cotton farming, august 2014

Cotton FarmingCotton Farming®

www.cottonfarming.comwww.cottonfarming.com

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES AUGUST 2014ONE GROWERPUBLISHING, LLC

RESILIENTCOTTONRESILIENTCOTTON

ARKANSAS’ SAM STUCKEY PROUD OF HIS

PRODUCERSVISIT MONTANA

SPECIAL APPSFOR THE WEST

ARKANSAS’ SAM STUCKEY PROUD OF HIS

PRODUCERSVISIT MONTANA

SPECIAL APPSFOR THE WEST

Aug Cover _CF 11/13 template 7/14/14 9:42 AM

• Detachable alloy steel spears pierce modules without damage• Minimizes stalks pinned against module and transported to gin• Lower maintenance, no moving parts or hydraulics• Fastest and easiest operated module handler available• Priced thousands of dollars less than other module handlers

Cotton Spear Round Module

Handler

Tommy Wilkins—Kennett, MO

Hal McCay—McCay Gin, Cordele, GA

Sammy Henderson—Cairo Farmers Gin, Humboldt, TN

PATENT # USD700,918S

CF0814 LAYOUT_CF 11/13 template 7/14/14 1:08 PM

COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2014 3

D E P A R T M E N T S & C O L U M N S

Cotton FarmingPROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES AUGUST 2014Vol. 58 No. 8

www.cottonfarming.com

4 Editor’s Note6 Cotton’s Agenda

16 Specialists Speaking22 My Turn

F E A T U R E S

ON THE COVER: Producer Sam Stuckey checks out his cotton field in eastern Arkansas. Photo by Tommy Horton.

SPECIAL EXPERIENCEA group of cotton producers learned a lot on aweek-long trip to Montana.

12

TCGA SUMMER MEETINGTCGA addressed numerous issues at its meetingat the Lost Pines Resort.

10

Producer Sam Stuckey has farmed in eastern Arkansas for37 years, and he knows the importance of being timely withall of his spray applications and irrigation. Even if theweather doesn’t cooperate, he has found that being on timecan keep his cotton production on schedule and ahead of anypotential problems during a long crop season.

Busy Checklist8

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December for $40 per year by One Grower Publishing LLC, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38119. PeriodicalsPostage paid at Memphis, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sunbelt Fulfillment Services, 307 Southgate Court, Brentwood, Tenn. 37027-7987 (Phone: 615-377-3322) (Fax: 615-850-5319). International rates are $55.00 in Canada/Mexico, $90.00 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface Delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

WESTERN REPORTWestern producers are taking advantage of special apps on their smartphones.

14

Cotton Farming Editor Tommy Horton recently accompanied agroup of cotton producers on a week-long trip to Montana as partof the Cotton Foundation’s Multi-Commodity Education Programsponsored by John Deere. Look for his observations in a specialreport at www.cottonfarming.com.

WEB POLLRESULTS

WEB EXCLUSIVE

How would you describeyour cotton crop

in the second week of July?Go to www.cottonfarming.com

for the results.

3_3 7/17/14 9:03 AM

4 COTTON FARMING AUGUST 2014

Editor’s Note

This crop season appears to be moving along way too quickly. Itseems like it was just yesterday that we were talking about howthis year’s cotton might be delayed by rain events in the Mid-South. And simultaneously we were discussing the continuing

drought in the West and Southwest. How quickly the scenario can changein a couple of months.

Now we’re talking about welcome rains that Texas and Oklahomareceived in June while the Mid-South has coped with recordbreaking pre-cipitation earlier this summer that put the crop dangerously behind insome areas. How much more unpredictable can this year become? And tothink we still have August and September to finish off this crop and hopethat additional heat units save the day.

As I am writing this column in mid-July, we’re in the middle of a weath-er trend that recently sent evening temperatures into the high 50s in partsof the Mid-South. The experts always say that no two cotton crop seasonsare alike, and we’d have to agree with that assessment based on what hashappened thus far.

