Cotton Farming May 2020

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

®

MAY 2020

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Link Found Between Pigweed, Plant Bugs

Farm Safety Tips Address COVID-19

GINNER OF THE YEAR

Dan Jackson TCGA Honors Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin Manager

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Vol. 64 No. 5

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MAY 2020

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

8 Ginner Of The Year Dan Jackson, Meadow Farmers Co-Op Gin manager in Meadow, Texas, is the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Ginner of the Year. In February 1935, the facility was acknowledged as a cooperative by the state of Texas. The original gin building is gone today, but the new plant is in the same location. Jackson credits his team for providing great customer service and promoting safety at all times.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 11 Industry News

13 Southeast Report 16 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn

ON THE COVER: Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin in Meadow, Texas, has a capacity of 45,000-50,000 bales per year.

Cover photo courtesy of Dan Jackson.

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BOLLWORM CHALLENGES

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PIGWEED AND PLANT BUGS

15

COVID-19 FARM SAFETY

19

GINNING MARKETPLACE

Mississippi State University entomologists expect higher bollworm numbers in the Delta and advise following thresholds when treating.

University of Georgia research conducted in 2017-18 shows Palmer amaranth attracts tarnished plant bugs into cotton fields.

Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist, shares tips to maintain safety on the farm during the COVID-19 outbreak.

the official publication of the ginning industry

The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association scholarship program benefits Texas Tech University students and helps develop future industry leaders.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Chad Brewer, PhytoGen cotton development specialist, Arkansas and Missouri Bootheel, and Arkansas cotton farmer Nathan Reed discuss the new way of doing business during the COVID-19 outbreak. 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 at www.cottonfarming.com. Look for the Cotton Farming E-News sign-up box in the upper right corner of the home page.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cottonfarming Twitter: @CottonFarming.

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.

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MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Editor’s Note

Cotton Farming

Carroll Smith

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

More Than One Way To Skin A Cat

I

’ve always been impressed by farmers’ ability to adapt to the unknown and figure out ways around challenges or unexpected obstacles. When they embark on a new season, farmers can’t sit down and map out exactly how it is going to go. What they do know is that the weather and the markets can be fickle, and forecasts only go so far into the future.

Crop consultants and ag industry folks have to conduct their day to day tasks as well. Building and maintaining a relationship with their clients and customers is an important part of how successful they will be.

And although agriculture can be solitary in nature, some type of interaction with others is still necessary to get the job done.

Today, all around the world, COVID-19 — the great unknown — has turned life upside down for a large portion of the human race. People have had to adjust their lifestyles in ways they never dreamed of — shelter at home, avoid crowds, see churches forced to close, and live a more solitary existence than what they are used to. Those residing in urban areas have had to learn what farmers have known for a while: There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Although the adjustment has not been as profound for those in the agriculture industry who typically operate in a more isolated environment, they’ve had to make some changes as well. In our Web Exclusive article this month, Arkansas cotton farmer and industry leader Nathan Reed shares how he has made adjustments from a farmer’s perspective. Chad Brewer, who is a PhytoGen cotton development specialist in Arkansas and Bootheel Missouri, discusses what he is doing differently to continue working with farmers under the new restrictions.

They have figured out how to “virtually” skin the cat, but both admit missing the personal interaction while riding fields together or eating lunch at the local diner with a group of other farming folks. Yes, life as we know it has changed...at least for now.

One bright spot — for those with adequate broadband access — is that technology has been a tremendous help in keeping us connected in a virtual sense. It’s not what we prefer, but it’s been a good test of our fortitude until the world overcomes this hurdle and things get back to some semblance of normality. Stay safe out there.

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 2020

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 Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 For circulation changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email cottonfarming@omeda.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors.

All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

Copyright 2020 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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Pima Cotton Presents A New Option For Texas

BY DENNIS O’BRIEN

Key Factors To Consider Important questions for Texas producers are how well Pima cotton would perform with the limited water available and under a climate with a shorter growing season. About 40% of the cotton produced in the Texas High Plains is irrigated. That water typically comes from the Ogallala Aquifer, which is not accessible to many growers and is being depleted.

ARS researchers compared key qualities of Pima and Upland cotton produced for two years under four irrigation levels in test plots in Lubbock, Texas. They grew two Pima lines and two Upland varieties at four irrigation levels: full irrigation, at 50% and 25% of that level, and in plots watered only by rainfall. They then evaluated the cotton for its lint quality, yield and other important traits.

The study was led by Travis W. Witt, an ARS agronomist in El Reno, Oklahoma. His colleagues included ARS researchers Mauricio Ulloa and Twitter: @CottonFarming

JOHN P. BROOKS

C

otton growers in Texas face unpredictable rainfall, limited water for irrigation and fluctuating prices for the Upland cotton they produce.

With such problems becoming more pronounced each year, they might want to consider new options such as Pima cotton production, according to scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

Upland cotton is used in a wide variety of products, and growers in the Texas High Plains have been producing it for years because it is well suited to the region’s hot, dry climate.

But there is increasing interest in producing Pima cotton because it is higher quality and fetches prices up to 50% higher. Pima cotton, when irrigated, grows well in El Paso, Texas, and parts of Arizona, California and New Mexico.

As water becomes scarcer, some farmers in the Texas High Plains may consider growing Pima cotton.

Field Study Highlights  Water use was greater in the Upland cultivars but only for one year.  Pima species produced high quality fiber that was less affected by water stress.  Upland species produced greater seed cotton and lint yields at all irrigation levels.  Upland cultivars had a greater yield response to increasing irrigation.  Pima lines produced more mid- and late-season bolls.

Robert C. Schwartz, who are based in Lubbock and Bushland, Texas, respectively; and Glen L. Ritchie, who is with Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Investigation Results The researchers found the Upland cotton produced higher yields, but the Pima cotton produced better fiber quality over both years at all irri-

gation levels. In plots with enough water for irrigation, the Upland cotton was more profitable.

But in plots with reduced irrigation, the quality of the Upland cotton was degraded to a point where it would have to be sold at discounted prices. So in some instances, the Pima cotton was more profitable under reduced irrigation levels.

“The results show that Upland cotton responds to irrigation; if you can irrigate, it is probably the best choice,” Witt says. “But if water is in short supply and you can’t irrigate, Pima might be the best option with adapted varieties for specific regions.

The findings could also apply to areas beyond the Texas High Plains where water is scarce.”

To view the recently published results in “Field Crops Research,” go to https://bit.ly/2xVYTMu. Dennis O’Brien is a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

COVID-19 Crisis Management The National Cotton Council is taking every available opportunity to ensure our members get assistance and resources for help in navigating the COVID-19 negatively altered business landscape.

How has the U.S. cotton industry been affected?

n The April USDA supply/demand estimates indicate world cotton consumption was down 7.6 million bales (-6.4%) from the March report. The report notes that 1) the widespread closure of shopping malls and retail outlets by the world's two largest apparel importers, the United States and European Union, created massive disruption in apparel sales; 2) weak consumer demand likely will persist and negatively affect cotton demand; and 3) retailers are reducing and canceling orders for textiles and apparel worldwide. U.S. textile mills are reporting declines of 90% in orders for the yarn they produce. The short-term impact on cotton demand has been devastating, and it is difficult to predict how quickly it w i ll recover. K ey factors to watch will be the recovery in the overall economy; the extent to which unemployment rates remain at higher levels; and how quickly, a nd w ith how The NCC’s COVID-19 resources page, www. much discretionary cotton.org/issues/members/covid19/index. income, retail shopcfm, is updated frequently. pers return.

At the time this column was submitted in midApril, December 2020 cotton futures were down about 30% from January levels. This season’s cotton acreage, estimated to be down less than 1% in USDA's most recent forecast, is likely to show a larger decline.

