Jan 2015 cotton farming

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Cotton Farming

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ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

JANUARY 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

MAJOR COTTONPRODUCING COUNTRIES COMPETE FOR

GLOBAL MARKET

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New Product Evaluator

Billy Elliott | Lake Village, AR

Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions.

Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. Š2015 Monsanto Company. DP15012-CF-DE-1311, 1321, 1133-Elliot-JAN

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Vol. 59 No 1

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

JANUARY 2015

www.cottonfarming.com

F E A T U R E S

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NEMATODE CONTROL

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COURTING THE CHINESE

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GINNING MARKETPLACE

Alabama producer Charlie Speake has found a new way to control this troublesome pest.

Cotton Incorporated has high hopes for a new consumer marketing campaign in China. The promotion will use social media, traditional media and the Web to reach consumers.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY

Dusty Findley of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners’ Association offers yet another analysis of recent OSHA rulings that will have an impact on ginning operations across the Belt.

Global Industry

U.S. cotton faces serious competition as it tries to maintain and increase market share in the global arena. Overseas textile mills have many choices when they make their fiber purchases. That’s why it is important to understand the nature of cotton production in countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Australia, Brazil and India.

D E P A R T M E N T S

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 22 Specialists Speaking

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WEB EXCLUSIVE As the new year begins for cotton producers across the country, it’s interesting to gauge the attitude of everyone during the winter months. Cotton Farming Editor Tommy Horton met several farmers when he attended the Deltapine NPE Summit in Nashville, Tenn. Go to www.cottonfarming.com for his report.

C O L U M N S

33 Industry News 34 My Turn WEB POLL RESULTS

How important is it to understand the parameters of what global mills want in the area of fiber quality? Go to www.cottonfarming.com for the results.

ON THE COVER: Hong Kong and the rest of China represent an important market for U.S. cotton.

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

COTTON FARMING JANUARY 2015

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Editor’s Note Tommy Horton

Cotton Farming

®

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

Global Competition Can Be Challenging

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t is no secret that U.S. cotton is competing in a global market today that is difficult to understand. In fact, it is downright confounding that so many factors can affect how and when a farmer’s cotton reaches the customer. This is a far cry from a decade ago when U.S. cotton producers’ best customers were the textile mills right here at home.

Back in those days, producers delivered about 11 million bales of cotton each year to this country’s mills. An additional six million bales went to the export market. You know what happened next. The textile mill sector shrank, and now more than two-thirds of U.S. cotton is ticketed for export.

Domestic mills only consume about 3.8 million bales each year.

This country’s cotton industry now faces two major challenges – regaining demand that was lost to polyester and competing in a volatile global market. It certainly helps to understand U.S. cotton’s competitors. It also is crucial to support Cotton Council International’s efforts to increase U.S. cotton consumption in overseas markets.

When you read the Cotton’s Agenda column (written by Mark Lange) on page 6, you’ll gain a better understanding of how CCI’s Sourcing Summit addresses this problem of demand building. At its recent event in November, more than 420 major global sourcing companies attended. It gave U.S. cotton exporters an excellent opportunity to network with important customers and re-emphasize U.S. cotton’s quality and reliability.

In this issue, we also thought it would be beneficial to take a look at some of the other cotton-producing countries in the world. Beginning on page 8, you’ll find six reports from INTL FCStone Inc., in Nashville, Tenn. Also included is a summary of how the U.S. cotton crop looks for 2014-15.

Sometimes, it takes intense study of the global market to understand what the U.S. cotton farmer faces each year. It is a complicated web of inter-connected issues that often perplex the top analysts in the country.

We know that China’s policies – especially its large reserve of cotton stocks – make it difficult to predict what will happen next. And let’s don’t forget about cotton’s current low price, and how that affects the environment for all parties.

Our friends at INTL FCStone Inc. have given us a clear snapshot of what is happening in China, Australia, India, Brazil, Uzbekistan, as well as the United States. One fact is obvious. Now is the time for U.S. cotton to be bold as it works through these challenges. It won’t be easy, but we’re confident that the industry can succeed in its mission.

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

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

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

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

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board.

Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

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

One Grower Publishing, LLC

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

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COTTON FARMING JANUARY 2015

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

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WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT Want Style, Sustainability?

Consider Cotton

By Julia K. Hughes President U.S. Fashion Industry Association

Finding The Right Source United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) members – fashion brands, retailers, importers and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally – are industry leaders in terms of ethical sourcing.

While our members have always been committed to sourcing at the highest standards, today they are particularly focused on ethical sourcing as a critical component of business operations.

USFIA facilitates discussions on how to source the right product at the right price – and today, that’s a product manufactured in a safe, sustainable and responsible way.

But, we’re in the business of fashion – so, in today’s competitive market, that product must also meet customers’ standards for fit, function and style. USFIA member companies source products made with every type of fiber imaginable. If you’re looking at the whole equation – including sustainability, fit, function and style – cotton will remain an essential fiber.

Why do our members use cotton? The fiber has always been known for its durability and comfort, and no American garments are more iconic than cotton t-shirts and cotton denim jeans.

But brands use cotton for other items, too.

With technologies like moisture wicking and breathability, cotton is a preferred choice for athletic apparel. With varieties

Julia Hughes sees a bright future for cotton in the ever changing fashion world.

such as organic and Pima, cotton is a preferred choice by luxury brands for beautiful basics and wear-forever pieces.

Cotton’s Widespread Appeal Our friends at Cotton Incorporated have developed innovative dyeing and printing processes, making the fabric appealing to even fashion-forward brands. Through Cotton LEADS™, the U.S. and Australian cotton industries have addressed issues ranging from labor regulations and workplace safety, to programs that regulate and reduce the use of pesticides and water.

We recently co-hosted a webinar with Cotton Incorporated about the program, and it was one of our most popular to date.

(The webinar is available at www.usfashionindustry.com.)

I’m proud our members are committed to cotton, and importantly to continuing to improve cotton sustainability through their work as members of the Cotton Board and their support of Cotton LEADS™ and other programs.

Truthfully, there are probably fabrics of the future we can’t even imagine yet. But when you consider all cotton has to offer, I think we’ll see it in our closets for a long time.

From Fiber To Fabric • Fashion industry wants ethical sourcing.

• Cotton will remain an essential fiber.

• Cotton means durability and comfort.

• Preferred choice for athletic apparel.

• Cotton’s future remains strong.

“I’m proud our members are committed to cotton, and importantly to continuing to improve cotton sustainability.”

– Julia K. Hughes

Sponsored By

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Cotton’s Agenda Mark Lange

Strengthening Partnerships Cotton Council International (CCI), the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm, conducts numerous successful cotton demand-building events and activities, including the Sourcing USA Summit.

What is the Summit’s purpose?

■ The biennial event provides first-class networking opportunities that result in promoting cotton and COTTON USA and increasing U.S. cotton sales. In the Summit business forums, internationally recognized speakers tackle topics affecting the global cotton industry – not the least of which is finding ways to seize market opportunities and overcome competition from man-made fibers.

The Summit also enables the U.S. cotton industry to emphasize its commitment to responsible cotton production and to its global cotton supply chain partners. The event is organized in cooperation with CCI, Cotton Incorporated and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

more than 420 leading global sourcing companies. This provided extensive opportunities for U.S. exporters to meet with their customers from all over the world. The U.S. cotton industry also was able to highlight U.S. cotton’s quality and our industry’s value-added services to this valued audience. An integral part of that story is that cotton is “a great product, is natural, comfortable, real and fashionable.” And it adds value throughout the supply chain. It’s cool and casual, as in denim jeans and cotton T-shirts, and it is the fabric of choice for the hottest fashion designers. U.S. cotton producers and manufacturers use inventiveness, persistence and the latest technology to bring out the best in nature.

By the time U.S. cotton gets to the market, it is a first-class, high-value material.