Which brings us to a quick preview of our cover story on Arkansas pro-ducer Sam Stuckey who has managed to put his cotton crop in excellentcondition halfway through the season. When you consider that it rained forabout three straight weeks in June, it is nothing short of miraculous whathis cotton looks like right now.

As you’ll learn when you read this story on pages 8 and 9, it was a caseof planting the crop successfully during the first five days of May. Then, heaggressively put out his residual herbicide applications and was in goodshape heading into the last days of the month.

Then the rains came for the next three weeks of June. Fortunately, therewere windows of opportunity nearly every day when the rains stopped.And, unlike the Memphis area across the Mississippi River, Stuckey’s farmdidn’t receive six or seven inches of rainfall in one day. Instead, he and hiscrews did the best they could during those momentary lulls in the storms.Call it luck or some of the timeliest management practices ever seen.

The end results, according to Stuckey’s long-time consultant ChuckFarr, are “the best looking cotton fields in Arkansas.” That’s high praise,and obviously there is a lot that must happen between now and harvest.But if you recently drove by the Stuckey fields in Clarkedale, Ark., youwould have been impressed.

Now, it’s on to August and September. Don’t be surprised if the Stuckeyfarm stays on a roll and delivers a fabulous cotton crop.

If you have comments, send them to: Editor, Cotton Farming Magazine,1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tenn., 38119. Or send e-mail to: [email protected].

Tommy Horton

Heavy Rains Didn’tStop This Crop

One Grower Publishing, LLC1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119

Phone: 901-767-4020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating withCOTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizationsacross the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organiza-tions serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board.Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors arenot necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the edi-tors. All statements, including product claims, are those of theperson or organization making the statement or claim. The pub-lisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its ownand any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect theopinion of the publisher.Copyright 2014

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing,LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROW-ER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER

Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION

Editor/Editorial Director Tommy Horton

[email protected]

Senior Writer Carroll Smith

[email protected]

Southeast EditorAmanda Huber

[email protected]

Art DirectorCarol Watson

ADMINISTRATION

Publisher/Vice PresidentLia Guthrie (901) [email protected]

Associate PublisherCarroll Smith (901) 767-4020

Sales ManagerScott Emerson (386) 462-1532

[email protected]

Production ManagerKathy Killingsworth (800) 888-9784

[email protected]

Circulation ManagerJanet Owens (229) 386-8809

For circulation changesor change of address, call

(800) 888-9784

Cotton FarmingCotton Farming ®

David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina

Bob McLendon – GeorgiaLarkin Martin – Alabama

Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri

Jimmy Hargett – TennesseeAllen Helms – Arkansas

Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – TexasRon Rayner – Arizona

John Pucheu – California

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

ONE GROWERPUBLISHING, LLC

4_ 4 7/17/14 9:33 AM

WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT

Quality CharacteristicsQuality sets cotton apart from most agricultural commodities.

That is, a bale of cotton possesses a unique set of characteristicsthat renders it suitable for certain uses, and less so for others.Producers are familiar with these characteristics as they show upin premium and discount tables and recap prices. Consumerssee quality reflected in premium prices for high-end textiles andgarments made from Pima, Sea Isle or other ELS varieties.

For the industry as a whole, these quality differences are adouble-edged sword. On the one hand, cotton’s huge qualityrange is the reason a merchant and broker sector exists betweenproducers and mills. Mills have a very specific set of criteria forcotton they will accept, and those criteria are strict enough thatit would be nearly impossible for a single grower to only pro-duce cotton within those specifications.

Strong IncentivesOn the other hand, the degree to which quality is subject to

factors beyond grower/ginner control means that merchants fre-quently find themselves owning cotton, meeting a narrow set ofcriteria without having the required inventory on hand.

For growers, the bottom line depends largely on quality. Withthe international standard moving from the US 41-4-34 SLM to31-3-35 M, growers have a strong incentive to increase staplelength and enhance color. Further incentives exist for improvinguniformity, strength and micronaire.

