Cotton farming november 2015

Cotton Farming ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

NOVEMBER 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

2016

SEED VARIETY GUIDE

MY TURN: ANDREW OLAH VARIETY SELECTION ABCS A FARMER’S VIEW: THE CLEAN WATER ACT

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Vol. 59 No. 11

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

NOVEMBER 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

F E AT U R E S

14

VARIETY SELECTION ABCS

21

CLEAN WATER ACT

23

GINNING MARKETPLACE

Dr. Jane Dever, Texas A&M University in Lubbock, explains the complex characteristics beyond the letter in a variety’s name.

TFBF president Russell Boening provides a fourth generation farmer’s view of the Clean Water Act.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Dusty Findley, with the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, says food safety rules could affect cotton gins.

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2016’s Top Picks

Cotton seed companies from across the Belt have begun releasing their variety offerings for 2016. Additional varieties will be announced at the 2016 BWCC. Look for all the pertinent information on these varieties in the February issue of Cotton Farming. The 2016 variety list will also be available at www.cottonfarming.com.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist and Regents Professor at Texas A&M University, College Station, discusses current Texas weather as a prelude to a true El Niño event. Reporters from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts also provide district summaries. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 22 Industry News 6 Cotton’s Agenda 26 My Turn 18 Specialists Speaking

WEB POLL RESULTS

At the upcoming winter meetings, what topic are you most interested in learning more about?

Go to www.cottonfarming.com to vote and also see last month’s results.

ON THE COVER: Late fall, early winter is the key decision-making time for 2016 variety selection.

Cover Photo By Tommy Horton.

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December for $40 per year by One Grower Publishing LLC, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38119.

Periodicals Postage paid at Memphis, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sunbelt Fulfillment Services, 307 Southgate Court, Brentwood, Tenn. 37027-7987 (Phone: 615-3773322) (Fax: 615-850-5319). International rates are $55.00 in Canada/Mexico, $90.00 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface Delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

3

Editor’s Note Tommy Horton

Cotton Farming

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EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Tommy Horton tommy.horton64@gmail.com Senior Writer Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com

Wonderful Memories Of A Dream Job

N

early 16 years ago in the spring of 2000, I wrote my first Editor’s Note column for this magazine, and it was titled, “Making The Right Decision Is A Stress Breaker.” As I recall, I was trying to convey the thought that farmers always try to make the best possible decision when the crop season starts. They try to gather all of the facts and then trust their judgment that they are headed the right way.

I was doing my best to begin this journey on a good note. And, not surprisingly, I thought I was making the right decision to join Cotton Farming, and I already knew that this industry was special.

Now, here we are in the fall of 2015, and I am having to say good-bye to all of you, and it’s hard to find the words. I have officially retired from this position in order to help my mother at home. She has some health challenges, and I feel it’s the right thing to do. As with any big change in life, the transition will be a bit daunting, but I know that my mother and I will both benefit during this time together.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a few thoughts about my time in the cotton industry – 13 years at the National Cotton Council and 16½ years at Cotton Farming. Without getting too nostalgic, I had always heard that the cotton industry was a big family from the San Joaquin Valley in California to the flatlands of the Carolinas. Wherever you traveled in the Cotton Belt, you could always find a friend willing to share a story or talk about some facet of the crop. I can now attest that this industry is an even bigger family than I could have imagined.

I feel that I have made so many lifetime friendships along the way, and you simply can’t put a price tag on how special that is. Cotton folks are simply the best.

Thanks to all of you for being a part of this experience. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. It isn’t often that a person lands the perfect job, but that’s how I have felt for the past 16 years.

If I’m fortunate, I hope to see many of you somewhere down the road.

As I always like to say, “Don’t be a stranger.”

If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, Tenn., 38138. Contact Tommy Horton via email at tommy.horton64@gmail.com.

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COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

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 (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Charlie Beek (615) 377-3322 For circulation changes or change of address, call (800) 888-9784 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/vice president ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

Copyright 2015 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

One Grower Publishing, LLC 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119 Phone: 901-767-4020

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Recognize The Realities The National Cotton Council has escalated its communication with the Administration and Congressional leadership to ensure that U.S. trade negotiators defend U.S. cotton and not agree to any further concessions in world trade talks.

What is the primary concern?

n The World Trade Organization (WTO) failed to meet the July 31, 2015 deadline to agree on a work program for the WTO Ministerial scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya in December.

However, there have been repeated comments from numerous countries and WTO officials for there to be “something more” done on cotton policy at this meeting. Thus, the NCC has engaged with U.S. trade officials at the WTO in Geneva and in Washington, as well as with Congress, to ensure U.S. trade negotiators maintain a firm commitment not to accept any further restrictions on U.S. cotton policy.

farmers who are benefitting from higher support levels. I cited a recent International Cotton Advisory Committee report that estimated average direct assistance to cotton production across all countries at $0.26 per pound – but only $0.07 per pound average support for U.S. cotton production.

The NCC opposes any efforts to further limit U.S. cotton policy in the WTO’s upcoming Ministerial. We believe that the actions already taken by the United States with respect to cotton policy should be more than sufficient to allow U.S. negotiators to resist any further calls for concessions on cotton. I also reiterated U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman’s comments before the Senate Finance Committee earlier this year that a defensive posture regarding U.S. cotton support is outdated and justifies a shift in focus to other countries’ status regarding their WTO obligations. As such, the NCC will continue to urge U.S. negotiators to push other countries to be as current and as transparent as the United States is with their domestic support notifications.

What about critics of U.S. cotton support?

NCC President/CEO Gary Adams testified that other countries’ agriculture and trade policies threaten U.S. cotton’s viability.

Did you testify before Congress?

n In mid-October, I testified at a House Agriculture Committee hearing on “Foreign Subsidies: Jeopardizing Free Trade and Harming American Farmers.” The Committee wanted to further explore the trade-distorting tools that some countries are using and the detrimental impact on American farmers. I told the Committee that U.S. cotton farmers are indeed competing with international

n I stated that our message is simple: U.S. programs are not having a detrimental impact on world markets or producers in other countries. Under the current farm law, U.S. cotton farmers are even more attuned to market conditions. For the U.S. cotton industry to sustain production and infrastructure, it is imperative that production and trade policies in other countries not put U.S. farmers at a disadvantage. I encouraged the House Agriculture Committee and our negotiators to hold firmly to the position that agricultural markets have changed over the past decade, and that U.S. cotton policy has evolved in ways that far exceed the previous demands within the WTO. A cotton specific “solution” focused on developed countries does not address the realities of today’s global fiber markets.

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

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COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Emphasis On Yield, Quality And Irrigation Response Ken Legé PhytoGen Cotton Development Specialist Lubbock, Texas Prior to joining PhytoGen, I had noticed that the germplasm coming out of PhytoGen’s robust West Texas breeding program that will serve the entire Southwest was producing high, consistent yields and was well suited to that area. In addition, the PhytoGen ® brand varieties were exhibiting storm tolerance and tolerance to Verticillium, both of which are important to have in West Texas, particularly as you move north into the heavier ground.

Another impressive consideration was PhytoGen brand PHY 417 WRF being the industry standard as far as nematode resistance. And after observing the common sense business strategy approach that PhytoGen exhibits and its reputation for yield stability in varieties, I knew this company was a good match for me.

Fiber Quality

Today, I am also seeing a step change in fiber quality in characteristics such as staple and strength that I believe will put us ahead of the game in cotton quality sooner rather than later. The breeders at PhytoGen have challenged themselves to bring the Pima and Acala quality that we lead the market with out West into the Upland market.

