Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

Nothing Seems To Discourage Larry McClendon These Days

Tommy Horton

If Arkansas producer-ginner Larry McClendon ever thought about writing a book, the past two years have given him enough material to publish a best-seller.

An exaggeration?

Not really if you take a closer look at what he's done and where his journey has taken him. He probably had enough information for that book after  last fall when record-breaking rains hit many parts of the Mid-South and wreaked havoc on cotton crops.


source : cottonfarming

The Trust’s Producer Program

Trust Enjoys Profitable 2009 Season

The Trust's Producer Program now offers the protection of workers' compensation coverage for employees of cotton producers who gin with members of the Trust.

The Trust provides its members both hard savings in dividends paid back and "soft" savings in premiums the members never had to pay to a commercial insurance carrier because the Trust was there to provide coverage in times of a restricted market.

The Trust paid $3,500,000 in dividends in 2009, the third record dividend in 3 years.

More than $14.5 million has been returned to the members that participated in the first 13 years of the Trust's program. Nearly 18 percent of premiums paid in those years has been returned.

source : cottonfarming

Multer and his wife Donna have two daughters

INCOMING TCGA PRESIDENT

Jerry Multer of Wall, Texas

Multer and his wife Donna have two daughters. Melissa is married and lives in Memphis with her husband and two children. Tracie, a dentist, is married and lives with her husband and two children in South Lake, outside Dallas.

The new TCGA president admits to loving gins no matter where they are located. When he travels the state on business, he purposely tries to find a nearby gin where he can go talk to other managers. That's Jerry's way of relaxing on long trips.

"I'm the kind of person who could talk all day about ginning," he says with a laugh. "That's just the kind of person I am."


source : cottonfarming

He went on to graduate from Texas

INCOMING TCGA PRESIDENT

Jerry Multer of Wall, Texas

He went on to graduate from Texas A&M University in 1971 and served in the Air Force before accepting a job with the Production Credit Association. After spending a couple of years in East Texas, he and his wife Donna moved back to Wall where he did some farming and kept his ties to Wall Cooperative Gin.

When the previous manager at the gin retired after 37 years, Multer was offered the job. He has never looked back and is happy to be part of a gin that has a long history dating back to 1950.

The gin's five-year average is 45,000 bales. Its best year produced an output of 80,000 bales.

As for how he feels about the upcoming year and his role as TCGA president, Multer is confident the organization can deal with any issue as long as staff members Tony Williams, Kelley Green and Aaron Nelsen are assisting.


source : cottonfarming

INCOMING TCGA PRESIDENT

INCOMING TCGA PRESIDENT

Jerry Multer of Wall, Texas

If optimism and an upbeat attitude are major prerequisites for being the newly elected president of the Texas Cotton Ginners Association, Jerry Multer is the right man for the job in 2010.

As manager of the Wall Cooperative Gin in Wall, Texas, for the past 15 years, he knows the issues that confront ginners. He is an advocate for the Texas cotton industry no matter what kind of economic environment exists.

As if that weren't enough to qualify him to lead TCGA this year, Multer has also been an officer in the organization for the past two years, serving as secretary and vice president.


source : cottonfarming

Scholarship Awards Announced For 2009-2010

Scholarship Awards Announced For 2009-2010

Cotton Farming magazine, which co-sponsors the TCGA Annual Meeting and Trade Show, provides coverage of the event in its February and March issues as well as follow-up stories after the event is concluded.

Besides promoting this important meeting, the magazine contributes significant funding to support scholarship awards to deserving undergraduate students enrolled in Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.


source : cottonfarming

PLAINS COTTON GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING

PLAINS COTTON GROWERS ANNUAL MEETING

Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., will conduct its 52nd Annual Meeting on Friday, April 9, 2010. PCG's meeting will be held in the Banquet Hall of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration, and the program will start promptly at 9 a.m.

The primary focus of discussion at the meeting will be to provide PCG members an overview of the current political climate and potential impact it could have on the cotton industry through changes to agriculture and trade policy heading into the 2010 mid-term election cycle and the beginning of the 2012 Farm Bill development process.

source : cottonfarming

As for a final message

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Keith Mixon

As for a final message Mixon would like to convey as his year as TCGA president nears an end, he wants to encourage young people who might be considering a career in cotton or ginning.

He was excited about having two young college interns working at TCGA gins this past year. It was a good experience for all parties, and Mixon believes there are opportunities for other young people looking for jobs.

"It gives me a lot of hope about the future when I see young folks excited about working for one of our gins," he says. "We have about seven or eight gin managers in the state who are about to retire, and we need young people to move into our industry."

source : cottonfarming

Even with the losses in south Texas

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Keith Mixon

"Even with the losses in south Texas, I think overall the cotton crop turned out bigger than we initially thought," says Mixon. "Because of the spotty rains we had in the High Plains, it was a mixed bag. But, again, it could've been worse and was better than we anticipated."

The good news, according to Mixon, is that soil moisture levels across Texas are much improved this year – especially in the southern part of the state, which desperately needed pre-season rainfall.

Another key accomplishment during Mixon's year as president occurred in the area of labor issues. TCGA won a favorable ruling with the Labor Department over how the overtime exemption is supposed to be interpreted. After TCGA hired noted labor attorney Ann Margaret Pointer, the organization was able to present an impressive case.

source : cottonfarming

The formula apparently works like a charm

TCGA's 'GINNER OF THE YEAR'

Dennis Flowers...Sudan, Texas

The formula apparently works like a charm. The gin averages about 80,000 bales each year and has processed as many as 96,000 bales. The store is a hub of activity for farmers in the region and offers products for chemical application, fertilizer and seed. You might say it's "one-stop shopping" for a farmer.

To most residents of Sudan and surrounding communities, no gin or company makes a bigger impact on the local community's economy.

"I'd like to think we're out there with these farmers from start to finish every year," says Dennis. "We want to be their partners and offer the best possible customer service – whether it's at the gin or the store."

source : cottonfarming

TCGA’s ‘GINNER OF THE YEAR’

TCGA's 'GINNER OF THE YEAR'

Dennis Flowers...Sudan, Texas

When someone wins the Texas Cotton Ginners Association's "Ginner of the Year" award, it figures that a rich family tradition is involved.

Such is the case with this year's winner – Dennis Flowers, general manager of the Sudan Farmers Cooperative Gin in Sudan, Texas. His father Clyde and grandfather were also a part of the cotton business.

