Cotton Farming, October 2014

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Cotton Farming

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ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

OCTOBER 2014

www.cottonfarming.com

PLENTY OF PROMISE FOR

HIGH PLAINS HARVEST

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EVERY DETAIL MATTERS.

Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and FiberMax 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.FiberMax.com CR0714FIBMAXA137V00R0 A-27019-1

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Vol. 58 No. 10

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

OCTOBER 2014

www.cottonfarming.com

F E A T U R E S

8

12

PLEASANT SURPRISE

16

SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

20

WESTERN REPORT

Mississippi producer Melvin Clanton talks about growing cotton in the “Hills” region.

Memphian Anthony Wills will never forget his time at the International Cotton Institute.

Brent Murphree examines how aflatoxin can affect profit potential in cotton production.

Harvest Season

After a long crop year that had its share of challenges in all regions of the Cotton Belt, it’s time for harvest. Unexpected rainfall is definitely having an effect on harvest plans in the Texas High Plains, but farmers there remain hopeful that they can deliver a good crop. It could be the start of a trend that could signal the end of a three-year drought.

D E P A R T M E N T S

&

WEB EXCLUSIVE Cotton Farming Editor Tommy Horton concludes his review of field days and special events by offering an update on trips to Portageville, Mo.; Jackson, Miss.; and Agricenter International in Memphis, Tenn. Go to www.cottonfarming.com to read his special report.

C O L U M N S

4 Editor’s Note 21 Industry News 13 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn 17 Ginning Marketplace

WEB POLL RESULTS

In light of today’s low cotton prices, what kind of strategy will you employ for 2015?

Go to www.cottonfarming.com for the results.

ON THE COVER: Harvest in the Texas High Plains is about to begin. Photo courtesy of Mary Jane Buerkle.

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 OCTOBER 2014

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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

Harvest Season Brings Renewed Hope

A

fter a long journey that began six months ago, we now come to the main goal of every cotton farmer in this country. Somehow, the crop must be harvested and delivered to the gin on time – even if the weather doesn’t always cooperate. That is what confronts producers today from California to the Carolinas, and sometimes it takes every bit of luck to make it happen.

As I write this column on Sept. 20, a lot of important decisions are being made on when to defoliate and begin harvest. In some regions, those decisions will be easier compared to places such as the Texas High Plains. Our friends there have been dealing with a bizarre weather pattern since back in the spring.

As you’ll see in our cover story on pages 8, 9, 10 and 11, the season began with much optimism in this part of Texas. After three years of drought, it appeared that a more normal rainfall trend was beginning. In the story, Steve Verett, executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., and a long-time cotton farmer, offers a firsthand view of what it was like to go through the season. Everyone was overjoyed with timely rains in May and June. But, then the weather turned hot and dry in August.

Verett says there is the potential for a very good crop in the region, but everyone is nervous about rain recently entering the Lubbock area because of hurricanes in the Pacific. Just call it one more element in a Texas year where anything can happen.

And why are we so concerned about what happens in Texas? Mainly, because roughly half of the cotton in the country is produced in this state.

Cotton traders, USDA and overseas mills always monitor what happens there. As Texas goes, so goes the rest of the Cotton Belt in many ways.

It was just a few years ago that the state produced nearly eight million bales in a spectacular season where everything clicked perfectly. Then came the three-year drought, and production dropped to a level somewhere close to 3.5 million bales – for the entire state.

Now, as Verett points out, there is a realistic chance for a return to a “typical season.” That means something on the order of 3.8 million bales in the High Plains. Coupled with some encouraging reports from other parts of the Lone Star state, this could put the state’s overall production somewhere close to 6.6 million bales. Again, that’s just an estimate.

So, keep your fingers crossed for all cotton producers but especially the ones in Texas. They are long overdue for some good fortune.

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 2014 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 OCTOBER 2014

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

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WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT Familiar Message For Cotton In Today’s Market

By Dr. Martin Bide Professor Dept. of Textiles/Fashion Merchandising and Design University of Rhode Island

Meeting Consumer Demand The University of Rhode Island’s Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design graduates students with all they need to be successful in the wide range of careers open to them. Beyond the obvious knowledge inherent in the major, its graduates are equipped to think critically and be prepared to meet changes and challenges that will inevitably arise over their working lives. But ultimately, whether designer, technologist or merchandiser, their success depends on meeting consumer demands.

Let’s look at students who graduated 25 years ago, when the department was still young. They have seen the general cost of consumer items rise steadily over the past quarter century, while the price of textiles and apparel has stayed almost constant. In effect, the textile industry has managed to make its products cheaper relative to those other goods, accomplished largely through high degrees of automation and production efficiency.

Over the same period, those grads have watched annual global fiber production increase from around 50 million tons to more than 80 million tons. Almost all that increase has been in polyester, and around the turn of the century, polyester took over from cotton as the biggest-volume textile fiber. As global population grows, and each person on the planet takes

Dr. Martin Bide says cotton’s advantages must be communicated to today’s customer in an effective way as global competition continues to increase.

advantage of those low prices and purchases more textile items, global fiber use will continue to increase. Synthetic fibers cannot match the combination of comfort, durability and absorption of cotton, and cotton will certainly continue as a major world fiber, especially for apparel.

Major Challenge For Cotton When those students graduated, cotton was king, and the textile processors understood the variation inherent in those fibers and could deal comfortably with it. As manufactured fibers have become predominant, mills have become more accustomed to the consistent quality that allows for efficient production. For cotton to maintain its vital role in affordable, comfortable, textile products, it is increasingly important that cotton entering the global supply chain be of the highest quality.

Bottom line? For the consumer to continue to find affordable and high quality cotton textiles in the stores, the farmer must produce consistently high quality cotton, and do so using sustainable methods.

From Fiber To Fabric • Industry must meet consumer demand.

• Polyester can’t match cotton’s comfort.

• Only high quality cotton can compete.

• Quality starts on the farm.

• Customers want sustainability.

“Synthetic fibers cannot match the combination of comfort, durability and absorption of cotton.”

– Dr. Martin Bide

Sponsored By

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Cotton’s Agenda Mark Lange

Build A Brand Cotton Council International (CCI), the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm, continues to elevate U.S. cotton in the global marketplace.