• B.S. in Crop Science – Sam Houston State University; M.S.

in Plant Breeding – Texas A&M University; and Ph.D. in Agronomy – Texas A&M University • PhytoGen Cotton Development Specialist, Texas northern Plains region, Oklahoma and Kansas, Dow AgroSciences • Provides valuable agronomic advice, cottonseed recommendations and consulting expertise to cotton producers in his territory • Member of American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America • Married to Cassie for 26 years. Two sons: Nick and Zack • Enjoys singing Christian music and playing guitar in the church band and classic country music in local venues

Recap: Yield, Quality & Irrigation Response

t

Trait Pipeline

Looking forward, our trait pipeline with WideStrike ® 3 Insect Protection and the Enlist ™ cotton trait is very exciting. WideStrike 3 Insect Protection is our industry-leading three-gene Bt trait that offers superior protection throughout the cotton plant from a wide spectrum of damaging lepidopteran pests. The Enlist Weed Control System, which offers tolerance to a new 2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate, fits the weed spectrum from Lubbock northward to Oklahoma and Kansas. Enlist will help address challenges related to glyphosate-resistant pigweed.

Irrigation Response

Because water will be THE issue in the region for the foreseeable future, we are evaluating our current and upcoming variety lineup with regard to irrigation response. The Ogallala Aquifer recharges very slowly, and wells that used to have high capacity now only have moderate to low capacity. All of these varieties respond differently to the various water levels.

My career was based on cotton, and that’s what I think about every day when I wake up. Cotton is what I do, and my passion is to help cotton producers be more successful by providing them with effective solutions.

1. The germplasm coming out of PhytoGen’s robust West Texas breeding program is producing high, consistent yields and is well suited to that area.

2. PhytoGen® brand varieties are exhibiting storm tolerance and tolerance to Verticillium.

3. Today, I am also seeing a step change in fiber quality in characteristics such as staple and strength. This will put us ahead of the game in cotton quality sooner rather than later.

4. Dow AgroSciences’ trait pipeline includes WideStrike® 3 Insect Protection – PhytoGen’s industry-leading three gene Bt trait – and the Enlist Weed Control System, which offers tolerance to a new 2,4-D, glyphosate and glufosinate.

5. We are conducting experiments with different varieties in replicated trials under four different water regimes to learn how a variety responds on the low end of water availability vs. how it responds on the upper end.

­ Sponsored By

PhytoGen and the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. ®DOW Diamond, WideStrike and Enlist are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. Enlist Duo is not yet registered for use on Enlist cotton. Enlist Duo herbicide is 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. ©2015 Dow AgroSciences LLC.

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2016 SEED VARIETY GUIDE

It’s The Time Of The Season

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ate fall, early winter is the time of the season for slowing down a bit after a hectic harvest and contemplating which varieties will have the best fit in your operation in the upcoming year. The menu of varieties from which to choose includes a host of high-yielding, good quality selections for 2016.

To help you get started, cotton seed companies from across the Belt have provided information about their headliners for 2016 on pages 9, 10 and 11 in the annual Seed Variety Guide published by Cotton Farming.

Think about your priorities, discuss them with your consultant and seed representative, then get ready to place your order. The pickings look sweet for 2016!

KEEP CALM AND

PLANT ON 8

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Croplan 3787 B2RF has shown the stability to yield in dryland fields and under irrigation in the Southeast.

Look for its performance using the UGA Cotton Performance Calculator at http://www.ugacotton.com/vault/cottoncalc/.

2016

SEED VARIETY GUIDE

Variety

Maturity

ALL-TEX/DYNA-GRO

Micronaire Leaf Type

Staple Length G/Tex

Comments

All CT numbered varieties will have a new name or number by January 2016.

Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton DG 3109 B2XF

very early

4.2-4.7

semi-smooth

1.16-1.19

31-32

Best adapted to short-season environments or late planting. Medium plant height. Best fit on moderate to high irrigation.

DG 3385 B2XF

early-mid

4.3-4.6

semi-smooth

1.16-1.19

29-31

Adaptable to TX, AZ, Mid-South, Upper South East and East Coast. Very good storm tolerance/early season vigor/irrigated or dryland. Best performance on sand to silt loams. Manage early with growth regulators.

CT 15444 B2XF

mid-early

4.4-4.8

smooth

1.13-1.24

32-35

Best fit in Texas, Georgia and the Mid-South. Excellent storm tolerance.

Very good Verticillium wilt tolerance.

CT 15994 B2XF

mid-early

4.4-4.9

semi-smooth

1.11-1.19

29-32

Best fit in the Texas high plains. Irrigated or dryland.

CT 15143 B2XF

mid-early

4.4-4.10

semi-smooth

1.11-1.21

29-32

Best fit in the Texas high plains. Irrigated or dryland.

CT 15425 B2XF

m.early to mid 4.4-4.8

smooth

1.12-1.22

32-34

Best fit in Texas, Georgia and the Mid-South. Excellent storm tolerance.

Very good Verticillium wilt tolerance.

CT 15645 B2XF

mid

4.4-4.8

smooth

1.12-1.24

32-35

Best fit in Texas, Georgia and the Mid-South. Excellent storm tolerance.

Very good Verticillium wilt tolerance.

CT 15557 B2XF

mid-full

4.6-4.8

smooth

1.16-1.20

29-31

Broadly adapted from dryland to irrigated acres in the lower Southeast, lower Mid-South and upper Gulf Coast. May require additional PGR applications under high irrigation or strong growing conditions.

CT 15535 B2XF

mid-full

4.3-4.5

smooth

1.12-1.16

29-31

Broadly adapted from dryland to irrigated acres in the lower Southeast, lower Mid-South and upper Gulf Coast. Also adapted to the southern Texas High Plains/Rolling Plains irrigated/dryland. May require additional PGR applications under high irrigation or strong growing conditions.

CT 15545 B2XF

mid-full

4.2-4.6

smooth

1.12-1.17

30-33

Adapted to the southern Texas High Plains and rolling plains irrigated or dryland. Tall plant type. May require additional PGR applications under high irrigation or strong growing conditions.

CT 15426 B2XF

mid-full

4.4-4.9

semi-smooth

1.11-1.17

29-31

Best fit in mid to full-season environments in the Mid-South, Southeast and upper Gulf Coast. Good storm tolerance and high gin turnout.

CT 15622 B2XF

full

4.2-4.6

smooth

1.13-1.19

30-32

Best fit in full season environments in Southeast. Med to tall plant type.

Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex Cotton CT 14555 B2RF

mid

3.7-4.5

semi-smooth

1.17-1.26

30-35

Best fit in Texas. High yield and high quality. Very good Verticillium wilt and bacterial blight tolerance.

CT 14515 B2RF

mid

4.0-4.7

semi-smooth

1.10-1.23

29-33

Medium/medium tall plant. Good Verticillium/fusarium wilt tolerance.

AMERICOT Bollgard II/Xtend Flex NG 3405 B2XF

early-med

4.4-4.6

semi-smooth

35-36

27-28

Widely adapted to Cotton Belt where early to mid maturing are preferred.

NG 3406 B2XF

early-med

4.4-4.6

semi-smooth

36-37

29-31

Widely adapted across entire Cotton Belt. Similar to NG 1511 B2RF. Excellent fiber quality.

NG 3517 B2XF

early-med

4.0-4.7

smooth

36-37

30-32

Fits TX South Plains/Rolling Plains, SW OK. Proven Vert wilt tolerance.

NG 3522 B2XF

early-med

4.4-4.6

semi-smooth

35-36

27-28

Widely adapted to Cotton Belt where early to mid maturing are preferred.

NG 4545 B2XF

medium

3.9-4.6

smooth

36-37

30-32

Widely adapted to TX South Plains/Rolling Plains and Southwest OK. Proven Verticillium wilt tolerance

NG 5007 B2XF

med-full

4.3-4.6

smooth

36-38

28-29

Best adapted to lower southeast/south Texas and where mid-full season varieties are preferred. Excellent fiber quality.

early-med

3.7-4.6

smooth

36-37

31-32

Widely adapted to TX South Plains/Rolling Plains and Southwest OK. Proven Verticillium wilt tolerance.

Xtend Flex NG 3500 XF

NexGen Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex NG 3306 B2RF

early-med

4.0-4.7

semi-smooth

36-37

28-30

Excellent yield potential/fiber quality.