What actions have the NCC taken?

n One of the first and most important actions was joining with a coalition of other agriculture and business groups on a letter to President Trump and Congressional leaders. The letter emphasized it was critical that any fiscal and economic response to help businesses survive

the COVID-19 crisis match the scale and intensity of the steps being taken to end the pandemic. We also conveyed to the Administration, Congressional leaders and the nation’s governors that the nation’s farmers needed their full support so U.S. agriculture can maintain a steady supply of food, fiber and fuel. That included urging Senate and House leadership to expand and replenish USDA’s borrowing authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Given the sharp drop in cotton demand and the decline in prices, emergency assistance will be needed across the U.S. cotton industry due to lost revenue and increased costs as supply chains are disrupted. The NCC will continue to monitor the economic damage inflicted on our industry and seek needed relief and assistance from the Administration and Congress. The Phase 3 stimulus package included additional funds to aid U.S. agriculture. Based on statements from the White House and USDA, options to provide additional support for agriculture are under consideration.

The NCC also will continue to convey concerns with several other federal agencies. Among actions thus far: 1) requesting the U.S. Small Business Administration to clarify that agricultural businesses are eligible to participate in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program; 2) seeking prompt action from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to provide hours-of-service relief; and 3) asking Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and National Economic Council Chairman Larry Kudlow to provide relief from unfair shipping charges.

Meanwhile, the NCC’s COVID-19 resources page at www.cotton.org/issues/members/covid19/ index.cfm chronicles NCC’s ongoing efforts to get assistance. That page also contains assistance/relief options/updates being provided by numerous federal agencies as well as updates on USDA’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 and other important legislation.

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

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Timely Sprays Are Key To Bumping Yields Matt Robbins Robbins Crop Consulting Paragould, Arkansas

I grew up in Manila, Arkansas, surrounded by agriculture in the northeast corner of the state. I started scouting for the University of Arkansas Extension Service when I was 16 and worked for them all the way through college. From the very start, cotton caught my attention. In 2019, we started out behind the eight ball because of wet weather but had good heat units in August and September to finish out the crop. We experienced a lot of pressure from tarnished plant bugs and worms walking through the 2-gene Bt varieties that we hadn’t seen in a long time. Aphids were widespread last year, too.

In the Missouri Bootheel, we struggle with plant bugs and spider mites, and worms also are becoming an issue. Where we have nematodes, I typically apply 17 ounces of Vydate® C-LV insecticide/ nematicide at pinhead square. We get two bangs for the buck — help with nematodes and early plant bug control as well as giving a boost to the cotton plants. Up front, we are trying to build beneficial insects and not flare secondary pests. If we start fighting thrips this year, we are going to roll Intrepid Edge® insecticide into the program to help avoid flaring early season spider mites.

Forward-Looking Control Strategies At the peak squaring stage, I try to get Transform® WG insecticide on as many acres as I can to control plant bugs. I start out with 1½ ounces per acre and then come back with another 1½ ounces if we have heavy pressure, especially around corn. Where we don't make the sequential application, we run a Transform tank-mix if plant bugs and aphids are present. This strategy gives us longer residual control for heavy plant bug pressure and any aphids that may be present in the field. If we continue to spray, we constantly rotate effective modes of action to prevent resistance.

After experiencing heavy worm pressure last year, many of my growers are trying some of the new triple-stacked cotton varieties with the goal of protecting yield. I think a lot of the worm pressure is coming from cornfields in close proximity to cotton fields.

To cover large acreages, farmers have to make timely sprays. We use FieldX software, so they can sync their tablets to immediately view our scouting report. As we are walking out of the field, they are coming in to spray. Then the next week, we can see exactly what day they sprayed, which helps us determine if a respray is needed.

Timing is everything. That’s where my farmers are bumping yields.

As we begin the 2020 season, I tell my growers we are here to give 150% to keep them rolling through another successful year.

Stay positive and keep looking forward.

• B.S., animal science, Arkansas State University.

• In 2003, established Robbins Crop Consulting — a full-service business that includes precision soil sampling.

• Consults on cotton, corn, soybeans, peanuts, wheat and milo in Northeast Arkansas and Bootheel Missouri.

• Member of the Arkansas Agricultural Consultants Association.

• Member of Central Baptist Church, Paragould, Arkansas.

• Married to wife, Brandy. Son, Jack, 12.

• Enjoys hunting, rodeoing and spending time with the family.

Recap: Timely Sprays Key To Bumping Yields

t

1. Where we have nematodes, I typically apply 17 ounces of Vydate® C-LV insecticide/nematicide at pinhead square.

2. We get two bangs for the buck — help with nematodes and early plant bug control as well as giving a boost to the cotton plants.

3. If we start fighting thrips this year, we are going to roll Intrepid Edge® insecticide into the program to help avoid flaring early season spider mites.

4. At the peak squaring stage, I start out with 1½ ounces per acre of Transform® WG insecticide to control plant bugs.

We come back with another 1½ ounces if we have heavy pressure, especially around corn.

5. Where we didn't make this sequential application, we run a a Transform tank-mix if plant bugs and aphids are present.

Sponsored by

® Trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. Vydate C-LV is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Isoclast is a registered active ingredient. Intrepid Edge, Transform WG and Vydate are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. © Corteva 2020

TM

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MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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TEXAS COTTON

GINNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Dan Jackson O F

T H E

Y E A R }

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN JACKSON

{ G I N N E R

Dan Jackson has been the gin manager at Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin in Meadow, Texas, for 18 years.

Honored with TCGA award, Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin manager credits his team and family for success 8

COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

BY CARROLL SMITH

I

EDITOR

‘‘

am a second-generation ginner who grew up in a gin office and literally took my first steps there,” says Dan Jackson, manager for Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin in Meadow, Texas. “My dad, Max Jackson, ran a small gin east of Lubbock — McClung Co-op — and my mom, Mary Jane, was the bookkeeper. We eventually moved west of Slaton where I attended public school at Lubbock-Cooper.

“After graduating from Lubbock Christian University, I worked in outside sales at Sam’s for a short time, then joined Consolidated Bearing, a gin supply company, for a little more than a year. This connection led me to Kress, Texas, and Swisher Co-op Gin in 1996. In May 1999, I married my wife, Michele, and moved to Roscoe, Texas, where I managed Roscoe Gin for three years. We relocated to Meadow in 2002, and I have been at Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin for the past 18 years.”

COTTONFARMING.COM

Where It All Began The Meadow facility has a great history. Jackson says the original gin was held by a bank in Dallas when a group of producers got together in 1934 and bought it for $27,000. This included the building and five 80-saw Continental steam-powered gin stands.

Part of the deal was that the bank had to pay all of the back taxes from 1934 and provide $500 for gin repairs. It also had to furnish a carload of coal to run the gin the first year.

In February 1935, the facility was acknowledged as a cooperative in the state of Texas and began operating as Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin. The original gin building is gone today, but the new plant is in the same location.

Improvements Along The Way Meadow Farmers Co-op is a four-stand Lummus gin plant with a Continental 930 press. The gin bought a Kimbell module feeder and built a new module shed out front in 2006. They added a Signode strapper and installed a new console in 2008.

Two years ago, the press pumps were updated to increase efficiency. The condenser was moved up and back, which helps at the press, and a new addition was completed recently to extend one side of the building.

“These improvements allow us to gin cotton in a timely manner and do a good job for the producers to ensure grades and quality are what they need to be,” Jackson says. “I am grateful to our board for being supportive and helping us make the gin better. It’s not a brand new plant, but I think our efficiency speaks for itself.

“In a good year, we have the capacity to gin 40,000-50,000 bales per year. We had a good run in 2010 despite three hailstorms in

The original Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin was a steam-powered plant that had been converted to electricity at the time this photo was taken.