What is CCI’s mission?

■ CCI works to increase exports of U.S. cotton fiber, manufactured cotton goods, cottonseed and their products around the globe through trade services and consumer promotion. CCI adheres to a three-point plan that includes: 1) supply chain development, 2) brand/retailer promotion and support, and 3) developing industry partnerships. CCI’s reach extends to more than 50 countries through 17 offices worldwide.

Has CCI revitalized its brand?

■ For 25 years now, more than 50,000 product lines and 3 billion products have proudly carried the name COTTON USA – a worldwide registered trademark signifying quality products manufactured with high U.S. cotton content.

That has translated into about 100 million bales of cotton. CCI recently revitalized that flagship brand to emphasize purity, quality and responsibility. In addition to a new logo, there are new

As part of its recent brand revitalization, CCI is featuring a new COTTON USA logo. promotional and merchandising tools that will be rolled out globally over the coming months.

CCI also redesigned its website, www.cottonusa.org, where it is personalizing U.S. cotton’s story for three key audiences: 1) fiber growers and buyers, 2) mills and manufacturers, and 3) consumers. COTTON USA social media platforms were launched to increase the brand’s global awareness and COTTON USA now can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Simultaneously, CCI is a partner in the recently launched Cotton LEADS™ program (see last month’s column)

that was initiated to demonstrate to brands and retailers the commitment by U.S. producers to responsibly produced cotton.

What are some key CCI demand-building success stories?

■ For 45 years, the biennial COTTON USA Orientation Tour has been extremely valuable in keeping the global pipeline filled with U.S. raw cotton exports. Key overseas textile manufacturers travelled across the U.S. Cotton Belt last October where they: 1) gained greater awareness of U.S. cotton types/qualities and marketing practices and 2) enhanced their relationships with U.S. exporters. Another biennial event set for next month in Arizona is the Sourcing USA Summit. This forum enables top executives in the global cotton textile and export industries to network with the goal of increasing U.S. cotton exports. CCI, Cotton Incorporated and the U.S. cotton industry host the Summit, in cooperation with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Services.

This past June, a NCC leadership team, led by CCI Chairman John Burch, visited China to gather information from key Chinese cotton industry officials and convey the U.S. cotton industry’s continued commitment to deliver high quality cotton in a timely manner. This delegation was the sixth to visit China since the two countries established a Memorandum of Understanding that promises cooperation between the countries’ cotton industries.

Another COTTON USA Executive Delegation travelled to China, Korea and Japan last month on a mission of updating those markets’ leaders about U.S. industry developments and discussing issues that can result in increased trade in U.S. cotton.

CCI continues to cultivate extraordinary programming to meet consumer demand throughout the global supply chain.

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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OCTOBER 2014

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Cotton Consultant’s Corner

Georgia Anticipates Profitable Crop Kevin Cotton High Cotton Consultants, Inc. Leesburg, Ga. When I started scouting for the Extension service in 1981, the first crop I worked was cotton and, with a name like mine, I knew it was my destiny. I took a job with Griggs Gin Co., out of Pinehurst, Ga., as its in-house consultant and later worked for a consulting firm in Smithville before incorporating my own business in 1991. I think we have one of the best Extension teams in the country. They all work really well with consultants and farmers and are instrumental in helping us and keeping us in check.

• Owner of High Cotton Consultants, Inc. in Leesburg, Ga. • Consults on cotton, corn, soybeans, peanuts and grain sorghum

Focus On Plant Bug And Pigweed Control This year, we started off with adequate rainfall, then it got dry. Plant bugs were pretty relentless all season, but we were able to manage them.

We used a good bit of Transform and tankmixes with Transform, which did a superb job in cleaning them up. Most of our plant bug applications go out in the second week of squaring. We have a lot of woods and other hosts.

Plant bugs will actually build up in areas, then come into the cotton fields.

Transform did what we wanted it to do. It cleaned up the plant bugs. In early September, we had some late stink bugs, but, for the most part, everything is falling into place crop wise.

Pigweed is our primary weed problem. We generally make burndown applications in February and March, followed by PPOs behind the planter.

Within 14 days after planting, we come back with our first post application, typically Dual or Warrant for pigweed suppression and Roundup. Then 14 to 17 days after the first post, we come back with a second post, followed up roughly four weeks later with a layby application. Where we can activate herbicides with irrigation, we’ve been able to manage the pigweed.

On dryland cotton, we can get some escapes here and there if we are not able to activate the herbicides. Every field is different. If we have morningglory issues, we apply Staple. However, I am fortunate that my producers are A-No. 1. They are very timely with their applications and recognize the cost associated with pulling pigweed. They do an excellent job of keeping the crop clean.

Our fertility management programs are based on soil type and crop. We are realistic on yield goals based on water. We’ve got to have rainfall to make a crop, so we fertilize accordingly to make the crop that we know we can make. If Mother Nature cooperates, we come out a little better.

Right now, we are sitting on a great crop. Most of our irrigated cotton is exceptional. About 90 percent of our cotton was planted from late April to the third week in May. We’ve had a few untimely late rains, so boll rot is evident in some areas. As far as disease, target spot showed up two weeks later than it normally does. We started picking it up on cotton in the fifth and sixth week of bloom. In spite of this, we probably are looking at the best crop we have made in years, including 2012. If we can get some dry weather and low humidity, we are set up, even with these low commodity prices, to make a profitable crop this year.

• Also consults for a dairy where they chop silage rye, oats and corn silage. Works wheat and does variable-rate soil sampling in the winter • Member of the Georgia Association of Professional Agricultural Consultants (GAPAC) • Married to wife, Tammy. Two children: Son, Corey, attends the University of Georgia and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Ag Science & Environmental Systems.

Daughter, Kylie, attends Valdosta State in Valdosta, Ga. • Enjoys Auburn University football, hunting, boat riding with the family and deep sea fishing in the winter and early spring

Recap: Georgia Anticipates Profitable Crop

▼

1. Plant bugs were pretty relentless all season, but we were able to manage them. We used a good bit of Transform and tankmixes with Transform, which did a superb job in cleaning them up.