In addition to the networking opportunities, the 2014 Summit featured many notable speakers.

That included Thomas Glaser, vice president, VF Corporation, and president, Supply Chain, and Steven Sare, senior vice president, Fast Retailing Group, and chief merchandising officer, UNIQLO USA. Both companies are committed to using cotton. Both of them spoke of technology’s importance and the need for responsibility in production – both of which are part of U.S. cotton’s promise to the entire supply chain – all the way to consumers.

NCC Chairman Wally Darneille delivered the opening address at the recent 2014 Sourcing USA Summit.

What were some 2014 Summit highlights?

■ The 2014 Sourcing USA Summit held in November in Scottsdale, Ariz., brought together

Jeff Rosensweig, director of the Global Perspectives Program at Goizueta Business School of Emory University, forecasted a global economic recovery that will drive demand for apparel, especially in developing countries. Gary Adams, the NCC’s vice president, Economics & Policy Analysis, told attendees that rebuilding demand is important as the supply/demand forecast points to a continued large supply of stocks, especially in China. Summit speaker presentations are available on www.sourcingusasummit.com for Summit attendees to log in and view.

Mark Lange is the president and chief executive officer for the National Cotton Council of America.

He and other NCC leaders contribute columns on this Cotton Farming page.

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JANUARY 2015

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Focus On Maximum Economic Yield Joe Cely Cely Crop Consulting Pamplico, S.C. I was a county agent for 30 years with Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. When I retired in 1996 here in Florence, I started consulting full-time. In 2004, my daughter, Ellen, joined me, and now we are partners in Cely Crop Consulting based in Pamplico.

Our growers take soil samples early in order to get the results back from the lab so we can begin making plans for the next season. Also, determining the crop mix is very important. Cotton, peanuts and tobacco are our “money crops.” The majority of our growers plant two of these, whether it’s cotton and tobacco, peanuts and tobacco or cotton and peanuts. A few producers plant all three. Soybeans typically are planted on land that we are not using for cotton, peanuts or tobacco, and corn is our rotation crop. We help growers select their crop mix based on projected commodity prices.

Variety Selection And Pigweed Control As far as variety selection, we always consider soil type, whether nematodes are present and the results of the Official Variety Trials (OVTs). The PhytoGen varieties have been good in our area. PhytoGen brand PHY 499 WRF is a real workhorse for us. We typically plant it on our better land for the potential yield that we can get. It also does well on sandy land. If I am aiming for three-bale cotton, I look to 499.

One of the biggest challenges in our area is controlling resistant pigweed. If the weather cooperates on dryland cotton, we have the tools to control this pest. But if pigweed is allowed to germinate, we are in trouble.

A lot of the herbicides that we use to control pigweed are surface-applied, so they need moisture for activation. With irrigation, we do a pretty good job. We can put the herbicide out, then water it in if need be. But with dryland cotton, we are dependent on the weather.

We try to start clean by making a burndown application, then come back at planting with one of the yellow herbicides followed by a preemerge application. Ten days to two weeks later, we make another herbicide application. About two weeks after that, we apply one of the herbicides that we did not use in the prior application. The herbicides we choose depend on conventional or conservation tillage practices and which varieties have been planted. This weed control strategy usually takes us up to layby. At that time, we have several products from which to choose.

In the insect arena, we control thrips early and depend on scouting to determine when stink bugs hit the threshold level. Stink bugs are our No. 1 insect pest. Fortunately, we really don’t have a problem with plant bugs compared to some other areas of the Cotton Belt.

Everyone knows that I am most interested in maximum economic yield.

Although I advise our growers to look for ways to cut costs, I don’t ask them to do anything that will jeopardize yields. I still think we can make money growing cotton, but we will have to budget even more closely than we have in the past and be frugal in the decisions that we make in 2015.

• B.S. degree in animal science – University of Georgia • M.S. degree in animal science and agronomy – Clemson University • Established Cely Crop Consulting in 1996 • Consults on cotton, peanuts, tobacco and wheat • Member of the North Carolina Agricultural Consultants Association • Married to wife, Barbara. Two grown children: Ellen Travaglio and Joseph Cely, Jr. Four grandchildren • Enjoys woodworking, fishing and spending time at Lake Marion

Recap: Focus On Maximum Economic Yield

▼

1. Determining the crop mix is very important. Cotton, peanuts and tobacco are our “money crops.”

2. As far as variety selection, we always consider soil type, whether nematodes are present and the results of the Official Variety Trials.

3. PHY 499 WRF is a real workhorse for us. We typically plant it on our better land for the potential yield that we can get. It also does well on sandy land. If I am aiming for three-bale cotton, I look to 499.

4. One of the biggest challenges in our area is controlling resistant pigweed. A lot of the herbicides that we use to control pigweed are surface-applied, so they need moisture for activation.

5. The herbicides we choose depend on conventional or conservation tillage practices and which varieties have been planted.

6. We control thrips early and depend on scouting to determine when stink bugs hit threshold level. Stink bugs are our No. 1 insect pest.

7. We really don’t have a problem with plant bugs compared to some other areas of the Cotton Belt.

8. Although I am most interested in maximum economic yield, I don’t ask my growers to do anything that will jeopardize yields.

Sponsored By

®PhytoGen and the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. ©2015 Dow AgroSciences LLC

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Cotton’s Global Market

United States

Can Exports Hit 10 Million Bale Estimate?

BY ROB SMITH ORIGINATION AND LOGISTICS MANAGER FCSTONE MERCHANT SERVICES, LLC INTL FCStone Inc.

EDITOR’S NOTE – The U.S. cotton industry is competing against several other cotton-producing countries in the world as it tries to maintain and increase global market share. This is the first of six reports from market analysts at INTL FCStone Inc., in Nashville, Tenn. In this report, Rob Smith examines U.S. cotton production.

Other reports will follow on pages 10, 12 and 14.

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The U.S. cotton harvest was moving along rapidly at the time of this writing (early November). Although picking efforts in Texas lagged the normal pace, harvest across most of the Cotton Belt advanced well, producing a good quality crop.

The Memphis Territory (Ark., Ala., La., Miss. and Tenn.) is expecting about 3.3 million bales, and the USDA has classed 2.2 million to date. About 900,000 bales of the 2.8 million expected from Georgia and Florida have been classed to date, as have 1.9 million of Texas and Oklahoma’s expected 6.6 million bales.

In the first third of classings to be completed this season countrywide, 73.2 percent are of tenderable qualities. We are in agreement with the USDA and believe the United States will produce 15.9

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million bales in the 2014/15 season.

More noteworthy is the percentage of much sought after high grades with long staple. The Memphis territory has produced around 73 percent middling (31) and better color, and 44 percent 1 1/8-inch and better staple and 3.5-4.9 micronaire.

Georgia has produced 58 percent middling (31) and better color and 46 percent 1 1/8-inch and better staple and 3.5-4.9 micronaire.

Texas, although very early in the harvest, has produced 84 percent middling and better color, and 44 percent with staple 36/32nds and better and 3.5-4.9 micronaire. These higher grades seem to be the most desirable for export consumption and are currently bringing a fair premium in the export market.

If these percentages hold for the duration of the classing season, the 15.9 million-bale U.S. crop should be easy to market.

We expect domestic mill consumption to remain steady at 3.8 million bales. Season-to-date exports, however, are growing below the pace necessary to reach the USDA forecast of 10 million bales.

While the USDA retained its 10 million-bale export estimate on the December report, we expect it to be lowered eventually.

The decrease in demand should help level out the flow of cotton on the overburdened U.S. logistics infrastructure. Trucks are in short supply due to tightened hours of service regulations and more stringent compliance, safety and accountability requirements.

Moving oil and oil-related products have stretched railroads, as their equipment and infrastructure are the next best alternative to the blocked pipeline projects.