Dan Jackson • Resident of Brownfield, Texas.

• Manager, Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin since 2002. one night. We still ginned 40,000 bales and had a great year.

“But then it didn’t rain for five years. We are not completely out of the drought, so our average production has fallen off considerably. Right now, we are producing between 28,000-30,000 bales per year. But we are optimistic those good years will come back.”

Outstanding Employees Johnny Najera, the gin superintendent, has been at Meadow Farmers Co-op for 40 years.

He grew up on Beasley Ranch and was the foreman there when Alvin King recruited him to come to Meadow in 1980.

“Johnny is the real Ginner of the Year,” Jackson says. “He is a forward-thinker who always embraces the new technology we have added through the years. He does an outstanding job hiring and handling our crew in the fall.

“My ginner is Jaime Sanchez, who has been with us for more than 25 years. He actually operates the plant and is in charge of the console. During the off-season, Jaime and Johnny are tasked with making repairs to get the gin ready to go for next season.”

• Gin capacity: 45,00050,000 bales per year.

• Second-generation ginner.

• B.A. degree, business communications, Lubbock Christian University.

• Texas Cotton Ginners’ Trust vice chairman.

• 2012 TCGA president.

• TCGA board member.

• TCGA Life Member.

• Member of Bid Corp., Brownfield, Texas.

• Meadow Museum board of directors.

• Married to Michele Jackson. Twin daughters: Kylee and Emma.

• Enjoys family activities and being the public address announcer at Meadow High School football games.

Dan Jackson is the public address announcer for the Meadow High School Broncos.

TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Jennifer Perez is the office manager for Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin. She runs the workplace, keeps the books and markets the producers’ cotton.

“I am blessed to work with such talented people in each of these positions,” Jackson says. “We work well together as a team. If I ever have to leave the gin for any reason, I never worry about driving away.

“In fact, our entire gin crew is a pleasure to work with.

Everyone has bought into being efficient, taking care of our customers and working to be the best at what we do.

We treat each farmer’s crop as if it is ours and treat them like we would want to be treated.”

Some members of Jackson’s seasonal crew have been coming back to work at the gin for 15 years.

“They do a phenomenal job,” he says. “It’s difficult to find locals who want to work, so we are thankful to these guys who faithfully return to help us. We like to show them our appreciation. For example, we bring in steaks for everyone if we bust a shift record to let them know their efforts don’t go unnoticed.”

Safety Is Paramount Jackson says Meadow Farmers Co-op Gin is a proud member of Texas Cotton Ginners’ Trust, a company that provides workers’ compensation, safety and claim service.

The Texas gin manager also serves on the company’s board of trustees.

“Safety is paramount at our facility,” he says. “Along with circulating safety information the Trust sends us, we have weekly safety meetings in the fall. We also attend the Ginners School and the safety seminars.

“Our crew has really bought into the safety side of ginning. In fact, Johnny, Jaime and myself are certified safety trainers with TCGT and are very proud of that. Johnny helps conduct our safety meetings in Spanish and makes Spanish presentations at the safety seminars in Lubbock in August and September.”

Jackson says the safety seminars, sponsored by the TCGT and TCGA at different locations throughout the state, are part of an aggressive safety program and have made a big difference in the industry.

“I would put our program up against anybody’s in the insurance business, period,” he says.

Najera has traveled to gins in South Texas during its season to conduct onsite safety training.

“They reciprocate by sending their guys up here when we are ginning to do the same thing,” Jackson says.

Dan Jackson joins office manager Jennifer Perez to go over the day’s upcoming agenda.

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

Dan Jackson (from right), Johnny Najera and Jaime Sanchez take pride in providing great customer service, promoting safety and keeping the gin in excellent condition.

Family Support Appreciated Although the gin hasn’t run a night crew since 2010, most workdays cover at least 12 to 14 hours, followed by employees making repairs to the plant in the evenings.

“I am blessed to have a family who supports me,” Jackson says. “Our crazy schedule in the gin business makes things pretty interesting at times. My wife, Michele, is a certified language therapist. She also is a literacy coach at Region 17 Education Service Center.

“We have 15-year-old twin daughters, Kylee and Emma, who both participate in FFA. Kylee also likes to show stock, and Emma plays basketball and is a competitive cheerleader. They keep us busy.”

Jackson’s father, Max, is 92 and still enjoys participating in the industry.

“I am a TCGA Life Member, and Dad is a Life Member as well,” he says. “We get to sit down together once a year at the TCGA Life Member Luncheon in Lubbock. That is quite a gathering in one room, and we always enjoy it.”

An Unexpected Honor When asked about his reaction to being named the Texas Ginner of the Year, Jackson says he was honored to even be considered for the award.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would get that call from Tony,” he says. “It was totally unexpected, but I am very honored. I grew up with the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association and enjoy being a part of it.

“I am blessed with a great family and great people to work for and go to work with every day. I can never thank the good Lord enough for that.”

Jackson was scheduled to receive the Ginner of the Year award during TCGA’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show.

However, it was canceled because of public gathering restrictions and growing concern about the spread of COVID-19. TCGA hopes to recognize Jackson and other award recipients at its summer membership meeting at the Barton Creek Resort, Austin, June 28-30.

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Industry News Milan No-Till Field Day Goes Virtual For 2020 The first Milan No-Till Field Day was held in 1981 in Milan, Tennessee, when the idea of “parking the plow” was a foreign concept to most of the state’s cotton farmers. For many years, it was an annual event. In the early 2000s, it transitioned to every other year.

The historic staple will experience another first in 2020 as it goes virtual on July 23. All presentations, tours and trade show can be viewed online.

No activities will take place at the AgResearch and Education Center.

Most content will be in video format and will remain accessible after July 23. Pesticide recertification points and certified crop adviser continuing education units will still be available to participants who view the online content.

Check in at https://milan.tennes see.edu/mntfd or follow the Milan No-Till Field Day Facebook page for more updates.

Seventh Annual #RootedInAg Contest Opens Applications are now open online for the Thrive #RootedinAg Contest at www.syngentathrive.com/contest.

Syngenta will award three contest finalists with mini touch-screen tablets.

One grand prizewinner will receive a $500 gift card, plus the opportunity to tell his or her story in Thrive magazine, complete with a professional photo shoot with the winner’s ag mentor. In addition, the company will make a $1,000 donation to the winner’s favorite local charity or civic organization.

“In the ag community we regularly push each other to do a better job of telling ‘our story,’” says Pam Caraway, communications lead at Syngenta. “The #RootedinAg Contest gives people in our industry the opportunity to tell their story — and see it amplified in our communities and across our country.

You have a good story to tell. Share it.”

Interested candidates can visit the contest website and fill out the brief online entry form, which asks them to describe their ag mentor in one of two ways: Write a paragraph or two (about 200 words) and submit a photograph that visually supports their written entry, or create a short video TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

that lasts for 1 to 3 minutes. Simple instructions on how to upload photographs and videos to the website are on the entry form.

The deadline to enter is June 30.

Shortly after this date, a panel of judges will select three finalists.

Syngenta will then post all finalists’ entries on the Thrive website and ask visitors to help choose the grand prizewinner by voting for their favorite. These votes along with the judges’ scores will determine the winner. Online voting ends Sept. 15, with Syngenta announcing the grand prizewinner in October.

To apply, learn more or see previous contest winners, go to www.

SyngentaThrive.com.

SmartIrrigation Cotton App Update Released A new version of the University of Georgia Extension Service’s SmartIrrigation Cotton App is now available.

The app uses weather data to estimate daily crop water use. It maintains a soil water balance by subtracting today’s daily water use from yesterday’s balance and adding any rain or irrigation received over the past 24 hours.