NG 1511 B2RF

medium

4.6-4.8

semi-smooth

35-37

30-31

Excellent yield potential/fiber quality.

NG 4012 B2RF

medium

3.9-4.6

smooth

36-37

30-32

Excellent yield potential/fiber quality.

Roundup Ready Flex NG 1551 RF

very early

3.8-4.5

semi-smooth

35-36

30-32

Suited for N. High Plains, Okla. & Kan.

NG 1572 RF

very early

3.5-4.1

hairy

35-36

27-28

Suited for N. High Plains, Okla. & Kan.

NG 4111 RF

medium

3.7-4.6

smooth

36-37

31-32

Straight Flex sister to NG 4010 B2RF.

early

4.5-4.9

smooth

37-39

36-38

U. of Ark. variety/excellent quality.

Conventional AM UA48

New varieties for 2016 in blue COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

9

Variety

Maturity

Micronaire Leaf Type

Staple Length G/Tex

Comments

FM 1830GLT

early-med

4

smooth

1.21

31.9

Broadly adapted Southwest GLT variety with excellent fiber quality, TwinLink worm control and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

FM 1900GLT

early-med

4.3

semi-smooth

1.18

32.2

HP/RP variety offers newest FiberMax germplasm with excellent yields, TwinLink worm protection and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

FM 2007GLT

early-med

4.2

semi-smooth

1.2

31.9

STX/Rolling Plains GLT with excellent fiber quality, TwinLink worm protection and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

FM 2334GLT

medium

4.1

smooth

1.2

31.4

TX/Southwest GLT variety with excellent fiber quality, TwinLink worm control and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

FM 1944GLB2

early-med

4.4

semi-smooth

1.18

31.2

Liberty and glyphosate tolerant variety with Bt adapted for Cotton Belt. Offers excellent yields and fiber quality.

FM 1320GL

very early

3.8

semi-smooth

1.13

30.6

High/Rolling Plains variety with GlyTol LibertyLink technology. Very early maturity with high yield potential.

FM 9250GL

early

3.8

semi-smooth

1.14

29.9

High/Rolling Plains variety with GL traits. Excellent yield potential and fiber quality.

FM 2322GL

medium

3.8

semi-smooth

1.17

31.8

High/Rolling Plains and central CA variety with GL traits. Offers high yield potential, excellent fiber quality.

FM 2011GT

early

3.9

semi-smooth

1.12

30.2

High-yielding TX HP/RP GlyTol variety with good root-knot nematode tolerance and excellent storm tolerance.

FM 2484B2F

medium

3.9

smooth

1.17

30.2

High-yielding HP/RP variety with excellent gin turnout, very good Verticillium wilt tolerance, excellent fiber quality.

ST 5115GLT

early-med

4.2

smooth

1.14

30.2

Eastern Belt GLT, high-yielding variety with good fiber quality, TwinLink worm protection and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

ST 6182GLT

full

4.5

smooth

1.17

29.5

Full-season GLT variety well suited for irrigation/dryland and light/ heavy soils for high yields in Eastern Cotton Belt.

ST 5032GLT

early-med

4

semi-smooth

1.19

30.6

High-yielding GLT variety best suited for irrigated conditions offers TwinLink worm protection and Liberty/glyphosate tolerance.

ST 5289GLT

medium

4.4

very hairy

1.14

28.8

Excellent yielding, Eastern Belt variety with improved fiber quality over ST 5288B2F and TwinLink 2-gene Bt protection.

ST 4747GLB2

early-med

4.3

semi-smooth

1.17

28.9

Excellent yield potential in a Liberty/glyphosate tolerant variety adapted across Cotton Belt with intermediate Vert wilt tolerance.

ST 4946GLB2

early-med

4.5

semi-smooth

1.15

31.6

No. 1 planted variety in 2015 according to USDA. Broadly adapted with very good nematode tolerance.

ST 6448GLB2

full

4.4

smooth

1.2

29.5

Full-season, high-yielding variety for Eastern Cotton Belt offers Liberty/glyphosate tolerance and very good fiber quality.

PHY 222 WRF

very early

4.8

smooth

1.13

31.1

Earliest maturing variety selected from N.Texas High Plains for its storm tolerance, earliness, consistency and high yield potential.

PHY 312 WRF

early

4.4

semi-smooth

1.16

31.1

Superior yield potential and seedling vigor in an early maturing variety with excellent fiber quality. Complementary to PHY 333 WRF.

PHY 333 WRF

early

4.5

semi-smooth

1.16

30.8

Outstanding yield potential. Broadly adapted early maturing variety with consistent yield and excellent fiber quality.

PHY 339 WRF

early

4.5

semi-smooth

1.16

32.0

Early maturing variety with superior yield potential and outstanding fiber quality. Great companion to PHY 333 WRF or PHY 499 WRF.

PHY 417 WRF

early

4.4

semi-smooth

1.13

30.7

Early-mid season variety that features PhytoGen’s industry leading RKN resistance. Good yield potential and fiber quality.

PHY 427 WRF

early-mid

4.6

semi-smooth

1.13

31.3

Dual-gene RKN resistance. Good yield potential and fiber quality in a variety adapted to light soil textures and root-knot infested areas.

PHY 444 WRF

mid

4.0

smooth

1.23

32.5

Top-of-class fiber quality package with very good yield potential and very long staple length in a mid-maturing, smooth leaf variety.

PHY 487 WRF

early-mid

4.6

semi-smooth

1.11

30.9

RKN resistance. Excellent early season vigor, good yield potential & fiber quality. Adapted to light soil textures, root-knot infested areas.

PHY 495 W3RF

mid

4.6

semi-smooth

1.11

32.7

New: WideStrikeÂŽ 3 Insect Protection. Superior yield potential; broad adaptation in an industry leading insect resistance trait platform.

PHY 499 WRF

mid

4.8

semi-smooth

1.13

33.0

Mid-maturing variety with very broad adaptation, superior yield potential, stability of yield and very good to excellent fiber quality.

PHY 552 WRF

full

4.3

semi-smooth

1.17

33.0

High quality fiber package within a tall, full-maturing cotton variety.

FIBERMAX FiberMax

STONEVILLE Stoneville

PHYTOGEN Upland

New varieties for 2016 in blue

10

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Variety

Maturity

Micronaire Leaf Type

Staple Length G/Tex

Comments

4.0-4.1

35.2-36.5

Adapted to high-yield, short-season regions; yield potential similar to DP 0912 B2RF.

DELTAPINE Bollgard II XtendFlex Cotton DP 1518 B2XF

early

light-hairy

29.3-30.0

DP 1522 B2XF

early-mid

4.2-4.5

semi-smooth

35.0-36.1

31.1-31.6

Good fiber quality potential, yield similar to DP0912 B2RF.

DP 1538 B2XF

mid

4.6

smooth

35.0

29.1

Aggressive grower with yield potential similar to DP 1050 B2RF.

DP 1549 B2XF

full

3.9-4.2

semi-smooth

34.8-35.5

30.4-30.7

Best fit for TX and AZ with solid performance history on dryland and limited-water fields.

DP 1553 B2XF

full

4.4

smooth

36.2-36.4

30.6-30.9

Broadly adapted for full-season growing regions, requires timely PGR management.

Genuity Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex Cotton DP 1555 B2RF

full

4.0-4.5

semi-smooth

35.8-37.0

30.4-31.8

Excellent yield potential with improved fiber quality over DP 1252 B2RF.

DP 1558NR B2RF

full

4.4-4.9

semi-smooth

36.6-36.8

31.7-32.5

RKN resistant with top-end yield potential in both RKN and nonRKN environments.

DP 1410 B2RF

early

4.1

light-hairy

36.8

30.9

Broadly adapted across West TX conditions; high yield potential.

DP 1454NR B2RF

full

4.3-4.5

light-hairy

35.1-37.6

29.1-31.4

RKN resistant, adapted to sandy soils.

DP 1311 B2RF

early

4.4

light-hairy

36.5

29.4

Excellent fiber quality and yield potential for short-season environments.