West Coast ports continue to have labor disputes, which have affected the movement of U.S. products to export customers and which many expect to worsen prior to the holidays. With lower demand for U.S. cotton exports, perhaps the flow from U.S. warehouses will be more uniform and should not tax the infrastructure to its limits as it has seemed to do the past few years.

Contact Rob Smith via email at roberts.smith@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are market commentary and are not to be construed as market advice.

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Cotton Spear Round Module Handler

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Cotton’s Global Market

China

A Bear Market Looming For 2015?

BY GARY RAINES

COMMODITY NETWORK CHIEF ECONOMIST, FIBERS AND TEXTILES INTL FCStone Inc.

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With cotton production increasingly concentrated in one province, Xin-jiang, and a generous subsidy now in place for producers of the fiber located there, the Chinese government finally has announced the long awaited subsidy program for the eastern cotton-producing provinces.

The country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) states that cotton producers in nine inland provinces – Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Jiangxi and Gansu – will be eligible for this new subsidy. The subsidy for 2014 is 2,000 yuan/ton (14.8 cents/pound), and payments for 2015 and onwards will be 60 percent of the Xinjiang cotton subsidy, presumably no more than 2,000 yuan/ton.

The announcement was met with little fanfare as cotton producers in the eastern inland provinces have long understood the country’s strategic shift to increasing grain acreage (i.e. corn, wheat and rice) while reducing cotton acreage.

For 2013/14, Chinese production was expected to fade to 30

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million bales – the lowest in nine years. And, weaker spot and forward markets along with the low subsidy for inland provinces indicate nationwide plantings will continue to fade next spring.

Even before the subsidy, the inland provinces’ share of cotton production was on the decline. As recent reports have indicated, the combined share of Chinese cotton produced outside the key Xinjiang province sagged from more than 60 percent five years ago to last season.

The impact on plantings from the more generous Xinjiang subsidy is likely to overshadow any impact on inland cotton plantings from the new subsidy for inland producers, suggesting this westward shift in Chinese plantings will continue. We remain convinced of cotton’s continued migration from inland provinces with the next crop.

While this outlook is all well and good, our concern, if not the entire global cotton industry, is the country is already sitting atop a veritable mountain of cotton inventories numbering roughly 62.2 million bales.

In November, policymakers said the country will not release extra cotton import quota in 2015 beyond the WTO-mandated minimum of 4.1 million bales. This leaves us with little optimism for upward adjustments in the USDA expectation of imports of seven million bales.

In fact, recent grumblings towards the end of 2014 indicated China’s import numbers would actually be revised lower. At the time of this report, near-record stocks and little additional import quota strongly suggest Chinese cotton imports will struggle in the near term, a considerable bear looming over the global market.

Contact Gary Raines via email at gary.raines@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are market commentary and are not to be construed as market advice.

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BEFORE Technology Technolo ogy Seed

Dotcoms D Dotco tcoms

GPS & Cell Phones Ph Online cotton cotto n trading t in 1975 19

Nearly 40 0 years y ago, ind industry dustry v visionaries dis discovered iscovered how w to t market cotton on on your y own terms. te erms.

It’s safe, reliable relliable and profi profitable. ofitable.

Sinc Since ce then more than 50 mil million illion bales have been mar marketed rketed online*. Today, growers gro owers rely on The Seam m more m than ever to reach h cotton c buyers around the th he world. Day-after-day y we w prove that wherever you you are, you can sell your yo ur cotton anywhere.

* Total bale bales s traded t

by The Seam® and TELCOT®, TELC OT®, O a registered trademark of Plains Pl a ins Cotton Cooperative Associat Association. i on .

VISIT T THESEAM.COM H HESEAM.COM OR CALL (87 (877) 7 280-3413 TO FIND A SERVICE 7) SERVICE RV PROVIDER NEAR YOU. YOU.

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Cotton’s Global Market

Uzbekistan Demand Increases For Country’s Cotton

avoidance of Uzbek cotton regarding earlier child labor concerns.

Regardless of the reason, the gradual evolution and consistent demand for Uzbek cotton is likely to continue in the coming crop years.

Contact Jim Lambert at jim.lambert@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are market commentary and are not to be construed as market advice.

BY JIM LAMBERT DIRECTOR OF SALES FCSTONE MERCHANT SERVICES INTL FCStone Inc.

U

Uzbekistan’s 2014/2015 cotton season started off with a thump as most of the country’s key cotton-producing provinces experienced adverse weather conditions, which delayed planting. Despite the early setback, farmers were able to complete planting by the last half of May. This was supported by local USDA attaché reports, which noted, “the sowing campaign finished on time in most cotton growing regions, followed by normal rainfall during the planting season.”

However, roughly 15 to 20 percent of the total planted area required replanting due to localized storms in early April.

As the growing season progressed, summer weather conditions were generally conducive, leaving locals upbeat on the outlook for the crop. Farmers in southern regions, however, did experience problems with irrigation water availability; but, as fall approached, it was clear that output and yields were positively affected by late summer weather conditions.

Cotton harvesting across the world’s sixth-largest producer of the fiber commenced en masse in early September with locals cautiously optimistic on harvest prospects. The Uzbek government’s official targets for planted area and seed cotton production this marketing year are set at 3.175 million acres and 15.3 million bales, respectively – unchanged from 2013/2014.

USDA remains steadfast in its outlook that the country will harvest 4.2 million bales this season – the second-largest crop in six years – and we see no reason to disagree with their numbers.

On the demand side, the country’s mills are set to consume a record amount of cotton this marketing year, while Uzbekistan ships fewer bales abroad. At 1.45 million bales, the latest USDA mill consumption forecast is set to expand for the sixth straight marketing year.

Indeed, the same USDA attaché has stated that over this period the local spinning and weaving sector has responded to strong domestic and export demand – especially for cotton yarn – by investing heavily in new equipment and the renovation of existing equipment.

Each year, new textile mills are being opened, often with foreign investors’ participation. At the same time, exports are expected to dwindle to 2.30 million bales in 2014/2015, the lowest since gaining independence more than 25 years ago.

Some attribute this to the government’s desire to process more Uzbek cotton production domestically, while others point to an

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JANUARY 2015

Brazil

Less Demand Dampens Cotton Outlook

BY BRUNO ZANUTTO MANAGER/COTTON GROUP FCSTONE DO BRAZIL LTDA. INTL FCStone Inc.

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It’s hard to remember but at one time Brazil, now the world’s fifth largest cotton producer, was once a net cotton importer.

Production was limited by the climate diversity of the country and the lack of seed varieties that could adapt to those environments.

However, things began to change in the late 1990s, especially after the 1999/2000 season when cotton imports reached a peak of 1.3 million bales. In the following seasons, imports began to decrease, averaging just less than 229,000 bales per year.

Major improvements in seed genetics have allowed cotton to be planted in 15 states even though 85 percent of the production remains located in Mato Grosso and Bahia. Attractive international and domestic cotton prices at the turn of the decade helped Brazil pass the coveted 4.5 million bale mark in 2003/2004. By 2010/2011, Brazil had reached a record production of nine million bales. Last year, plantings decreased and output dropped to 7.9 million bales.

For the coming 2014/2015 crop year, total acreage is estimated at 2.5 million acres versus 2.7 million acres in 2012/2013. Based on the current projected acreage, production estimates are pegged around 7.3 million bales. Feedback from local producers indicates rising raw costs, high world stocks and very low international prices have soured the country’s farmers on planting additional cotton acres.

Brazil’s cotton industry has more or less risen on the back of the country’s phenomenal agribusiness boom the last 10 years. This, however, has not translated into more domestic demand for cotton, which has hovered around 4.2 million bales for the past 10 to 15 cotton seasons. With domestic demand lackluster, Brazilian cotton merchants pushed their cotton into the export market, shipping more than 4.2 million bales in 2013/14, becoming the third largest exporter in the process.

