White

Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Tommy Horton

Fortunately, producer Benny White of Lamesa has been through this scenario before, and he's usually prepared for any kind of weather event. When you've been farming for 48 years, there are no surprises.

White, who will plant 2,800 acres of cotton this year, has 1,600 of those acres irrigated either in a drip system or with center pivots. Even though the drought conditions have made it difficult, he still believes he can come close to duplicating his 3.5-bale crops of recent years.

Last year White had one of his best seasons when he became a member of the FiberMax One Ton Club.

"We have an advantage over the farmers north of us in the High Plains," he says. "We get more heat units for a longer period of time, and our growing season is a bit longer."


source : cottonfarming

Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Tommy Horton

Despite blistering hot temperatures and severe drought, Texas cotton producers are coping as well as can be expected as they try to finish planting this year's crop.

It's never easy producing cotton on the High Plains, and this year is no exception. Drought conditions definitely had an impact on planting season, and now it's a question of getting an early stand, if possible.

Fortunately, producer Benny White of Lamesa has been through this scenario before, and he's usually prepared for any kind of weather event. When you've been farming for 48 years, there are no surprises.

White, who will plant 2,800 acres of cotton this year, has 1,600 of those acres irrigated either in a drip system or with center pivots. Even though the drought conditions have made it difficult, he still believes he can come close to duplicating his 3.5-bale crops of recent years.

source : cottonfarming

Similar Challenges

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Similar Challenges

Though Bibb dealt with minor issues in unloading his 2008 crop bags concerning leakage and moisture, he recognizes the potential to cause greater damage.

"All the same problems you have with a module are similar here," he says. "You've got to be wise about using them."

Of any losses sustained during his first year with bags, Bibb says, "I lose as much in my grain bins each year as I did with bags. It's a good thing and I'd do it again."

Regardless of cotton's future, grain bagging systems are gaining in popularity. According to the Harrells, business should improve in 2009.

While some farmers will build more bins to handler larger amounts of grain, others will find their answers "in the bag."

source : cottonfarming

Efficient Farm Operation

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Efficient Farm Operation

Although Mount Level Farm is a private grain storage and farming operation, it has incorporated grain bag storage into its strategies for segregating different grain commodities and handling overflow. And while the farm has built bags on-site within protected areas of the granary, Sorrell speculates that some of the practices incorporated may be duplicated at other area storage facilities.

"If you look at the carries in the market, sometimes 30 to 60 days makes a huge difference on basis," he says. "These things (bags) are really good for a 30-to-60 day deal."

Cotton farmers will understand after hearing the story of Richy Bibb from Tunica, Miss.

"It's a module builder for grain," he says. "If you put wet cotton in that module, its not going to be good. If you put wet grain in that bag, it's probably not going to turn out the way you want it to."

source : cottonfarming

Grain Storage Solutions Are ‘In The Bag’

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Blues travelers along legendary U.S. Highway 61 in the Mississippi Delta are always treated to numerous sights and sounds as they travel through the land of cotton. During the last two years, however, the new attractions have little to do with the blues – and even less to do with cotton.

From Sikeston, Mo., to Vicksburg, Miss., turnrows once marked with rows of cotton modules in the fall are now lined with long, white plastic bags. Laid out like huge, mutant caterpillar larvae, they symbolize the fundamental truth about today's cotton industry.

The bags are filled with grain. Corn, soybeans, milo, wheat and even rice are stored within them and, though they have their critics, many say grain storage bags are a sight that cotton country should become accustomed to seeing.

source : cottonfarming

We did everything we could to work with EPA on this

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

"We did everything we could to work with EPA on this," he says. "I really feel betrayed. We showed them how the flooding affected wildlife, trees and our farmland. That's why I'm hopeful this lawsuit will give us a chance."

Flooding definitely has an effect on wildlife, according to Trey Cooke, executive director of Delta Wildlife, a Mississippi organization focused on restoration, enhancement and management of wildlife habitats in the state.

"It's unnatural for wildlife to be forced to contend with this type of flooding," he says. "Right now, turkey populations have been decimated in the Yazoo back-water area due to consecutive flood events. This is a prime example of how flooding affects more than just agriculture."

source : cottonfarming

Economic Impact On Farmers

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

Economic Impact On Farmers

Nobody understands the economic impact of backwater flooding more than South Delta farmers.

Clifton Porter farms 1,300 acres of soybeans and corn in the area and believes the pump project makes perfect sense when viewed objectively.

"We did everything we could to work with EPA on this," he says. "I really feel betrayed. We showed them how the flooding affected wildlife, trees and our farmland. That's why I'm hopeful this lawsuit will give us a chance."

Flooding definitely has an effect on wildlife, according to Trey Cooke, executive director of Delta Wildlife, a Mississippi organization focused on restoration, enhancement and management of wildlife habitats in the state.

source : cottonfarming

Current water levels

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

Current water levels in the backwater area have reached a level of nearly 92 feet, flooding more than 100,000 acres of farmland along with 200,000 acres of trees for wildlife habitat.

Nimrod is convinced that if a judge hears the case, proponents of the pump project have an excellent chance of winning.

"I think the decision could come down in a year and a half," he says. "We don't believe EPA had the legal authority to veto this project."

Cost factors also weigh heavily in the $220 million project. Nimrod says more than $70 million was for large scale reforestation to "appease the environmental groups."

source : cottonfarming

Responding To EPA

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

Responding To EPA

EPA used its authority under the Clean Water Act to "deny using waters as a disposal site for fill material when the agency determines it will have an unacceptable effect on municipal water supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas, wildlife or recreational areas."

In response to the EPA action, the Mississippi Levee Board may bring a lawsuit against EPA within the next few months, according to Peter Nimrod, chief engineer for the Levee Board.

He believes there is a provision in the Clean Water Act that allows for an exemption from an EPA veto – specifically when a project has already been reviewed, authorized and received funding from Congress.

Current water levels in the backwater area have reached a level of nearly 92 feet, flooding more than 100,000 acres of farmland along with 200,000 acres of trees for wildlife habitat.


source : cottonfarming

Recent heavy rains in the region

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

Recent heavy rains in the region have once again caused serious flooding in backwaters and called attention to a problem that was supposed to have been resolved by a flood control project first approved by Congress in 1941.

This project was initially proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a way to protect farmland and wildlife from excessive flooding on the backwaters of the Mississippi River's tributaries. Specifically, the area is near the confluence of the Yazoo and Big Sunflower Rivers north of Vicksburg, Miss.

After decades of negotiating between the Mississippi Levee Board and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA vetoed the entire project in August of 2008.

Responding To EPA

source : cottonfarming

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Miss. Flood Project May Be Revived

Tommy Horton

The battle lines are about to be drawn again in the South Delta, and this time the final decision on the embattled Yazoo Pump Project might be decided by a judge.