DP 1321 B2RF

early-mid

4.4-5.2

semi-smooth

34.6-36.8

30.0-31.0

High yield potential, nice fiber package, widely adapted to short-season environments.

DP 1359 B2RF

full

4.0-4.6

smooth

34.9-36.8

29.8-32.4

Very responsive to high-yield environments in TX and AZ, outstanding yield potential.

DP 1212 B2RF

early

4.5

light-hairy

36.4-37.6

31.0-31.7

Excellent seedling vigor and fiber length, proven high-yielder with improved fiber quality for TX.

DP 1219 B2RF

early-mid

4.0-4.5

semi-smooth

34.9-37.5

30.2-32.7

Broadly adapted to handle stressful conditions, great combination of yield and quality potential.

DP 1252 B2RF

full

4.2-4.7

smooth

34.4-36.9

28.1-29.6

Proven high-yielder on irrigated and more productive soils.

DP 1133 B2RF

mid

4.4-4.9

smooth

35-37.1

30.7-31.6

Fits the tougher conditions of East TX and lower Mid-South.

DP 1137 B2RF

mid

4.3-4.6

smooth

35.3-36.6

28.3-29.4

Vigorous plant that fits soils where larger stalk size is needed.

DP 1034 B2RF

mid

4.5

smooth

37.2

29.6

Vigorous plant with excellent stability.

DP 1044 B2RF

mid-full

4.2-4.5

semi-smooth

34.1-36.4

28.8-30.1

Very popular in TX; great on dryland and limited-water acres, with outstanding yield potential.

DP 1050 B2RF

full

4.0-4.8

smooth

34.7-37.3

27.8-29.5

Proven performer across a range of yield environments, excellent fiber quality for yield potential.

mid-full

4.2-4.6

semi-smooth

34.6-36.6

30.2-32.3

Roundup Ready Flex variety that can handle tough growing conditions.

DP 358 RF Pima

mid-full

4.2

hairy

48.0

42.8

Great combination of yield potential, Pima quality and excellent tolerance to Fusarium Race 4.

DP 348 RF Pima

mid-full

4.2

hairy

48.0

42.8

New Roundup Ready Flex Pima with excellent tolerance to Fusarium Race 4.

Genuity Roundup Ready Flex DP 1441 RF

Pima

CROPLAN CROPLAN 3787B2RF

mid-full

4.2-4.6

semi-smooth

35-37

30-31

Outstanding yield and fiber with premium staple.

CROPLAN 3885B2XF

full

4.4-4.7

smooth

36-38

30-31

New B2XF for full season market.

CROPLAN 3475B2XF

early

4.1-4.6

semi-smooth

36-38

31-33

New early B2XF, broadly adapted across Cotton Belt, excellent yield and fiber quality.

HAZERA HA211

medium

3.8-4.1

semi-smooth

48-50

36.5-38.5

High yielding for Acala/Pima regions.

HA690

early-med

3.8-4.1

semi-smooth

48

37.5-38.5

Very high yielding.

HA1432

medium

3.8-4.1

semi-smooth

46-48

38-39

Very high yielding.

SEED SOURCE GENETICS Conventional SSG HQ210CT

mid-early

4.5-4.8

smooth

35-37

28-30

Smooth leaf picker type.

SSG HQ212CT

mid-early

4.5-4.8

smooth

35-37

28-30

Smooth leaf picker type.

SSG UA 103

early

4.0-4.5

smooth

36-39

31-33

Okra leaf, picker type.

SSG UA 222

mid-early

4.0-4.5

semi-smooth

36-39

29-33

Picker type.

New varieties for 2016 in blue COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

11

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

As of January 30, 2015, Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton has been approved for cultivation in the United States and approved for import in Australia, Mexico, Canada, and Japan. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted.

It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Growers should refer to http://www. biotradestatus.com for any updated information on import country approvals.

Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides, dicamba, the active ingredient in M1691, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand herbicides.

Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate.

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

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Only commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product.

B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.

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

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

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

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

Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Bollgard II®, Genuity Design®, Genuity®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design®, and XtendFlex® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Dedicated to Cotton. Committed to You.® and Deltapine® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company.

LibertyLink and the Water Droplet Design® is a registered trademark of Bayer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 Monsanto Company.

DP-16009-CF-LC-REV

12

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Tour participants stop to take a picture with cotton producers Trent (left) and Jason (right) Felton after visiting their field during harvest.

S

ISP Funds Annual Farm Tours

ince 2010, the Importer Support Program (ISP) of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated has funded annual farm tours for brands and retailers as part of a concentrated effort to educate decision makers in the supply chain about cotton production.

Elizabeth King, Vice President of Importer Support for The Cotton Board said, “The ISP Committee considers these farm tours our single most effective outreach program, with the biggest return on our investment. When these supply chain decision makers actually see cotton in the field, meet the growers and witness firsthand the scope of the effort of continuous improvement, they leave as ambassadors of U.S. cotton.”

This year’s farm tours were held in October and included 59 attendees representing 31 companies, such as Carhartt, Dockers, Levi’s, Macy’s, Target and Walmart. Since the program’s inception, over 250 supply chain decision makers have attended.

On the first day, participants were taken to the Cotton Museum in Memphis, Tenn., and heard from Cotton Incorporated experts on cotton production and sustainability.

On day two, the groups traveled to Marianna, Ark., and visited the farms of Larry McClendon, Trent and Jason Felton, Ramey Stiles, Billy Hinkle and Nathan Reed. The participants were able to walk and explore the cotton field and had the unique opportunity

to see how cotton looks and feels in the field. The tours take place during harvest, so participants were also able to experience riding in a cotton picker.

Next, the groups stopped at the University of Arkansas Research Station in Marianna for lunch and a presentation from Dr. Tina Teague.

Teague reiterated the message of the cotton industry’s commitment to the environment and answered questions about current practices in pest and weed control. The last stop was the McClendon, Mann & Felton Gin and the company warehouse to see the final stages of cotton’s journey before the spinning mill.

To wrap up the tours, on day three, participants visited the USDA Cotton Classing Office in Memphis. They learned how cotton is graded, how high-volume instruments collect data on each bale of cotton grown in the United States and how each bale has a unique identification bar code.

“Every year, we are able to see impressions and opinions changed when key decision makers see the innovation, sustainability practices and sophisticated technology that goes into producing U.S. cotton,” said King.

“Overall, the tours spark an interest in cotton and leave participants with the knowledge to feel good about using cotton in their businesses.”

The Cotton Board contributed this article.

CF1115 Layout_CF 11/13 template 10/21/15 9:13 AM Page 11

What you put in the ground determines what you put in the tank.

Plant glufosinate tolerant seeds. Reap the benefits of new Interline herbicide.

It’s one of your earliest decisions…’What seed variety will I plant in the spring? What tool will I use to combat weed resistance in-season?’ In past years you may have wanted to plant glufosinate-tolerant or LibertyLink cotton or soybean, but were uncertain if the chemistry would be available for you to use during herbicide application timing. Worry no more!

As the second largest global manufacturer of glufosinate herbicide, UPI is pleased to announce the launch of new Interline™ herbicide. Manufactured in our new state-of-the-art facility, Interline provides a different mode-of-action herbicide that controls those tough resistant weeds in crop such as pigweed, waterhemp, marestail, and ragweed.

So choose and plant your glufosinate tolerant seeds with confidence, and Interline herbicide will be ready and waiting in the spring. To learn more, contact your local UPI distributor, UPI sales representative or visit www.upi-usa.com.

Doing Things Better.

Always read and follow label directions and precautions. LibertyLink is a trademark of Bayer CropScience.

Interline and UPI logo are trademarks of United Phosphorus, Inc. ©September, 2015. UPI, 630 Freedom Business Center, King of Prussia, PA 19406. www.upi-usa.com.

CCOY 1993 RECIPIENT Cotton Consultant of the Year

Billy McLawhorn NC CONSULTANT ENJOYS PERSONAL INTERACTION

Dr. Jane Dever specializes in cotton breeding at Texas A&M University in Lubbock.