There are several steps growers can take to produce betterwhite and see more green at the end of the season, beginningwith the right varieties that can deliver the quality required.Factors beyond the grower’s control will always exist (e.g. theweather and the market). However, the difference between agood year and a great year begins by making the right choices.

Sponsored By

“There are several steps growers can taketo produce better white and see more green

at the end of the season.”– Dr. Louis W. Rose IV

Many FactorsCan Contribute

To QualityBy Dr. Louis W. Rose IV

Risk Analytics LLCwww.rosecottonreport.com

Market analyst Dr. Louis W. Rose IV says producers can increase cotton quality bymaking the right choices before the crop is planted in the spring.

From Fiber To Fabric• Quality makes cotton unique.

• Cotton has a huge quality range.

• Incentive exists to increase staple.

• Cotton variety choices are crucial.

• Producers can’t control some factors.

5_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 8:48 AM


Cotton’s AgendaMark Lange

As harvest time nears, the National Cotton Council is reminding industry members to makecontamination prevention a day-to-day priority.

Is contamination increasing?■ The International Textile ManufacturersFederation’s “Cotton Contamination Survey2013” shows the level of cottons moderately orseriously contaminated worldwide increasedfrom 23 percent to 26 percent compared to thelast survey in 2011. Though U.S. cotton still isconsidered one of the least contaminatedgrowths, the survey found that plastics, stick-iness and seed-coat fragments, along with otherforeign materials, are still posing serious chal-lenges to global cotton spinning.

U.S. cotton’s key cus-tomers have voicedconcerns. At the recentCotton USA “ShapingCotton’s Future” con-ference in Turkey, forexample, U.S. partici-pants heard Turkishmill customer reportsof lint contaminationdue to plastics, withblack plastics beingthe predominant prob-lem in U.S. bales. TheNCC believes thatwithout continuedattentiveness, ourhard-earned reputa-tion for providing theworld with contamina-

tion-free cotton can be lost quickly. Once thatreputation is sullied, it may take years to over-come – with the net result possibly being lostpremiums for all U.S. cotton.

What are some specific actions to take?■ The NCC has asked cotton interest organiza-tion leaders to remind those attending upcom-ing cotton-related meetings – to make contami-nation prevention a high priority. There are no

Cotton Belt regions immune to contamination.We want our producers, ginners and ware-housers to make sure potential contaminants donot make their way from fields to gins and fromgins into bales – that pure fiber is as importantas high yields. A key step, we believe, is makingall work crews – whether in the field or at thegin and warehouse – aware of all potential cont-amination sources and regularly remindingthem to be diligent in keeping those items out offields, seed cotton and baled lint.

As I’ve noted in previous columns, plastics fromvarious sources are a serious contaminant. Forexample, if cotton is planted in fields whereplastic mulched vegetables or vine crops werepreviously grown or intercropped with cotton,the risk of picking up that plastic during har-vest is magnified. Also, wind and flood waterscan carry discarded plastic film bags, wovenplastic feed sacks and other litter into cottonfields during the season. Cotton twine and othernon-contaminating materials should be used formodule tie downs. And, when preparing mod-ules for feeding at the gin, proper and completeremoval of all module tarps, tarp tie downs andround module wraps must be emphasized. A listof potential contaminants and prevention guide-lines are among the resources available on theNCC website’s Quality Preservation page atwww.cotton.org/tech/quality/index.cfm.

U.S. cotton’s mill customers are escalating theircontamination detection efforts, too. Along withtraditional visual inspections, some mills areusing in-line foreign material detection technol-ogy positioned closer to the bale openingprocess. This increases the likelihood that cont-amination will be traced back to a specific bale.And the cost associated with these extra inspec-tions often results in unacceptable outcomesfor mills and may affect their future bale sourc-ing decisions.

Mark Lange is the president and chief executive officer for the National Cotton Council of America.He and other NCC leaders contribute columns on this Cotton Farming page.

Attention To Detail

Even a small piece of plastic can seriouslydamage hundreds of yards of fabric.