2. In early September, we had some late stink bugs, but, for the most part, everything is falling into place crop wise.

3. We generally make burndown applications in February and March, followed by PPOs behind the planter. Within 14 days after planting, we come back with our first post application. Then 14 to 17 days after the first post, we come back with a second post, followed up roughly four weeks later with a layby application. Where we can activate herbicides with irrigation, we’ve been able to manage the pigweed.

4. Our fertility management programs are based on soil type and crop.

We are realistic on yield goals based on water, so we fertilize accordingly to make the crop that we know we can make.

5. Target spot showed up two weeks later than it normally does. We started picking it up on cotton in the fifth and sixth week of bloom.

In spite of this, we probably are looking at the best crop we have made in years, including 2012.

Sponsored By

®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Transform WG 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.

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COVER STORY

HIGH PLAINS REGION SHOWS PLENTY OF PROMISE • Timely rains on Memorial Day weekend helped start season.

• Other rain events in June also contributed to crop’s early progress.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY JANE BUERKLE

8 COTTON FARMING

OCTOBER 2014

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Texas Turnaround Texas producer Steve Verett, who also is executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., has seen his share of unpredictable crop conditions in recent years. But he remains hopeful that this could be the season when things finally turn around in his region.

BY STEVE VERETT LUBBOCK, TEXAS

J

ust what is “typical” anyway? That seems to be a debatable question here on the High Plains, where the last three years have been anything but. Even the last good year, 2010, also was not “typical,” with the area’s highest production and lowest abandonment in recorded history.

As executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., a cotton producer organization representing thousands of hard-working farmers in 41 counties on the High Plains, I’ve noticed that the word “typical” is gradually creeping back into our vocabulary. And as a farmer, I’m especially thankful for that.

Strangely enough, 2013 actually was one of my best years on our family operation, Verett Farms, where I grow cotton with my son, brother and nephew. We benefitted from timely rains that allowed us to have a decent dryland crop and some of the most exceptional irrigated yields we’ve ever had. Certainly, that was not a “typical” year for us, and it wasn’t for many other growers, albeit for different reasons.

COTTON FARMING OCTOBER 2014

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The 2014 crop year has been a season of hope. If “typical” were to mean “average,” current acreage and production estimates say we’re about there.

However, “typical” certainly does not mean perfect, by any stretch. It doesn’t mean success for everyone.

We have had our share of ups and downs this year. The season didn’t get off to the best start. Winter and spring were not kind to us in terms of precipitation, and it looked like we might be in for yet another really rough season, especially for our area dryland crop, which accounts for about 60 percent of our planted acreage.

Timely Rains Helped Crop But then, on Memorial Day weekend, the skies opened with rainfall like we haven’t seen in years.

The timing and the amount couldn’t have been better for some growers, the rainfall coming just in time to establish a cotton crop. But for some, including me, it was more than a little excessive. Ten inches of rainfall in a single weekend does not bode well for newly planted cotton. We had to start over.

But it was tough to complain. We needed this moisture desperately.

Then it was off to the races for the 2014 High Plains cotton crop. After that Memorial Day weekend rain, we had a couple of more precipitation events in June. However, July and August were largely dry, squelching the opportunity for tremendous yield potential in much of our area.

Steve Verett remains optimistic about the outlook for the High Plains this year.

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OCTOBER 2014

We have been fortunate not to lose too many acres to hail, but the lack of timely rainfall once again has caused crop failure in some portions of our service area. In a strange dichotomy, too much rainfall has caused failures this year, as well.

The rainfall, while welcomed with open arms from a crop development and soil moisture standpoint, also revealed a new problem for the Texas High Plains – resistant weeds. We’ve had evidence of resistance since 2012, and growers have implemented aggressive weed management strategies designed to curb the spread, but the dry weather had helped prevent the large scale, general outbreak we feared…until now.

In spite of trying to do everything right – using both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, monitoring fields and destroying suspicious weeds as soon as possible – they persist, and growers collectively have spent no

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Texas High Plains Harvest Ready To Kick Into High Gear This Fall Barring anything unusual in the coming weeks, the Texas High Plains is looking at a harvest of about 3.8 million bales this year. That is near the region’s 10-year average, and it is good news for producers who have dealt with serious drought, acreage abandonment and difficult conditions in the last three years.

The sight of gigantic circles of cotton (left) being harvested will be a welcome sight in the coming weeks as farmers try to deliver this crop to the gin in a timely manner.

Steve Verett, executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., will be doing double duty during this time of the year.

He’ll continue to guide PCG, which represents thousands of farmers in a 41county area. He will also be dealing with his own farming operation in Ralls, Texas.

He and his son (Kristofer), brother (Eddie) and nephew (Heath) manage a 4,000acre operation.

The recent rainfall in the region brought on by moisture from hurricanes in the Pacific has definitely affected when farmers can begin harvest. But hopes

We’re on the home stretch. And I don’t think I’ve ever been happier with “typical,” because it means that we’re finally back in the game.

remain high in these final weeks.

So, is this the end of the drought in Texas and a return to more normal conditions? Verett can’t say for sure, but he does know that 2014 will be better than the

telling how much more money than they “typically” spend on weed management, trying to rid their fields of this unwelcome inhabitant.

Typical Season Is Good News So whatever you may consider “typical,” all of this equates to a projected 3.8 million bales of cotton to be harvested here in 2014. If that comes to pass, that will be right around our 10year average yearly production.

For our organization, and especially our infrastructure, we need “typical.”

Gins need cotton to process. Warehouses need cotton to store and ship. Our oil mills need the seed. As

farmers, we are fortunate to have a crop insurance program that has helped us get through these tough times, but while we certainly have suffered losses, we’ve been able to live to see another day. Many businesses simply would not be able to absorb one more year like the last three.

Even as I write this in mid-September, it’s raining outside. I’d rather it be warm and sunny right now to finish out this crop, and there’s still a lot of time left between now and harvest. I can only pray that those production estimates will come to pass, but the potential is there. We’re on the home stretch. And I don’t think I’ve ever

previous three years when drought conditions severely affected the state’s cotton crop.

been happier with “typical,” because it means that we’re finally back in the game.

Steve Verett is executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., in Lubbock, Texas. Contact him via email at steve@plainscotton.org.