Now Dennis' son Garrett is part of the industry as manager of nearby Spade Cooperative Gin. Four generations of the Flowers' family have had their roots in cotton, and that suits everybody fine.


source : cottonfarming

how is it we seem to get blamed

Message From Tony Williams

Also, how is it we seem to get blamed for all the world cotton market problems by the WTO? As we look to the future, we must keep success in the forefront of what we hope to achieve. While that can be many different things, I think the overall measure of success for the Texas and U.S. cotton industry in the next decade will be if we can maintain the size of our industry.

For us to compete with developing countries who have a much lower labor cost, we will have to rely on our technological superiority. Our technological advantage and superior infrastructure must be maintained if we are to continue as a major producer of raw cotton. We must make further advancements with technology in order to compete in a global market. As challenging as this may be, I have confidence in this industry to meet such a challenge.

source : cottonfarming

The never-ending challenge

Charting A New Course

Jarral Neeper
Bakersfield, Calif.

The never-ending challenge is maintaining our focus on our members and their textile mill customers. Devoting the necessary time and energy to achieving their often widely divergent goals is not easy, but it is critical to our success.

To members and staff we have conveyed a greater sense of urgency and the need to make smart, informed and disciplined decisions in all matters. We are developing new markets and new relationships, and we are leveraging our members' and employees' immense pride and passion for what they do into visible, tangible and positive results.

I am confident we are on the right path and will continue to provide excellent returns to our growers. Following this path is not easy, but it is necessary to make sure Calcot succeeds as a first-rate, profitable and enduring business that continues to meet the needs of our farmers and their families for generations to come.


source : cottonfarming

This was neither an easy nor painless process

Charting A New Course

Jarral Neeper
Bakersfield, Calif.    

This was neither an easy nor painless process; a cold, hard look revealed we needed to improve results in several key areas to meet the needs of today's members. But, it also shed light on potential savings in our business operations, which provide the fuel for the growth we want to achieve.

Among key elements: We needed to focus more clearly on our core mission and markets and aggressively reduce costs across all areas of our operations. We redesigned our organization to narrow its focus, enabling faster decision making but putting bigger responsibilities on key people.

We had to make some difficult but necessary choices about where our resources will be invested, and it meant a painful reduction in our work force. However, today we have a stronger group of employees who are passionate in their dedication to working with our growers.

source : cottonfarming

Charting A New Course

Charting A New Course

Jarral Neeper
Bakersfield, Calif.     

The U.S. cotton industry today is clearly different than it was 10 or even five years ago. That's especially true out West, where water availability and higher profit potential from other crops drastically reduced California cotton acreage to the lowest point since our cooperative formed in 1927. The global economic crisis and commodity market volatility have altered the cotton market, perhaps forever.

Despite these changes, Calcot has remained a strong company, though it has not been easy. I attribute this to our unique co-op structure: An enterprise created to directly market cotton produced by family farms, and still owned and directed by those family farmers, 83 years later.

I'm not saying that we have not been affected by tough financial times; we have, as have many merchant firms. But I gain some confidence in the fact that we have experienced hard times before and prospered.

source : cottonfarming

The one certainty

Land-Care Programs
     
• "The one certainty: There is no more land being made. It is extremely important to care for what we have. I will continue to seek appropriate ave-nues to care for it as well as possible."

• "Composted manure qualifies under WQL 14. Doesn't seem like our NRCS district has any money though, but Obama's gonna send it soon – right?" RCW.

• "The CSP rewards us for the practices we already have in place while giving incentive to both maintain and improve our conservation and stewardship efforts. Options range from no-cost to cost-share required. Finally a common sense approach."

source : cottonfarming

Call For Action

Research Projects -- A Major Priority
     

Call For Action

"We want all producers to feel comfortable taking an active part in this program, and they can do so by contacting their state committee representatives and voicing their opinions or concerns," says Tom Robertson, Mississippi cotton producer and chairman of his state's SSP.

Dates when committees meet vary, so producers should organize their recommendations and contact SSP representatives as soon as possible.

source : cottonfarming

Research Projects -- A Major Priority

Research Projects -- A Major Priority
     
One of the most valuable, yet often under-publicized, producer-directed programs under the Cotton Research and Promotion Program umbrella is Cotton Incorporated's State Support Program (SSP).

"Each year 7.5 percent of producer assessments, which are collected by the Cotton Board, are re-directed to this grassroots program that was designed to allow each cotton-producing state to solve local production-related problems," says Dr. Pat O'Leary, senior director of agricultural research at Cotton Incorporated.

source : cottonfarming

A bipartisan bill also was introduced

Acting On Regulatory Threats

Mark Lange

 A bipartisan bill also was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Representatives Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and JoAnne Emerson (R-Mo.), which would block EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
 
What other major regulatory issues are of concern to the industry?

A Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling stated that a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is required under the Clean Water Act for any pesticide application on, over or near "waters of the United States." The NCC was an original plaintiff in a suit against EPA on this issue and joined with other agricultural groups in filing a petition of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking reversal of the Sixth Circuit decision in NCC vs. EPA. The NCC also is actively engaged with EPA to develop a general permit system, despite our concerns with the Justice Department's response that says there is no need for a Supreme Court review. The Justice Department's rationale is there is adequate time to mitigate the impact of the Sixth Circuit's incorrect decision by issuing "general permits" for pesticide use.

source : cottonfarming

Whether it’s Neugebauer addressing a Plains Cotton Growers

Making The Case For Bipartisanship

Tommy Horton

 Whether it's Neugebauer addressing a Plains Cotton Growers meeting in Lubbock in previous years or Childers making appearances at a Delta Council or National Cotton Ginners meeting, I have noticed a common trait with both congressmen. They appear to be genuine and approachable. Maybe that's just their nature or perhaps it's a case of being a product of their upbringing in Mississippi and Texas.

The topic can be WTO, payment limits, Farm Bill implementation or climate legislation. They somehow find common ground on important issues, and that bodes well for the cotton industry. Let's hope this kind of cohesiveness can continue for the foreseeable future.


source : cottonfarming

Sometimes the work of these congressmen

Making The Case For Bipartisanship

Tommy Horton

Sometimes the work of these congressmen and senators goes unnoticed by the general public. But to those who work the halls of Congress and spend countless hours in policy meetings, true bipartisanship is always appreciated. It's what makes Congress work in a way that folks back home have always expected.

Such is the case with the two men featured on the cover of this month's magazine – Rep. Travis Childers (D-Miss.) and Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas). Even though their parties may dig in and battle on a lot of fronts during any session of Congress, we can take solace in the fact that they are united in defending the interests of cotton producers.

source : cottonfarming

Dodson Elected ACP Chairman

Texan Eddie Smith To Lead NCC

Dodson Elected ACP Chairman

James F. "Jimmy" Dodson, a Robs-town, Texas, producer, was elected as chairman of the American Cotton Producers (ACP) of the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2010.