6_9 7/17/14 8:26 AM

Benny MartinezSales Representative, Dow AgroSciencesRio Grande Valley and Winter Garden region, Texas

“We do not learn from experience,” philosopher John Dewey said. “Welearn from reflecting on experience.” As Texas cotton growers are in themidst of or nearing cotton harvest, this is an ideal time to gauge the suc-cess of the season and determine how to improve in the future. I alwaysemphasize the importance of reflecting on what worked well over the pastgrowing season to be ready for the next year.

Cotton Pest PressurePest pressure was fairly typical this year. Aphids and leafhoppers usual-

ly begin their torment early in the season, especially if there is good mois-ture. This year was no exception. Growers started spraying early for thetwo pests. Many growers relied on Transform WG insecticide, which offersa new class of chemistry for outstanding control of the pests. In addition,Transform is easy on beneficials. In our area, the more beneficials youhave, the fewer problems you will have with aphid flares.

I recommend growers use ¾ to one oz/A of Transform for aphids andfleahoppers. When scouts find around 50 aphids per leaf or a 10 to 15 per-cent infestation rate of fleahoppers, then it is time to spray. Smallersquares to pinhead-size squares are the most affected by leafhoppers, sogrowers need to be scouting regularly early on.

Whitefly is another pest to watch for in mid- to late season. This year,whitefly pressure was light and showed up late. I usually suggest growersspray when three to four nymphs or adults per leaf are found in the fifthleaf from the terminal. A pest unique to the coastal regions of Texas is theverde bug. Like whitefly, verde bug is a mid- to late season pest – and thisyear, it is showing up late. Verde bug is elusive as it flies away whenhumans approach, so a sweep net is the best way to check for it. I suggestspraying when four to five percent of plants are infested.

Challenges For Sorghum GrowersThis year, sugarcane aphids showed up in full force in Texas, especially

in the Rio Grande Valley. Some untreated fields yielded around 1,200pounds per acre compared with treated fields that yielded 5,000 poundsper acre. In a few days, the sugarcane aphid can increase from a fewpests per leaf to a few hundred per leaf. Scout at least twice per week tomake timely applications.

The new, effective tool this year was Transform. A majority of sorghumacres were treated at least once after the emergency Sec. 18 was issuedfor Transform. Work is underway to define economic thresholds, but thisyear, the most effective time to spray was when 30 percent of plants wereinfested. Many growers sprayed one oz/A in 10 to 15 gal/A of water forground application or one oz/A in five gal/A of water for aerial application.

From cotton to grain sorghum, crops in Texas have seen their fair shareof pests this year. And next year will be no exception. Maintain timelyscouting schedules and be prepared with spray options that work.

1. Reflect on what worked well over the past growing season to beready for the next year.

2. In cotton, growers started spraying early for aphids and fleahoppers.Many growers relied on Transform WG insecticide, which offers anew class of chemistry for outstanding control of the pests.

3. Transform is easy on beneficials. In our area, the more beneficialsyou have, the fewer problems you will have with aphid flares.

4. I recommend growers use ¾ to one oz/A of Transform for aphidsand fleahoppers.

5. I usually suggest growers spray when three to four whitefly nymphsor adults per leaf are found in the fifth leaf from the terminal.

6. A sweep net is the best way to check for verde bug. I suggestspraying when four to five percent of plants are infested.

7. In sorghum, sugarcane aphids showed up in full force in Texas,especially in the Rio Grande Valley. A majority of sorghum acreswere treated at least once after the emergency Sec. 18 was issuedfor Transform.

8. This year, the most effective time to spray for sugarcane aphidsin sorghum was when 30 percent of plants were infested. Many growers sprayed one oz/A in 10 to 15 gal/A of water for groundapplication or one oz/A in five gal/A of water for aerial application.

9. Scout regularly and be prepared with spray options that work.

Recap: Improvement Comes From Reflection ▼

• B.S. degree in Agricultural Science – Texas A&M University-Kingsville

• Has worked for Dow AgroSciences for 15 years

• Grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and continues tolive there with his family and several cheerful cows

• Avidly hunts whitetail deer, pigs and dove

• Likes fishing for speckled trout and red fish

• Enjoys life with his wife, Desiree, and their two sons,Tristan, 15, and Easton, 12

Sponsored By

Improvement ComesFrom Reflection

Cotton Consultant’s Corner

®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Transform WG is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.