The app pulls weather data from the Georgia Weather Station Network or national gridded data sets.

However, it performs best when rain amounts are updated from a rain gauge installed at or near the field.

The app sends the user notifications when plant available soil water reaches a predetermined threshold.

The new version includes several improvements recommended by users.

For example, the app can now pull rain data from Metos or Trellis automated rain gauges installed in the field. Users can now modify the notification thresholds.

The updated app also allows you to enter the soil water-holding capacity of a field’s soil if that is known, and the new field can now be registered several days after planting. The app will retrieve past weather data, but any irrigation events must still be added manually.

The SmartIrrigation Cotton App can be downloaded at no cost at https://smartirrigationapps.org. To learn more, contact George Vellidis at yiorgos@uga.edu or (229) 402-1278.

CCOY Cotton Consultant of the Year established 1981

Nominations Open For 2020

40 th

CCOY The Cotton Consultant of the Year Award, sponsored by Syngenta and Cotton Farming magazine, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The prestigious award honors a consultant for his or her dedication, innovation and hard work. Their footprints in the field and eyes on the crop help cotton farmers succeed and maintain a healthy bottom line.

Go to cottonfarming.com/ ccoy to access the 2020 nomination form and a list of past recipients. Nominees are voted on by former CCOY winners. The 2020 CCOY will be honored Feb. 26, 2021, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and featured in a four-page salute in the February 2021 issue of Cotton Farming.

Nominate a consultant today who has enriched your cotton farming operation!

Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by

Cotton Farming MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

11

Challenging Bollworm Year Expected In The Delta

BY JEFF GORE, ANUGUS CATCHOT, DON COOK AND WHITNEY CROW

2019 Sprays Delayed In a more typical year, growers can make a spray when the egg numbers increase and peak, which usually occurs about the middle of July.

The egg lay drops to almost zero for a period of time and then peaks again in about a month, triggering a second spray.

In 2019, we never really saw the first peak in eggs that makes the decision to spray easy. In cotton, we typically got reports of low egg levels that ended up turning into low levels of larvae and damage that got worse over time, especially north of Highway 82.

As a result, we had a lot of sprays go out a little later than optimum in two-gene cotton varieties. In most cases, even if the sprays went out late, the survival and damage levels we saw were mostly not economical.

In other words, the sprays worked, just not as good as they could have or as good as we would have liked.

Extended Corn Planting Hurt The population dynamics of bollworms in cotton and soybeans are mostly influenced by corn. We believe the extended planting window and

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

Follow thresholds when treating for bollworms.

COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

T

he 2019 season was one of the most challenging years we have had from a bollworm standpoint in both cotton and soybeans. The issue was not from a numbers position where they overwhelmed the traits and foliar insecticides. It was more an issue of population dynamics and how the egg lays occurred.

Rather than a normal population growth curve where the number of eggs starts off low and increases over a seven-day period ending with a heavy egg lay, we had a low trickling of eggs that persisted over several weeks. This made decisions to spray very difficult.

later planting dates for corn were a primary cause for what we experienced in 2019.

Trying to predict what insect populations will be like during July and August is almost impossible in April.

And this year is setting up a lot like last year from a bollworm standpoint.

Getting corn planted in a timely manner has been difficult with the rains this spring and will likely influence bollworms in cotton and soybeans.

As of the third week in April, we expect another challenging year from a bollworm perspective. We will collect bollworms from crimson clover in a couple weeks, but that will not tell us a lot about the upcoming crop season. Because corn is such a good host during June, even low populations during the spring can turn into big populations during July.

Similarly, big populations in clover don’t really matter if green corn silks

are not available when bollworms that developed on clover emerge as adults.

The point is that corn is the key.

Follow Thresholds For 2020, the best advice we can give is be prepared for anything and follow our thresholds. In twogene cotton (Bollgard II, TwinLink, WideStrike), we are still suggesting an egg threshold of 20% of plants with at least one egg. In three-gene cotton (Bollgard 3, WideStrike 3 and TwinLink Plus), we are sticking with a damage threshold.

We will monitor what is happening in corn and at more southern locations to give updates throughout the summer.

Drs. Gore, Catchot, Cook and Crow all work at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville.

COTTONFARMING.COM

SOUTHEAST REPORT

Localized Research Keeps Cotton In Context

A

ll U.S. Upland cotton producers pay an assessment to The Cotton Board. In turn, it contracts with Cotton Incorporated to conduct research and promotion to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton.

Many cotton producers are aware of the national and regional research projects conducted by Cotton Incorporated but may be unaware that 7.5% of cotton assessments are dedicated to state-specific research. These funds are divided among the cotton-producing states according to production levels.

The State Support Program is designed to address the specific needs of individual states.

A grower-led committee

BY MONTY BAIN within each state sets prioriDADEVILLE, ALABAMA ties, requests proposals from local research institutions and allocates its share of SSP funds. In my territory — the Southeast cotton-growing region — all six states have certified producer organizations that set up the SSP committee meetings.

Cotton growers from each state hear researchers from land-grant universities and Extension agencies talk about specific projects and emerging localized concerns.

The SSP committee makes decisions about which projects are the most important for its state and allocates funding accordingly.

Teamwork Gets Results Kater Hake, vice president of agricultural research at Cotton Incorporated, says, “Each cotton state has different combinations of soils, weather, pests and rotations. As a result, growers want research focused on their conditions and their fields. The structure of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program guarantees this connection to local conditions. Roughly 160 growers on The Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated from every cotton-producing state volunteer their time to guide the research program.”

Once projects have been identified by the state committee, they are managed by Cotton Incorporated’s Agricultural and Environmental Research Division’s staff. The division team comprises seven research directors, with different areas of expertise and specialties, who support a network of more than 300 public sector scientists. The division team evaluates the specific concerns of each state and then makes research recommendations. Cotton Incorporated is currently managing more than 400 research projects.

In some cases, several states may be trying to address the same issue. When that happens, the team will use core-

Twitter: @CottonFarming

budget, not SSP funds, to address the national or regional-level project. Across the Cotton Belt, there is concern surrounding herbicide-resistant weeds, producer profitability and sustainability. Cotton Incorporated has numerous research projects addressing these widespread issues.

Cotton Incorporated research staff and Drs. Ed Barnes and Don Jones agree yield and quality are priorities in the Southeast, reflected by strong grower support for on-farm variety trials. “Growers understand that yield increase is what is keeping them in business,” Barnes says. Jones adds, “Farmers in the Southeast are also concerned about the potential damage from cotton leaf roll dwarf virus.”

Southeast State Projects Below are a few of the major issues being addressed in the Southeast through SSP-funding research.  Alabama – Profitable grower values for fiber and cottonseed products.  Florida – Yield, fiber value and disease concerns.  Georgia – Weed resistance management, cost of production and cottonseed value.  South Carolina – Soil health and nutrient recommendations, particularly potassium.  North Carolina – Planting seed quality, control of tarnished plant bug and Bt-resistant bollworms.  Virginia – Deer damage to cotton and bear damage to cotton modules.

I encourage Southeast cotton producers who are interested in serving on your state’s SSP committee, or who are just interested in knowing more about localized research, to contact me. I am happy to put you in touch with the researchers and certified producer organizations in your state. Because the SSP closely follows the mission of Cotton Incorporated, I know it is something we can all get behind.

Monty Bain is The Cotton Board’s regional communication manager for the Southeast. Email mbain@cottonboard.org.

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

13

Link Found Between Pigweed And Plant Bugs

BY AMANDA HUBER SOUTHEAST EDITOR

Check Fields For Both Pests Roberts says tarnished plant bug is becoming a more frequent pest but is still considered an occasional pest.