Contact Bruno Zanutto at bruno.zanutto@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are market commentary and are not to be construed as market advice.

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‘Revolutionary’ Has Evolved

Meet the new John Deere CP690 Cotton Picker Sure, the 7760 non-stop cotton harvester revolutionized the industry. But who says you can’t advance innovation? Introducing the next evolution: the John Deere CP690 Cotton Picker. Not just a model number change, but a game-changer in its own right.

Still the same one-man, one machine operation that’s helped growers reduce their machine, fuel, and labor costs. But now it’s faster, thanks to a 5% increase in harvest speed … it’s smarter, with added in-cab features like a new touchscreen display … and it’s more powerful than ever, with a 13.5L engine that delivers up to 590 horsepower when you need it most. Not to mention new anti-slip regulation to give you superior traction control and a new premium LED lighting package for unmatched visibility.

Even the greatest inventions have to take the next leap at some point. The all-new CP690 just made that hurdle. Stop by your John Deere dealer today to learn more.

Nothing Runs Like a Deere™ JohnDeere.com/Cotton

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Cotton’s Global Market

Australia

Dry Conditions Will Affect 2015 Crop

BY JIM LAMBERT DIRECTOR OF SALES FCSTONE MERCHANT SERVICES INTL FCStone Inc.

T

The outlook for Australia’s cotton production in 2015 is turning increasingly downbeat. An unusually hot and dry October crimped early germination and depleted local irrigation supplies.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology reported the country as a whole saw the seventh driest and hottest October on record.

The main cotton-producing states of Queensland (ninth driest) and New South Wales (twelfth driest) saw an unusually dry October, with rainfall only 23 percent and 34 percent of their mean October amounts, respectively. It was the same for heat across the two key cotton-producing states.

In fact, after commencing with temperatures generally near average, October developed into an unusually warm month with well-above-average temperatures across the entire country. This intensification of heat later coincided with the typical acceleration in cotton plantings, suggesting temperatures may have been too hot, too soon, for young seedlings.

India

World’s No. 1 Cotton-Producing Country

BY CHRIS KRAMEDJIAN RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, COTTON FCSTONE LLC INTL FCStone Inc.

A

As a long-time runnerup to China’s cotton story, India is now taking center stage, at least as the world’s largest producer. India’s agriculture is critically dependent on the monsoon, and this year’s late start resulted in a large, unexpected shift toward cotton acreage as farmers opted for a more drought-hardy crop. However, despite the delay, rainfall totals made a healthy comeback after planting. As a result, India is likely to produce a 31-million bale crop this year, passing China’s production for the first time in more than half a century.

India’s consumption has also prospered in the last few years, largely because of China’s supply control programs. China’s cotton yarn imports were not nearly as restricted as raw cotton imports.

Among many others, India’s spinning industry was able to meet that demand in a profitable way.

There still is a price advantage to Indian yarn in China’s markets, but the size of the advantage has diminished. With foreign demand for cotton yarn now fading, India’s cotton use will likely plateau this season. Future consumption will likely require strong downstream investments to increase domestic knitting and

14 COTTON FARMING JANUARY 2015

As 2014 comes to an end, weather forecasts remain bleak with the Bureau of Meteorology calling for a drier-than-normal summer over the northern and eastern mainland and a warmer-than-normal next three months for both daytime and evening temperatures across most of Australia.

Even worse, forecasters have repeatedly stated it is highly unlikely for conditions to turn appreciably wetter. Much of the eastern half of the country – including the entire Cotton Belt – has below-average chances of exceeding median rainfall.

Climate influences include warmer-than-normal temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, near normal tropical Indian Ocean temperatures and normal to cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures off Australia’s northern coasts. Forecasters also call for warmer-than-average days for the next three months.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects much of the Cotton Belt to see a 70 to 80 percent chance of exceeding median temperatures over this period. Climate influences include warmer-than-normal temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean and normal Indian Ocean temperatures.

Contact Jim Lambert at jim.lambert@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are market commentary and not to be construed as market advice.

weaving capacity.

The price of India’s cotton is beginning to have an impact on the Cotton Corporation of India’s (CCI) Minimum Support Price (MSP) program.

The CCI is the government corporation responsible for the purchase and marketing of cotton when prices fall below certain published levels. Rather than purchasing just the lint ex-gin, the CCI actually purchases seed cotton from the farmers and commission’s ginning.

Intervention in the markets pre-ginning complicates matters for most western observers, particularly as ginning is a widely dispersed industry, and there are little official data about quantity or quality. However, the main point to note about the MSP is that it gives farmers more flexibility and comfort in timing their sales.

Diminished demand, a large crop and the nearness of the MSP make India’s exports much more difficult to forecast. Adding in the currency volatility only makes guessing more difficult.

U.S. cotton has been more highly priced than Indian flat-price offers over the last few months. Whatever happens, the United States and India will be in a fierce competition for internationally sourced cotton this season.

Contact Chris Kramedjian at chris.kramedjian@intlfcstone.com. Comments in this article are commentary and are not to be construed as market advice.

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PRODUCTION

Another Tool For Nematode Control?

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

W

hen a cotton producer has spent nearly four decades fighting insect pests, it’s nice to find a new plan of attack.

That is one way of describing Alabama producer Charlie Speake’s situation near Eufaula in the southern part of the state as he continues to wage war against nematodes.

He has tried several approaches against these microscopic pests. First, he rotated cotton with peanuts, and then years later he put out applications of Telone. Each strategy achieved some measure of success.

Speake then decided to plant the Deltapine root-knot nematode-resistant (RKN) variety DP 1454NR B2RF

on a test plot last fall.

“We definitely had the root-knot nematode pressure to evaluate it,” he says. “It got off to a slow start, and it was effective, but the dry weather definitely had an impact on the variety’s overall yield performance.”

Optimism For 2105 Even though there was a limited supply of DP 1454NR B2RF in 2014, Speake likes the technology associated with the variety. He knows that variable factors such as lack of rainfall and difficult soil composition can affect any variety’s performance on dryland acres. However, he is convinced that a root-knot nematode-resistant variety is the right tool for controlling this pest.

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Alabama producer Charlie Speake likes potential of new variety.

With the use of genetic markers, Monsanto is breeding varieties exhibiting root-knot nematode resistance. The breeding trait provides season-long control by enabling strong root growth and reducing RKN populations in the soil profile.

In the 2014 New Product Evaluator program, farmers are evaluating two other DP varieties bred for RKN resistance that offer high yield potential.

“It’s pretty obvious that the variety didn’t get a fair shot because of the weather,” says Speake. “I feel confident that we’ll look at it again.”

The Speake farm has 75 percent of its acreage planted to cotton and 25 percent to peanuts. Occasionally, corn acreage will comprise 10 percent of the acres. Overall, dryland yields averaged 750 pounds per acre in 2014, while irrigated acres averaged 1,500 pounds.

Speake’s long-time consultant Jason Long sums it up best on the importance of a nematode-resistant variety.

“I know that Charlie feels strongly about this variety,” he says. “We had another farmer five miles down the road, and he received good rainfall, and his DP 1454 variety yielded 1,400 pounds on dryland acreage.

“That should tell you something about this particular variety. We know it will work.”

Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 7674020 or thorton@onegrower.com.

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2014 Cotton Consultant of the Year

Stan Winslow

Cotton Farming

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2014 Cotton Consultant of the Year

Stan Winslow

W

hat motivates a person

positively to the announcement that Stan Winslow of Belvidere,

to pursue a career as a

N.C., was named the 2014 Cotton Consultant of the Year.

cotton consultant? No

For more than three decades, Stan has devoted himself to

matter how that ques-

agriculture in this region. When he received his undergraduate

tion is posed, you

degree from North Carolina State University in 1978, he began

might receive numer-

a long journey toward his ultimate goal.

ous answers. But, one

At every stop along the way, Stan has built a reputation based

familiar theme rings

on trust, hard work and excellent recommendations to farmers.

true for those who have

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he spent 13 years as an

chosen this career – commitment. A consultant is the farmer’s

Extension agent and then made the transition to becoming a

partner year-round and treats his customers’ acreage as if it were

consultant in 1991.

his own. Just call him the farmer’s version of the family doctor who is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For that reason, it is not surprising that so many people in northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia reacted

In 1998, Stan started Tidewater Agronomics, Inc., and has grown his business into a thriving consulting and contract research company with 15 full-time employees.