8Aug CF CCCv2_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 3:08 PM

Cotton has always had a repu-tation for being able to with-stand a lot of adversity dur-ing a long production season.

If you want proof of that statement,pay a visit to the Stuckey Farms opera-tion in eastern Arkansas.

That’s where you’ll find a remark-able crop that has already withstoodheavy rains. In fact, parts of the Mid-South received nearly three weeks ofrain in June.

To say that Sam Stuckey’s 37th con-secutive cotton crop has faced a chal-lenge this year is an understatement.But, through excellent and timelyspray applications of preemergent her-bicides and an overall aggressiveapproach, the crop is now only a fewdays late.

Surviving Heavy RainsStuckey, who farms with his brother

Fred and nephew Michael East, has1,000 acres of cotton along with a mix

of rice, corn, milo, soybean and wheatacreage on farms located in Clarkedaleand Lepanto as well as Island 40 inShelby County (Tenn.).

It wasn’t easy but the Stuckeysplanted their cotton on time during theMay 1-5 period. In retrospect, theywere fortunate. When the rains even-tually came, the crop was already off toa good start because of effective burn-down and dicamba applications in lateMarch and early April.

Before planting, the Stuckeys put

out a Gramoxone/Reflex application.Then, after the crop was germinating,a Gramoxone/Direx residual was putout. That was followed with an over-lapping Dual application and aRoundup/Liberty combination.

“Even with the non-stop rains inJune, I feel pretty good about all of ourcrops,” says Sam. “We found windowsduring those three weeks in Junewhere we could get in the necessarywork. I couldn’t be happier with wherethis cotton is right now.”

New Varieties PlantedStuckey made the switch to several

new varieties this year, and all of thecotton acreage is planted primarily to:

ST 4747GLB2ST 4946GLB2FM 1944GLB2and PH 333 WRFHe also has one Deltapine test plot.The crop season is near the mid-

point, and now the question is can the


Resilient CottonArkansas Producer Sam Stuckey’s Crop Has Weathered The Storm

BY TOMMY HORTONEDITOR

COVER STORY

Stuckey Farms Partnership InLepanto And Clarkedale, Ark.

• 1,000 acres of cotton.• Corn/wheat/milo/soybean and rice acres.• Fourth-generation farming operation.• Two farms in Clarkedale and Lepanto.• Partners include brothers Sam and Fred,

and sister Baylus East.

8 9_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 1:38 PM


cotton gain the necessary heat unitsin July and August? Sam remains cau-tiously optimistic.

“I have seen late crops surprise me,”he says. “Cotton has an amazing abili-ty to compensate and overcome adver-sity and make up for lost time. It justdepends on the weather.”

Aggressive Management Pays OffSam’s long-time consultant Chuck

Farr has worked with him for 26 yearsand is equally optimistic about the cot-ton’s chances to recover from heavyJune rains.

He also credits Stuckey’s manage-ment skills as one of the reasons whythis year’s crop survived such unpre-dictable weather.

“It’s all about timeliness on every-thing,” says Farr. “That’s the key toSam’s success. He does whatever isnecessary to take advantage of thosewindows of opportunity.”

Barring anything unusual in thenext two months, both Farr andStuckey believe this cotton can yield“somewhere near 2.5 bales per acre” iffavorable conditions exist.

“If Sam will take care of the pig-weeds, I’ll take care of the plant bugsfor the next couple of months,” saysFarr with a laugh. “After what we’vebeen through, I think we can do it.”

Arkansas Extension cotton specialistBill Robertson says the Stuckey suc-cess story is an example of how goodmanagement practices can overcomeunforeseen situations such as unusualweather in June.