“I have heard more chatter on this pest in the past few years than in the previous 15,” he says. “It is a very serious pest in other parts of the country. Absolutely check your fields for them. If you have plant bugs, they can be bad. But it’s rare that we’re going to spray for them. Maybe 5% to 10% of the acres will need to be treated to control this pest.”

The link between Palmer amaranth and tarnished plant bug adds more science behind UGA’s decade-long recommendations for managing Palmer amaranth. These include:

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

RONALD SMITH, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, BUGWOOD.ORG

T

he reasons to aggressively battle glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (pigweed) are well known. This pest will outcompete any crop, and if left uncontrolled, can take over entire fields. But even with 20 years of research into this formidable foe, new evidence suggests yet another reason: a link between Palmer pigweed and tarnished plant bugs.

Research led by University of Georgia graduate student Taylor Randell with UGA Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper and Extension entomologist Phillip Roberts showed pigweed attracts tarnished plant bugs into the field. The insects then feed on cotton plants.

In research conducted in 20172018, plant bugs damaged 9% to 15% of cotton terminals in plots kept free of Palmer amaranth. However, when pigweed was allowed to remain in the plot for up to 35 days before removal, damaged cotton terminals ranged from 25% to 39%. Cotton terminal damage from plant bugs influenced by the presence of Palmer amaranth caused yield loss at the Macon County site in one of two years.

Blooms with dried, brown anthers, or “dirty blooms,” indicate tarnished plant bug or plant bug nymphs fed on larger squares the plant did not shed.  No Palmer up at planting.  Two effective at-plant residual herbicides used at rates that will not hurt the cotton crop.  Timely post applications.  Improving late-season weed coverage and control, while reducing cotton injury by applying conventional chemistry through your layby rig or hooded sprayer.

What To Look For As for the tarnished plant bug, according to the “North Carolina Cotton Insect Scouting Guide,” early season monitoring for activity is recommended. This is especially important for retention counts of small squares at approximately 1/8 to 3/16inch long, including bracts. If square retention is greater than or equal to 80%, more comprehensive sampling for live tarnished plant bugs is probably unnecessary.

As recommended in the guide, “If retention rates of small, upper and other first- or second-position squares drop below this level, further sampling for live tarnished plant bugs may be needed. Usually, one terminal

square (or its missing position) and one first or second position square (or its missing position) two or three nodes from the top of the plant are inspected per plant. These inspections are from 25 randomly selected plants in a field for 50 squares total.

Sweep net sampling for tarnished plant bug adults and large nymphs typically involves taking two sweeps at six to 10 locations per cotton field.”

But Roberts says producers shouldn’t be too aggressive in treating plant bugs.

“Plant bugs are a problem when we start to square,” he says. “We have good thresholds, and if you have a problem, address it. If not, let Mother Nature and beneficial insects come into cotton and start establishing to help us with pests later in the season.”

As Roberts points out, squaring cotton is attractive to predatory insects like big-eyed bugs that help with other pests.

“Squaring is a critical window in that you don’t want to go in and upset the apple cart, so to speak. Tarnished plant bug is more of a pest in other parts of the country than in Georgia.”

COTTONFARMING.COM

Farm Safety Tips Address COVID-19

BY LINDA GEIST

F

armers and ranchers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread.

The predicted peak of the COVID-19 outbreak likely will hit as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.

Physical distancing becomes difficult as farmers receive seed and chemical deliveries, he says.

Shipments of seed bags and chemical containers arrive on trucks that have been to other farms. This could spell trouble if precautions are not taken. The National Institutes of Health reports that the virus can survive up to three days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces and up to 24 hours on paper surfaces.

On-Farm Delivery Guidelines “Limit traffic in and out of the farm,” Lee says. “Ask to be there when delivery trucks arrive. Maintain a 6-foot distance from the delivery person.”

On many farms, delivery people use the farmer’s tractors or forklifts to unload supplies. To reduce risk of virus spread, Lee recommends that no one other than the farmer operate equipment.

“This creates additional planning and work for the farmer, but it reduces risk of transferring the virus as one person hops off and another hops on equipment,” he says.

Keep sanitizing supplies in commonly used areas such as tractor cabs and sheds. Wipe down doorknobs, steering wheels, radio knobs, grab handles, fuel tank covers and other surfaces people might touch.

Communicate With Technology Lee also suggests farmers change how they communicate during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The telephone, email and your tablet are your friends,” he says. “Use technology to communicate.”

This includes texting work plans to employees instead of holding morning meetings in the shed or at the kitchen table. It also means using a phone or tablet to take a picture of a broken part to send to the parts dealer. Call ahead to make sure parts are in stock and ask the dealer to place the part outside the door.

Protect Your Health Farms also face special risks because up to three generations of one family may still actively work on the farm.

“Your brother, sister, brother-in-law, cousin and grandfather might be part of the family farm operation,” Lee says.

“Mealtimes and child care might include Grandma and Grandpa.”

Even within families, maintain safe practices such as distancing. Wipe down surfaces frequently and try to minTwitter: @CottonFarming

University of Missouri Extension specialists recommend that farmers use cell phones or tablets to communicate with workers and take pictures of broken parts to send to parts dealers. imize contact. Also, consider how to safely handle “field food” and other meals during planting season.

Lee advises farmers to develop a written contingency plan in case the farmer, family members or workers fall ill. Decide who can fill vital roles and share this plan with those involved. Safety should be a priority for all who enter and leave the farm. Set and follow protocols.

Maintain equipment, but also take care of your health.

“You are your farm and family’s most important asset,” he says.

Lee reminds farmers that MU Extension specialists are still available to answer questions.

“Many of our offices are closed at this time for our safety and the safety of others, but specialists remain available by telephone or email to help. We are still on the job!”

To find your local MU Extension specialist, go to exten sion2.missouri.edu/locations.

Linda Geist is the senior strategic communication associate with the University of Missouri.

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Specialists Speaking Balancing Calendar And Conditions TEXAS Ben McKnight As of mid-April, early planted cotton in the Texas Rio Grande Valley was squaring. There have been some isolated reports of early pressure from thrips and aphids. Early season scouting for these pests and understanding economic thresholds for each one is essential to developing and executing timely management practices. Postemergence herbicide applications should be in full swing in this region.

Early season weed control is essential. Cotton requires eight weeks of weed-free growth to maximize yields. From a weed competition standpoint, scouting fields and making timely herbicide applications on the front end of the crop can have major implications on yield and harvestability at the end of the season. Start clean and stay clean.

Including preemergence soil residual herbicides in an overall weed management program can be beneficial achieving a clean start. Adding soil residual herbicides to a weed management program can also potentially delay and minimize herbicide resistance by reducing pressure on postemergence products.

In mid-April, Coastal Bend growers were wrapping up planting.

Growth stages ranged from seed in the ground to three-leaf cotton.

This region has been extremely dry over the winter and early spring.

As of mid-April, Corpus Christi had only received 2.2 inches of rainfall since Jan. 1. Recent rainfall of more than 1 inch has helped improve emergence and stands in the area.

The Rolling Plains is currently gearing up for planting. I expect to see some early cotton planted the first week of May in this region. Unlike other parts of the state, the Rolling Plains has very good subsoil moisture due to spring rains, much unlike the 2019 season. bmcknight@tamu.edu

TEXAS Murilo Maeda Field activity has picked up in the past several weeks as farmers get fields ready for planting. With decent rainfall over the winter, most of the West Texas region is in good shape. Warmer weather has prevailed the first half of April, but a strong cold front mid-month dropped temperatures to the mid-20s across much of the region. Some snow accumulation generally north of Lubbock occurred, which was a reminder that winter was not quite ready to let go.