COTTON FARMING OCTOBER 2014

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PRODUCTION Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

Melvin Clanton – Thrives In The ‘Hills’

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

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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.

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12 COTTON FARMING OCTOBER

2014

This year, Clanton planted DP 1137 or anyone unfamiliar with cotton production in Mississippi, B2RF and DP 1321 B2RF on his cotton two primary regions exist – one acreage. Barring anything unusual, in the Delta and another in the he’s hoping for yields around 1.75 Hills. They are distinctly different and bales per acre. On some of his early require special approaches for growing planted cotton, he expects two-bale yields, which is what his cotton has the crop. averaged for the past The Delta is adjacent two years. to the Mississippi Are there other River and covers an unique challenges in area stretching from the Hills region?

Memphis south to Unfortunately, wild Greenville. The Hills hogs and deer pose a constitute a region serious problem. extending from the Many fields in this north central part of region are small and the state east toward near wooded areas Alabama. where an abundance Producer Melvin of wild animals roam.

Clanton farms 1,200 Because he also acres just east of produces corn, soyGrenada about 100 beans and wheat, this miles due south of Melvin Clanton “problem” isn’t likely Memphis, and he has learned what it takes to deliver consis- to go away anytime soon. tent crops in the Hills.

Optimistic Outlook He started going to the fields with When Clanton views his entire operhis father when he was four years old and made the big decision to return ation, he feels optimistic about what to the family farm in 1995 after he has learned since those early days earning a degree from Mississippi in 1995. He and his wife Andrea run the operation with the help of four State University.

“This is my 19th straight year to be workers and a scout, Colby Parker.

Like many other cotton producers farming here in the Hills,” says Clanton. “I owe everything to my today, the young Mississippi farmer is father. He taught me how to be a concerned about current cotton prices and how they will affect his planting good farmer.” intentions for 2015.

Clanton also is hoping that his In Search Of Water Clanton says the big difference in region can steer clear of any unseasonhis farming is that all acres are dry- able rain as harvest season approachland. He depends on timely rains to es. A cotton farmer’s major goal now is keep his crop progressing throughout for a dry fall as a late crop tries to catch up. the season.

“That’s what I’m hoping for right And how does a farmer in the Hills survive in such an environment? now,” he says while surveying one of Clanton says it’s all about having a his fields. “At this point, we don’t need realistic yield projection and accurate any surprises.” budget. He also has to be very precise in choosing varieties suited for silty Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 7674020 or thorton@onegrower.com loam soils.

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Specialists Speaking After A Long Season, It’s Time To Harvest FLORIDA David Wright

LOUISIANA Dan Fromme

Like every year in crop production, producers face new challenges that they may not have faced before and do a good job of managing through them. This was the case for many Florida farmers who faced an all-time record drought in the May through August period in certain areas of the state and timely rains in other areas. As we enter harvest season and cotton is opening and ready for defoliation, there have been almost daily showers in some areas while other areas are still in the middle of a drought.

The decision on when to defoliate with daily showers is tough since cotton will sprout after opening if it continues to rain with high temperatures. We still have a chance for good cotton yields as conditions for picking improve with producers optimistic that they may make near record yields if the crop is picked in a timely fashion.

As picking is underway, those producers harvesting fields should make note of any areas that appear weak so that they can be sampled for nematodes and nutrient content of the soil. We continue to have better varieties for nematode resistance each year as well as high-yielding varieties that are being replaced more frequently. High yields are necessary with prices being 10 to 20 percent lower than at planting. wright@ufl.edu

Cotton harvest began during the first week of September in Louisiana. Yield estimates were lowered for this year’s crop due to high amounts of rainfall received during the latter part of August. The wet conditions created by the rain have produced ideal conditions for boll rot and target spot problems.

Nevertheless, the 2014 crop should be a fairly good one if sunny weather will hold during the remainder of September and October.

Although insect pests were common, they were not overwhelming, and our producers did an excellent job of staying on top of things. Early season thrips caused some difficulties. Bollworms weren’t particularly bad, and plant bugs were manageable. Also, late-season potassium deficiencies causing premature leaf shed were noticeable in fields scattered throughout the state.

Cotton prices will need to increase for acres to hold steady or increase in 2015. Soybeans, at their current price, will make it extremely difficult for cotton to compete for acres next year in Louisiana. dfromme@agcenter.lsu.edu

GEORGIA Guy Collins Hot and dry conditions remained throughout much of August, resulting in very rapid maturity and boll opening in much of the early planted dryland crop.

However, heavy rains returned in early September, which slowed down boll opening a little bit. A significant portion of our cotton, especially dryland fields in Southwest Georgia, was ready to be defoliated in early September.

Therefore, the rains won’t help the early crop much at all.

However, it could potentially be beneficial for later planted or irrigated cotton that could use some rain to fill out the top crop.

The first fields that I know of were harvested shortly after Labor Day, which mostly consisted of the early maturing dryland crop that experienced prolonged drought stress. By the time this is read, widespread harvest should be underway, depending on whether rains subside.

The Georgia crop remains variable. Strong yield potential is likely in many irrigated fields, and yields are highly variable across dryland fields, depending on the length and intensity of drought stress. The USDA-NASS Crop Production Report for Sept. 1 indicates that Georgia producers anticipate harvesting 1.37 million acres with an expected yield of 911 pounds per acre. Hopefully, the rest of the season will allow us to achieve this. As I write this on Sept. 14, several fields have easily observable regrowth issues, especially in fields with a fully mature or open crop that likely reached cutout early due to heat and drought.

Producers should consider using appropriate rates of thidiazuron in defoliation mixtures, especially when conditions are warm and wet and therefore favorable for regrowth.

Application volume of 15 to 20 gallons per acre (for a ground sprayer) could improve overall defoliation or prevent the need for a second application.

Here’s hoping that defoliation and harvest will go well on your farm. guyc@uga.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Keith Edmisten October is official defoliation month. Defoliation is often tricky, but I think it should be more straightforward this year. One thing that often makes defoliation difficult is residual nitrogen, but that shouldn’t be a problem this year with all the rain we have had. Not only does this make defoliation easier, but it reduces regrowth potential.