“All I can say about this award is that it is a team effort,” he

CCOY 2014 _Layout 1 12/4/14 10:26 AM Page 19

says. “Everybody contributes, and I am just honored to be

in their praise for his expertise and the manner in which he

included in such a wonderful group of past winners.”

conducts business with them every day.

Like many previous winners of this award, Winslow is quick

Producer Walter Cartwright of Hertford, N.C., has worked

to give others credit for whatever success he has enjoyed

with Winslow for 20 years and says he trusts him “99.9 percent

throughout such a long career.

“I have to give my wife Lou Ann and the good Lord all the credit,” he says. “I know that I couldn’t have done any of this by myself.”

Obviously, it’s a labor of love that motivates Stan, his family and staff as they help local farmers make the best possible decisions on cotton, wheat, soybeans, corn, potatoes and other crops.

His farmer-customers are unanimous

“All I can say about this award is that it is a team effort. I am just honored to be included in such a wonderful group.”

of the time” on crop recommendations.

“He is very committed to his farmers,” he says. “He treats my cotton like it’s his, and he doesn’t miss a thing.

He’s also a fine Christian man who conducts himself with integrity.”

When a consultant receives that kind of praise from a long-time customer, nothing else needs to be said.

It’s an example of farmers appreciating the hard work of their consultant.

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Stan Winslow’s Team & Family Stan Winslow is quick to credit his family and staff for the success of Tidewater Agronomics, Inc. Because the company has both consulting and research services, a farmer receives additional data and information during the crop year.

“We have a dedicated staff,” says Stan. “As our business has grown, we’ve expanded our services and increased the number of employees. It’s a win-win situation for our customers.”

Currently, Tidewater Agronomics scouts between 8,000 and 10,000 cotton acres, 40,000 acres of soybeans, 20,000 acres of wheat, 5,000 acres of potatoes, 5,000 acres of corn and a small number of cabbage, melon and

The staff of Tidewater Agronomics, Inc., includes (first row) Stan Winslow, Matt Winslow, Tim Phelps and Daniel Forbes. (Second row) Jason Sweeney, Zach Staples, Dale Weeks, Lee Dail and Adam Russell. (Third Row) Teresa Warren, Lisa Bruce-Ross, Josh Harrell and Brandon Rull. (Not pictured) David Jethro and Cindy Weeks.

peanut acres.

Personal And Career History Personal Born and raised in Belvidere, N.C. Still resides in the same location today.

Career • Earned B.S. degree from N.C. State University.

• Worked as Extension county agent until 1991.

• Worked with Peele Ag Consulting until 1997.

• Started Tidewater Agronomics, Inc., in 1998.

• Instrumental in helping implement integrated pest management programs during his Extension career.

• Active in N.C. Ag Consultants organization.

• Past president of National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC).

• Past president of N.C. Ag Consultants Association.

• Has customers in both North Carolina and Virginia.

Family Life He and wife Lou Ann have three children (Matt, Ashley and Austin) and three grandchildren, Colt Winslow, Caden Winslow and Eliza Grace Jethro.

The Winslow family includes (from left) Matt, Amanda and Colt Winslow; Stan and Lou Ann Winslow; Ashley and David Jethro; and Austin and Lacey Winslow. (Front) Caden Winslow and Eliza Grace Jethro.

Cotton Consultant of the Year Award Recipients, 1981-2014 1981 Bob Stanford, Flagstaff, Ariz.

1982 Jep Gates, Memphis, Tenn.

1983 Dennis Bouchard, Minter City, Miss.

1984 John Nickelsen, Shafter, Calif.

1985 Dwight Lincoln, Portland, Ark. 1986 Grady Coburn, Cheneyville, La. 1987 Stanley Nemec, Snook, Texas 1988 Robert Moore, Hartsville, S.C. 1989 Curtis Wilhelm, Harlingen, Texas 1990 Mills Rogers, Cleveland, Miss.

1991 Clyde Sartor, Vicksburg, Miss.

1992 John Christian, Raymondville, Texas

1993 Billy McLawhorn, Cove City, N.C. 1994 Dwain Reed, Courtland, Ala. 1995 Barry Aycock, Parma, Mo. 1996 Ray Young, Wisner, La. 1997 Lonnie Bull, Cameron, S.C. 1998 Chuck Farr, Crawfordsville, Ark. 1999 Bob Griffin, Jonesboro, Ark. 2000 Roger Carter, Clayton, La. 2001 Harold Lambert, Innis, La. 2002 Lee Hutchins, Sinton, Texas 2003 Danny Pierce, Princeton, N.C. 2004 Tucker Miller, Drew, Miss.

2005 John Hunter, Lubbock, Texas 2006 Jack Royal, Leary, Ga. 2007 Danny Moore, Marion, Ark. 2008 Ray Young, Wisner, La. (Lifetime Achievement Award) 2009 Joe Townsend, Coahoma, Miss.

2010 Mark Nemec, Waco, Texas 2011 Virgil King, Lexington, Miss.

2012 Tim White, Jonesville, La. 2013 Bob Glodt, Plainview, Texas 2014 Stan Winslow, Belvidere, N.C.

Cotton Farming

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RESEARCH & PROMOTION

Campaign Aimed At Chinese Consumers

Cotton Incorporated economist Jon Devine is optimistic about the organization’s new consumer marketing campaign in China.

I

n recent crop years, Chinese import demand was supported by official cotton policies. The defining element of these policies was a government stockpiling program that enforced price guarantees made to producers by physically taking possession of bales.

Guaranteed prices of 50 cents per pound or higher than international levels motivated 85 to 90 percent of the Chinese harvest to flow into the reserve system during the last two crop years. With only intermittent sales of this reserve cotton within the country, Chinese mills relied increasingly on cotton shipped from overseas.

Access to the international market is controlled by the Chinese government through a quota system. While higher import volumes have been permitted, recently the Chinese government has signaled that it will restrict imports in 2014/15 in order to encourage use of domestic Chinese cotton. This change is part of a larger set of reforms that has eliminated use of the stockpiling program to guarantee prices.

New System For China A new target-based system allows for producers to be supported while facilitating the flow of cotton from Chinese fields to Chinese mills. The

increased availability of Chinesegrown cotton, along with the potential for releases of government controlled supplies, promise lower levels of Chinese imports.

“Chinese reforms will create another set of difficult conditions for Chinese spinners,” says Jon Devine, senior economist in the corporate strategy and program metrics division at Cotton Incorporated.

“The changes to Chinese policy may be part of a larger strategy by the Chinese government to de-emphasize the textile sector in favor of industries that could offer higher revenue. This shift should push more U.S. cotton into other emerging markets, such as Vietnam and Indonesia.”

Reaching Chinese Consumers The promise of growth in global cotton demand resulting from increased demand from Chinese consumers is not guaranteed and is contingent on cotton maintaining a strong percentage of market share against synthetics. This underlines the importance of marketing campaigns that emphasize cotton’s qualities and maintain consumer preferences for cotton.

Cotton Incorporated is dedicated to promoting cotton to Chinese consumers. The most recent effort is a program known as “Mian is,” which means “Cotton is.” The promotion uses traditional media, social media and the Web to reach consumers and key opinion leaders in Chinese markets.

Cotton Incorporated recently leveraged emerging Chinese celebrity talent in a new “Mian is” video series promoting cotton’s many positive attributes.