Despite uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic, planting intentions seem solid. By the time this issue of Cotton Farming reaches you, we’ll likely have some seed in the ground. It is always important to reflect on a good weed management plan. According to Dr. Peter Dotray, professor, research & Extension weed specialist in Lubbock, a critical first step in best management practices for successful season-long weed management begins prior to planting.

You can plant into weed-free fields by using dinitroaniline herbicides, burndown and short residual herbicides preplant, and tillage. The success of dinitroaniline herbicides is based on using the full rate for a given soil type and thorough incorporation.

In west Texas, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to successfully control weeds when planting into weedy fields. Starting clean followed by at-plant soil residual herbicides provide the conditions cotton needs for effective early season establishment. Cotton is sus-

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

ceptible to uncontrolled early season weed competition. Effective early season weed control followed by timely early postemergence applications will lead the way for successful season-long weed management. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Seth Byrd As recently as February, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the 2020 Oklahoma cotton season. Prices were OK, could be better but had certainly been worse, and the weather was shaping up to give us a phenomenal start. Now, as I write this in mid-April, approximately three weeks from the likely start of widespread cotton planting in the state, that optimism has shifted to uncertainty. It will be interesting to see how the acreage responds to the market and weather we’ve had this spring.

One thing is for certain. Planting weed-free cotton in 2020, having a scouting and insect management plan, and using fertilizer adequately and efficiently will be key, just like any other year. Burndown applications to eliminate emerged weeds prior to or at planting, coupled with a residual product, is still the typical recommendation. Monitoring weed issues early in the season and being timely with applications will allow young cotton plants the best chance for rapid establishment.

Cotton can avoid competing for resources and herbicide options can be used in the most effective window when weeds are small.

Scouting for thrips is another key early season task. Even with a seed treatment, much of Oklahoma can’t afford any maturity delays.

Timely scouting and overspray decisions are critical to early season success. Lastly, on many of our acres, it is not uncommon for most, if not 100%, of fertility to be supplied at planting or close to it. Be mindful of weather conditions that may affect both root development and nutrient movement within the soil profile.

We suspect many of the fertility issues observed over the past two seasons are caused by nutrients being inaccessible to the roots. This may be due to stunted root development and/or nutrients leaching out of the rooting zone. Split applications of nitrogen and potassium may mitigate some of the issues, with the second application occurring around the squaring period and first week of bloom at the latest.

Get more information from our fact sheet, “Considerations for Cotton Planting and Early Season Growth,” available at your local Extension office or online at https://bit.ly/3eKLnvY. Stay safe and hope your planting goes great! seth.byrd@okstate.edu

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 590,000 acres, down 5% from the 620,000 acres planted last year. Many believe this number could slip another 5%.

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

When pushing the limits on earlier-than-advised planting, replantCOTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking ing 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.

To determine if replanting is necessary, many factors should be considered. First, evaluate the current plant stands 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 decision to replant is difficult, it is usually best to keep the stand 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 presquaring cotton will affect yield potential.

It is easy to sometimes overlook the importance of early season weed control when we have the tools to clean up a weedy mess down the road. Place a high priority on 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. The mid-April rains did not help our planting conditions. I expect this will be an extremely busy planting season even though the acreage prediction is down slightly to 372,000 acres for 2020. It’s only a 2% decrease from last year and considerably higher than the 325,000 acres in 2018. The acreage increase makes it difficult to stay timely with early season management due to the additional area that must be covered in a short time. Keep a close eye on some of the cotton planted in mid-April. Suboptimal conditions it has endured will delay development. It needs no other issues to delay it further.

Due to cotton's slow, early season growth, 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 burndown is done at planting instead of three to four weeks before. Thrips have demonstrated some resistance to imidacloprid, so watch the cotton closely at the first true leaf stage to determine if a post application for thrips control is needed.

Regardless of when burndown occurs, apply residual herbicides to prevent early season weed pressure and don’t just rely on the auxin technologies. It is also critical to determine if a replant is needed.

Skips less than 3 feet that aren’t excessive should not be yield-limiting. Keeping the earlier planted stand would be preferable to a replant at the end of May. Remember the rules for dicamba — no applications 60 days after the cotton is planted with a maximum of two applications. Paraquat requires online training now as well. meeksc@missouri.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper As I write this on April 16, cotton margins appear thin. The best way to stay in the black will be to scrutinize every input this year. If you’ve been around cotton for long, you have probably come across “The First 40 Days” educational effort organized by the National Cotton Council and the Cotton Foundation.

"The most critical period in cotton production” is the subtitle of that publication. Although it is tempting, I encourage you to not cut corners during the first 40 days. Dropping a residual Twitter: @CottonFarming

herbicide or allowing thrips to damage the crop will likely have lasting effects by decreasing yields or increasing costs in the long run.

I also suggest you take a close look at nitrogen rates. Properly selecting an N rate is an easy way to reduce long-term input costs. Over applying nitrogen can increase the need for plant growth regulators, decrease insecticide coverage, decrease harvest efficiency, and increase the likelihood of disease and the possible need for fungicides.

These are just a few of several decisions outlined in the first 40 days publication. If you find yourself rained out or (better yet) planted up, review a digital copy of the publication. Happy planting! traper@utk.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins By the time you read this article, planting likely will be underway in North Carolina. As I write this April 6, the COVID-19 issue has taken a toll on current prices and will probably influence cotton acreage and other crops for the 2020 season. Hopefully, prices will recover as the season progresses.

During planting season, pay close attention to the prevailing and expected weather, as it affects planting condition ratings. Look for the North Carolina State University Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator (http://climate.ncsu.edu/cotton_planting) on the NCSU Cotton Portal Website (https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/) under “Calculators and Decision Aids.”

This user-friendly tool was launched a year ago and provides a real-time decision aid to producers. Select a location on the map and click “submit.” At any given time, the calculator will compute a fiveday DD-60 forecast for the current day and the following two days.

The calculator will also provide a color-coded rating for planting conditions on each of the three days’ five-day forecast. Along with the ratings, several warnings could be triggered, depending on the situation.

The calculator uses forecasting data from the National Weather Service. Producers are advised to check the calculator each morning and evening for any drastic changes in the weather forecast that may affect the calculator’s ratings for cotton planting.

Along with weather, pay close attention to seed quality. Growers should first and foremost check the NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Database (https://bit.ly/2VUWBW3) once they receive the lot numbers for seed they will plant in 2020. When growers call us with germination or emergence problems or questions, the first item we’ll need to assist them are the results for their lot numbers from this database.

Using the database results along with the Planting Conditions Calculator will help address most issues we regularly encounter.

The NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Database is publicly available for North Carolina cotton producers on the NCSU Cotton Portal website (https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/) under “Calculators and Decision Aids.” guy_collins@ncsu.edu

FLORIDA David Wright Cotton fertility questions arise each year with deficiencies showing up at various stages. Growers use fertility programs that have worked for years, and then issues show up in various fields due to factors, such as drought, nematodes, etc. Many of our growers use starter fertilizer (20-30 pounds nitrogen) at planting with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium.

Cotton grows off slower than most row crops in the Southeast. Our research on sandy soils has shown the need to apply the next N application from squaring to early bloom. Nitrogen applications after the third week of bloom have not resulted in yield increases even though nitrates in the plant start declining.

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Specialists Speaking High N applications after the third week of bloom trigger additional vegetative growth and may decrease lint yield. Irrigated fields where N is applied through the system may have N application rates that are too high applied too late and decrease yields. Data from many studies has shown that an N application of 150 pounds per acre or higher will have a lower yield than 90-120 pounds per acre even on sandy soils. The highest yields are achieved after winter grazing with levels of 60 pounds per acre N due to recycled nutrients from manure. Winter grazing can increase yields in the following cotton crop by 150-400 pounds per acre of lint over cover crops not grazed. This is a viable option for increasing yields with less cost.