One other thing that contributes to difficult defoliation is a poor boll load, which often contributes to regrowth at defoliation and regrowth potential following defoliation. This year, we should be able to save money on regrowth materials and concentrate on boll opening and defoliation of mature leaves. The rates used on our main regrowth material, thidiazuron, should be based on temperatures and length of regrowth control desired. It is likely that we can get by with low rates to help with defoliation in these fields with heavy boll loads and little regrowth potential.

I can’t talk about regrowth in October without reminding you that we typically do not have the consistent temperatures to increase yields after Oct. 15, and waiting past that date can result in defoliating under less than ideal conditions. keith_edmisten@ncsu.edu

ALABAMA Dale Monks There have been a lot of questions already about how many acres of the different row crops we might have in the state next year. In Alabama, it changes from region to region and year to year, according to crop prices. The Tennessee Valley used to have half of the state’s cotton crop, but we have seen that shrink from 250,000 acres just a few years ago to 60,000 acres this year.

Central and southern counties continue to keep cotton in the rotation because it works so well with peanuts. We planted around 375,000 acres of cotton this year and should have a respectable yield if you include all areas of the state.

The crop mix in Society Hill is looking pretty good this year with cotton, soybean and sesame taking up most of the acres. We are in an off year for corn in the rotation sequence, but that should turn COTTON FARMING OCTOBER 2014

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Specialists Speaking back around in 2015. Our family farm back in Skinem, Tenn., is planted wall to wall in soybeans that survived heavy goose feeding early in the season. One thing we don’t have down here eating the crop are groundhogs, but deer and feral hogs are much tougher to manage.

For crop updates through the season, follow us on Twitter at “AU Crop Specialists” or online at www.alabamacrops.com. You can also download the ALCrops app for your “smartphone” from the iTune store. monkscd@auburn.edu

VIRGINIA Hunter Frame As August finished up, most of southeastern Virginia recorded only a few days above 90 degrees during the month. The heat returned during the first week of September but only lasted a couple of days before cooling off again. As I write this article on Sept. 17, the skies are mostly cloudy, and there is a chance of rain. Southeastern Virginia has seen a few days of sunshine during the first couple of weeks in September.

Frequent rain and cloudy days are starting to affect the cotton crop as hardlock is being observed.

Walking test plots yesterday, it was evident that Mother Nature is affecting boll opening, which will ultimately have an effect on lint yields. If the weather pattern holds, it could cut potential yields significantly. Hopefully, by the time everyone is reading this report, we will have received warmer temperatures and sunshine to aid defoliation. The weather forecast for the next week or so looks promising, but nothing is guaranteed.

As for the status of defoliation on Virginia cotton, very little cotton has been sprayed with harvest aids at this time. However, I expect our producers to ramp up harvest-aid applications during the last two weeks of September. Conversations and observations still indicate high yield potential, and Virginia could once again challenge the record yield of 1,118 pounds of lint per acre set in 2012. whframe@vt.edu

ALABAMA Charles Burmester Cooler fall weather means cotton defoliation is on the mind of many farmers in northern Alabama. Most cotton fields are maturing rapidly, due in large part to limited late season rains. After fighting more weeds and insects than we have seen in several years, most cotton fields still have a good yield potential. Many farmers are still harvesting corn and full season soybeans, so farm resources are stretched to the limits.

Early cotton defoliation results look excellent, but the main portion of this year’s crop probably will not be defoliated until the latter part of September or early October. burmech@auburn.edu

MISSOURI Mike Milam While we have an excellent boll load and yield potential, defoliation has just begun. As of Sept. 14, cotton boll opening is at 32 percent compared with our five-year average of 47 percent. So, instead of a promising scenario, we will not have cotton out of the field for another 10 days from now.

We have had more rainfall which has helped to settle the dust. During this season, we have not had any abnormally dry conditions in our cotton growing area. However, it is still easy to see the impact of irrigation on the outside of pivot circles or non-irrigated fields.

Ninety-seven percent of the cotton is in the fair, good or excellent categories. The main difference this season compared with last year

14 COTTON FARMING

OCTOBER 2014

is that we had a higher percentage of cotton in the very poor and poor categories. Last year at this time, we had three percent very poor and 15 percent poor. The difference was the heavy rainfall during late July and early August. Our DD-60s are rather low compared with our average but are in the range of 2008 when we had a record yield. However, we are still about two weeks behind normal and our cool conditions remain. milammr@missouri.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson Most of the questions we have about our crop are answered in October. Yield and quality of the crop for many fields will be known by month’s end as the target harvest completion date for much of Arkansas is Nov. 1. Mother Nature has made this year challenging and unusual from start to finish. We have done a pretty good job of playing the cards we have been dealt to our advantage. Our goal at this point of the season is to preserve the yield and fiber quality potential of the crop.

Our harvest-aid programs go a long way toward accomplishing this goal. We also know the importance of module placement and management for worker safety and preservation of quality. The simple practice of monitoring and removal of standing water on the tops of module covers should not be overlooked. Having well-built and well-placed modules are key to preserving quality.

As the potential for contamination has increased in recent years, we must be more vigilant in keeping our fiber clean of plastic and other contaminants. brobertson@uaex.edu

ARIZONA Randy Norton With the season winding down and harvest just coming into full swing for most of the state, I am optimistic about this year’s crop. Heat-related crop stress was not a factor for most of the state with only a handful of days with heat stress levels at a point that would significantly affect crop production. Timely monsoon moisture relieved water stress that was increasing in certain areas of the state in late June. With a good boll load on most of the crop, we have seen a slightly earlier maturing crop in 2014.

A moderate level of insect pressure around the state has also provided conditions for high fruit retention and controlled vegetative growth for the crop in 2014. A significant portion of the 2014 crop was planted to Pima cotton with slightly more than 15,000 of the total 167,000 acres. This is more Pima cotton than Arizona has seen in many years. A lot of it looks good while the price still remains fairly strong with USDA daily spot quotations above $1.80 per pound. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic affects cotton planting for the 2015 season. rnorton@cals.arizona.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper As a whole, Tennessee’s cotton crop has made up much lost ground over the past month. Still, with cool temperatures in the forecast, it does not appear that all of the bolls we’d like to pick will end up in the basket. With that said, my biggest concern here on Sept. 17 is delaying our defoliation applications into less-than-ideal conditions in order to allow that last uppermost boll to mature.