Dodson has served on and chaired various ACP committees, including his current chairmanship of the ACP Farm Policy Committee.

Darnielle To Lead CCI

Wally Darneille, a Lubbock, Texas, cooperative official, will serve as 2010 president of Cotton Council Inter-national (CCI). CCI is the National Cotton Council's (NCC) export promotions arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries.

Darneille, who is president and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, serves on the boards of the NCC, AMCOT, Telmark, the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Denimatrix and The Seam.

source : cottonfarming

Improved Economic Outlook

Texan Eddie Smith To Lead NCC


Improved Economic Outlook

Lingering effects and uncertainties for the general economy continue to present challenges for the U.S. cotton industry, but data suggest the worst has been weathered and recent concerns are being replaced with prospects for recovery and growth, according to National Cotton Council economist Gary Adams.

A major reason for optimism, Adams says, is that after seven months of the 2009 marketing year, it is increasingly clear that global cotton stocks will see their first substantial decline since the 2002 marketing year, and the estimated stock reduction of 9.4 million bales would be the largest single-year drawdown since 1986.

source : cottonfarming

Eddie Smith, a Floydada, Texas

Texan Eddie Smith To Lead NCC

Eddie Smith, a Floydada, Texas, cotton producer, was elected chairman of the Na-tional Cotton Council (NCC) for 2010. Named during the NCC's recent annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn., he served as the NCC's vice chairman in 2009 and succeeds Jon W. Hardwick, a Newellton, La., cotton producer.

He has served as a director of Floydada Cooperative Gin and was elected to the board of directors of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) in 1984. He was unanimously elected chairman of PCCA in 2004.

The NCC's vice chairman for 2010 is Charles H. Parker, a cotton producer from Senath, Mo.


source : cottonfarming

Storage Costs Were Offset

NCC Critical Of Obama Budget Proposal

Storage Costs Were Offset

The 2008 farm law includes provisions for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to pay a portion of the storage costs during periods of low prices. These provisions' costs were completely offset by changes in the upland cotton counter-cyclical target price.

"Baled upland cotton is an identity-preserved commodity that re-quires off-farm storage in facilities approved by CCC while under loan," Hardwick says. "Loan eligible cotton must comply with a number of CCC regulations stipulating bale wrapping and packaging.

"Foreign sales account for one-third of U.S. agricultural production's total value," Hardwick adds. "Solid export performance is essential for the economic health of rural America."

source : cottonfarming

NCC Critical Of Obama Budget Proposal

NCC Critical Of Obama Budget Proposal


The National Cotton Council says that President Obama's FY2011 USDA budget ignores the extensive changes to production agriculture support that were embodied in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. In addition, the NCC notes, USDA already has announced unwarranted restrictions in program eligibility during the legislation's implementation.

"The President's proposal on phasing down direct payments and limiting total payments affects the farms that produce more than three-fourths of all agricultural products marketed in the United States," says NCC chairman Jay Hardwick, a Louisiana producer.

"The financing demands of commercial agriculture require a high level of confidence by lenders in program availability. In the midst of a credit crisis, it makes no sense to threaten a vital component of the borrower's cash flow."

source : cottonfarming

It would not have been in the discount range

Pros And Cons Of Early Planting

Amanda Huber
Southeast

"It would not have been in the discount range, but we also tended to see an increase in short fiber in about 50 percent of the situations," Pettigrew says.

In most years, planting early, and only with the use of irrigation, offers producers the opportunity to increase yields and get the crop picked before harvest conditions deteriorate.

"It's kind of an avoidance strategy, getting the crop set before the onset of stress situations and then getting it out of the field before bad weather begins in mid-to-late October," he says.

Nematodes, Seedling Disease

Nematodes, rather than weather, can become a producer's reason to plant early.

Rome Ethredge, County Coordinator for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service in Seminole County, says that in fields with deep, sandy soil, producers plant early because of the presence of Southern root-knot nematode.

source : cottonfarming

Pros And Cons Of Early Planting

Pros And Cons Of Early Planting

Amanda Huber
Southeast

Bill Pettigrew, USDA-ARS agronomist in Stoneville, Miss., has spent more than a decade studying cotton's optimum planting date.

"A consistent yield advantage could be gained from planting in the first half of April instead of in the traditional planting time of late April to early May," Pettigrew says. "The idea of this approach is to shift bloom closer to the first day of summer, the day with the longest period of sunlight, which synchronizes peak bloom with the availability of more sunlight to achieve maximum photosynthesis."

However, all of these studies were conducted with the use of irrigation. Interested in what effect the absence of irrigation would have, Pettigrew conducted a four-year study on the yield performance of irrigated versus dryland cotton planted early compared to normal planting time.

source : cottonfarming

Different System In Place

Hiring Ag Workers Becomes More Difficult

Different System In Place

In the past, wages were calculated using the Occupational Employment Service (OES) system run by the Department of Labor, as opposed to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate Index calculated by USDA. The OES system was so decentralized before, Little says, that you could be a farmer operating in two different counties and have to pay people in one county a significantly greater amount per hour than the people in the other county.

"As a result of the new rule, agricultural employers who hire H-2A workers will wind up paying everyone the higher of the two wages," he says.

The rule also reinstates the 50 percent rule, which means if an employer cannot hire domestic employees after investing in recruiting and therefore must hire workers through the H-2A program, and if a domestic worker applies for that job before the contract reaches half its duration, the employer would have to hire that worker, displacing H-2A workers in the process.

source : cottonfarming

Farm Operations Affected

Hiring Ag Workers Becomes More Difficult

Farm Operations Affected

Bryan Little, director of labor affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation, says the new ruling will have an impact on farm operations in the state.

"Congress intended for this program to be able to provide growers with a reasonable safety valve to make sure they have an adequate number of legal workers when they can't recruit them in any other way," he says.

"What the Department of Labor is doing with the new rule is effectively shutting off that safety valve."

Little says a relatively small number of California producers use the H-2A program now, and the new rule "is going to make it very difficult" for them to continue using the program.

source : cottonfarming

Hiring Ag Workers Becomes More Difficult

Hiring Ag Workers Becomes More Difficult


Changes announced recently to the federal H-2A visa program will make the process of hiring foreign workers for agriculture on a temporary or seasonal basis more expensive and add more layers of bureaucracy to the process of finding people to hire, says Sonoma County, Calif., farmer Jeff Carlton, who has used the H-2A visa program for more than three years.