The video series already has nearly 30 million views. China’s ever-growing upper middle class holds the power to purchase high volumes of cotton, so promoting cotton to Chinese consumers is one key strategy in supporting the U.S. cotton industry.

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 of Ba y e r. E x c e l le n c e T h ro u g h 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

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

COTTON FARMING JANUARY 2015

21

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Specialists Speaking Do Your Homework Before Season Begins FLORIDA David Wright Many producers had a very good season in 2014.

Yields and grades were encouraging with the new cotton varieties. Weather conditions were variable within short distances, but cotton is a forgiving crop as compared to corn and soybeans and did well in most areas. Our farmers are concerned with the price for the upcoming season. There are not a lot of other options that are viable that fit into current rotations since the price of most commodities is down.

Our producers have learned practices that minimize inputs and yet maintain yields. That concept will be put to the test in the coming year. wright@ufl.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam The 2014 Missouri cotton crop has been harvested. It looks as if our yields will be above 1,000 pounds per acre. For the past two years, weather conditions have prevented us from reaching this level. I am guessing that cotton acreage will be down again in 2015. With low prices and increased input costs, there will not be the incentive to plant cotton. The main competitors will be soybeans and corn. However, rice has continued to be a good crop for Southeast Missouri.

It will be interesting to see how many producers use the Xtend system next year. It will also be interesting to see if producers can use it safely. It is my understanding that a Section 18 for Brake herbicide is being sought. If available, these programs will offer new tools for our producers. Palmer pigweed will still be our top pest again in 2015. Progress has been made, but it has also been expensive. milammr@missouri.edu

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme For the second year in a row, Louisiana cotton yields were very good. Average lint yields for the state will finish around 1,150 pounds per acre.

Going into the 2015 season, concerns are growing that acres will decrease due to the low market price that is being projected for next year’s cotton crop.

In 2015, cotton acres could decrease by 25 to 35 percent.

Post-harvest weed control and tillage were completed. A significant amount of phosphorus and potassium was applied to next year’s cotton fields. Nitrogen will be applied following cotton emergence in the spring. In general, soil moisture conditions are very good throughout the state, setting us up for ample soil moisture going into the spring planting season.

Variety selection is a key component in the planning process for the upcoming year, and now is an excellent time to review past years’ results. Review as many public and private company tests in your area as possible before making a variety decision. In 2014, the LSU AgCenter conducted 12 cotton variety trials throughout the state. If you are a Louisiana cotton producer or consultant, make sure you get a copy of the final results before you make your variety selections for next year.

In January, our winter production meetings will be conducted throughout the state. These meetings are an excellent way to stay informed on the latest research findings and new technologies. Hope to see all of you there. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

22 COTTON FARMING

JANUARY 2015

GEORGIA Guy Collins As I write this on Dec. 2, harvest of the few remaining cotton acres is winding down quickly.

Some heavy rains during the week of Thanksgiving delayed harvest of these last few acres, but, as a whole, harvest is still noticeably ahead of schedule.

Yields are variable, but statewide yields are generally better than expected, given the stress this crop went through during bloom.

Producers in Georgia will soon be making variety decisions for the 2015 season. The results of the UGA On-Farm Cotton Variety Performance Evaluation Program will be available to producers during the winter county meetings, as well as the 2015 Georgia Cotton Commission’s 8th Annual Meeting and UGA Cotton Production Workshop, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Registration information, agenda and other details can be found at www.ugacotton.com and www.georgiacottoncommission.org.

On another note, this will be my last article as the UGA Extension cotton agronomist. I have accepted the Extension Associate Professor position for cotton at N.C. State University, beginning on Jan. 5. This position was made possible through a strong show of support from the N.C. Cotton Producers Association, with additional support from the N.C. Dept of Agriculture and N.C. State University. Fortunately, I’ll be afforded the opportunity to work closely with the state Extension cotton specialist and my mentor, Dr. Keith Edmisten, and other cotton faculty at NCSU. The primary focus of this position will be working closely with producers to start and implement a robust on-farm variety testing program, along with other on-farm research. Although I am very excited to be returning to my home state for a new career in Extension cotton agronomics, it is with a heavy heart that I leave the friends I’ve made in Georgia.

Over the past five years, I’ve been very blessed to work with some of the best people in the cotton industry. Since day one, I’ve had nothing but pleasurable interaction and strong support from the Georgia Cotton Commission, the UGA Cotton Team and especially my Georgia counterpart Dr. Jared Whitaker, county agents, consultants, industry folks and cotton producers alike. As I depart UGA, I’d like to thank my Georgia friends for their support and friendship, and I wish all of them the very best in the future. guyc@uga.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson As the 2014 season comes to a close, USDA estimates Arkansas cotton producers will average 1,137 pounds of lint from 330,000 planted acres. While this yield estimate will set a record, planted acres remain low. Many things are cyclical in nature, and Arkansas cotton production is no exception. Beginning in the mid-1970s, planted cotton acres fell from an average of just over a million acres to a low of 320,000 acres in 1983.

Planted acres increased the following year and continued that trend, leveling off around the million-acre mark again in 1991 and held steady through 2006. Since 2006, we have experienced a continuous drop similar to that seen in the late 1970s. We likely will fall below the low mark set in 1983 for our upcoming season. It is also likely that in the next 10 years we will experience a similar trend in that our acres will increase.

The loss of infrastructure can negatively affect the ability of a

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This input can weaken your spray application.

It’s water.

Contact your Helena representative for more information.

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Specialists Speaking commodity to return to previous levels. Continued improvements in ginning, harvest and production technology will help facilitate the comeback of cotton just as we have seen in the past.

At our current position in this cycle, it is important to focus on maintaining or improving cotton’s market share with other natural and man-made fibers and strive to continue to improve efficiency of production to maintain profitability. brobertson@uaex.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper The wet, relatively cool 2014 season has come to an end, and it is now time to start thinking about the 2015 crop – in particular, variety selection. To sum up the results from the 2014 Tennessee Cotton Variety Testing Program, the yield benefits of planting earlier maturing varieties in our state’s environment can be substantial.

One surprise from the 2014 program was the wide range of technology traits located in the top five performers from the large-plot variety program: WideStrike, WideStrike3, Bollgard II, Roundup Ready Flex and GlyTol traits were all represented. As we look forward to the 2015 season and to the new technology traits looming on the horizon (many of which will be introduced in varieties similar to those we are currently evaluating), it is very good to know that producers have several excellent varieties across numerous platforms from which to select.

For more details on variety results, please pick up a copy of the 2015 Tennessee Cotton Variety Guide at your local county Extension office or online. Additionally, attend one of our county meetings over the next few months and our Cotton Focus meeting to hear the latest research findings from across the Mid-South

24 COTTON FARMING

JANUARY 2015

and Southeast.

I also hope to see many of you at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences this month in San Antonio, Texas. traper@utk.edu

TEXAS Mark Kelley Cotton harvest on the Texas High Plains and Panhandle regions continues, but at a slower pace than observed in the previous week. Cloudy conditions and heavy morning dew have slowed harvest progress in both areas. Producers were harvesting cotton as fast as possible to try to beat the next precipitation, which was forecasted for the weekend (Dec. 13-14). Most producers are focused on the higher yielding irrigated cotton at this time with several acres of dryland cotton yet to be harvested.

According to the latest quality report from the USDA-AMS cotton classing offices in Lubbock and Lamesa, 1.65 million bales had been classed as of Dec. 8. Color grades are holding at 21, and leaf grades are mostly 2. Micronaire values continue to surprise with values of 4.34 and 4.06 from Lamesa and Lubbock, respectively. Staple averages are 35.1 (Lamesa) and 35.6 (Lubbock), while strength values are just above 30 grams per tex, and uniformity percentages are 80.5 at both classing offices.