Historically, we do not get enough heat units to justify delaying an application past the first week in October, and this year does not look to be an exception. Given that many will be picking at the time this is released, I would also like to encourage those who have the capabilities to monitor yields to do so. This may cost you some time and may be a slight pain. Still, the regret you may suffer during next year for not collecting yield data during our current year may pale in contrast to the regret in years to come.

Although this data has substantial value now, several emerging variable rate/precision ag tools have the potential to increase

13 14 15_CF 11/13 template 9/22/14 9:30 AM Page 15

exponentially their current value in the near future. To quote Dr. Paul Fixen of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) on the topic of data stewardship: “What about your data? Is it on the way to the landfill or becoming part of your legacy?� traper@utk.edu

MISSISSIPPI Darrin Dodds After a slow start and what seemed to be a very fast summer, harvest time has arrived in Mississippi.

Some of the earliest cotton was harvested in the state during the second week of September. However, harvest will kick into full swing during the first week of October. The USDA has predicted yields for Mississippi cotton at 1,120 pounds per acre, which, if not for last year, would be a new state record. If final yields come in close to this estimate, this is a testament to those growing cotton, the varieties they plant and all of those that help make that crop.

As soon as harvest is completed, everyone knows that field operations begin in preparation for next year. To that end, keep this past spring in mind when performing these field operations. Due to the late start, we got on some land when it was wetter than we would like. As a result, we have compaction issues in some areas.

Spend a few minutes checking fields for hardpans and try to remedy the problem. darrind@ext.msstate.edu

TEXAS Gaylon Morgan The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) still has some cotton yet to be harvested due to Tropical Storm Dolly and continued wet weather since the first week in September. The wet weather has also hampered the chemical stalk destruction of cotton stalks in the RGV. The Upper Gulf Coast has mostly completed its harvest, but rains have continued to delay the harvesting. Yields from the Upper Gulf Coast have been quite good with

three-plus bales per acre in dryland fields. The earlier planted dryland fields in the Blacklands have been harvested or at least defoliated, and the irrigated fields are following quickly behind.

Early yield reports are quite good. The Southern Rolling Plains and far Northern Rolling Plains caught some good rain showers in late August and early September that will help finish out an already good crop. However, the rainfall in the Central Rolling Plains has been more erratic, and dryland cotton yields will reflect it. The irrigated cotton throughout most of the Rolling Plains looks quite good, but will really benefit from a warm fall. gmorgan@ag.tamu.edu

OKLAHOMA Randy Boman As the 2014 growing season winds down, Oklahoma producers are facing a mixed bag with respect to the crop. Although June and July were very cotton friendly with good-to-excellent rainfall in many areas, August was brutal with significant heat and a 30-day run of no rainfall in many areas. Laterplanted cotton in some areas was blessed by rainfall in September, which was valuable with late-season lint production.

Overall, it appears that we will be in somewhat better shape with respect to cotton production in 2014 compared to last year.

However, I don't think we will see the extremely high yields in as many fields as we did last year. The dryland will likely be better in many locations, but there is no doubt we left a lot of yield potential on the ground after the tough August.

Many producers are concerned about crop maturity, and, as of this writing, we have had more than 2,400 heat units at Altus to just over 2,100 near Weatherford. So, as September winds down, we have to keep in mind that our cotton maturing weather results in heat units trending to zero by the middle of October. As usual, we just have to wait and see what kind of hand Mother Nature deals and respond as best as we can. randy.boman@okstate.edu

COTTON FARMING OCTOBER 2014

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CCOY 2001 Cotton Consultant of the Year

Harold Lambert

SPECIAL REPORT

Cotton School Opens Industry Doors

CCOY HONOREES STAND READY TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

C The days when managing insects consumed most of a cotton consultant’s decision making energies are long gone.

Besides more crop mix diversity, staying proficient in a wide range of crop management issues hardly describes the challenge.

Personally, I need to re-focus on cotton growth regulation and nitrogen management in a heavy rainfall season – apparently 25+ years of working with cotton has not been ample time for me to grasp this! We also want to hold down growers’ input costs in the face of current market realities.

CCOY honorees across the Cotton Belt all work with outstanding producers and are ready for the challenge!

Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by

Cotton Farming 16 COTTON FARMING OCTOBER

2014

all it the perfect education for pursuing a career in the cotton industry. In fact, you couldn’t find a better description for the International Cotton Institute conducted every summer at the University of Memphis.

The school, which began in 1995, offers an eightweek curriculum that covers every aspect of cotton Anthony Wills (center) says he will benefit from his marketing and production. experience at the International Cotton Institute.

Through the years, it has helped many young students gain a New Friendships better understanding of the industry.

In addition to a busy class schedule A perfect example of this occurred that featured noted leaders from every for Anthony Wills, a Memphian who segment of the industry, there was the works for Cargill Cotton. The graduate bonus of interaction with many interof Christian Brothers High School in national students.

Memphis earned his bachelor’s degree “It is an absolute understatement to from Louisiana State University and say that this class broadens your horiattended graduate school at the zons,” says Wills. “I know for sure that University of Memphis. there were students that I’ll stay in During graduate school, he received touch with for the rest of my life. a letter advertising for an internship That’s how valuable the dialogue was at Cargill, and he wound up working with them.” six months for the Memphis-based When this year’s class visited Sledge company – even though he didn’t have Taylor’s farm in Como, Miss., it was an any prior experience in cotton. enlightening experience. Everyone That internship eventually led to a soon realized how much manpower is full-time job, and now he works in required to deliver a cotton crop Gastonia, N.C., in the Cargill Mem- each year. phis Eastern origination office.

“You can’t appreciate what a farmer When he was selected to be a part of goes through until you visit his farm,” the class this past summer, he jumped says Wills. “That was a valuable learnat the opportunity. ing experience.”

“I had done some work in analytics Bill Griffin, long-time director of the for Cargill, and recently I’ve joined our International Cotton Institute, says team in Gastonia,” he says. “So, I had the school experience opens doors for learned a lot by working with farmers all attendees. as an originating merchant.”