As an independent cotton consultant, I love the challenge of working with outstanding producers who are focused on continuous improvement.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of producers, including the second generation, and, in a few cases, the third generation.

I’ve also enjoyed collaborating with the entire network of independent consultants. They are always willing to share information with other consultants as well as producers. We’ve had strong Extension and industry support, too.

In looking back, it was very humbling to have been selected by my peers as the 1993 CCOY. I appreciate Cotton Farming and Syngenta continuing to provide this recognition.

That feels good.

Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by

Cotton Farming 14

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Cotton Variety Selection ABCs

BY JANE DEVER TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

T

he ABCs of variety selection may start with letters behind a va r iety na me denoting insect resistance or herbicide tolerance technology, but they certainly do not end there.

Beyond the letters are complex characteristics controlled by multiple genes – yield, fiber quality, stress response, disease resistance, plant type and relative maturity. “A” stands for area-appropriate. Consider performance data generated from the same area as your farm. Know specific field production constraints and choose varieties with appropriate disease resistance, nematode tolerance and moisture stress response.

“B” is for broadening risk with more tha n one va r iety in more than one maturity class so harvest on large farms can be staggered.

Broadened risk improves the odds of catching beneficial rains and avoiding widespread hail damage.

“C” is for control. Stay grounded with input capabilities. Highhorsepower varieties in low-input situations can lead to quality problems.

“Control” reminds me of the first cotton farmer to ask my advice on variety selection – my father, who passed away in May. Professional presentation of yield data did not impress him.

He told me, “I can make these varieties yield. Show me something with the potential for good fiber quality. I have less control over that.”

Most blurbs on variety selection advise to consider “yield, yield and yield.” In honor of Dad, I’ll stick my neck out in today’s market environment and advise “quality, quality and yield.”

Mat ch va r iet y cha rac t er istics beyond the letters to the area, broaden risk by not planting the entire area to one variety and make both variety selection and late-season management decisions you can control to support fiber quality from A to $.

Dr. Jane Dever is Associate Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, Lubbock, Texas. Contact Dever at (806) 746-6101 or jdever@ ag.tamu.edu.

Choosing A Cotton Variety For 2016

BY FRED BOURLAND AND BILL ROBERTSON

I

n recent years, the presence of glyphosate-resistant pigweed in Mid-South cotton has compelled producers to grow glufosinate (Liberty)-tolerant varieties. In 2015, more than 85 percent of cotton acreage in Arkansas was planted to varieties that are tolerant to glufosinate.

This acreage included 11 percent planted to XtendFlex (resistant to dicamba) varieties.

However, dicamba applications beyond the current burndown label were not allowed. A lmost half of the transgenic entries in the 2015 Arkansas Cotton Variety Test were resistant to dicamba or 2,4-D (Enlist) – a clear indication of the direction of variety development.

The Enlist trait is fully registered in the United States, and the herbicide is labeled in all Mid-South states except Tennessee. Import approvals for some Far East countries are still being pursued. We expect a limited

release of Enlist cotton in 2016. It is expected, but at this point still uncertain whether labels will allow spraying of dicamba beyond burndown on XtendFlex Fred cotton in 2016. Thus, Bourland producers should make their variety choices accordingly and follow all label requirements.

Selection of varieties then returns to long- established pr inciples of choosing varieties that are likely to produce stable, high yields of premium quality cotton – regardless of their transgene conf iguration.

Producers should maintain a base of varieties that have previously performed well in their area, and then explore the use of alternative varieties on a limited basis.

Results from state variety tests and local str ip tests/demonstrations should be used to determine

wh ich specif ic va r iety to pla nt.

Parameters from these tests usually include lint yield and fiber quality. Add itiona l ly, ou r A rk a nsas Cotton Variety Test report (www.

A rk a n s a sVa r iet y Te sti ng.com) includes measures of maturity, yield components (how yield is attained), pubescence (hairs on leaves, stems and bracts) and host plant resistance.

L ow cotton pr ices a re forcing producers to carefully consider every production input. Technology fees may be avoided if viable alternatives are available. To be viable, the alternative must provide cost-effective control of weeds and/or worms and produce competitive yield and acceptable fiber quality.

Fred Bourland, Center Director, Northeast Research and Extension Center, Keiser, Ark. (bourland@uark.edu). Bill Robertson, U of A Extension cotton specialist. (brobertson@uaex.edu).

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15

CF1115 Layout_CF 11/13 template 10/21/15 9:38 AM Page 14

WHEN YOU GIVE COTTON GROWERS THE TOTAL PACKAGE, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT. It’s time for growers to expect more from a cottonseed. And Stoneville® delivers.

Through advanced breeding, growers can expect better cotton quality, improved disease tolerance and high yield potential. Now that there’s a cottonseed that delivers it all, the sky’s the limit. Learn more at Stoneville.com

©2015 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Stoneville and Stoneville Design are registered trademarks of Bayer. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.Stoneville.com CR0715STONEVA152V00R0 A-27698-1

CF1115 Layout_CF 11/13 template 10/21/15 9:39 AM Page 15

Specialists Speaking Surprisingly Good Harvest Overall FLORIDA David Wright Most of the growers in the Southeast have just begun to harvest cotton as peanut harvest was delayed by wet weather in September and October. Most growers are two to three weeks behind their normal harvest timing and hope that they get a few good weeks of harvest before the impacts of the El NiĂąo come into play.

2015 was like every year in farming; there are a few curve balls with the first being wet weather in April followed by a dry and hot May-July period. July had record heat, and we were not certain how this would impact boll set or final yield. Some cotton that has been picked has yielded very well. Cotton is still an excellent rotation crop for growers, and where irrigation is not available, it is a better choice than non-irrigated corn in most years.

Yields will be variable across the state as areas of dry weather impacted some cotton while other areas got timely rains. Overall, we should have average or slightly above average yields as the new cotton varieties seem to perform well with less than ideal conditions. wright@ufl.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten Most growers are probably taking soil samples during the day and perhaps trying to make decisions on seed for next year at night. With much of our acreage in reduced tillage systems, I think it would be a good idea to pick at least a few representative fields and do some stratified soil testing. Lime and Phosphorus (P) are not very mobile in the soil and in reduced till systems we may see some stratification of pH and P levels.

Taking a set of shallow (two inches deep) samples to compare to normal soil samples will help determine if this is happening in your fields. If you find that your shallow soil samples have adequate pH and P levels while your regular soil samples show low pH and P levels, you might want to consider some tillage to incorporate lime and/ or P applications. Some growers may be hesitant to want to perform any tillage that might disrupt soil structure gains in reduced tillage systems. Taking samples in this manner could give you a warning that stratification is developing so that prophylactic adjustments can be made. Stratification of pH is potentially more harmful than stratification of P. This is certainly a good time of year to evaluate variety performance and fiber quality. Your ginner may be able to help you if you provide variety information for modules or bales. Fiber quality discounts are especially painful in periods like this with low cotton prices. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme As we approach the middle part of October, approximately 90 percent of the cotton acres have been harvested. Harvest conditions have been good throughout the state during the past two months.

Hopefully, we should finish harvesting by the end of October. Louisiana will harvest around 110,000 acres of cotton this year, which will be the lowest on record. Only 19 cotton gins were open for business this year.

18

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

Yield estimates for the state are projected to be around 9501,000 pounds of lint per acre. Compared to the 2013 and 2014 crop, this year’s crop we will be off about 200-250 pounds of lint per acre. According to USDA-AMS figures (as of Oct. 15) out of Rayville, 55 percent of the bales received have produced a micronaire value of 5.0 or greater. In 2014, only 25.7 percent of the bales produced a micronaire of 5.0 or greater. This year, length is a little shorter, while strength and uniformity are tending to be a little higher when compared to the 2014 crop. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson The National Agricultural Statistics Service October Crop Production report kept the yield estimate for Arkansas cotton at 1,218 lbs lint/A. Last month, I felt this estimate was too high for a number of reasons. However, as our harvest is nearing completion, it is becoming obvious that a little BBQ sauce may be needed for my crow.