Recent heavy rains in the region have once again caused serious flooding in backwaters and called attention to a problem that was supposed to have been resolved by a flood control project first approved by Congress in 1941.

This project was initially proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a way to protect farmland and wildlife from excessive flooding on the backwaters of the Mississippi River's tributaries. Specifically, the area is near the confluence of the Yazoo and Big Sunflower Rivers north of Vicksburg, Miss.

source : cottonfarming

With pressure from growing populations

SE Producers Aware Of
Irrigation's Impact

With pressure from growing populations, persistent droughts and increasing demands from industry and agriculture, Georgia producers are paying closer attention to the types of water conservation measures that Texas producers and other arid regions are accustomed to using. Plus, the ongoing "water wars" between Georgia, Florida and Alabama, coupled with the start of real statewide water planning in Georgia, mean that our use of water in agriculture is on folks' minds.

Recent research in irrigation has been pretty exciting. Are there other things we can can look forward to in the areas of Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA), drip, deficit or furrow irrigation?

Producers are indicating to us researchers that there is definite interest in using drip irrigation in the Southeast. We are responding by working with great folks like Cotton Incorporated and the Georgia Cotton Commission to develop projects that will expand our knowledge base of practices like drip irrigation. We certainly have more to learn in terms of system design, installation and operation/management.


source : cottonfarming

Can a cotton producer in Georgia

SE Producers Aware Of
Irrigation's Impact

Can a cotton producer in Georgia learn anything from a Texas producer in the area of effective irrigation?

Many Texas producers operate in a more arid environment, which is often affected by limited water resources. Texas producers are very concerned about evaporative losses and timely, efficient application of irrigation water. Producers in Georgia are, for the most part, blessed with abundant (but not unlimited) water resources in a humid environment (less evaporative losses).

With pressure from growing populations, persistent droughts and increasing demands from industry and agriculture, Georgia producers are paying closer attention to the types of water conservation measures that Texas producers and other arid regions are accustomed to using. Plus, the ongoing "water wars" between Georgia, Florida and Alabama, coupled with the start of real statewide water planning in Georgia, mean that our use of water in agriculture is on folks' minds.

source : cottonfarming

Do you think drip irrigation will ever be as popular ?

SE Producers Aware Of
Irrigation's Impact

Do you think drip irrigation will ever be as popular in the Southeast as it is in other regions, such as Texas?

Overhead sprinkler irrigation (primarily center pivot) is the overwhelming choice for most producers in the Southeast. But, increases in irrigated acres will likely occur in field areas that aren't well suited to center pivots (irregular field shapes). In these cases, drip irrigation may be given a strong look by producers. But overall, it is doubtful that drip irrigation will be as widespread as center pivot systems. Our knowledge base on using drip irrigation in Southeast row crops like cotton is also less developed – but we're working on that.

What does the future bode for cotton producers as they evaluate water availability in their irrigation systems?

I once heard a colleague make the comment in a presentation that there are three limiting factors in Georgia crop production – water, water and water. Water availability for agriculture will continue to be of utmost importance to the economic vitality of rural economies in the Southeast. I'm excited to be a part of efforts to help cotton producers understand how to better manage their irrigation systems by using new technologies for measuring soil water status, applying water more efficiently and scheduling more effectively.


source : cottonfarming

Normally

Furrow Irrigation Helps
Conserve Water

Amanda Huber
Southeast

"Normally, the rains stop the second week in June until around early to mid-August," he says. Kelly, who produces cotton on 800 to 1,200 acres of mostly irrigated land, depends on his rotation cycle and economic forces.

"The lake for our irrigation district holds about 135,000 acre-feet of water," he adds. "About the last week of June or the first week of July, we will see how much water is there."

Based on assessed acres, each producer gets a water allocation.

"We start irrigating around the first week in July and stop around the first week in September," he says. "But, we can't get the water immediately. It's 35 miles to the lake, and it takes 24 hours for it to run from the lake to here."

source : cottonfarming

Producer Joe Kelly

Furrow Irrigation Helps
Conserve Water

Amanda Huber
Southeast

 
Producer Joe Kelly is never quite sure how much water he will receive to irrigate his cotton. In good years, such as 2007 and 2008, he received about 18 inches. In 2006, he only had seven inches. His worst year ever – 1981 – he only got three-quarters of an inch.

What Kelly, who farms cotton, milo and hard red winter wheat in Altus, Okla., can plan on is that none of that will come from the sky. It all comes from the lake northeast of Mangum and flows by gravity to his farm through a series of canals, ditches and gates. For Kelly, irrigation efficiency is a necessary part of his operation.

"Normally, the rains stop the second week in June until around early to mid-August," he says. Kelly, who produces cotton on 800 to 1,200 acres of mostly irrigated land, depends on his rotation cycle and economic forces.

source : cottonfarming

Increased Availability

Exploring The Benefits Of Baled Poultry Litter

Carroll Smith
Senior

Increased Availability

According to Argo, his business plan includes building 300 of the poultry litter baling machines in a five-year period to make the technology available to a wider geography. Argo notes that if, say, 10 farmers bought a machine as a cooperative, hired a four-man crew to run it and ship the baled litter to the 10 farmers in the co-op, they could pay for their machine and get their litter.

An interesting note for cotton farmers is that a module truck can be used to move seven of the bales at one time, which would increase the working hours on a piece of equipment that typically is idle 90 percent of the year.

In looking at the big picture, baled poultry litter may not fit everyone's operation, but, in this economy, it's always a good thing to have options.


source : cottonfarming

Buchanan

Exploring The Benefits Of Baled Poultry Litter

Carroll Smith
Senior

Buchanan notes that this is his first experience with poultry litter and in addition to the economics, he believes there are some intangibles to consider, too. For example:

• Will it improve humus in the soil?

• Will it build up micronutrients?

• Will it contribute to the water-holding capacity in soils that have been farmed year after year in cotton?

"We have heard that these things will occur, so we want to see to what extent they occur in this climate where we don't have the rainfall that farmers receive in eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas," Buchanan explains.

The Oklahoma farmer notes that if commercial fertilizer prices return to what they used to be in the past, then poultry litter won't be competitive from an economic standpoint. On the other hand, if Buchanan realizes benefits from the intangibles, then it would be of value to him from that standpoint.

source : cottonfarming

Economics And Intangibles

Exploring The Benefits Of Baled Poultry Litter

Carroll Smith
Senior

Economics And Intangibles

Tom Buchanan, who manages the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, is one of the 10 western Oklahoma farmers experimenting with baled poultry litter this year on his irrigated cotton land. In the past, he has only had access to commercial fertilizer.

"Last year, when commercial fertilizer went sky high, poultry litter became more economically feasible," he says. "Last winter, we received the baled litter on a flatbed truck, strategically offloaded it at different locations around the farm, cut the plastic off and used a litter spreader to apply it."