The U.S. Department of Labor has reversed rules written by the Bush administration that made the program a little easier for farm employers to use. The new rule increases workers' wages and requires producers to do what they can to hire domestic workers to fill agricultural jobs. The new rule was published in the Federal Register and takes effect March 15.

"This just makes it tougher to find workers, especially if the Department of Labor wants us to try and find domestic workers to do agricultural work," Carlton says.

source : cottonfarming

This is a real partnership between TCGA

TCGA Opens Doors For Students

Tommy Horton

This is a real partnership between TCGA, the gins and Texas A&M, and the reaction has been very good so far," says Nelsen. "We are doing our best to give these students some valuable exposure in how a gin operates.

"The feedback we have received is that our two young interns were fantastic workers, energetic, and both of them are extremely interested in pursuing some kind of career in the ginning industry."

Craig worked at the Slaton Co-op Gin during the early part of last summer. Meanwhile, Mahaffey was employed at the Idalou Co-op Gin during his time in West Texas. Both students spent the latter part of the summer working for manager Jimmy Roppolo at
the Farmers Co-op Gin in El Campo.

source : cottonfarming

Students undergo interviews

TCGA Opens Doors For Students

Tommy Horton

Students undergo interviews, a demanding application process, and then TCGA communications manager and special projects coordinator Aaron Nelsen makes the final decision on who is chosen.

The interns are matched with gins in the West Texas area during the first part of the summer. They are given the chance to observe all facets of a gin operation during that time, including the marketing of cotton, financial decisions, gin safety and management of employees.

During the second part of the summer, they move to South Texas where they work for another five to six weeks in a gin actually processing cotton.

source : cottonfarming

So much for production

Newfound Optimism

John Lindamood
Tiptonville, Tenn.    

So much for production. We still have the "political realities" to deal with. Here, there is also reason for optimism. As new issues arise, the need to educate and inform those making policy and laws affecting agriculture has never been greater. And we've seen an increase in the willingness of farmers and others in our industry to become engaged.

Whether through industry groups such as the National Cotton Council and the Farm Bureau or through our political parties, we are finding individuals taking the time to become informed on the many issues affecting agriculture. In turn, they are informing those making policy and law.

The challenges of farming are still with us and perhaps greater than ever. But so are the resources and opportunities to deal with those challenges. For me, it is an exciting time to be involved in agriculture. I think we have good reason to be optimistic about the future!


source : cottonfarming

However, it is not only prices that give reason for optimism

Newfound Optimism

John Lindamood
Tiptonville, Tenn.     

However, it is not only prices that give reason for optimism. Innovations in technology  and integrated pest management are providing us with the tools we need to better manage our inputs and reduce our environmental foot print. Boll weevil eradication has greatly reduced the use of insecticides while increasing yields. GPS- based systems that have been talked about for the last 20 years have become a reality. They allow us to vary our input rates, reducing our cost while targeting inputs to the areas where they will do the most good. Remote imaging and soil mapping  allow us to evaluate and plan for future inputs.

Genetic engineering of varieties has increased yield potential while providing another opportunity to reduce our use of pesticides. While not without its drawbacks, the promise of new and varied herbicide-resistant traits should provide new tools to use in the ongoing management of bothersome glyphosate- resistant weeds.

source : cottonfarming

Newfound Optimism

Newfound Optimism

John Lindamood
Tiptonville, Tenn.    

Farming – cotton farming in particular – has always been a challenging business. My father began farming in 1952. I took up the challenge in 1984.

Each year we are either too dry, have too much rain or both. We have to constantly scout for  insect infestations and weeds that have become resistant  to our herbicides.

Commodity prices historically fail to reflect ever increasing input costs. In addition to production concerns, we have to deal with the political reality that with each election we have fewer lawmakers who understand the complex issues facing agriculture. Our federal and state regulatory agencies often seem out of step with a common sense approach to environmental issues, such as severely limiting farmers' access to water in favor of smelt fish or withholding approval for re-registration of crop protection products vital to dealing with resistant weed management.

source : cottonfarming

Great Expectations For 2010 Yields

Great Expectations For 2010 Yields
 
With planting time approaching and cotton acres projected to be up this year, we asked our readers what they expect the most from the 2010 varieties. Higher yields? Better quality characteristics? Technology traits? Attrac-tiveness to export customers?

Not surprisingly, after the votes were tallied, a whopping 71 percent of the respondents say they are looking for higher yields. Nothing pleases a cotton farmer more than looking down the turnrow and seeing module after module after module.

And the seed companies strive to accommodate the producers by breeding and offering higher-yielding cotton lines in order to give them what they want the most.

source : cottonfarming

Dow AgroSciences Plans Major Multiyear Expansion

Industry News
 
Dow AgroSciences Plans Major Multiyear Expansion

Dow AgroSciences has announced plans for a multiyear expansion of its global headquarters in northwestern Indianapolis, with the investment of more than $340 million and the  addition of more than 550 scientific and commercial jobs over the next five years.

The first phase in the expansion plan includes the construction of a 175,000-square-foot research and development building, as well as a 14,000-square-foot greenhouse on the company's corporate campus.

These facilities are part of a global growth plan for Dow AgroSciences' research efforts as it develops and commercializes new product solutions for customers in agricultural and related market segments.

source : cottonfarming

ACSA Cotton Institute Prepares For Start Of 16th Session

Industry News
 
ACSA Cotton Institute Prepares For Start Of 16th Session

The American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) International Cotton Institute at the University of Memphis' Fogelman Executive Center is gearing up for its sixteenth consecutive annual session. The cotton-specific business program begins June 2 and will conclude with graduation ceremonies on July 20.

Although participation was down sharply last year due to the H1N1 flu virus and economic reasons, participants from 10 countries have already registered for this year's eight-week program with more on the way.

As in the past, several field trips are planned so participants can witness firsthand growing, ginning, warehousing, classing and cooperative marketing. A highlight of the program will be a trip to Cotton Incorporated in Cary, N. C., where all types of textile production will be presented, including storm proof denim, recycled denim that is converted into construction insulation and cotton fiber wall covering for interior walls.

source : cottonfarming

Rob Williams Appointed CEO Of MANA Crop Protection

Industry News
 
Rob Williams Appointed CEO Of MANA Crop Protection

Makhteshim Agan Industries (MAI), parent of MANA Crop Protection, has announced the appointment of Rob Williams as MANA's chief executive officer.