Fencing and water wells for livestock can often be installed with help from Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding. This approach is a growing trend for Florida cotton growers. wright@ufl.edu

Read the fluometuron label to ensure you are applying the appropriate rate for your soil type. To stay clean, start clean. This maximizes the usefulness of available herbicide technologies.

Thrips are the primary early season insect threat in Mississippi.

Currently, most seed treatments include imidacloprid that targets thrips. We have reduced the number of foliar thrips applications by applying acephate in furrow or combined in seed treatment with imidacloprid. Apply acephate in furrow at 0.75 to 1 pound per acre for the best thrips control.

Pay attention to cool germination scores from your seed box or bags and store your seeds in a cool, dry place. Most phosphorus is applied in furrow at planting or as close to planting as possible to ensure proper root development. I look forward to getting this crop planted and wish you the best of luck! bkp4@msstate.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme

Many years ago, my elderly nextdoor neighbor’s house caught fire. My family was not home, but a passerby stopped to help and called 911. Thankfully, Mrs. Fletcher wasn’t hurt, and the fire trucks arrived pronto, salvaging much of her old, wood clapboard-sided, heart pine home. Had there been a delay of 20 minutes or more, her house would surely have burned to the ground… and the fire might have engulfed our house as well. Timing is everything.

The same effort, the same water applied to a scorching fire — but DELAYED — would have yielded disappointing results.

The same is true with early post weed control. Timing is critical.

Glufosinate is a good but finicky tool, even in combinations. A little stress, reduced humidity, low light, etc. can negatively alter its performance, especially if weeds are a little larger than the label prescribes.

You’ve heard it countless times: The difference in controlling 1- to 3-inch Palmer amaranth is often drastically better than in 4- to 6-inch weeds. Same effort, same product(s) but vastly different results.

We need glufosinate alone and in tankmixes early, and we need them to work. Following pre- and at-plant residual herbicides, early post treatments are an all-important cog in the fight against pigweeds and other troublesome broadleaf weeds. They work poorly if applied too late. Tardiness disappoints.

Yes, it’s easy to preach timeliness from the confines of an office chair. It’s another thing to accomplish it on the farm, where battles arise with equipment, labor, weather, wind and a million other things to do. In a year with depressed cotton prices, squeezing the most out of each input is the surest way to any hope of profit. Timeliness pays. cottonbrown@auburn.edu

MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi Cotton planting challenges are anticipated every year. We typically expect low market prices, wet springs and herbicide-resistant weeds, but 2020 threw us a curve ball with COVID-19. The global pandemic is influencing all aspects of the supply chain and labor force, which creates a volatile, unpredictable season. Fortunately, most planting activities honor social distancing guidelines, which shouldn’t impede planting progress.

Warm, wet conditions have compromised early burndown, resulting in weed breakthroughs. At planting, a paraquat and fluometuron tankmix is a good option on planter-ready rows. If a do-all is necessary, apply paraquat prior to tillage and consider spraying fluometuron and glyphosate behind the planter to assist with grass control.

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

Depending on soil temperatures and soil moisture conditions, Louisiana cotton is generally planted from mid-April to mid-May. Once stands have been established, nitrogen applications are made for the upcoming season. Recommended nitrogen rates are 60-90 pounds per acre for coarse-textured soils and 90-120 pounds per acre for high-clay soils. The lower recommended rates should be used on fields following soybeans, corn, legume cover crops or fields with a history of excessive stalk growth.

Do not apply more nitrogen than what the cotton plant will require, since excessively high nitrogen rates can produce very tall, rank cotton. Increased vegetative growth will hinder reproductive growth and, ultimately, yield. To limit excessive growth, producers will have to rely heavily on mepiquat chloride applications to control plant height, which can potentially make the cotton plant harder to defoliate at the end of season.

Also, best management practices suggest making split applications of nitrogen, especially on sandy soils with a high leaching potential or soils with a high saturation potential, due to denitrification losses. For split nitrogen applications, one-third to one-half should be applied at planting with the remainder being applied by early bloom at the latest.

For more information about cotton fertility recommendations, visit lsuagcenter.com and click on crops>cotton>varieties>2020 varieties and production suggestions.

Also, producers should concentrate on early season thrips control. Severe thrips damage can reduce yields by 200-300 pounds of lint per acre. 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 smaller 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.

Depending on 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 be necessary at the five-true-leaf stage.

Once the plants are past susceptibility to thrips damage, they become an important natural control agent to help keep mite populations in check. 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 COTTONFARMING.COM

COTTON

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

Academic Investment Helps Develop Future Leaders Assisting students interested in pursuing agriculture is critical to the long-term viability of the industry. They are enthusiastic about learning new skills and eager to share their vision about what needs to be accomplished in the future. Providing these young adults an opportunity to grow and succeed is one of the first steps in developing future leaders in agriculture.

For this reason, Cotton Farming is pleased to continue its support of the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association scholarship program that benefits Texas Tech University students. Each year, the magazine, which has co-sponsored the TCGA Trade Show for about 25 years, contributes a portion of revenue from the sale of ads in the TCGA printed program and ticket sales for the Exhibitor’s Luncheon. In 2019, Cotton Farming raised $4,150 to help bolster the scholarship fund.

“As any parent who has a kid in college knows, it is a significant financial burden,” says Tony Williams, TCGA executive vice president. “The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association scholarship program, in partnership with Cotton Farming magazine,

helps ease the financial burden and is a wise investment in our future leaders.”

Jane Piercy, Texas Tech’s director of development and external relations, says agriculture students appreciate any kind of help given to them while pursuing their degrees.

“Without assistance from the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association, the dream of a degree in higher education can be unrealistic for many of our students,” she says. “We are grateful that the association sees the value of scholarships for our students.”

Here are the recipients of the 2020 TCGA scholarships: ¢ John Barnwell, Lubbock, sophomore, economics. ¢ Grace Blackwell, Checotah, Oklahoma, senior, economics. ¢ Brittney Couch, Little Elm, Texas, senior, agribusiness. ¢ Monica Haugen, Colton, Washington, senior, agricultural communications. ¢ Bailey Hufnagle, Canyon, Texas, senior, agricultural and applied economics. ¢ Madison Rogers, Lubbock, junior, agribusiness. ¢ Carlie Shae Witte, Clint, Texas, senior, plant and soil science.

Lummus Ag Technology – a new name for an old friend. The team that’s been here for you through the years, now with an expanded commitment to be the source for the best in cotton ginning machinery, repair parts, and technical service.

Regardless of your project scope, now is the time to contact Lummus to discuss your goals and needs.

Just a short list of items we offer:  Quality OEM Repair Parts Three levels of Gin Saw Bearings – Gold (Best), Silver (Better), and Standard (Good) Premium Gin Saws (available in both 0.036” and 0.045” thicknesses) Press Rebuilds (strain rods, boxes, sills, etc.) for Premier™ Dor-Les®, E.E. Dor-Les®, Gin Dor-Les®, and Lift-Box Dor-Les® (Standard and HighCapacity models)  Unmatched Technical Service  Installation Project Supervision and Management

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We are ready and willing to partner with you to help make your business successful!

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TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

Physical Address: 225225 Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586 Physical Address: Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586USA USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 929929 • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 TollToll Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com

© 2020 Lummus Ag Technology

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

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Trevor Johnson, Crowell, Texas, is a senior agricultural and applied economics major and the recipient of the Rocky King Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2000 by the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association as part of the TCGA Scholarship Endowment.

Scholarships are awarded to students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have an interest in and/or a background in cotton. At least one TCGA scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Rocky King, a long-term member of the association.