Buchanan notes that this is his first experience with poultry litter and in addition to the economics, he believes there are some intangibles to consider, too.


source : cottonfarming

Urban Sprawl Continues

Precision Irrigation Leads
To Efficiency

Tommy Horton

Urban Sprawl Continues

One challenge facing producers in nearly every cotton-producing state is the tenuous relationship between ag communities and urban sprawl. This encroachment of city populations into farm areas is creating water rights battles across the country.

Porter believes it is another example of why farmers should be efficient in their irrigation.

"We see this problem everywhere nowadays," she says. "It definitely puts more pressure on the producers to demonstrate that they are more efficient in their practices.

"Producers have always been good stewards of the land. But that's as much of an economic survival strategy as it is basic values."

As one researcher so aptly put it, the future looks good for cotton production on the Texas High Plains – mainly because of the crop's ability to grow on lower levels of water.

"That's what makes this crop so special," he says. "It knows how to survive under pretty difficult conditions."

source : cottonfarming

The Perfect Combination

Precision Irrigation Leads
To Efficiency

Tommy Horton

The Perfect Combination

One of Bordovsky's colleagues is Dana Porter, Extension irrigation specialist in Lubbock, and she credits an unusual industry partnership that contributes to producers embracing new irrigation techniques.

She also says current economic conditions have forced producers to become more efficient.

"Water is a limited resource here in Texas, and producers have to be as efficient as possible," she says. "We have some farmers who are rapid adopters and very savvy about the tools available to them."

Porter also points to the working relationship among irrigation equipment companies, Extension specialists, conservation experts and producers as being advantageous for all parties in the industry.

"All of us seem to be on the same page, and that's part of the strength of where we are in irrigation research," she says. "You're bound to make progress when you have this kind of cooperation among so many groups."


source : cottonfarming

Praise For Producers

Precision Irrigation Leads
To Efficiency

Tommy Horton

Praise For Producers

Bordovsky says credit must be given to today's cotton producer for being astute and sophisticated in his management practices – especially as it pertains to irrigation.

He says most producers are well aware of all the issues confronting them, and water availability is at the top of the list for Texas farmers.

"You must understand that producers have to balance the need to conserve water for the future with the current need to make a living when they farm each year," Bordovsky says.

"They have to pay bills, raise their children and send them to college. They do a good job of balancing all of these things as they make their decisions each year."

source : cottonfarming

One test strategy involved the benefits

Precision Irrigation Leads
To Efficiency

Tommy Horton

One test strategy involved the benefits of "banking water" for the future. In other words, a pre-plant soil moisture profile may indicate that a field is so dry that available water for it would be better utilized elsewhere, and it doesn't need to be irrigated.

In one area, existing soil moisture and rain are saved for the next year's crop, while making more water available in other areas.

Another strategy involves applying pre-plant irrigation water. Depending on conditions, a producer can apply water, divert it to other uses or save it – all in the same season.

Both strategies attempt to maximize water efficiency through irrigation timing and, consequently, use limited amounts of irrigation water.

source : cottonfarming

Most researchers agree

Precision Irrigation Leads
To Efficiency

Tommy Horton

Most researchers agree that drip irrigation can work, but the system must be maintained properly to realize any potential benefits. Bordovsky found that clogged lines could be cleared if manganese levels in the water were causing the problem. By adding hydrogen peroxide concentrate, the situation improved.

Other research has also documented results for breakthroughs in maintaining efficient irrigation. Bordovsky's team has studied two approaches that directly deal with existing soil moisture profiles.

One test strategy involved the benefits of "banking water" for the future. In other words, a pre-plant soil moisture profile may indicate that a field is so dry that available water for it would be better utilized elsewhere, and it doesn't need to be irrigated.

In one area, existing soil moisture and rain are saved for the next year's crop, while making more water available in other areas.

source : cottonfarming

In January 2009

Compensating For Late Planting

In January 2009, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned EPA's policy and ruled that pesticide applications made to, over or near water bodies will require NPDES permits. CropLife America (CLA), along with other entities, has requested that the panel's decision be reviewed by the full U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The "general permits" referenced by the panel's January decision could take months or perhaps years to develop. They are especially vulnerable to possible litigation for which farmers and applicators, not product registrants, could be held responsible.

"Over three decades and through two CWA amendments by Congress, EPA has never issued an NPDES permit for pesticide application," says Jay Vroom, CLA president and CEO. "We're confident that Congress never anticipated its ban on the 'discharge of a pollutant' without an NPDES permit would apply to pest control activities."


source : cottonfarming

I’ll be lucky to have a square

Compensating For Late Planting

• "I'll be lucky to have a square on my cotton by the fourth of July, much less a bloom."

• "All of these choices will help a little, but the fact is that without Boll Weevil Eradication, there would be no chance of making a crop."

• "I anxiously await my consultant's scouting report."


In our July Web Poll, we are switching gears from a production-related question to a regulatory one.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program has long been used by EPA under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to regulate point source discharges of water contaminants. Congress exempted ag storm water runoff from nonpoint sources from the CWA's permitting program, and EPA's 2007 rule similarly exempted properly made pesticide applications.

source : cottonfarming

we appreciate everyone’s participation

Compensating For Late Planting

No matter how you vote, we appreciate everyone's participation in Cotton Farming's monthly Web Poll. Following is a sampling of the comments we received from people who voted in the May Web Poll.

• "All of the above are important, but the only one we can tailor to conditions is a PGR."

• "I guess I'll spray worms that [aren't] held back at that time of year. Keep the plane on call for when I get the scouting report. Or, we'll be burnt up, and I'll just let 'em eat. Plant late...ha! Not with $10 beans."

• "We'll have bugs we've never even heard of in our cotton this 'fall.'"

• "Cotton here in southeast Alabama is about three weeks behind schedule. We normally have a dry period in June or July. If we do this year, we may pick cotton on New Year's again!"



source : cottonfarming

Compensating For Late Planting

Compensating For Late Planting

This year, farmers across the Cotton Belt have been tormented and frustrated by the weather, which pushed many of them into late-planting scenarios.

In May, we asked our readers if they were caught in this situation, what strategy would most help them compensate for late planting. More than one-third (39 percent) say "all of the above" practices would be helpful, while 33 percent opt for planting early or mid-maturing varieties.