“In Anthony’s case, he has gained However, he took a giant leap on the some valuable knowledge as he starts learning curve after completing the his career with Cargill,” he says. “This eight-week class in Memphis. He and will definitely benefit him in the his classmates received an intense ori- long run.” entation on classing, futures, warehousing, ginning, spinning and many Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767other aspects of the industry.

4020 or thorton@onegrower.com.

17 18 19_CF 11/13 template 9/22/14 9:37 AM Page 17

COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

Better Communication Can Help Gin Efficiency How you communicate with your employees can make a difference in how well they comply with your safety program. Communication of goals, hazards, procedures and duties are critical to making sure people do their jobs the safe and efficient way in which they are trained The tough part of any communication is verification that the message was received. When there are language and cultural barriers, that verification can be even tougher. Safety programs are built on communication. Communication of rules, communication of procedures, communication of hazards and feedback from employees are all extremely important.

For example, in a recent series of roundtable discussions conducted by Southeastern Cotton Ginners in the region, discussions centered on safety and brought together groups of employees from various gins to exchange ideas. The attendees were broken into groups with one of the groups designated as having an interpreter. The interpreter saw several persons in another group (a group that didn’t ask for language assistance) not really participating.

He went over and spoke to them in Spanish, and they immediately opened up and began engaging in conversation (with interpretation). They were part of the activities the rest of the day. All it took was figuring out that they didn’t understand even though they said they didn’t need any linguistic help.

We are starting this gin season right now in most of the country. Therefore, it is time to figure out if you are effectively communicating. This doesn’t have to be difficult, but it can be tricky. The kind of self-starter, eager-to-please employee we love to have in gins is the one who will tell you he really understands when he really doesn’t. Encourage active participation and feedback from all levels of workers, and you will gain a much better idea as to who really understood and who signed the safety meeting roster just to get that extra half hour of pay. Have a safe gin season.

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WESTERN REPORT

Aflatoxin Can Affect Cotton Profitability

T

he deflating effects of aflatoxin on cottonseed prices in the West continue to affect producers along the Colorado River and Central Arizona.

Hundred-dollar spreads between clean and unclean seed are not uncommon in a region where seed prices consistently rise above those in the rest of the Cotton Belt. These days, even though cottonseed plays a larger role in the economic mix of the cotton crop, aflatoxin seemingly draws less attention with producers than it does with those who market the cottonseed for them.

The fungus that causes aflatoxin, a strain of Aspergillus flavus, is endemic to the dry soils of the West and parts of Texas. Toxins produced by the fungus are carcinogenic at high levels, and when those levels are reached in cottonseed, it is not allowed in the commercial food chain. +*)*('(&*%$#%$"&(!+ ')&) ('(&*%)& % ! )* $& CBA@?>=<;>:9C8>;?76C

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20 COTTON FARMING

OCTOBER 2014

of the seed affects price at both ends.

California, a major destination for Arizona cottonseed, does not allow transportation of ammoniated seed into the state. Seed that is high in aflatoxin has to be shipped into the state unprocessed and then ammoniated.

BY BRENT MURPHREE MARICOPA, ARIZ.

Cottonseed containing 20 parts per billion (ppb) or more cannot be fed to dairy cattle because the toxin can be carried into the milk and transferred to humans. In some parts of Arizona, aflatoxin levels can reach levels of 200 to 300 ppb.

Major Discovery Dr. Peter Cotty, USDA-ARS, identified a strain of atoxigenic fungus (AF36) that could overtake and replace the toxic strain, thus eliminating the risk in animals. In the late 1990s, he partnered with the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council (ACRPC) to develop AF36 into a commercial product specifically targeted for Arizona cotton producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;AF36 was developed for growers of cottonseed,â&#x20AC;? says Leighton Liesner, ACRPC executive director.

Syngenta also produces an atoxigenic product for use on cotton.

According to Liesner, an annual application of the atoxigenic fungus will

Costly Problem For Farmers According to the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council (ACPRC), cottonseed with high levels of aflatoxin has the potential to cost between $20 and $50 per acre and could ultimately cost the Arizona cotton industry more than $10 million each year.

John Wetmore of Wetmore Enviro Lab in Casa Grande, Ariz., says that a risk of cross contamination Aflatoxin can pose a potentially serious and costly of seed at the gin exists problem for cottonseed. if seed piles are not managed properly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gins that have on-site storage build a non-toxic population that elimispace tend to manage the seed well,â&#x20AC;? nates the bad fungus.

Reiterating statements made by two says Wetmore.

Where gins run into problems with cottonseed marketers and Wetmore, contamination, according to Wetmore, Liesner says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Producers are walking is when there is a lot of traffic in open away from $100 or more per acre by not using in-field treatments.â&#x20AC;? areas containing seed piles.

Contaminated seed can be eliminated through a process called ammonia- Brent Murphree is the Cotton Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tion, in which ammonia is used to Regional Communication Manager for remove the toxin. The additional cost the West. Contact him via email at incurred between the gin and the user bmurphree@cottonboard.org.

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Industry News Bayer Opens New Greenhouse At Memphis Agricenter

felt the time was right to acknowledge the contributions of those who have helped shape the modern cotton industry,” says Berrye Worsham, president and chief executive officer of Cotton Incorporated.

The five inaugural honorees: J. Dukes Wooters (New York); Morgan Nelson (New Mexico); Marshall Grant (North Carolina); Fred Starrh (California); and Lambert Wilkes (Texas) will be recognized for their achievements at the combined Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors meeting in St. Petersburg,

tenacity in convincing local and national leaders to address one of the most serious threats to confront the U.S. cotton industry.

• Professor Lambert Wilkes (deceased), along with his team at Texas A&M, is responsible for the engineering of the cotton module builder, which dramatically increased the efficiency of cotton collection and storage.

• Fred Starrh provided many years of leadership to the industry, first as chairman of Cotton Incorporated and later as president and chairman of Cotton Council International.

Contact Stacey Gorman at (870) 226-1445 for more information.

Bayer CropScience recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest research facility, a $17 million, 76,000square foot, state-of-the-art greenhouse and headhouse addition to its site in Memphis, Tenn. The site is a hub for cultivating cotton and soybean solutions for the international market.