Williams has more than 17 years of experience in the crop protection industry. He has been with MAI for 11 years and has been serving as CEO of Makhteshim Agan UK (MAUK). Previously Williams was with Novartis (formerly Ciba Agriculture).

Under Williams' leadership and strategic innovation, MAUK transformed its business model, established successful relationships throughout the UK distribution system and saw rapid increases in sales, according to company officials.

source : cottonfarming

AutoFarm Announces Launch Of Integra Controller

Industry News
 

AutoFarm Announces Launch Of Integra Controller

AutoFarm has announced the release of the new INTEGRA controller compatible with AutoFarm's ParaDyme precision farming system.

Featuring a large, full-color 12.1-inch high-definition touchscreen, AutoFarm INTEGRA is the command post of an advanced precision farming operation. It offers variable rate planting and planter section control, multiple product application control, VRA, boom height and section control, advanced yield monitoring, "as applied" hi-def mapping, plus Auto-Farm GPS steering from WAAS to RTK.

AutoFarm INTEGRA is fully compatible with the AutoFarm ParaDyme system's factory integrated wireless communication and integrated Remote Service.

source : cottonfarming

Monsanto Completes Expansion Of La. Facility

Industry News
 

Monsanto Completes Expansion Of La. Facility

CEO and Chairman Hugh Grant welcomed guests to the company's Roundup agricultural herbicide production facility in Luling, La., to celebrate the completion of a nearly $200 million expansion just outside of New Orleans.

The expansion was announced and started in April 2008 to increase production of the company's Roundup brand agricultural herbicide.

Roundup is one of the world's leading crop protection products. The improvements at the facility include: major infrastructure reliability projects such as a new air compressor, new rail lines, a new river dock, increased container and tank storage capacity and road improvements. Energy and emission reduction projects include hydrogen recovery and replacing two older boilers with one larger one.

source : cottonfarming

Industry News

Industry News
 
L.P. Brown Acquires International Fiber Packaging

L.P. Brown Company, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of International Fiber Packaging (IFP), a Leggett & Platt Company. The acquisition, finalized in January, brings together two established and recognized names to serve their customers on a global basis.

In business since 1924, L.P. Brown Co., a subsidiary of Federal Compress & Warehouse Company, Inc., is a cotton bale packaging firm handling all types of approved bale bagging and banding materials.

The acquisition includes all assets of IFP, including physical facilities, intellectual property and employees.

source : cottonfarming

The pink bollworm eradication phases I and II are nearly complete

Eradication, Research Vital

Mark Lange
NCC President/CEO    

The pink bollworm eradication phases I and II are nearly complete, with moth and larval populations being reduced by more than 99 percent in Phase I areas and by more than 94 percent in  Phase II areas. Phases IIIa and IIIb, involving western Arizona, southeastern California as well as Sonora and the Mexicali Valley, Mexico, regions continue full eradication efforts to achieve eradication goals in those areas over the next several years. Phases I and II areas are hoping to have zero moths and zero larvae detection in 2010 – initiating program downsizing for a three-year verification period before eradication is declared. The FY11 appropriations request would provide funds for rearing and release of 20 million sterile moths per day in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas and for covering direct/indirect administrative program costs for USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.

source : cottonfarming

River Valley in southeast Arizona

The Family Farm Links All Generations

Tommy Horton

River Valley in southeast Arizona. Their houses are a few hundred yards apart, which means that nobody has to travel too far for a family event or even a family reunion. The valley is surrounded by mountains, making for a challenging but successful environment to produce a cotton crop each year.

Don't let the scenic view of the mountains fool you. The area is susceptible to drought, water shortages and even an occasional El Niño monsoon during the winter. But, true to their family heritage, the Palmers usually find a way to handle the elements. They lean on each other and somehow survive just as their farming ancestors did in 1883 when the first Palmer farm was started in this beautiful valley.

Today's family farm can be described in many ways. In the case of the Palmers of Thatcher, Ariz., we can think of only one word...special.

source : cottonfarming

The Family Farm Links All Generations

The Family Farm Links All Generations

Tommy Horton

No matter how quickly the cotton industry may evolve and advance as we march forward into the 21st century, some traditions will remain the same. And for those of us who cherish history and the simple things in life, it's a reminder of what's really important in the grand scheme.

We can marvel at the technological breakthroughs that make U.S. cotton the envy of the world because of its reliability, quality and integrity. But none of this amazing technology and productivity would be possible if it weren't for the expertise of the family farms that make it happen every day. Perhaps that is an oversimplification of the situation.


source : cottonfarming

Louisiana cotton producer Jay Hardwick

Technology Helps Cotton Flow

Louisiana cotton producer Jay Hardwick, a member of EWR Inc.'s board of directors, is pleased with the new report.

"We've never before had access to this type of information on this timely basis from any source," he says.

Hardwick's neighbor, John Shackelford, a producer and fellow EWR board member, echoes those comments.

"Every additional piece of information we have helps us make better marketing decisions," says Shackelford. "This report will accurately show trends and movements of cotton that we are interested in following."

source : cottonfarming

Technology Helps Cotton Flow

Technology Helps Cotton Flow

Sometimes a producer or a ginner can feel downright overloaded with information in today's rapidly changing technology. However, some of that "overload" problem is being alleviated by the Electronic Warehouse Receipt Inc. (EWR) Web site.

The best word to describe the new feature of the EWR site is "streamlined," which ultimately will save time and money. That may sound like hype and a bit of exaggeration, but when visitors go to the www.ewrinc.com site, they'll find a central location linking EWR's five Web sites into one.

Maybe the one important feature that will benefit producers and ginners the most is the ability to check the State Receipts Report.

source : cottonfarming

Seeking A Better Option

Don't Skimp On Early Season Inputs
     
Seeking A Better Option

Rann Williams, of Altus, Okla., returned to Temik in 2009 after using insecticide seed treatments. He used the four pound rate per acre and was well pleased with the results.

"We did not put the sprayer in the field one time for early season thrips, which is unusual for us," he says.

Going back to an in-furrow treatment impressed him because the cotton came out of the ground growing better.

source : cottonfarming

Don’t Skimp On Early Season Inputs

Don't Skimp On Early Season Inputs
     
Every cotton farmer is influenced by today's highly volatile input costs and cotton prices. Even as the International Cotton Advisory Committee projects an increase in U.S. planted area for this season and marginally higher prices, producers remain conservative.

But in today's tough economic climate, producers should think twice before they cut early season cotton inputs because what is cut early will have a direct effect on quality and yield at harvest.