A respectable 17 percent will push the cotton plant via plant growth regulators, eight percent say scouting for insects moving into young cotton would be most helpful, and three percent will avoid conventional varieties because of late-season grasses.

source : cottonfarming

Regarding

No Ill-Advised Changes

Mark Lange
NCC President & CEO
 
Regarding the proposal to terminate cotton storage credits, the NCC's letter said that should be rejected because the credits are necessary to promote orderly marketing and discourage cotton forfeitures in years when prices are low. The credits only are provided in years when cotton prices are low. Concerns about the possible loss of storage credits also were conveyed by 16 Cotton Belt congressmen in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The NCC's letter also raised specific concerns about the Administration's proposals to increase the costs that cotton producers must pay for federal crop insurance. In many areas, crop insurance is a prerequisite for securing production financing. The letter emphasized that no changes be made that weaken this important risk management tool's affordability and effectiveness.

source : cottonfarming

What specifics did the NCC letter ask?

No Ill-Advised Changes

Mark Lange
NCC President & CEO
 
What specifics did the NCC letter ask?

The NCC's letter urged that the Committee's Cotton Belt Members reject any efforts, such as those proposed by the Administration, to: impose a $500,000 gross revenue test to determine eligibility for direct payments; establish a $250,000 cap on all program benefits, including the marketing loan; modify the crop insurance program; modify certain conservation programs; terminate cotton storage credits; and cut Market Access Program funding by 20 percent – even though that program is World Trade Organization consistent and central to main- taining and growing U.S. export markets.

Also noted was the Administration's ill-advised, proposed new cap on total benefits to limit the marketing loan benefits available to producers when prices are low. Marketing loan benefits are critically important to all farmers and provided only when prices are very low – a time when producers most need the assistance. The Administration's proposal would greatly increase the risk associated with lower prices and could significantly affect a producer's ability to obtain financing. Likewise, the recommendation to institute a new eligibility test for direct payments based on lower gross revenue – not a net profitability measure – is inconsistent with the new, lower adjusted gross income tests enacted in the 2008 farm law. The proposed gross revenue limit is so low that it will hurt many family farmers even though those operations may lose money or barely break even.


source : cottonfarming

No Ill-Advised Changes

No Ill-Advised Changes

Mark Lange
NCC President & CEO
 
The U.S. cotton industry staunchly opposes the cotton policy changes and budget cuts proposed in the Obama Administration's 2010 budget request.

How was this concern relayed?

First, the National Cotton Council joined 42 commodity, general farm, banking, cooperative, conservation and crop insurance organizations in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, urging no inclusion of FY10 appropriations bill provisions that would amend the new farm law. The NCC alone wrote that panel's Cotton Belt Members to remind them that farm programs must be predictable, logical and helpful to producers when prices are low and they most need help. The NCC's letter noted many of the Administration's budget recommendations violate these principles and likewise urged them not to use that appropriations bill to amend farm law.

source : cottonfarming

Peterson has more of a pragmatic view of the situation

Rural America Must Be Protected

Tommy Horton


Peterson has more of a pragmatic view of the situation. He contends that it doesn't matter which party occupies the Oval Office and believes there will always be a lack of understanding on rural issues.

"We're an urban country, and the White House reflects the majority of the constituency of the country," he says. "This is the problem we have with everything. Folks don't understand what we do."

Therein lies the problem. So, here's a suggestion for rural America. Keep up the pressure on your senators and congressmen and don't allow anyone to run roughshod on the interests of today's farmer. It's the only way we can protect agriculture's future in this country.

End of discussion.

source : cottonfarming

At press time

Rural America Must Be Protected

Tommy Horton

At press time, it appears that the House Appropriations Committee did approve a $10.6 billion spending bill for EPA, and several amendments were added to protect ag interests from the reach of some federal climate regulations. The fight, however, goes on between rural and urban interests in Congress. Regardless of a person's political loyalties, there is legitimate concern among ag groups and rural lawmakers that the current White House doesn't understand the importance of rural issues.

Nobody said it better than two Democratic congressmen – Rep. Dennis Cardoza, who represents the Central Valley region of California, and Minnesota's Collin Peterson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Both spoke out in a recent issue of politico.com.

"They (the general public and White House) don't get rural America," says Cardoza. "They form their views of the world in large cities."


source : cottonfarming

Rural America Must Be Protected

Rural America Must Be Protected

Tommy Horton

In one sense, it's an argument that has been around for as long as any of us can remember. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. Let's re-phrase that sentence. Ever since urban populations have increased and encroached on rural areas, many farm residents have openly wondered if anyone in Washington understands their problems.

We raise that point because it seems that there is growing unrest among both Republicans and Democrats that the Obama administration is ignoring the interests of rural populations on several fronts. And there is plenty of evidence to support that assertion. Unless you were living in a cave in the past few months, most cotton producers and industry organizations know that the new administration immediately launched an effort to make wholesale changes in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Now comes word that a serious revolt is occurring within the president's own party on several legislative packages that would impact farmers across the country. Much of the concern revolves around the Environmental Protection Agency's active efforts at more stringent regulations, including a limit on greenhouse gas emissions.
 
source : cottonfarming

Based on the data we collected from FACT

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
"Based on the data we collected from FACT and the NPEs, DP 0935 B2RF and DP 0949 B2RF had yield performance that was right there with, or, in some cases exceeded, DP 555 BG/RR," Albers says.

With the new Class of '10 Bollgard II varieties, Monsanto's cotton germplasm manager says the company expects to produce not only higher yields than DP 555 BG/RR but also higher quality, which, with better staple, could mean two to three cents more in the loan value.

"Once you get past a good color grade, and the environment influences that more times than not, then staple is the biggest driver in the world market right now," Albers notes.

source : cottonfarming

A ‘Step Up’ In The Right Direction

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
A 'Step Up' In The Right Direction

Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex have brought a number of improvements to the insect and weed control arena. But, Dave Albers, Monsanto's cotton germplasm manager, is most excited about the new genetics that he sees coming in the pipeline.

"We've seen the first step up in yield with the Class of '09 varieties," he says.

In addition to data gathered from Monsanto's 2008 Field Advancement Cotton Trials (FACT), many cotton producers actually participated in New Plot Exposure (NPE) pre-commercial plots right on their own farms. Monsanto gave them enough seed to plant 15 acres – about a module-size trial – and asked them to manage the field appropriately for their respective operations and even run the cotton through their own gins.

At the end of the season, these NPE farmers turned over their season-long data to Monsanto, then the company made the call on what the Class of '09 varieties would be.

source : cottonfarming

He notes that DP 0935 B2RF and DP 0924 B2RF

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
He notes that DP 0935 B2RF and DP 0924 B2RF did perform as well as or better than 555 last year although the 555 suffered a lot of weather damage from Hurricane Faye. This year, Dollar once again is a NPE producer for the Class of 2010 candidates.

"We had good yields last year, but these are new varieties so we don't have as much experience with them as we do with 555," Dollar explains. "But, I've accepted that we have to change over to the dual gene technology, and I think Monsanto is doing its best to help us do this. It's just that change sometimes makes people anxious.