We have experienced a fall with almost unequalled consecutive days of harvest. There are many fields that have received no rain from first open boll to harvest. Basically everything the plant produced is going into the module. Fields are picking clean, and color grades are great. Hopefully, we can get a rain soon to germinate our cover crops and obtain the amount of growth needed before favorable temperatures are no longer occurring.

While we have harvested a number of our county on-farm variety plots, we have yet to start the gin. Based on seedcotton weights, we have a number of varieties containing new technology that are performing well. Remember, this represents only one year of testing.

We look forward to combining the county data with Dr. Fred Bourland’s Variety Performance Trial results to get a better idea of yield and fiber quality characteristics.

County production meetings are being scheduled at this time.

Contact your local county Extension agent for dates and locations for your county or for adjoining counties if you are unable to attend the one in your county. brobertson@uaex.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper It appears that Tennessee may set a new yield record in the 2015 season. After a rough start, most acres received timely rains and the heat required to mature the crop. Additionally, the harvest season up to this point has remained fairly dry. Early numbers are outstanding and confirm observations made by seasoned consultants. Our first-harvested, large (55 acre+) variety trial, located on gently rolling dryland ground, will likely turnout greater than 2.75 bale/A with several plots breaking three bale/A. Although the market outlook has been bleak, I believe those who decide to plant cotton next year will be looking at some of the highest yielding, most broadly adaptable varieties ever sold. To see how tested varieties performed in your area of Tennessee or to be the first to see UT trial results concerning other production decisions, keep an eye on news.utcrops.com or visit our full website at utcrops. com. traper@utk.edu

Continued on page 20

CF1115 Layout_CF 11/13 template 10/21/15 9:40 AM Page 17

Sign up for our E-News You’re already a long-time reader of Cotton Farming magazine. In fact, you’ve been a loyal reader for many years. So, how else can you stay informed on the latest developments in the cotton industry?

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It’s easy staying informed on everything happening in the world of cotton.

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Sign up Go to www.cottonfarming.com and look for the Cotton Farming E-News link in the upper right corner of the home page.

It's quick and easy.

Specialists Speaking Continued from page 18

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds Mississippi growers have enjoyed a tremendous harvest season in 2015. Very little to no rain has been received throughout the harvest season, and many growers will be completely done with field activities

by Nov. 1. Yields have been variable depending on location with several areas receiving very little to no rainfall since July 4. Although we will not produce yields in 2015 as a state like we did in 2013 and 2014, most have been pleasantly surprised with yields given the challenging growing conditions we encountered this season.

Based on conversations with growers this fall, it appears that cotton acres will increase to some extent in 2016 in Mississippi.

Although the exact acreage increase will not be known until the last seed is planted, early indications point to as much as a 25 percent increase in acres in 2016. With fieldwork nearly complete, focus should turn to fertility and pH management as well as variety selection for next year. Given current commodity markets, fertilizer applications should be based on sound soil test recommendations.

While it may be tempting to reduce fertilizer inputs with markets being down, fertilizer is like fuel for your equipment – you can go a long way with it, but not very far without it.

With regard to variety selection, take a look at all reputable data and pay particularly close attention to data collected from situations similar to those you farm under (i.e. irrigation, soil texture, etc.). With the influx of new varieties and germplasm, variety selection will be a critical decision heading into the new year. darrind@ext.msstate.edu

TEXAS Mark Kelley Harvest season was in high gear on the Texas High Plains prior to the arrival of thunderstorms and showers. However, it should not be long before producers are back in the fields, especially in areas with lower rainfall amounts.

Quality of the bales that have been classed so far has been good with color grades of 11 and 21, leaf grades at or below three and staple averages of 34-36. Strength values are holding near 30 g/text, and uniformity is at or just above 80 percent. Micronaire values are ranging from 3.8 to 4.6, depending on location. Unless we get into a wet pattern, I expect quality to improve, not decline. mkelley@ag.tamu.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan The South and East Texas cotton crop was more than a month behind normal due to late planting and delayed plant development. When it came time to harvest the crop, scattered showers further delayed getting the crop out of the field. However, we were fortunate that no prolonged periods of wet weather or intensive rainfall occurred and nearly every field was harvested by early October. Yields were disappointing throughout South and East Texas with the exception of the Rio Grande Valley, where they were quite good. Overall, fiber quality has been good.

In the Rolling Plains, the year started late for most cotton fields, but the full profile of soil moisture was welcome. The Northern Rolling Plains continued to get some rain through mid-July; however, the Southern Rolling Plains was less fortunate. The warm fall did provide an opportunity for the crop to mature, and as of early

20

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

October, harvest aids were being applied throughout the Rolling Plains. The yields are estimated at above average for the Northern Rolling Plains, but yield diminished moving into the Southern Rolling Plains.

Glyphosate-resistant weeds were a problem in every cotton production region in 2015. The expected repeated battle in 2016 has our dryland cotton producers really concerned because the additional weed control costs will be difficult to cover. Pre-plant incorporated and pre-emergence herbicides will be the key to economically managing these glyphosate-resistant weeds, but the XtendFlex and Enlist cotton technology will also be in demand as a management tool. gmorgan@tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman As the 2015 crop races toward maturity and harvest, conditions have turned off hot and dry once again. Rainfall in many areas has been scant since the middle of August, and many dryland fields have encountered a tough finish with respect to soil moisture. However, irrigated fields have benefitted from September cotton heat units, which were about 35 percent above normal. The first two weeks of October have provided significantly above normal heat units, also.

From an irrigated cotton perspective, the finish has been excellent as long as good moisture was available. Nearly all dryland fields and many irrigated fields exhibited significant moisture stress by the end of September. Most cotton in the state was planted in the last few days of May, with a great majority of it planted in the first two weeks of June. The open skies and hot finish has provided an opportunity for the crop to reach a good level of maturity.

However, it has been quite a long run of days without significant precipitation in many areas, and this has made winter crop establishment difficult. Aug. 19 was the last rainfall event at Altus that provided at least 0.75 inch of moisture. September only tallied 0.45 inch, and through Oct. 14, that month only recorded 0.09 inches. As of this writing, growers were just beginning to harvest dryland fields, and irrigated fields will soon see the harvesters. It is anticipated that our crop size will certainly be better than the past few drought years.

Quality remains to be seen, but maturity issues should not be problematic. As we proceed later into the fall, we are all grateful for the precipitation and runoff that we received in May and are optimistically watching the yield and quality of this year’s crop. randy.boman@okstate.edu

SPECIAL REPORT

A Farmer’s View Of The Clean Water Act

BY RUSSELL BOENING PRESIDENT, TEXAS FARM BUREAU

A

s a fourth generation farmer in South Texas, you could say that I make my living with water. My crops will not grow without it. Our dairy cows will not give milk without enough fresh, clean water.

I use what we call “best management practices,” meaning that we comply with label directions, use conservation methods and other tools of modern agriculture. We also plant biotech crops. That means we use fewer and smaller amounts of chemicals than we needed two decades ago.

We live on the land. Our children and grandchild drink water from this land. If we did not take care of our resources, including the water, we’d be in serious trouble. It would be bad for our business. Besides, it’s my job to take care of the land. Anything less would be wrong. All people everywhere have a responsibility to take care of the environment. This is especially true of farmers.

That’s why it disturbs me some that I, and most other farmers, must oppose the EPA’s recent changes to the Clean Water Act, sometimes referred to as WOTUS. That stands for Waters of the United States. Good regulations for agriculture protect the environment, delivering benefits that outweigh the costs.

The new Clean Water Rule does not come close to that. It will regulate ditches and low spots in the field. Our analysis says farmers might have to obtain permits for the most routine of farming practices.

These would include applying farm chemicals, and we are already required to have an applicator ’s license. It does not stop there. It’s possible a permit would be needed to build fences or even to plow.