Jim Covington of Floydada, Texas, is a prime example of someone who is reinstating the use of core early season inputs. He has both dryland and irrigated acres planted to FiberMax cotton.


source : cottonfarming

With the passage of the last Farm Bill,

Farmers Need To Understand Insurance Options

With the passage of the last Farm Bill, Congress instituted a new premium discount for those producers who elect to insure by enterprise units. One of the features of buying higher levels of coverage is to allow a farmer to split his farm up into separate insurable units. First, each farm number would have its own guarantee. Then, that farm number could be further split into irrigated and non-irrigated units. An enterprise unit simply combines all farm numbers and practices into one final guarantee.

Discount Leads To Lower Premiums

For giving up optional units, the producer pays a substantially lower premium. More than 70 percent of all policies written this year will be revenue-based and carry an enterprise unit discount. To qualify for this discount, two separate FSA farm numbers must be planted to the insured crop with a minimum of 20 acres on the second number.

source : cottonfarming

You can mark locations in the field – insect traps

GPS Systems Improve Accuracy Of Applications

Amanda Huber
Southeast

"You can mark locations in the field – insect traps, trouble spots that you want the Extension agent to look at, invasive weed species, such as mapping of coggingrass that is occurring in Alabama, or locations of rain gauges," he says.

Mullenix says it is a good way to conduct or record locations of soil samples and nutrient recommendations.

"This is an excellent way to map out where you took soil samples, then correlate it with your field map to create application maps if your system allows for such coordination," he says. "There is no limit to what you can do with these units."

source : cottonfarming

GPS Systems Improve Accuracy Of Applications

GPS Systems Improve Accuracy Of Applications

Amanda Huber
Southeast

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have become commonplace. Used in the car, GPS assists drivers in finding their way. In the tractor or applicator, it has an array of uses that make applications more accurate.

"GPS units are available to fit almost any budget and offer a wide range of uses," says Amy Winstead, regional Extension agent for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. "Handheld GPS units are lightweight, inexpensive, portable devices used to provide navigation and basic mapping capabilities."

The units typically are purchased with some type of map, often accompanying the unit on a CD. However, it is best to have some idea of what you would like to do with the unit before purchasing so that you can purchase the correct unit and software to complete the task.

source : cottonfarming

Weed Control Options

How Low Can We Go?

Carroll Smith
Senior

Weed Control Options

Obviously, weeds need water and heat to germinate and get established. But, as Steckel points out, weed seeds, particularly pigweed, also need light to promote germination. The question is, "How do you compensate for the additional light that is available with lower seeding rates?"

"We didn't see as many weed problems in the narrow-row configuration as we did with the wider rows, especially where there is a skip row," Steckel says. "One option to help suppress weeds is to plant a cover crop in the fall – such as a cereal rye – spray it in the spring, then plant into it."

In addition, make sure the planter is tuned up and as close as it can be to planting a "picket fence" stand, which more quickly provides shade, as opposed to a stand with big gaps.

source : cottonfarming

Weed Control Options

How Low Can We Go?

Carroll Smith
Senior

Weed Control Options

Obviously, weeds need water and heat to germinate and get established. But, as Steckel points out, weed seeds, particularly pigweed, also need light to promote germination. The question is, "How do you compensate for the additional light that is available with lower seeding rates?"

"We didn't see as many weed problems in the narrow-row configuration as we did with the wider rows, especially where there is a skip row," Steckel says. "One option to help suppress weeds is to plant a cover crop in the fall – such as a cereal rye – spray it in the spring, then plant into it."

In addition, make sure the planter is tuned up and as close as it can be to planting a "picket fence" stand, which more quickly provides shade, as opposed to a stand with big gaps.

source : cottonfarming

Critical Factors To Consider

How Low Can We Go?

Carroll Smith
Senior

Critical Factors To Consider

Before committing to a lower seeding rate, consider the following:

• Is the planter tuned up and calibrated for a particular seed lot?

• Does the seed lot have a good seed germ percentage? Be sure to get the actual cool and warm seed germ from your seed distributor for each seed lot.

• How good is the seedbed for conventional or no-till systems? Will the planter work well in that seedbed?

• How good is the seven-day weather forecast? Avoid 40-degree cool nighttime temperatures.

source : cottonfarming

Norton also believes that there is a mutual respect among Verle

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Norton also believes that there is a mutual respect among Verle, Dennis and Matt as they work together to make the best possible decisions during the long crop season. And, he says, they know how to discuss a decision and reach consensus before moving forward.

Norton spent an entire day with Dennis last fall during harvest and was particularly impressed at how much advance planning went into the way the pickers moved in and out of the fields.

"Dennis has it timed out to the minute on how long it should take to harvest the crop," he says. "That's how organized the operation is. They don't waste any time.

source : cottonfarming

Maybe it’s because he’s the eldest of the family

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Maybe it's because he's the eldest of the family, or perhaps it's his love of nostalgia, but Verle enjoys looking around and seeing more than cotton fields.

He still marvels that he can stand in a field and stare at a snow-capped mountain 11,000 feet in elevation.

"Where else can you go play golf and look up and see snow on the mountain?" he asks with a laugh. "If we wanted to, we could go up and play in the snow and then drive back down to our farm and take our coats off, and it's like summer again. That's how beautiful this place is."

source : cottonfarming

Families Build Trust

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Families Build Trust

Is there a key to having three families successfully manage such an operation?

That question may be hard to answer in one simple sentence, according to Verle, Dennis and Matt.

"The biggest thing we have going for us is trust," says Dennis. "I know that Matt is a better farmer than me, and I thought I was pretty good.

"There are things that my father (Verle) can't do that I can do, and then there are things that he and Matt can do that I can't do."

source : cottonfarming

As with other aspects of the Palmer operation

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

As with other aspects of the Palmer operation, decisions about what varieties to grow is a group decision. The farm doesn't need to hire a consultant because Verle has the necessary years of experience to know what kind of recommendations to make.

Dennis says most of the Gila River Valley is planted to Deltapine varieties, and for many years 80 percent of  the valley's cotton was planted to single gene DP 455 BR. Since that variety has been phased out, the Palmers will experiment this year with six to eight Deltapine varieties, and they hope to find one that performs similar to DP 455 BR.

"That was a wonderful variety," he says. "It averaged about 42 percent turnout at the gin," he says. "I hope we find another one like it."

source : cottonfarming

We were looking at not planting 25 to 30 percent

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

"We were looking at not planting 25 to 30 percent of our land because we didn't have the water," says Dennis. "But the El Niño systems took care of that problem. Our land is a bit swampy because it's so wet, but I'm not complaining."