"However, I think there will be a lot of benefits for cotton producers in the end," he adds. "We need to support Monsanto in this transition, and Monsanto and Deltapine need to support us, also."

source : cottonfarming

Life After Bollgard

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
Life After Bollgard

Tommy Dollar of Bainbridge, Ga., knows cotton. He is a producer, president of two gins and the owner of a seed and chemical retail business. Dollar, like the majority of cotton producers in Georgia, is a big DP 555 BG/RR fan and certainly is not shy when it comes to heaping accolades on the variety.

"DP 555 BG/RR has been an extremely valuable tool for southwest Georgia," he says. "Before I began planting this variety, I had never averaged over two bales an acre. With 555, we consistently averaged 2 1/2 to 3 bales, not over the whole farm, but on quite a few fields."

To be honest, Dollar is not anxious to see 555 retired but understands that removing the single gene insect technology will reduce the risk of insect resistance showing up in dual Bt varieties. As a part of the transition process from Bollgard to Bollgard II, the Georgia producer participated in the New Plot Exposure (NPE) pre-commercial plots in 2008 by planting several different Bollgard II varieties on his farm.

source : cottonfarming

Monsanto only wants to package and treat to true grower demand

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
"Monsanto only wants to package and treat to true grower demand. Per EPA, no Bollgard sales will be allowed after Sept. 30, 2009."

What if a grower plans on planting but can't get planted due to weather?

He reiterates, "All sales are final. Catastrophe prior to or after planting is subject to later date decisions."

What happens to inventory – partial or full bags – that a farmer may have after 2010 planting?

According to the company, any unplanted bags of Bollgard cotton seed in the spring of 2010 must be returned to Monsanto in accordance with the 2010 Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement and the Technology Use Guide (TUG) Supplement for Bollgard discontinuation.

source : cottonfarming

All Sales Are Final

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
All Sales Are Final

As with any close-out deal, all Bollgard sales are final as of Sept. 30, 2009. Why?

Rhylander says, "We do not want growers ordering seed that they may not want, as this takes seed away from other growers who may want the seed for 2010 planting. Therefore, we want real orders, and it is felt that with a no return policy a grower will order closer to his actual need.

"Monsanto only wants to package and treat to true grower demand. Per EPA, no Bollgard sales will be allowed after Sept. 30, 2009."

What if a grower plans on planting but can't get planted due to weather?

He reiterates, "All sales are final. Catastrophe prior to or after planting is subject to later date decisions."

source : cottonfarming

The company has to charge some amount of money

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
The company has to charge some amount of money for the seed so it will qualify as a purchase by Sept. 30 as specified by FIFRA regulations. Monsanto will carry the balance until late July 2010 via its program.

To alleviate the storage crunch, Monsanto will store all of the seed itself, then ship it to distributor/dealer locations direct from Monsanto by Feb. 28, 2010, based on grower orders placed by Sept. 30.

Anticipated available products will include DP 445 BG/RR, DP 444 BG/RR and DP 555 BG/RR. Allocation of the seed will be based on three years' average data by state (2005-2008). For example, if Georgia has represented 63 percent of the Bollgard sales during that period, it will get 63 percent of the Bollgard that is available, which will then be allocated by distributor sales history in that state.

source : cottonfarming

Transition Plan Proposed

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
Transition Plan Proposed

The transition plan that Monsanto has submitted to the EPA addresses these issues. First, the 2010 fees, including seed, trait and seed treatment prices, will be announced in July. The total amount of Bollgard seed available will be announced Aug. 20. Then, producers can place their Bollgard orders and only be invoiced $25 per bag on or before Sept. 30, 2009.

The company has to charge some amount of money for the seed so it will qualify as a purchase by Sept. 30 as specified by FIFRA regulations. Monsanto will carry the balance until late July 2010 via its program.

To alleviate the storage crunch, Monsanto will store all of the seed itself, then ship it to distributor/dealer locations direct from Monsanto by Feb. 28, 2010, based on grower orders placed by Sept. 30.


source : cottonfarming

In the meantime

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
In the meantime, however, the company wants to communicate pertinent points included in the plan so cotton farmers will have some idea of what to expect. Bollgard, the biopesticide, is regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). According to this law, a product must be sold and distributed by its final registration date, which, for Bollgard, is Sept. 30, 2009.

Obviously, this regulation creates several issues:

• Farmers usually don't have money to buy seed in September.

• There is no storage at the farm level to adequately store much seed from September to the next cotton-growing season.

• This contradicts state seed laws that say the seed must be tested six months before planting. Therefore, if the seed is not planted by March 15, 2010, it has to be re-tested because it will have exceeded the certification period based on state seed laws.

source : cottonfarming

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

Stay In Front Of The Eight Ball

A Heads-Up On Transition From
Bollgard To Bollgard II

Carroll Smith
Senior
 
Developing a plan to remove a biopesticide from the marketplace can be just as challenging as bringing one into the marketplace.

"This is the first time anyone has done this with biotech seed," says Dave Rhylander, Monsanto's marketing manager for the Cotton Belt. "Monsanto has submitted a plan to the EPA outlining the transition from Bollgard to Bollgard II, but we may not have an answer from the agency until Aug. 9."

In the meantime, however, the company wants to communicate pertinent points included in the plan so cotton farmers will have some idea of what to expect. Bollgard, the biopesticide, is regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). According to this law, a product must be sold and distributed by its final registration date, which, for Bollgard, is Sept. 30, 2009.

source : cottonfarming

Why is agriculture such a passion for you?

Face To Face

With Senator Blanche Lincoln
Tommy Horton

Will urban members of Congress ever appreciate the fact that the commodity title is a small percentage of the overall Farm Bill?

You really have to spell it out for them and drill it into their heads. When you look at the numbers, 82 percent of the Farm Bill was devoted to nutrition and 16 percent was earmarked for agriculture and conservation. Unless we want to start importing all of our food and fiber, we need to make sure the public and our colleagues in Congress understand this. We're the third largest exporter in the world, and the two countries ahead of us use water from rivers with direct sewage access in their cotton production. These are things that people need to know. This is why the commodity title is important in the Farm Bill. If we don't have a viable ag economy in this country, our way of life would be different.

Why is agriculture such a passion for you?

Besides being raised in a farm family in Helena, Ark., I believe in the families and workers across this country who spend their days from sunup to sundown doing the best job they can do. I just think that being a part of rural America is a very special thing.

I can remember my father walking through a rice field and the way he wanted that field to be as clean as possible. These are the experiences that make me appreciate agriculture. Somehow we need to teach children that food doesn't come from the grocery store. Somebody grew those crops that gave us this food.

source : cottonfarming

Can cotton recover and regain some stability in the future?

Face To Face

With Senator Blanche Lincoln
Tommy Horton

Can cotton recover and regain some stability in the future?