The percentage of bales with bark continues to be relatively high with 18.5 percent for Lamesa and 20.5 percent for Lubbock.

If the weather improves, and no significant amounts of precipitation are received, I am optimistic that most of the cotton in both areas will be out of the field prior to Christmas. Here’s hoping that 2015 brings us good weather, better prices and lots of luck. mkelley@ag.tamu.edu

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Specialists Speaking ALABAMA Charles Burmester The northern half of Alabama had another good cotton-growing season with yields above two bales per acre on many farms. Overall, yields the last three to four years have been the best and most consistent I have seen during my 30-plus year career. Timely late season rains have played a big factor, but I think cotton variety selection has also played a big role.

Farmers are planting more mid-season cotton varieties to take advantage of a longer fruiting period. A mixture of some early season and mid-season cotton varieties seems to be working well for most north Alabama producers.

I continue to recommend that producers plant cotton varieties that have performed well in their area trials. Planting one or two new cotton varieties on a limited basis each year is a good way to evaluate how that variety performs on your farm. burmech@auburn.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan As of Dec. 11, cotton harvesting was continuing in the Rolling Plains of Texas with about 75 percent completed. Yields range from non-harvestable to three-plus bales, depending on the amount and timeliness of the precipitation or irrigation capacity. In dryland and irrigated fields, the September rains created a lot of top growth in cotton fields, which caused some major challenges in chemically defoliating the cotton.

Also, the abrupt mid-November freeze stuck most leaves on the cotton plants. In both cases, the higher than normal leaf grades are being reported by the Abilene classing office. Also, more than 15

percent of the cotton ginned thus far exceeds 5.0 micronaire, which is non-typical for the Rolling Plains. gmorgan@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman Cotton harvest is still incomplete in the state as of this writing on Dec. 11. Unusual foggy conditions have dominated the weather pattern for the past week, resulting in a standstill for essentially all cotton harvesting operations. Fiber quality continues to hold up for most producers. Research trial harvesting has been completed, and ginning has begun.

The Red River Crops Conference, sponsored by Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is set for Jan. 27-28. We hope to see a big crowd there. randy.boman@okstate.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds Just like that, we are into a new year; however, uncertainty still exists with respect to cropping plans for 2015. There is a lot of variation in plans for cotton acres, depending on who you talk to. It is generally agreed that acres will be reduced in 2015, but the extent to which this will happen is unclear. One of the things that has kept cotton in the conversation is the tremendous yields over the past two seasons.

When determining varieties to plant, examine as much reliable data as possible. Pay close attention to the soil textures in which trials were conducted. Using data that matches your situation will help in variety decisions. darrind@ext.msstate.edu.

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:

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eejungmann@gmail.com www.seedsourcegenetics.com 26 COTTON FARMING

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Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

SPECIAL REPORT

Deltapine Announces Two New Varieties

M 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.

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

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

Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.

Bollgard II®, Genuity Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design®, Roundup Ready® and Roundup® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Dedicated to Cotton. Committed to You.® and Deltapine® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

DP-CF-15012 LCREV_2015

28 COTTON FARMING JANUARY

2015

onsanto has kicked off the new year by announcing the commercial release of two new Deltapine varieties as part of the Class of ‘15 – a root-knot nematode-resistant variety and a full-season variety that was named after one of the company’s most famous seed varieties.

The two new varieties are DP 1558NR B2RF and DP 1555 B2RF. The announcement also coincides with Deltapine’s 100-year celebration as a seed company and innovator in cotton breeding.

Five Deltapine varieties containing triple-stacked herbicide trait technologies were presented but still await regulatory approval.

All of the announcements were made at Deltapine’s New Product Evaluator (NPE) Summit last month in Nashville, Tenn. More than 140 farmers attended the event to hear briefings about the new varieties and other cotton production topics.

Only variety candidates approved by NPE farmers are commercially approved for release.

Keylon Gholston, Deltapine cotton products manager at Monsanto, was pleased by the new announcements as well as the NPE event.

“I think the event itself was just spectacular,” he says. “Everyone seemed to have a good time in Nashville, and I think all producers like the new varieties being offered.”

Here is a summary of the two new Deltapine varieties:

DP 1558NR B2RF This mid- to full-season variety follows in the footsteps of last year’s nematode-resistant variety, DP 1454NR B2RF. It is a full-season variety with resistance to root-knot nematodes. Adapted to the Southeastern growing region, Texas Southern High Plains and Southern Rolling Plains, it has demonstrated very high yields on fields with low to moderate root-knot nematode pressure, as well as in fields with high pressure.

“It was the highest yielder in our NPE plot and averaged 1,187 pounds per acre, substantially more than the other varieties,” says producer Rodney Dawson of Hawkinsville, Ga. Deltapine officials say this variety offers some solutions for healthy cotton – mainly having a breeding trait that gives plants season-long control of nematodes while reducing pest populations and promoting root growth.

DP 1555 B2RF In a bit of irony, this variety was named to honor one of the seed company’s best performing varieties from the past, DP 555 BG/RR. “I thought it was ironic that this variety was named after the Triple Nickel variety of more than a decade ago,” says Gholston. “It offers highyield potential – especially in highyield environments, such as the lower Mid-South and East Texas. It is advancing yield and fiber quality, but it’s also delivering lower micronaire, better strength and length. It also shows a lot of vigor.”

Besides the Mid-South and East Texas, another good fit for this variety is the lower Southeast.

Deltapine XtendFlex Varieties Pending regulatory approval, Deltapine Bollgard XtendFlex varieties are anticipated to be available for planting in 2015 – providing farmers with cotton that is tolerant to three specific herbicides: dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate.

The varieties anticipated for introduction are: • DP 1518 B2XF (short season).

• DP 1522 B2XF (short season).

• DP 1538 B2XF (mid- to full-season).

• DP 1553 B2XF (mid- to full-season).

• DP 1549 B2XF (West Texas/Ariz.).

Deltapine contributed information for this article. For more details about new varieties being introduced in the Class of ‘15, interested parties may visit www.deltapine.com.

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COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

More Timely Advice On OSHA’s New Rules In mid-September of 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced new recordkeeping and reporting requirements for U.S. employers effective Jan. 1, 2015. The changes to recordkeeping only affect a few employers, but the changes to the reporting requirements could have a profound affect on cotton gins.

While OSHA considers cotton gins agriculture for safety standards, we are still covered by the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the law. This means that work-related injuries and illnesses must be recorded, and some must be reported directly to OSHA. The newly finalized rule changes what industries have to keep records and what has to be reported directly and how soon.

A few small and relatively safe industries are no longer required to keep injury and illness records under the new rule. Cotton gins were not exempted.

For the past several years, OSHA has had a reporting requirement that said any fatality or catastrophic accident must be reported to OSHA within eight hours.

A catastrophic accident was defined as three or more employees being hospitalized (in-patient) for the same incident.

The new rule greatly expands what must be reported and changes the time frame in which the employer must notify OSHA. Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, any workrelated fatality must be reported to OSHA within eight hours of the death.

Any work-related in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours of the medical procedure.

Amputations include loss of a limb or appendage that has been severed or cut off in the accident or lost due to irreparable damage in an incident and includes the loss of the tip of a finger whether or not there was bone loss. It does not include other severe trauma such as degloving or avulsions (loss of tissue ripped away from the limb). It also doesn’t consider loss of an ear, chipping of teeth or scalping as amputations, but these

30 COTTON FARMING

JANUARY 2015

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injuries could result in an admission to the hospital for in-patient treatment, which would cause the need to report anyway.

As mentioned above, any admission to a hospital for in-patient treatment must also be reported to OSHA within 24 hours of the admission and the employers’ notification of the admission. An admission to the hospital purely for observation or diagnostic testing is not considered treatment and therefore not reportable. That being said, if the treatment goes further than observation or testing and becomes treatment, then the clock starts and it must be reported.