The pumps will be recharged from snow melt in the mountains, and the V.I.P farm will start the season with excellent soil moisture conditions.

As the Palmers continue to implement efficient farming practices in their operation – which is comprised of 150 cotton fields spread across 25 miles in the Gila Valley – they have recently upgraded to 12-row equipment, including new harvesting equipment, which consists of two six-row John Deere cotton pickers, four module builders and two boll buggies.

It is a major investment, but Dennis says it will pay dividends by allowing harvest to move along quicker in the fall.

source : cottonfarming

Verle, the “unofficial historian” of the family

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Verle, the "unofficial historian" of the family, agrees with that assessment and takes it one step further.

"The power costs are also going up, and that's a concern," he says. "Those costs have pretty much skyrocketed in the last few years."

Despite the high electrical costs, the Palmers meticulously manage their pumps so that tailwater runoff can be captured and recycled on many fields.

"That proves to be an advantage anytime we can catch that water and use it again," says Verle.

source : cottonfarming

Verle is 76

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Rich Family History

Verle is 76. He and his wife began the business with only 75 acres. His son Dennis, 56, and wife Margaret joined the operation in 1976. And, not surprisingly, Dennis's son Matt, 31, and wife Kim joined in 2001.

"So far, we've been able to work together as a family on this farm," says Dennis. "This situation really works for us. Everybody has a different job. What makes it even better is that our families live close to each other here in the valley."

Dennis admits that he, Verle and Matt don't always agree on important farm management decisions. But they find a way to talk it over and then "we usually come to a consensus on how we should handle a certain project."

source : cottonfarming

Verle is 76

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Rich Family History

Verle is 76. He and his wife began the business with only 75 acres. His son Dennis, 56, and wife Margaret joined the operation in 1976. And, not surprisingly, Dennis's son Matt, 31, and wife Kim joined in 2001.

"So far, we've been able to work together as a family on this farm," says Dennis. "This situation really works for us. Everybody has a different job. What makes it even better is that our families live close to each other here in the valley."

Dennis admits that he, Verle and Matt don't always agree on important farm management decisions. But they find a way to talk it over and then "we usually come to a consensus on how we should handle a certain project."

source : cottonfarming

Situated nearly 3,000 feet above sea level

'All In The Family'

Tommy Horton

Situated nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, this is a farm that can be deceiving at first glance. It might have a beautiful backdrop with snow-capped mountains and ideal temperatures for producing cotton. However, the challenges are quite real.

Whether it is torrential rains, water shortages, extreme heat, high input costs, diverse soil profiles or even labor shortages, there are plenty of problems awaiting farmers in this area.

Conversely, as any member of the Palmer family can attest, it's also very rewarding when everything works out as planned, and a three- to four-bale cotton crop is harvested. That is what happened in 2009.

source : cottonfarming

The labor-intensive cotton industry of the 1960s

Keep Looking Ahead

O.A. Cleveland
Starkville, Miss.    

The labor-intensive cotton industry of the 1960s has given way to the very capital-intensive industry of the 2000s. Technology will continue to flow in the form of new equipment and higher yielding seed varieties.

Yet, there is another major change that will continue to evolve. Over time, direct payments to cotton producers have shrunk from 100 percent to only 85 percent of their base acreage. Within five years – probably less – direct payments are likely to be reduced to only 70 percent of a producer's respective base. Are you ready for that? The discussion is active in Washington, and Congress has made the calculations.

As bad as this change appears, there will likely be good to come from it. I do not see the good, but then, we will see dollar cotton again and most don't believe that. Dollar cotton is on the horizon, but not for this year.

source : cottonfarming

The good ole days are in front of us, not behind us

Keep Looking Ahead

O.A. Cleveland
Starkville, Miss.    

The good ole days are in front of us, not behind us. World cotton demand will expand. Acreage will ebb and flow with technology as well as with the cyclical nature of crop price ratios.

There was nothing unique about the recent surge in grain and oilseed prices relative to cotton. The early 1970s were replete with forecasts that cotton would never again be grown in the Rolling Plains of Texas and Oklahoma. Wheat climbed to $6-7 dollars a bushel, and within five years it fell below $3 in some locations. Today, there aren't many alternatives for much of the Rolling Plains.

What most nostalgically call the good ole days would better be identified as simply "the old hard times." Harness the mule, shuck the mule's corn, child labor to hand pick the cotton and dispense DDT by hand. Were those the "good ole days?" I think not. They represented hard times.

source : cottonfarming

Although many other remarks were posted

Residual Herbicides Called A 'Necessity'

Although many other remarks were posted, these two are representative of the collective thoughts that were shared by those who voted.

• "A residual product has become a necessity rather than an option."

• "I can barely afford the seed. A residual herbicide only adds to the expense. I will have to live with some weeds this year."

In the May Web Poll, we are moving into the regulatory arena. We are asking our readers to choose what they think is the regulatory issue that should be top priority for the industry. The choices listed are currently being aggressively addressed by the National Cotton Council.

source : cottonfarming

The Louisiana consultant noted that Envoke

Residual Herbicides Called A 'Necessity'

The Louisiana consultant noted that Envoke is another option for over-the-top herbicide applications once cotton passes the fourth true leaf.

"This herbicide is weak on teaweed, but offers superior morningglory control," he said.

Clay Despain, who consults in Poinsett County, Ark., said more and more cotton producers in his area are using residual herbicides to control two of their most troublesome weeds – horseweed and Palmer pigweed. They also tried something new last year – mixing First Shot with a dicamba and glyphosate burndown to get added control of henbit, which seems to be a host for spider mites.

"We want our fields to be as clean as possible when we plant," Despain said. "That's why we are going with a two-shot burndown program to clean up the field as early as we can, then come back in and make an application of  Gramoxone and Direx or Gramoxone and Reflex pre-emerge."

source : cottonfarming

Before the 2009 growing season began last year

Residual Herbicides Called A 'Necessity'

Before the 2009 growing season began last year, consultants in the Southeast and Mid-South were encouraging producers to diversify their weed control programs.

North Carolina crop consultant Danny Pierce said cotton producers in his area need to use a pre-plant incorporated or pre-emergence herbicide to control glyphosate-resistant pigweed.

"If the herbicide application is going out behind the planter, they typically use Cotoran, Direx or Reflex," he said. "Reflex generally works best for us."

source : cottonfarming

Roller gins typically produce less short fiber content

Roller Ginning Aims To Preserve Quality

Roller gins typically produce less short fiber content, fewer neps and deliver all-around more impressive fiber length numbers. Their most recent tests illustrated the stand's ability to maintain a high ginning rate.