I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about cotton's future. Obviously, we aren't out of the woods yet on the economic recovery. We have to be pragmatic because I don't think we can really spend our way out of this recession. I do think there is hope for cotton's recovery. We have to look at industries where we can make a difference and where we can be competitive in the global market. It's true that the general public probably doesn't have an appreciation for cotton products now or the problems confronting our industry, but I have a lot of faith in our future.

As the new Farm Bill is being implemented, can you appreciate the challenges that producers are facing as they try to understand all of its provisions?

We are slowly but surely getting there on some of these things. We've been trying to work with USDA, and the initial problem was that there wasn't anybody over there at the agency after the recent election. You had to get people appointed and confirmed.

I know this, the Farm Bill is a five-year contract with farmers and our growers, and they should be able to count on the government to hold up its end of the bargain. I understand there is still some confusion on how a number of provisions in the Farm Bill will be implemented, payment limits in particular. I have worked with like-minded members in the Senate and House to ensure that USDA implements the Farm Bill as it was intended, and you can be sure we'll continue to do so. It has been a fight, though, and I expect we'll still run into issues moving forward with implementation.

source : cottonfarming

The study also talks about the need for looking

A Resilient Industry

Tim Price
Memphis, Tenn.


The study also talks about the need for looking at all ginning costs and understanding the relationship between investments and expenditures. It will also help us identify gaps in ginning capacity from recent gin closures where cotton has been historically grown. I'm glad the LSU AgCenter did this study because it has led to the Southern Cotton Ginners eventually receiving a $69,000 grant from USDA-AMS to continue studying the "change and strategic positioning of the industry."

In summary, it's obvious that our industry is resilient and ready to meet any challenge – including the ones we face now. As you've heard other industry officials report in this space, cotton is not disappearing from the landscape.

This industry is too valuable to take for granted. For that reason, I can confidently say that we'll never become complacent. We have many opportunities awaiting us. Let's take advantage of them.

source : cottonfarming

I’ll be the first to admit

A Resilient Industry

Tim Price
Memphis, Tenn.

I'll be the first to admit that there were significant cotton acreage decreases in the Mid-South. And the increase in corn and soybean acres was something to behold. But I am also seeing other things at work in the market that encourage me.

As an industry, we know that cotton has had its ups and downs, and we've seen our share of volatility with acreage shifts. However, the cotton industry has a steady and exemplary history of both practical and strategic research and promotion. This research spans private industry, land grant universities, USDA and the unique success of Cotton Incorporated. Even when we were producing 21 or 22 million bales each year, our industry was preparing for change because we knew we wouldn't harvest big crops every year.

A critical element in cotton's future is the necessity of good marketing practices. We must take better advantage of multi-year, forward marketing plans, including both lint and cottonseed.

We've done a good job of understanding the quality of cotton lint demanded globally. But we need to better understand how to maximize the total value from an acre of cotton, including the value of cottonseed and byproducts.

source : cottonfarming

No matter how you vote

Court Denies Request For Rehearing
 
No matter how you vote, we appreciate everyone's participation in Cotton Farming's monthly Web Poll. Follow-ing is a sampling of the comments we received from people who voted in the July Web Poll.

• "Jurisdictional matters rarely get overturned. Congress will have to step up and specifically remove ag spraying from EPA permitting."

• "I wonder how many people have been killed by negligent farmers! Anybody have an exact count? I bet a lot more have been killed by tainted food coming into the United States from foreign countries, but I don't hear anyone in Washington screaming about that!!!"

• "Repeal the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, so then you would not have this problem or a lot of other problems. Then it would remove the federal courts from jurisdiction."

In our September Web Poll, we are moving out of the courts and back into the field to check in with our readers on how their 2009 cotton crop is shaping up at this point. Excellent, good, fair or poor?

Cast your vote, then, in the "Comments" section, explain what factors contributed to your crop's condition this year. Please include the area of the Belt in which you farm.

source : cottonfarming

Several entities

Court Denies Request For Rehearing
 
Several entities, including CLA, requested that the panel's decision be reviewed by the full U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In May, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) sent a letter to EPA requesting support of a rehearing. An excerpt from the letter reads as follows:

"Specifically, we are very concerned with the impact this decision will have on the exercise of our responsibilities under such federal statutes as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA established a unique, yet effective, regime in which state lead agencies have primacy in the enforcement of pesticide matters.

"The Court's failure to consider this relationship specifically – and FIFRA generally – overlooks the importance of the longstanding regulatory web designed to provide pesticide-related environmental protection."


source : cottonfarming

What are the Conservation Stewardship Program’s key provisions?

Contemplating Conservation

Jimmy Webb
Producer/Leary, Ga
 
What are the Conservation Stewardship Program's key provisions?

In the 2002 farm law, Congress created the Conservation Security Program (CSP). The new Conservation Stewardship Program is based on the original CSP but with a major overhaul. The new CSP will be a nationwide program, as opposed to the watershed approach used in the original CSP. In addition, Congress authorized the signup of more than 12 million acres per year. The new CSP seeks to financially assist producers by offering a payment for continuation and maintenance of current conservation programs on their operation as well as the installation of new conservation programs over the CSP contract's five-year life.

There are, however, some concerns in the new CSP's proposed rule. The NCC currently is scrutinizing the proposed regulation and intends to present the task force with detailed comments in mid-September. I plan to reconvene the task force by conference call to review these comments prior to USDA's Sept. 28 deadline. In the meantime, the NCC continues to make producers aware of the current CSP sign-up that runs through Sept. 30.

source : cottonfarming

Contemplating Conservation

Contemplating Conservation

Jimmy Webb
Producer/Leary, Ga
 
The National Cotton Council always has worked with Congress and the Administration to see that conservation programs work for cotton producers. That includes helping develop farm policy, fighting budget battles on Capitol Hill and providing input on USDA's program administration.

Why should the industry pay more attention to conservation programs?

Of the total 2008 farm bill expenditures, nine and a half percent was designated for commodity programs and seven percent for conservation programs. With more conservation funds available, it makes economic sense to look at these programs. Besides, many cotton producers are now employing practices that would make them eligible to receive financial assistance when utilizing these programs. I believe we should educate ourselves on these programs so we can maximize our on-farm/environmental improvements and operational investment. We need to establish the type of relationships with our local Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel that we have with our Farm Service Agency offices.

source : cottonfarming

Spreading The Word About Cotton

Spreading The Word About Cotton

Tommy Horton

We never know when we'll have opportunities to talk about agriculture with the general public. Sometimes those conversations can occur in the unlikeliest of locations. I've had chance encounters to talk about cotton with people everywhere I've travelled – especially if I'm wearing a Cotton Farming shirt. Some persons are very curious about those two words.