For more information about the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association scholarship program for Texas Tech students, contact the association’s office in Round Rock, Texas, at 512-476-8388 or visit www.tcga.org.

* * * * *

Ginners School Schedules Updated Due to COVID-19, the restrictions placed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilities as well as state restrictions that include social distancing, the Western Ginners School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been postponed. The western school’s new dates are July 28-30.

The Stoneville Ginners School will be held as scheduled June 2-4. Students who were enrolled at the Southwestern Ginners School, which was canceled, may want to consider these two schools as options.

Ginners School cooperators include the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the National Cotton Ginners’ Association

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and its member associations, the National Cotton Council, Cotton Incorporated, gin machinery/equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and select land-grant universities.

All courses are in English only.

Registration and classes begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Lunch is served each day at the school and is included in your registration.

Each level of Ginners School course work is built on the previous level of instruction, with Level 1 as the foundation.

Therefore, the school’s coordinators strongly recommend that beginning students, regardless of gin experience, start with Level 1.

View registration and school details at https://bit.ly/3aSv JMM.

Cotton’s Calendar Due to the fluid situation involving COVID-19, some listed events may be canceled or postponed. Please verify the status with the individual organizations. ¢ May 6-8: ACSA Convention, Ritz Carlton, Washington, D.C. ¢ May 20: PCCA Board of Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ¢ May 21: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, San Antonio, Texas ¢ June 16-18: Cotton Incorporated Board Meeting, Omni

Mandalay Bay, Dallas, Texas

¢ June 17: Staplcotn Board of Directors Meeting, Greenwood,

Mississippi

¢ June 17: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

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

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¢ June 18: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona ¢ July 9-12: Cottonseed & Feed Association 2020 Annual

Meeting, Intercontinental Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri

¢ July 16: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona ¢ July 20-23: Southern Southeastern Mid-Year Board Meeting,

Sheraton Bay Point, Panama City Beach, Florida

¢ Aug. 4-6: Cotton Board & Cotton Incorporated Joint Board

Meeting, The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona

¢ Aug. 19: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

¢ Aug. 26-28: NCC Mid-Year Board Meeting, Omni Louisville

Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

¢ Sept. 16: PCCA Annual Meeting and Board of Directors

Meeting, Lubbock, Texas

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

¢ Sept. 16: Staplcotn Board of Directors Meeting, Greenwood,

Mississippi

¢ Sept. 28: Calcot Board of Directors/Auditors’ Meeting,

Phoenix, Arizona

¢ Sept. 29: Calcot Board of Directors Meeting/93rd Annual

Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona

¢ Oct. 21: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas

¢ Nov. 18: PCCA Board of Directors Meeting, Lubbock, Texas ¢ Dec. 7-9: Mississippi State University Row Crop Short Course,

Starkville, Mississippi

¢ Dec. 8-10: Cotton Board & Cotton Incorporated Joint Board

Meeting, Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach, Florida

¢ Dec. 16: PCCA Board, Delegate Body & Marketing Pool

Committee Meetings, Lubbock, Texas TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

MAY 2020 | COTTON FARMING

21

My Turn Legend Of The DonnyBrook BlackFoot Award Fiascos

A

fter 32 years of crop consulting, you would think this business would run like a well-oiled machine. To the contrary, running a company with predominantly 18- to 25-year-old employees is much like running a house full of teenagers. Always expect the unexpected! The DonnyBrook!

I’m sure many people have no idea what a DonnyBrook is or where it originated. I was first introduced to the term by Jeff Jones, a good friend from Conway, Arkansas. Anytime we got ourselves in a precarious situation, Jeff always referred to it as a DonnyBrook.

Unbeknownst to me, DonnyBrook originated in Dublin, Ireland, hundreds of years ago and referred to an annual disorderly event. And anyone who has had young people hired for a summer or involved in farming understands how disorderly an event every summer can be.

This legend would not be complete without mentioning a “disease” that occurs to turkey hunters that Rhett Butler named the “BlackFoot” turkey disease. It’s usually associated with a DonnyBrook of some sort — like a cell phone ringing and scaring an old tom turkey that has been as formidable an opponent as Spartacus himself. This “head” disease is a subconscious affliction that deems it impossible to kill the wild turkey. Rhett says the only way to shake it is to eat collard greens.

In 2006, I started the DonnyBrook BlackFoot Sharp Shooter Association as a joke aimed at Nick Williams for missing so many turkeys on one Florida hunting trip. I bought a plaque and put his name on the first brass plate. Every year since, whoever gets the award has to display the plaque in their office for the whole world to see until someone else wins it.

We’ve also experienced Donny-

Brooks at our home on numerous occasions. In a house full of four boys and myself, my poor wife, Crystal, never had a chance. There was always a DonnyBrook to deal with! I once shot a balloon out of the 20-foot ceiling in our living room with a BB gun. Hit it first shot! Unfortunately, when we sold the house, the buyer noticed the BB was still in the ceiling.

“In hindsight, Fiasco Consulting would have been a great name for my company.”

Much like our home life, my business has always been full of surprises. I met a farmer once whose place was named Fiasco Farms. In hindsight, Fiasco Consulting would have been a great name for my company. For more than three decades, DonnyBrooks have been associated with our day-to-day consulting business. We’ve had snakes in hip boots, snakes in sweep nets and snakes in the cotton. We’ve had trucks stuck in the mud, stuck in ditches and stuck in fields. The majority of the time, I didn’t have a clue how the trucks ever ended up in any of these places.

There have been several wrecks with both trucks and motorcycles.

The accidents were mostly harmless although many have made great stories. In three of the wrecks, there was no driver. Only we could do this!

DonnyBrooks just seem to follow us around. We have sunk a truck. We have flown over the cab of the truck on dirt bikes and flipped out of trucks on four wheelers. We have flown over the handlebars on motorcycles and landed flat on our backs off of ATVs. We’ve broken legs, shoulders, ribs,

pelvises and hips. We’ve had fist fights that led to broken windshields and dented hoods. We’ve busted out back glasses and thrown motorcycles out of trucks. Here at Hydricks Crop Consulting, we call all these incidents DonnyBrooks that have helped shape my business into what it is today.

As many of you know, operating a company or a farming operation is a lot of hard work. You learn from each DonnyBrook, and it makes you better. I once was told by a client, Kenny Qualls, as he was looking at damaged fruit all over the ground, “I’m not in this for revenge.”

But through the adversity brought on by DonnyBrooks always comes wisdom. A farmer named Roe Jackson said about the only thing he ever learned from growing cotton was to “never give up, never give up.” We made more than 1,400 pounds per acre this past year on a cotton field on his grandson’s and great grandsons’ farm that only had 11,000 plants per acre. No matter how bad it gets or how many DonnyBrooks you’re dealt, remember Roe’s words: Just never give up. Thank you, Roe, and RIP! So many friends, such as Rhett Butler and Nick Williams, helped shape this legend. To my wife, Crystal, our four boys — Tyler, Kadin, Tucker and Koby, who continue to work for pops — and to the countless scouts who endured 12- to 16-hour days, I dearly appreciate your efforts. I couldn’t do it without y’all.

— David Hydrick Jonesboro, Arkansas hydrickscrop@gmail.com

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

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COTTON FARMING | MAY 2020

COTTONFARMING.COM

Future Farmer Here?

We at Cotton Farming are honored to cover the family legacies of our producers — those deeply rooted or freshly planted.

We strive to stay atop the latest production strategies to keep your operations profitable, generation after generation.

“My son, Jenson, who is 2 years old, is checking out this edition of Cotton Farming,” says Jonathan Majors, who farms cotton, peanuts, corn and hay with his father in Okaloosa County, Florida. “Thank you for the interesting articles I look forward to each month.”

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Cotton Farming

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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.

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