In the future, he hopes to take the HSRG to the next level by encouraging a commercial gin to invest in this important technology.

"We never know how a variety will act when it's ginned because of its specific genetics, the growing conditions under which the cottons were produced and other variables, so we'll be evaluating a number of Mid-South and Southeast varieties moving forward, and we will continue to be very collaborative with our fellow researchers at Mesilla Park and our funding partners at Cotton Incorporated," says Byler.

source : cottonfarming

Most people are aware roller ginning is

Roller Ginning Aims To Preserve Quality

Most people are aware roller ginning is generally less harsh on cotton fiber than saw ginning. In California, several gins have been ginning upland cottons with high-speed roller gins. The question now is, can roller ginning have applications in areas other than arid regions of the Southwest?

Roller ginning first came to the Mississippi Delta in 1989 when Jim Cassidy of Marks, Miss., oversaw the installation of a rotary knife roller gin operation.

"We were ginning Delta Pine 90 through the stand and had direct contracts with manufacturers and mills," says, Cassidy, president of Self Gin Co.

source : cottonfarming

Roller Ginning Aims To Preserve Quality

Roller Ginning Aims To Preserve Quality

 
While U.S. cotton producers work to meet the more stringent fiber requirements requested by their overseas textile mill customers, Cotton Incorporated is conducting research into what it would take at the gin point to preserve those qualities once that fiber is harvested.

"While there may be several ways to improve your crop's quality before harvest, once your module is covered and hauled to the gin, quality preservation is up to your ginner," says Dr. Ed Barnes, Director, Agricultural Re-search at Cotton Incorporated.

Thanks to funding from Cotton Incorporated, researchers at the Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Mesilla Park, N.M., have taken the "rotary-knife" roller gin they created back in the 1960s and turned it into what some think could be a game changer – a high-speed roller gin (HSRG).

source : cottonfarming

The mandated use of biofuels has completely altered

Striking The Right Balance

Mark Lange
NCC President/CEO
 
The mandated use of biofuels has completely altered the balance achieved in the development of farm policy. With current technologies essentially dictating that ethanol be produced from grain feedstocks, other agricultural commodities find themselves estranged from policy structures now sought by some grain interests.

What about future farm policy?

Farm legislation cannot be developed in a vacuum that ignores the role of energy policy. Doing so results in support mechanisms or structures that fail to adequately serve the interests of everyone from the taxpayer to the commodity producer. Further caught in this set of conflicting signals are all the intermediate players with such operations as drying facilities, warehouses, cotton gins, elevators as well as transportation investments.

The goals of increased energy independence and reduced environmental impacts from energy production are certainly in line with National Cotton Council objectives. In fact, most U.S. cotton producers also grow grains and oilseeds used in the production of biofuels. However, to obtain non-distorting equity across commodities, it is imperative that all forms of support are considered.

source : cottonfarming

We undertake this responsibility realizing

Another Chance To Serve The Industry

Tommy Horton

We undertake this responsibility realizing the proud tradition initially started by Cotton Gin & Oil Mill Press many years ago under the leadership of its late editor, Don Swanson. Through the years, I had the privilege to meet Don many times at industry meetings, dating back to 1985 during my tenure at the National Cotton Council. Even though Cotton Gin & Oil Mill Press ceased publishing in 2009 shortly after Don's death, we intend to continue what his magazine started many years ago.

Ginners are a special part of our industry. Consolidation has shrunk their numbers, and they fight their own regulatory battles each year. But they continue to embrace new technology and reliably process cotton with a keen eye on preserving fiber quality.

We're glad to be their official partner and look forward to many years of working together in a mutually beneficial relationship.

source : cottonfarming

Another Chance To Serve The Industry

Another Chance To Serve The Industry

Tommy Horton

One of the positive aspects about being a part of the cotton industry is when an unexpected opportunity occurs – all because of a longstanding relationship with an industry sector. That is precisely what has happened this spring. Anyone who knows the history of Cotton Farming magazine realizes that our publication has had a long and productive connection with the ginning sector.

For nearly 20 years, this magazine has co-sponsored the Texas Cotton Ginners Association's Annual Meeting and Trade Show. We have taken great pride in being able to publicize this important industry event conducted annually in Lubbock. More importantly, we enjoy contributing funds to support the TCGA scholarship fund, which helps Texas Tech University students pursuing a career in agriculture.

This is truly one of the ways our magazine invests in the future of agriculture and cotton, specifically.

source : cottonfarming

Producers who have glyphosate-resistant

Wet Winter Hurts Weed Control

Amanda Huber
Southeast

Producers who have glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth are relying on residual herbicides at pre-plant as well as pre-emergence this growing season, says Jason Norsworthy, associate professor of crop, soil and environmental sciences in the University of Arkansas' Division of Agriculture.

"Producers are sometimes reluctant to apply herbicides when they cannot physically see Palmer amaranth in the field," he says. "However, our data suggests that once Palmer amaranth emerges, it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to control, especially if it is glyphosate-resistant and ALS (Staple/Envoke) resistant."

Don't Wait Too Late

What moisture there is still left in the soil profile is likely to help with the activation of the residual herbicides, and because it has stopped raining so frequently, producers should be able to apply postemergence products in a timely manner.

source : cottonfarming

Wet Winter Hurts Weed Control

Wet Winter Hurts Weed Control

Amanda Huber
Southeast

It was a wet winter in most of the Southern states, and although producers welcome the replenishing of the soil moisture profile, field conditions made certain cultural practices impossible. That could have a negative effect on the battle against Palmer amaranth, causing farmers to rely more heavily on residual herbicides and to make timely post applications.

Jared Whitaker, University of Georgia Extension cotton agronomist, says the wet winter and early spring may have affected some producers who wanted to utilize heavy cover crops and/or deep tillage to reduce Palmer emergence this spring.

"In a lot of places, it was far too wet for most of the year to deep-till, and many growers weren't able to plant and grow cover crops," he says.

source : cottonfarming

Our ginners

TCGA Concludes 'Upbeat' Meeting

Tommy Horton

"Our ginners are working through these situations and doing the best they can to service their customers," he adds.

Williams had high praise for the exhibitors who participated in the Trade Show and later attended the annual awards banquet.

Outgoing TCGA president Keith Mixon pre-sided over the banquet and passed the gavel to new incoming president Jerry Multer. Dennis Flowers, general manager of the Sudan Farmers Cooperative Gin, was honored as "Ginner of the Year."

source : cottonfarming