They aren't really sure if I'm a farmer or if I'm promoting a new line of clothing or maybe I'm a representative of a company that sells ag products. You can attract a fair share of strange looks if the person isn't familiar with our magazine or the cotton industry. But in the 10 years I've worked here I've never encountered something as unusual as what happened to me on a recent trip to western North Carolina where I was visiting old friends from my college days.

Our group had decided to take an afternoon trip to Chimney Rock National Park just south of Asheville. The weather was sunny and clear – perfect for walking to the top of Chimney Rock and taking good photos. Don't ask me why I was wearing a Cotton Farming shirt that day. Maybe I didn't pack enough shirts or perhaps I didn't have anything else to wear. Who knows?

source : cottonfarming

Changes Effective

N.C. Producers Face Big Challenges,
Small Fields

Amanda Huber
Southeast Editor

Changes Effective

The younger Tyner says one of the changes they have made is, instead of planting cotton on four-inch spacing, they plant it on five.

"We saved nearly $17 per acre or nearly $18,000 for the year," he says. "When we moved it out, I gave a lot more priority to how I was planting."

He says they also use Autosteer for spray applications, and they are now considering bringing in auto shut-off technology in order to eliminate the overlap of product.

Big or small, the Tyners have a challenge facing most producers: herbicide-resistant weeds.

source : cottonfarming

Consistency Elusive

N.C. Producers Face Big Challenges,
Small Fields

Amanda Huber
Southeast Editor

Consistency Elusive

"Our cotton looks pretty good this year," says Gerald Tyner, who has been producing the commodity since 1990. "We have grown everything from three bales to 300 pounds."

Smith says Tyner produced about 2,000 acres of cotton two years ago.

"Last year, it was about 800 acres and, this year, it is about 700 acres," she says. "Tobacco, the main crop, is rotated with cotton and soybeans."

Gerald Tyner Jr., says, "The cotton is alright here, but with some of our land, there is not a consistent yield."

Gerald's father is optimistic about how this year's crop is progressing.

"Usually, we have average to above average yields," he says. "Right now everything looks good. I don't know what it will end up like. We will need some real rain."

source : cottonfarming

Neither dicamba nor 2,4-D

The Good Old Days Of
Weed Control

Larry Steckel
Jackson, Tenn.

Neither dicamba nor 2,4-D will control large Palmer pigweed like we could with glyphosate "back in the day."  However, in early work they do appear that they will control Palmer that is less than eight inches tall. In other words, these will be welcome tools to help us manage this weed, but we will still need to use pre-emergence herbicides as well as directed applications in most cases. 

Cotton producers are now going through some expensive and frustrating times trying to manage GR Palmer amaranth. I am going out tomorrow to help a couple of producers decide whether to disk down some GR Palmer amaranth-infested crops or try to salvage them. It is a frustrating time for weed scientists in cotton country as well. We would like to have a better answer than "get the disk out."

On the positive side, we can manage this weed if we change our weed control strategies. It will not be as cheap or easy as when glyphosate controlled Palmer, but with the use of a pre-emergence herbicide coupled with directed applications and in severely infested fields a timely application of Ignite, it can be done.

source : cottonfarming

Ignite can only be used on glufosinate-tolerant cotton

The Good Old Days Of
Weed Control

Larry Steckel
Jackson, Tenn.

However, Ignite can only be used on glufosinate-tolerant cotton, which cuts down the number of acres available to this option. As a result, weed control has regressed, even with glufosinate-tolerant cotton, from a post-applied program to one that relies on pre-emergence, post-direct and layby herbicide applications. 

Glyphosate effectiveness on many weeds, but particularly on Palmer pigweed, spoiled us. We are all looking for the next glyphosate to come on the scene and make weed control easy again. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the horizon that is as effective or easy to use as glyphosate. There are no new herbicides that can quickly come to the rescue. 

The chemical companies cut back on research and development during the Roundup-dominant era. Research is now being ramped back up. Unfortunately, developing new herbicides does not happen overnight and, at a minimum, it takes 10 years from discovery of a new herbicide to when producers open the jug.

source : cottonfarming

The Good Old Days Of Weed Control

The Good Old Days Of
Weed Control

Larry Steckel
Jackson, Tenn.

• Associate professor, Plant Sciences Department, University of Tennessee.
• Research/Extension weed specialist.
• Major areas include weed management in cotton, soybeans, corn and wheat.
• Worked 10 years as a field agronomist with Pioneer Hybrid Int.
• Member of the Southern Weed Society and the Weed Science Society of America.

I  have often heard folks talk about the good old days of this or that. Now I am doing it. The good old days of weed control in cotton just occurred in 2006 and 2007. This was the time span when Flex cotton was widely planted, and glyphosate controlled all the weeds except horseweed in the Mid-South. For the most part, cotton producers had learned to control horseweed with a good burndown program or tillage.

As a result, it was not often an issue in crops. Many producers had parked their often aggravating and always slow moving hoods and did all their cotton weed control with a 90-foot or 120-foot boom. Most likely, it will never be this easy again!

source : cottonfarming

Adjust doffer-to-spindle

10 Picker Pointers

Carroll Smith
Senior Writer

4. Adjust doffer-to-spindle clearance to about three thousandths of an inch – the thickness of a dollar bill. The leading edge of the doffer lug should be very sharp, so the doffer will perform the way it should.

5. Clean and flush the spindle cleaner solution tank. Note whether the regulating spray nozzles in the moistening system are working correctly. If the pattern is unusual, clean the strainer or replace the nozzle.

6. Check the operator's manual for correct starting pressures, such as moistening system pressure and tension on the
compressor doors in the row unit. Make sure the door springs are not broken.

source : cottonfarming

Visiting The Pod

Special Campaign Brings Consumers
Closer To Cotton
 
Visiting The Pod

The pod is comprised of two sides that swing open. One side enables mall visitors to take a peek into a life size closet and find some of the stylish cotton clothes inspired by the artists' wardrobes. All of the clothing in the closet is available for sale.

On the other side, mall patrons can sit in an actual recording booth, submit a statement about why they love their cotton clothes and record their own versions of the cotton theme song.

"Once their recording is complete, they can e-mail it to five of their friends and also sign up for program-related text messages to periodically come straight to their cell phones," says Rosario.

The music videos will be entered into "The Fabric of My Life Song Contest" where five finalists will be chosen. The top vote-getter wins a trip to New York.

source : cottonfarming

Special Campaign Brings Consumers Closer To Cotton

Special Campaign Brings Consumers
Closer To Cotton
 
When Cotton Incorporated designs a consumer- directed promotion, its usual targeted audience is women 18 to 34 years of age.

"This segment of women is going through important life stages that makes it highly influential in the purchase decision process," says Paula Rosario, vice president of consumer marketing and strategic alliances at Cotton Incorporated.