If the fatality or admission to the hospital or amputation doesn’t occur right away, you may not be required to report it. A fatality that occurs more than 30 days after an incident or an amputation or hospitalization that occurs more than 24 hours after the accident are not required to be reported to OSHA, but they will still be recorded on the OSHA 300 log.

Your local Ginners Associations are here to help. They will likely be your first source of information and can help you find answers to specific questions. Feel free to contact them on any other issue you feel important. That’s why we’re here.

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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.

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

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32 COTTON FARMING

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Industry News Pre-Registration Begins For Mid-South Farm/Gin Show

of the troublesome cotton leaf curl disease complex.

More than 30 “Focus on Cotton” webcasts are presently available at www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/foco.

campaign, interested parties can contact Pat Morrow at BASF via email at pat.morrow@basf.com.

Companies or interested parties planning to attend the Mid-South USDA Announces Speakers Farm & Gin Show on Feb. 27-28 at the For Ag Outlook Conference Cook Convention Center may register The U.S. Department of Agriculture online by going to www.farmandginBASF Makes Donation has announced its lineup of speakers show.com or calling (901) 947-3104. for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook The show, which is the largest To ‘Feeding America’ BASF is donating $75,000 to Forum to be conducted on Feb. 19-20 indoor farm show in the country, features more than 400 exhibitors, Mid- Feeding America, the nation’s largest at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel South crop information, equipment hunger-relief organization, to help feed in Arlington, Va. The forum’s speakers will take a technology, industry experts and a struggling families and individuals global, modern look at different throughout the United States. two-day Ag Update seminar. aspects of today’s Representatives changing agriculfrom all regions of ture industry. the country will be Ag Secretary in attendance, as Tom Vilsack and well as several European Commfrom overseas. issioner of AgriculThousands of ture and Rural dollars in products Development Phil and cash prizes Hogan will engage will also be awardin a roundtable dised daily. cussion event.

Some of the Other speakers major highlights include Deputy Ag of the Ag Update Secretary Krysta include a presenHarden, U.S. Tratation from the de Ambassador new president of Darci Vetter, Robthe National Cotert Fraley of Monton Council, as santo, Mary Kay well as marketing Thatcher of Amupdates from Meerican Farm Burmphis merchant eau, Robert Sutor Joe Nicosia and PHY 333 WRF. WRFF. For outstanding yield potentia t ti of IBM and Cory grain specialist pick this broadly adaptable variety in our lineu Reed representing Richard Brock.

Contact your sales rep at 800-258-3033 or vis John Deere.

Other special PhytoGen.com to learn more.

Speaking at the seminars will be 25 breakout sesconducted on both sions and five topidays of the show. cal luncheons will The exhibits will The PhytoGen Logo is a trademark of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo are trademarks of be more than 100 feature the latest The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen distinguished in planting and Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. L38-076-131 (08/14) BR 010-34789 DAAGPHYG4057 experts. The Ag harvest equipOutlook Forum ment and are alfirst began in 1923 ways a highlight The donation will support Feeding and provides farmers, ranchers and of the two-day event located in downAmerica’s National Produce Program, agribusinesses with sound agriculture town Memphis. an initiative that helps with planning, information for their future planning. transportation and logistics to ensure Webcasts To Focus fresh produce deliveries to the On Viruses And Whiteflies 200-member food banks located thro- Syngenta Appoints Sands Whiteflies and the viruses they ughout the country.

To Washington Position carry have been a large, complex and The commitment from BASF will Jeff Sands has joined Syngenta as economically significant problem for help Feeding America provide 675,000 manager of federal government relacotton producers throughout the world. pounds of produce to families and indi- tions and industry relations for corn.

The most recent “Focus on Cotton” viduals in need. The donation includes He will be based in Washington. webcasts, sponsored by Cotton $5,000 in contributions from BASF In his role, he will support the comIncorporated’s Plant Management producer-customers who chose to be pany’s strategic government initiatives Network, deals with the cause of cot- part of this donation. and primarily focus on industry busiton leaf curl virus – a key component For more information about this ness with corn. ®

®

COTTON FARMING JANUARY 2015

33

34_Don Cameron My Turn #2 12/12/14 8:43 AM Page 34

My Turn What’s Next For Cotton?

C

risis. It’s hard to weather. It has also helped U.S. farm acres proeven think about duce yields that were unthinkable 30 years ago. the future when Innovation has enabled the transformation of our things seem to be supply chain through HVI and electronic warecrumbling down around house receipts. Innovation has made it possible to you. In the cotton busi- purchase U.S. cotton over the Internet.

You may now be wondering “is there any innoness, it’s rare to find a sustained period of good vation left that can help us navigate our way out crops, reasonable prices, a of the current set of problems?” Good question.

Farmers have enjoyed improving prices for the stable farm program, strong demand, affordable past few years, due to strong global demand. That Phil input costs…and the list demand, led by China, has created the perception goes on. At the moment, that we may be moving into a period of sustained Burnett each of these issues is a growth for agricultural commodities. Once again, we’ve seen how rapidly things can change. challenge for us.

As I write this, cotton futures on the ICE Cotton has faced droughts, floods, pests of all sorts, 20 percent interest rates in the 1980s and exchange are fighting to stay above the 60-cent constant legislative and regulatory challenges. level. With much effort from farmers, cooperaAdd to that more than 50 years of intense compe- tives, merchants and agribusiness suppliers, the tition from synthetic fibers to capture cotton’s U.S. industry has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build marmarket share. When kets around the you think about all that ‘Once again, we’ve seen how world. Cotton Incorpcotton has survived, the orated and Cotton resilience of the busirapidly things can change.’

Council International nesses that comprise are innovative chanthis industry continues nels that have established us as the most reliable, to amaze.

I have had a front row seat to the cotton indus- dependable source of cotton in the world.

Today, farmers are looking at current and try for nearly 50 years. In 1968, I had the good fortune to become a field representative for the future prices and asking, “how am I going to make National Cotton Council of America. My time with money at these prices? And what are my alternathe Council included representing the organiza- tives?” In the next 30 to 90 days, each farmer will tion in Washington, D.C., and then directing its examine his situation and make decisions.

Currently, there are no easy answers. But I can programs from the Memphis headquarters. I then moved to the Cotton Board as CEO for eight years tell you that based on what I have seen, the U.S. at which point I returned to the Council as its cotton industry has proven that when it communiCEO for 12 years. Fourteen years ago, I became cates and thinks, it innovates its way through the CEO of The Seam, LLC, a startup online trad- tough times. And that should give us all hope. ing firm backed by the industry’s leading coopera- Hope that down the road, we’ll look back on this tives, merchants and textile mills. As did others period as one when advances in production, marwho served in such positions, I observed difficul- keting and the supply chain were invented that ties borne by businesses in each segment of the kept U.S. cotton as the world’s preferred fiber.

American cotton farmers play a huge role in industry. I also got to see how the industry has this continuing story. It all starts with you. overcome virtually every obstacle presented.

Keep innovating!

In my opinion, there has been one common denominator that the U.S. cotton industry has – Phil Burnett is on the Board of Directors of used to create solutions to problems – innovation.

The Seam, LLC, Memphis, Tenn.

Innovation has helped create farm legislation (www.theseam.com) vital to surviving unpredictable markets and Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to thorton@onegrower.com or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

34 COTTON FARMING

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There’s nothing like the feeling of heading out to your field in your favorite shirt. The one that just feels right. That’s what it’s like to grow PhytoGen® cotton. It’s about the reassuring sight of our early vigor. It’s about relying on our consistent yield. It’s about feeling comfortable knowing you’ve made the right choice.

800-258-3033 PhytoGen.com ® PhytoGen and the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. ®DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo 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. L38-076-118 (09/13) BR 010-34388 DAAGPHYG3072

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Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. Š2015 Monsanto Company.

DP15012-CF-DE-1321, 1555, 1311-JAN