Rule’s Impact Unclear Most farmers will find it difficult to comply with the regulations and EPA’s fines can run up to $37,000 a

day for each violation. It’s possible to be in violation without knowing it.

Worst of all, we don’t yet know exactly how the rule will impact us, because the rule is so open to interpretation.

We fear that much regulatory power. It seems all too likely that we could be inadvertently out of compliance because a regulator Russell says so.

Boening For those reasons and others, the Texas Farm Bureau has joined with the American Farm Bureau Federation, other agricultural organizations and organizations representing home builders, road builders, manufacturers and petroleum interests to challenge the rule in court. Nearly 30 states have filed lawsuits as well. At least one federal judge agrees with us. He has stayed the implementation of the rule in 13 states. Unfortunately, Texas is not one of them. However, our day in court is coming. This rule is bad enough that we are optimistic about winning.

One Farmer’s Promise I stayed in our family business to earn a living and support my own family. It’s certain these regulations will make that more difficult, but it’s more than that. It’s the mission of farmers and ranchers like me, all over the state of Texas, to grow safe, healthy and affordable food for you.

The fifth generation of Boenings is now farming this land. I dream about the sixth taking over one day, if my grandchildren want to do that. Our goal is now and will always be to keep the land in trust for them. The soil and the water will be in better shape than when my brother and I assumed responsibility for it. That’s my promise to the grandkids – and to you.

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities: Notice to Growers Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read, understand and accept the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for Insect Resistance Management (IRM), for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed as set forth in the Bayer Grower Technology Agreement (BGTA) that you sign. By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with the most recent stewardship and regulatory requirements.

Bayer CropScience is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS).

Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance and in compliance with the Bayer Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops.

The combination of biotechnology traits expressed in this cottonseed has achieved full regulatory authorization in the U.S. and several export markets. Processed fractions from this cottonseed, including linters, oil, meal and gin trash, must not be exported without all necessary approvals in the importing country. Bayer CropScience encourages growers to talk to their cotton merchant, broker, or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for commodity components of this product.

Information regarding the regulatory status of this cottonseed can be obtained at www.biotradestatus.com.

Bt products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Bayer CropScience Representative or refer to the most recent TwinLink ® Insect Resistance Management (IRM) Guide for restrictions in your state.

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

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL I N S T R U C T I O N S . L i b e r t y L i n k ® c ro p s contain genes that confer tolerance to glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand agricultural herbicide. Liberty herbicide will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. ©2014 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Liberty, LibertyLink, Stoneville, Stoneville Design and TwinLink are registered t r a d e m a r k s o f B a y e r. E x c e l l ence Through Stewardship is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. Liberty is not registered in all states. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us CR0714STONEVA094V00R0 B-27081-1

This article was reprinted with permission from the Texas Farm Bureau.

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

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Industry News

Scott Miller, writer/editor with Clemson University recently reported that Clemson Extension agents across the state continue to help communities recover from the historic flood and are scouting fields to assess losses to the state’s $41.7 billion agriculture and forestry industry.

Many crops have already been lost to the flood. Others may be lost in the coming weeks due to disease caused by wet conditions. Planting for the fall season will be disrupted. Crops that can be salvaged will be hard to reach given field flooding and road closures, says Brian Callahan, associate director of Clemson Extension.

Extension plans to estimate economic losses caused by flooding, but this will take considerable time to calculate. Agents continue to help with cleanup efforts at public buildings and assist in the removal of debris from roadways. Many Extension offices remain closed and may remain closed for an extended period of time.

Visit www.clemson.edu/public/ disaster_response/october_2015_

CLEMSON UNIVERITY

Clemson Assists With Flood Recovery, Damage Assessment

Sprouted cotton reflects damage caused by heavy rains in the Carolinas. flood.html for Extension office closings and flooding news, including flood disaster resources. Email Extension personnel at www.clemson.edu/extension/.

2015 Hall Of Fame Class Named Cotton Incorporated recently announced the 2015 class of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame. The program, now in its second year, recognizes U.S. cotton industry leaders that have made significant contributions to the program or to the cotton industry in general.

The five honorees for the 2015 Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame include: Dr. Fred Bourland

(Arkansas); David Burns (North Carolina); Jim Hansen (California); Dr. Preston Sasser (North Carolina); and Hugh Summerville (Alabama).

The 2015 honorees were chosen from nominations made by Certified Producer and Importer Organizations and voted upon by the Chairman’s Committee of the Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors. The honorees will be formally inducted at the joint Cotton Incorporated/Cotton Board annual meeting in December.

Contamination Prevention The National Cotton Council (NCC) and the National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA) have produced multiple educational pieces to assist producers and ginners in meeting the U.S. cotton industry’s goal of zero contamination in seed cotton and lint.

NCC’s website contains a number of educational pieces related to contamination and quality preservation: www.cotton.org/tech/quality/ index.cfm. NCGA educational videos are available as DVDs and can be ordered at www.cotton.org/ncga/ request-ncga-media.cfm.

Getting Back To The Basics: Conventional Cotton Seed

• Plant Early • Yield More • Make More $ Seed Source Genetics offers high yielding, conventional COLD TOLERANT cottonseed at a low cost to producers in the Mid-South, Southeast and Texas. Our goal is to make cotton farming profitable again.

* New Varieties available from Seed Source Genetics for the 2015 growing season in limited supply. • UA103 • UA222 Varieties • HQ 110 CT • HQ 210 CT • HQ 212 CT • HQ 310 CT • CT Linwood For more information contact:

SEED SOURCE GENETICS, INC.

Currently Booking All Varieties

Edward Jungmann • 5159 FM 3354 • Bishop, TX 78343 Office: 361-584-3540 Mobile: 361-548-7560 Fax: 361-584-4472

eejungmann@gmail.com www.seedsourcegenetics.com 22

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

COTTON

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

Food Safety Rules Could Affect Cotton Gins On Sept. 10, 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new rules that could directly affect cotton gins across the country by next year.

Most people don’t think of cotton gins as producers of food, but since 2003, cotton gins have been required to register with the FDA as a producer of food for animals. We call it feed; FDA calls it animal food. Under a couple of different acts of Congress, first in response to the 9/11 attacks and then as a result of an ongoing effort to better protect the American people from foodborne illnesses, producers of food for both animals and humans have been subject to FDA rules and inspection.

Until last month, the most a gin had to do was register, renew every other year and maintain records of who brought them cotton and who they shipped cotton seed to. A few gins would get inspected each year, but there was relatively little disruption or real impact to the industry. The new rules developed as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) have the potential to change that.

Cotton gins are an extension of harvest. We’ve been treated as such by many different agencies and in their rules for decades. As such, all we do at the gin is separate the seed

from the lint. The lint is the primary product, and the seed is a bonus. Many gins ship seed directly to a mill while others hold some for a period of time and ship out periodically to dairies around the country. Our seed is stored and shipped very similar to grain at a grain elevator.

Under the new rules, cotton gins are treated differently from elevators. Elevators, as we understand it, are exempt from some key portions of the new rules. The number of hoops that they have to jump through are minimal – very similar to the past with the biggest burden being recordkeeping – something they are already doing. For some reason, cotton gins are treated differently. We are still trying to understand FDA’s justification for the different treatment, but as it stands, gins will have to do a hazard evaluation and develop and implement plans to

FOR SALE COMPLETE 3/116 GIN PLANT Including:

PARMER COUNTY COTTON GROWERS PO Box 842 • Farwell, TX 79325 806-825-3701 Craig Rohrbach crorhbach@pccgcoop.com

2323

COTTON COTTON FARMING FARMING NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 20152015

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

• 1-3 pad Beltwide Traveling head module feeder • 1-Murray 96” Incline • 1-96” Horn Rescuer 4000 Factory • 2-Murray 72” 7 cyl I/C • 1-Murray Hi side 72” 7 cyl I/C • 3-Consolidated 66” Feedmaster • 3-Lummus 116 saw gin stand • 3-Ziph Controller • 3-CMI Super Jet • 3-Moss Gordin 66” standard lint cleaners • 1-54”Battery Condenser • 1-Continental Double Box UD Press Factory w/1 pump (Bespress) • 1-Murray 52” V.S. separator w/ vacuum • 1-International C-30 mote press

address any of the hazards discovered in the analysis. This seems an unnecessary burden if we are functioning the same as an elevator.