With so many fiber apparel options at retail, Cotton Incorporated has created an interactive promotion utilizing 'experiential marketing' that will be implemented at 15 malls all across the United States. The mall program will literally bring cotton's television and print ad campaign to life at point-of-sale.

source : cottonfarming

It is a good idea to find out what variety types

Be Prepared Before
Ginning Starts

Thomas D. Valco
USDA-ARS
Stoneville, Miss

It is a good idea to find out what variety types, such as hairy leaf or small-seeded cotton, are being grown by your producers and if any special gin equipment setup is needed.  

It is also very important to discuss methods for good defoliation and harvest preparation with your customers, making sure the cotton is dry when it goes into the module, modules are properly constructed, built in well drained areas and covers are in good condition.

Both gin turnout and ginning rate are adversely affected by wet modules, as shown in the table; ginning rate can be reduced more than 50 percent in wet cotton. If your gin provides covers, make sure they are in good condition and readily available.

source : cottonfarming

It is difficult to test a modification

Be Prepared Before
Ginning Starts

Thomas D. Valco
USDA-ARS
Stoneville, Miss

It is difficult to test a modification during the repair season because of the electrical demand charges and/or there is no cotton available to gin. Many times ginners set aside some cotton from the previous season for that early season test and that helps to get the gin tuned up before the season starts in earnest.

Nothing is worse than starting up a gin and hearing that metal-on-metal clanking sound where someone forgot to secure a new bearing or left a tool in the hopper. You need to check and double check to make sure all modifications or repairs were done properly and are ready to go.

Make your best attempt at adjusting saw and grid bar clearances and plan to readjust after the startup period. Improperly adjusted equipment can cause excessive fiber loss or damage.

source : cottonfarming

Safety specialists from industry

Be Prepared Before
Ginning Starts

Thomas D. Valco
USDA-ARS
Stoneville, Miss

Safety specialists from industry and academia provide the latest statistics and training updates for gin operators and managers.

At the beginning of the ginning season, employees should view safety videos and discuss safe work habits.  Managers should walk through the gin with each employee to instruct how to safely do his job, point out specific hazards, provide and instruct the proper use of safety equipment and make sure all guards are in place before startup.

Safety training videos are available in both English and Spanish and can be obtained from the National Cotton Ginners Association, your regional or state ginning organization.

source : cottonfarming

Be Prepared Before Ginning Starts

Be Prepared Before
Ginning Starts

Thomas D. Valco
USDA-ARS
Stoneville, Miss

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article, written by Tommy Valco, cotton technology transfer coordinator at USDA-ARS in Stoneville, Miss., is the first in a three-part series examining how ginners need to prepare for the upcoming season. In this first installment, Valco discusses what ginners need to do before the modules arrive on the yard.

From snakes in the control box to bird nests in the exhaust pipes, starting up a gin after the dormant season is always a difficult day or sometimes week before all the components start to work together in an efficient and productive fashion.  There are several important things a ginner should remember when gearing up for the ginning season.

source : cottonfarming

Working in the cotton industry

Lessons Learned On The Farm

Joel Faircloth
Collierville, Tenn.

Working in the cotton industry, my wife and I have lived in farming communities in the Southeast and the Delta where we have noted some common characteristics of people living in those areas. They frequently embody the tenets of hard work and respect for others, and they are teaching these ideals to their children.

In 1975, many years and a full head of hair ago, my father and I walked over to our neighbor's house and purchased a 1965, "three on the tree," full-size Chevrolet truck for $300. The truck had endured negligence to say the least and needed a fresh coat of paint, so my father handed my brother and me some paint brushes and a can of blue house paint. As dilapidated as it was, the old truck was the most valuable asset we had in our business of selling firewood.

On Saturday mornings, while most of my friends slept in or watched cartoons (like we wanted to), my brother and I left the house early with my father to work in the woods. At the time, it seemed like sheer drudgery, although I did like earning $4 per truckload by age 10. On a good day, we could cut three loads of firewood, but it also had to be delivered, which frequently occurred after dark. While this does not measure up to the number of hours required on a farm, it was an effective means of giving us a good work ethic.


source : cottonfarming

Following

Interest Leans To Increased Irrigation

Following is a sampling of the comments we received from people who voted in the August Web Poll.

• "I plan to add drainage to a couple of small places. Because of my age, I don't consider irrigation. Either bankruptcy or retirement is in my future. If input costs don't improve, I think bankruptcy will come first. This is from a north Alabama cotton farmer."

• "From Westlands Water District, central California: Drainage is important 'IF' there is something to drain. Our prize Delta Smelt and whacky, radical environmentalists have made the decision very easy for us."

• "Farm in West Texas; then you will not have to worry about drainage."

• "You had better be able to get water off before you put water on !!!"

source : cottonfarming

If drainage is already taken care

Interest Leans To Increased Irrigation


If drainage is already taken care of across the farm, then increasing irrigated acres may be the next step, which would explain the way the votes fell. For the 62 percent of the respondents who may increase their irrigated acres, Mississippi State University offers the following pointers about soil moisture, rainfall and irrigation.

"Most crops can utilize 2.5 to 3 feet of soil profile to extract moisture. This gives a growing plant 2.5 to 3.5 inches of available water to carry it without additional rainfall. Emerging crops use little moisture early in the season, and a good moisture profile will carry these plants for about a month without supplemental moisture.

"As the crops get larger and begin to canopy, a full profile will only last about eight to 14 days. This typically begins to occur in early June through August. Rainfall is the best hope for supplemental moisture since it is free, but it is not 100 percent effective. To determine how effective a rainfall is, use a soil probe, shovel or another device to see how deep the moisture soaked. As much as 75 percent of the water from a hard fast rain can run off, whereas a slow steady rain can soak in as much as 90 percent. The type of rainfall event determines its effectiveness as well as the amount of moisture already in the soil.

source : cottonfarming

A lot has happened since those days in 1975

Loyalty To Cotton Is Rewarded

Tommy Horton

A lot has happened since those days in 1975. But one thing hasn't changed. Whisenhunt is still an innovator and treats his small cotton acreage as if it were a rose garden in his backyard. He pampers and meticulously attends to every detail during the season. And did we mention that he also served as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau from 1986 until 1999? He journeyed to Washington non-stop during this time period as he represented his state on important agricultural issues. He also traveled the world on numerous trade missions for his state.

Today, the pace is much slower for Andrew, but nothing has diminished his love of producing cotton. And even though troublesome rains have made this fall season a bit more challenging, he still believes he has a shot at producing between four and five bales per acre on some of his acreage.

Does that seem possible for a farm in Arkansas? It does if you farm in the fertile Bradley Bottoms in the southwest corner of the state. As Whisenhunt likes to say: "It's the best kept secret in Arkansas."

Guess what. It's not a secret anymore.

source : cottonfarming