The greenhouse, located at Agricenter International, is part of Bayer’s commitment to invest in research and development and capital expenditures, as well as expand global production capacities and seed breeding facilities from 2011 until 2016.

First Bale The new greenOf Cotton house includes a spacious headDelivered house and open In South Texas office area and will It was a recordaccommodate breaking year for research to inthe First Bale of crease the number cotton in South of traits available Texas, and it sold for cotton varieties for $18,500, includin the United ing add-ons and a States and inter$3,000 dollar donanational markets. tion at the First Overall, the MemBale Auction and phis site supports Scholarship Fundall of the comparaiser event. ny’s brands, inPHY 333 WRF. WRFF. For outstanding yield potentia t ti The official cercluding Stoneville pick this broadly adaptable variety in our lineu tified First Bale of and FiberMax, as Contact your sales rep at 800-258-3033 or vis cotton in the Unitwell as soybean PhytoGen.com to learn more. ed States was delbreeding, molecuivered to the La lar breeding and Feria Co-op gin by numerous stewthe Ruiz Brothers ardship manageof Mid-Valley Ag. The PhytoGen Logo is a trademark of PhytoGen Seed Company, LLC. DOW Diamond and the WideStrike Logo are trademarks of ment programs.

The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen The bale was evenCorporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company. L38-076-131 (08/14) BR 010-34789 DAAGPHYG4057 For additional tually sold to information, interBayer CropScienested persons can ce, Helena Chevisit www.bayerFla., in December. mical and Neuhaus and Company cropscience.com.

• J. Dukes Wooters, the first presi- for $10,500. dent of Cotton Incorporated, is recogAdd-ons ranging from $200 to Cotton Incorporated nized for his innovative marketing of $1,500 were contributed by Rick cotton to consumers, including the Guerrero; Ron Olivarez; Sally Ross; To Honor Industry Leaders Cotton Incorporated has announced development of the now iconic Seal of First Community Bank; Sanders Chemical and Chris Sparks. the formation of a Cotton Research Cotton trademark.

• Morgan Nelson, known as “Mr. The Ruiz Brothers received the and Promotion Program Hall of Fame, which will annually recognize U.S. Cotton” in his home state of New $3,000 from the Harlingen Cotton cotton industry leaders who have Mexico, was among the first persons Committee for the First Bale, which made significant contributions to named to the Cotton Incorporated weighed 1,500 pounds. The variety used was FiberMax’s FM 1830 GLT. the Program or cotton industry, Board of Directors.

• Marshall Grant, a staunch advoFor more details, interested persons in general.

“As the Research and Promotion cate of boll weevil eradication, is can call the Harlingen Chamber of Program approaches its 50th year, we recognized for his foresight and Commerce at (956) 423-5440. ®

®

COTTON FARMING OCTOBER 2014

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22_Don Cameron My Turn #2 9/22/14 9:39 AM Page 22

My Turn Step Up, Be Involved

T

oday’s world poses regulations and are not receptive to new technolomany challenges, gies may not understand what today’s farmer and particularly to agribusiness persons are doing to achieve new levthose of us in agri- els of production, while increasing their environculture. One challenge mental stewardship.

Speaking up and educating others is something farmers face is consumer awareness. For example, we all must do, but where do we find the informawere you aware that, tion to go about combating and rebutting the according to the website many outrageous things that are said about F a r m e r s f e e d U S . o r g , today’s cotton production practices? The Cotton advances in production LEADS program is an excellent source of informaRichey efficiency have resulted in tion on what has been accomplished in reducing U.S. farmers feeding 155 the environmental footprint of cotton production.

Seaton This is a program that provides and will people worldwide, up from 26.5 people per farmer in continue to generate scientifically based informa1960, and agriculture employs more than 24 mil- tion that will allow each of us to rebut these types lion American workers or 17 percent of the total of attacks that many times are based on inaccurate information. The Cotton LEADS program is a U.S. work force?

Recently, the University of Georgia published a cooperative effort between the cotton industries of study of the economic impact of cotton production Australia and the United States. The program will focus on the accomin our state. This study plishments and adshowed that the actual ‘Farmers have a vested interest vances of the cotton direct farm gate value industry. The effort is of cotton is $1.5 billion. in the environment.’ built upon principles Adding the additional consistent with sus$1 billion from the sale of inputs and agribusiness services, the total eco- tainability, best practices and traceability.

This will provide cotton’s customers knowledge nomic contribution of cotton to Georgia’s economy is $2.5 billion. Not to be overlooked are the 15,420 that the product they purchase is responsibly projobs created in the production of cotton and relat- duced and identified. The National Cotton ed industries. These numbers reflect the impor- Council, Cotton Council International and Cotton tant role one agricultural commodity plays in Incorporated are the principle organizations behind this effort in the United States. The Georgia’s economy.

A misconception that non-farming individuals Australian efforts are led by the Australian have is that farmers are not good environmental Cotton Shippers Association. The Cotton LEADS stewards. Farmers have a vested interest in the program will pay dividends in the future as we environment and continue to make improvements move forward and continue the gains in producin cultural practices and productivity. Since 1980, tion efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Involvement and support of our cotton organizain per-unit of production, agriculture has reduced land use by 30 percent, soil erosion by 68 percent tions is vital. As we identify challenges, the inforand energy use by 31 percent. In addition, there mation provided by our cotton organizations is scihas been a reduction of greenhouse gases by 22 entifically based and is a useful tool in efforts to percent. These advances will continue with communicate to others the benefits provided by increased use of precision agricultural manage- the cotton industry. As the old saying goes, “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” ment and conservation tillage practices.

Today, cotton production and agriculture are – Richey Seaton, Perry Ga. faced with challenges ranging from regulatory Georgia Cotton Commission issues to approval and acceptance of new richey@georgiacotton.org technologies. Many individuals who support these 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.

22 COTTON FARMING

OCTOBER 2014

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There’s nothing like the feeling of heading out to your field in your favorite jeans. The ones that just fit 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. L38-076-119 (09/13) BR 010-34414 DAAGPHYG3072

CF1014 Layout_CF 11/13 template 9/18/14 9:22 AM Page 16

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. Š2014 Monsanto Company.

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