The new rules are being implemented over the next 12 months with the evaluations and plans required to be in place

by September 2016. In the meantime, your state and regional cotton ginners associations, in cooperation with the National Cotton Council and National Cotton Ginners Association, are planning on opening a dialogue with FDA to discuss the different treatment of gins versus other facilities that store feed. template 3/7/14 3:26 PM 1 As Page this process moves forward, your associations will be keeping members informed as to the rule specifics and how to comply with whichever sections are finally applicable.

Our goal is to keep this process as simple and practical as possible while achieving the intent of the new rules. Expect more from your organizations as things move via their normal communications, newsletters and/or blogs.

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

Gin season is here. We’ve extended parts shipping hours just for you.

For Parts or Service:

samjackson.com

1-800-862-9966

WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM 1116 Slaton Hwy. Lubbock, TX

FOR SALE: 2 – 158 GIN STANDS WITH CONTROLS MANUFACTURER OF HI-CAPACITY LINT CLEANING SYSTEMS IN 86” to 110” WIDTHS NEW 60” & 72” OVERSHOT BATTERY CONDENSERS

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

96” TO 144” INCLINE CLEANERS, STICK MACHINES & AIRLINE SEPARATORS HIGH CAPACITY VACUUMS USED & FACTORY REBUILT GIN MACHINERY BALE HANDLING SYSTEMS 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 E-MAIL: NORTHERNLUCUS@YAHOO.COM WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM

24

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

LEC-200 Electronic Seed Scale

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

Lubbock Electric Co. 800-692-4474

www.lubbockelectric.com

Make Your Plans To Attend 2016 BWCC

The 2016 Beltwide Cotton Conferences are scheduled for Jan. 5-7 at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans.

Make plans to attend this meeting, which will feature the annual Ginning Conferences. Call the National Cotton Council at (901) 274-9030 for more details.

Cotton’s Calendar 2015 Nov. 18: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas.

Dec. 8-10: C. Board/CI Meeting, Williamsburg, Va. Dec. 16: PCCA Board Meeting, Lubbock, Texas.

Cotton Gin Brushes

Channel Saws

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

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

2016 Jan. 5-7: BWCC, New Orleans, La. Jan. 13-14: Cotton/Rice Conference, Memphis, Tenn.

Jan. 20-23: Southern/SE Meeting, Savannah, Ga. Jan. 27: Ga. Cotton Commission Meeting, Tifton, Ga. Feb. 5-7: NCC Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

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

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

July 31-Aug. 3: S./SE Board Meeting, Amelia Island, Fla. Aug. 2-4: C. Board/Cotton Inc. Meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.

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

2017 Jan. 4-6: BWCC, Dallas, Texas.

Jan. 18-21: S./SE Annual Meeting, Charlotte, N.C.

Ask your supplier for

RAM Brushes & Channel Saws or give us a call

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

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

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

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

1 – Consolidated 96” R-5000 Stick Machine* 2 – Consolidated 120” R-5000 Stick Machines* 1 – Lummus 60” overshot Standard Battery Condenser* 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot Standard Battery Condenser* 1 – Consolidated 72” undershot MC Battery Condenser* 1 – 1997 model Ginning/Lint Cleaning Line, consisting of a 96” wide Model 700TM Feeder, 170-Saw ImperialTM III Gin, Super-Jet® Lint Cleaner, and tandem (2) Model 108 Lint Cleaners, with all guards, duct work, and related items 1 – Belt-Wide 75-HP Flooded-Suction Hydraulic Booster Pumping Unit 1 – Lubbock Electric Hydraulic Pumping Unit for Gin Dor-Les® or E.E. Dor-Les® Press (single reservoir with multiple motor/pump groups) 1 – Lummus Bale Handling System for up-packing press 1 – Lot, miscellaneous Burner and Moisture Unit components (contact us for details) * - does not include any Steel Supports or Platforms

®

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

© Copyright 2015 Lummus Corporation COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

25

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

2 – Lummus Model 66 Lint Cleaners with Condensers

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

My Turn Cotton Versus Polyester

P

i c t u r e t h i s . A indicate their molecular structure: Plastic #1 is PET, used in soda and water botfuture time, perh a p s 10 y e a r s tles and clothing. This is the most common form f rom t oday. It ’s of polyester used in textile fibers.

Plastic #2 is High Density Polyethylene Christmas morning, and a young kid opens the (HDPE), used in soap bottles and milk jugs.

Plastic #3 is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) (often Christmas gift his grandknown as vinyl), used in outdoor furniture, parents gave him.

He unpacks it quickly shrink wrap and water bottles.

Plastic #4 is Low Density Polyethylene hoping he likes whatever is being given because (LDPE), used in produce bags and food containhe needs to look happy, ers. The little plastic bags used in markets often Andrew and the best way to do become contaminants in seed cotton.

Olah Plastic #5 is Polypropylene (PP), used in bottle that is to actually be happy. Unpacked, the gift caps and food containers. PP competes directly he finds is a 100 percent polyester team jersey with many natural fibers, including jute, sisal, from his favorite professional basketball play- hemp and coir in rope and bagging applications, er. Perhaps it’s the jersey Lebron James’ son and PP is a major source of contamination in cotton because of its use wears for the Boston in fertilizer and food Celtics. He holds it “What is going on in the bags that are often up to show the family used by farmers in and says, “Do you guys clothing industry?” developing countries as realize this is made seed cotton sacks. from polyester and will Plastic #6 is Polystyrene (PS), used in packagnever biodegrade? I mean never EVER EVER ing and foam cups.

BIODEGRADE?” Plastic #7 is all other types of plastic polymers “Oh?” his grandmother says, “The store said it with a variety of uses. was recycled polyester.”

What seems right is to substitute natural The kid rolls his eyes. “So it does last forever.”

In February 2015, CNN wrote, “Nearly every fibers for unnatural fibers wherever possible. piece of plastic still exists on Earth, regardless Let us blend more wool, cotton, linen and reduce of whether it’s been recycled, broken down into our use of polyester and other synthetics. Let us support humans that grow natural fibers – peomicroscopic bits or discarded in the ocean.”

And the world keeps producing more of the ple who live off the fibers rather than support material – creating 288 million metric tons of factories that don’t replenish resources. Is it not it in 2012. About 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons clear to everyone by now that there is a limited of it ended up in the oceans in 2010, according amount of petroleum?

Do we really need a college football team like to the Journal of Science: http://edition.cnn. com/2015/02/12/world/ocean-trash-pollution/ Texas Tech wearing 100 percent polyester uniforms when cotton is grown all around Lubbock? index.html The word “plastic” is an umbrella term used Do sports teams at Southern Cal and UCLA to describe a variety of molecules, including really need to play games in synthetic uniforms polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyes- when they are two hours from Bakersfield farm ter, the same polyester that competes with cot- country? Seventeen states grow cotton, but every ton in world fiber markets or is used in NBA, sports team in each state wears polyester.

What is it that I’m missing?

NHL, NFL and college sports uniforms. There are about 45 different types of “plastic,” but six – Andrew Olah, New York City types account for the bulk of plastic production. amolah@olah.com Many containers are numbered on the bottom to Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to csmith@onegrower.com or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

26

COTTON FARMING NOVEMBER 2015

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

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

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

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

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

CF1115 Layout_CF 11/13 template 10/21/15 9:45 AM Page 20

2:54pm Lake Village, AR Not a weed in sight.

Can’t wait until harvest.

DELTAPINE.COM

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

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

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

Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides, dicamba, the active ingredient in M1691, and glufosinate, the active ingredient in Liberty® brand herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System weed control programs. Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2015 Monsanto Company. DP-16009-CF-DE-Elliot-1538-1522-1518-NOV