 27: Field Day Expo, LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research

and Extension Center, Alexandria, Louisiana

Save on your gin repairs this year.

Get 10% Off Your First Order!

Coupon Code: GinRepairs2019 One coupon per order. Expires 8/31/2019

¢ July 10: Plains Cotton Growers Quarterly Board Meeting,

Bayer Museum of Agriculture, Lubbock, Texas ¢ July 14-18: Southern Southeastern Mid-Year Board Meeting,

Sheraton Bay Point, Panama City Beach, Florida ¢ July 18: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix,

Arizona ¢ Aug. 1-5: America’s Cotton Marketing Cooperatives AMCOT

Conference 2019, Monterey Plaza Hotel, Monterey, California ¢ Aug. 5-8: Cotton Board & Cotton Incorporated Joint Board

Meeting, Washington Duke Inn, Durham, North Carolina ¢ Aug. 12-14: 2019 American Cotton Producers/Cotton

Foundation Joint Summer Meeting, Omni Austin Hotel, Austin, Texas ¢ Aug. 21: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas ¢ Aug. 21-23: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Peabody Hotel,

Memphis, Tennessee ¢ Sept. 17-18: Staplcotn and Stapldiscount Annual Meeting,

Greenwood, Mississippi ¢ Sept. 17: PCCA Annual Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting,

Lubbock, Texas ¢ Sept. 23: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors/Auditors’ Meeting,

Phoenix, Arizona ¢ Sept. 24: Calcot Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting/92nd Annual

Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona ¢ Oct. 9: Plains Cotton Growers Quarterly Board Meeting, Bayer

Museum of Agriculture, Lubbock, Texas ¢ Oct. 16: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas ¢ Nov. 20: PCCA Board of Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Already ordered repair parts?

Compare your invoices and

estimates with our prices.

Tell us what you find at websales@lubbockelectric.com MAY 2019 | COTTON FARMING

21

My Turn More From An Industry Icon

A

fter many years of issues resolved. I look at Chip as the example of the Cotton Farming someone to mimic to get the lobbying job done. I often magazine staff ask- referred to him as someone harder to contact than the ing me to write a U.S. President unless he wanted to get in touch with “My Turn” article, I did so in you to get a job done. He would not let go of an issue May 2017. I received so many important to the Council’s membership. Chip trained positive reactions from the under the legend B.F. Smith, who was instrumental readers I thought I would try in establishing the Delta Council. Frank Howell (The again. This time I want to Most Important Man in the Delta) has done the same focus on using lobbying in the with Chip, so the Council should be in good hands for USA to push agriculture for- the future.

Dr. Ed My claim to fame with the Delta Council is the ward in a positive direction. cypress tree and plaque in my name situated by the As I look back on my career, Cherry I have been blessed to work Council headquarters building. When announced, in the agricultural business. my wife said that was the only time she ever saw me There is no other profession where you, as the pro- speechless. My former mentor, Jim Burridge, said ducer, are in charge of your vocation. However, you “Eddie Boy, when you quit giving the Council money, have to be aware of the many obstacles you face each they will cut that son-of-a-bitch down.” So far, still growing season. I have to say I have never met a standing.

I observe many more young producers and company “happy” grower. He or she could have come off the reps each year. Hopefully, most abundant yields, but they are taking time to the price wasn’t right, the “Consider filling a lobbying learn from their elders equipment needs upgradposition locally or nationally.” about how to keep the agriing, etc. cultural business strong.

Let’s examine what producers face each season as they plan to continue Most American citizens don’t realize how few people farming. Capital outlay is invested up front to prepare are responsible for their food and fiber. Some think if land, plant the crop, control water, fertilize and use we use the land differently, we can reduce pollution pesticides as needed. Then farmers hope weather and get our food and fiber from other countries. They accommodates harvest and markets exist to take the need to pay more attention to the daily news harping crop. If that’s not frustrating enough, there are var- on tariffs, wars, etc. to see how foolish this is. So those ious governmental agencies putting their stamps on of you reading this, please consider filling a lobbying commodity opportunity in the USA. These constraints position either locally or nationally. Your experience have led to the need for establishing lobbying organi- could be useful for operations or your local area. It doesn’t take much to be a good lobbyist. 1. Know your zations for the producer groups.

After many years of having the opportunity to work subject, 2. Tell the truth, 3. Don’t promise more than across the USA with many farmers and their lobbying you can deliver, 4. Deliver what’s promised on time.

Through the Women for Agriculture in Mississippi, groups, I think the Delta Council in Mississippi offers a good example of how to achieve results. The Council we have just given our third round of scholarrepresents the counties in the Mississippi Delta. All ships in honor of Alma Cherry and Pam Steele for business interests are represented with the goal to women focusing on agriculture at Mississippi State reach the best annual results from state and federal University. Thanks to those of you who contributed. oversight. Their committees hammer out the issues As we continue this effort, if you want to contribeach year to take to either Jackson or Washington, ute, please contact me. Thanks for letting the No. D.C. When a consensus is reached, they approach the 2 America’s guest present some things to dwell on. appropriate group and follow up as necessary until Coming to you from BugDoc Farms in New Tazewell, Tennessee. they succeed.

There has been a recent change in leadership at — Dr. Ed Cherry the Delta Council. Vice President Chip Morgan has bugdoc@sunsetcom.com retired after many years as the go-to-man to get 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.

22

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2019

COTTONFARMING.COM

Cotton Farming One way or another, we’ll deliver profitable production strategies to improve your bottom line.

We’ll keep you informed, wherever you are.

Receive a recap of important stories, calendar of events, YouTube videos, photos and informative updates delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to the monthly E-news.

Subscribe today! Visit www.cottonfarming.com and look for the Cotton Farming E-News sign-up block on the home page.

CottonFarming

@CottonFarming

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC To advertise, contact Sales Manager Scott Emerson · 386-462-1532 · semerson@onegrower.com

“The best thing you can put on a crop is your shadow.”

Your need to be in the field won’t change, and we’re here to make sure you get the most from every minute you’re out there. That’s why we work alongside growers to spur innovation and foster sustainability, so new generations of farming families can continue walking the same turnrows.

CottonBoard.org/ForeverCotton

Paid for by America’s cotton producers and importers.

6332.02_Phase2_Cotton Grower_Full Pg ads.indd 1

4/23/19 11:16 AM