“Sam and Chuck have done anoutstanding job, and I’m not surprised

to see how they’ve kept that cottoncrop going,” he says. “It all boils downto perseverance and doing whatever ittakes to get past these weather eventsthat can sometimes slow us down. We

still have a chance at a good cottoncrop here in Arkansas.”

Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767-4020 or [email protected]

Stuckey Brothers Know The Meaning Of Effective TeamworkSam Stuckey and younger brother Fred are part of a large family farming operation that includes

sister Baylus East who works in the farm office. Meanwhile, nephew Michael assists Sam and Fred invarious aspects of the operation while farming some of his own acreage. Fred says their ability towork together is because they know how to communicate – even when they disagree on a topic.

“Let’s just say that we respect each other and can agree to disagree,” says Fred. “Once we make adecision, then it’s full speed ahead.”

Meanwhile, Sam says the operation is very fortunate to have so many family members workingtogether in the day-to-day activities.

“We are too diversified and spread out, and it’s better to have everybody on board together,” hesays. “I also like the fact that Fred, Michael and I can talk about what needs to be done as opposed toeach person working on individual acreage. It’s a good situation, and it definitely works for us.”

8 9_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 1:38 PM


The Texas Cotton Ginners’Association summer meetingat the Lost Pines Resort nearAustin and Bastrop was domi-

nated by one theme – the potential fora bigger crop in 2014.

Timely rains earlier this summercreated an excellent opportunity forthe state’s producers.

“I would say that the recent rainshave definitely generated more opti-mism among our association’s gin-ners,” says TCGA executive vice presi-dent Tony Williams. “We see thechance for a pretty good crop this yearif we’re fortunate with the weather.”

Even with the additional rainfall,Williams says some irrigated acresnorth of Lubbock were probably lostdue to hail, high winds and disease inthat area. Conversely, because of rainsoccurring in other parts of the state, itappears that a dryland crop willbe produced for the first time inseveral years.

The agenda for the meeting was abusy one with several presentationsgiven by industry leaders.

Dr. Joe Outlaw, co-director of theAgricultural and Food Policy Center atTexas A&M University and a TexasA&M AgriLife Extension Service econ-omist, gave a detailed look at the newfarm law and implications for Texascotton producers.

“Dr. Outlaw is a respected econo-mist, and spelled out the options ourproducers have in this new law,”Williams added.

Also delivering reports to the TCGABoard were Sid Miller, Republicannominee for Texas Ag Commissioner,and Harrison Ashley, executive vicepresident of the National CottonGinners’ Association.

Labor Issues Are CrucialBesides continuing to monitor key

issues on the regulatory and environ-mental fronts, the board discussed var-ious situations that continue to con-front member gins, such as having

access to enough seasonal workers dur-ing the ginning season.

Because of the drought in recentyears, Williams says many gins haveonly used one crew. If this year’s cropis bigger, those gins will have to findenough workers for a second crew.

One of the highlights for thoseattending the summer meeting wasthe opportunity to take a bus trip tothe historic Burton Farmers Gin.Many attendees dressed up in specialoutfits commemorating the centennialanniversary of the gin. Three baleswere ginned and wrapped in jute mate-rial, with one being auctioned off.

“We had a lot of fun making the trip,and I think everyone had a good time,”Williams says.

SPECIAL REPORT

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

TCGA Anticipates Bigger Crop

During the summer meeting, severalTCGA members visited the historicBurton Gin and helped producethree bales that were replicas of anearlier era.

Tide International USA, Inc.

A superior formulation of dust-free water dispersible granules that dissolve quickly and uniformly into spray solution. Available from your local supplier.

To learn more about Tide USA and to see our complete line up of products call us or visit our website: www.tide-usa.com

Tide International USA, Inc.

Tide Acephate 90WDGInsecticide

T

Tide Ace

Tide International USA, Inc.of products call us or visit our website: www

ToTo learn more about Tide USA fr r.om your local supplier.that dissolve quickly and uniformly

A superior formulation of dust-fr

Insecticideephate 90W

national USA, Inc.oducts call us or visit our website: www.tide-usa.com

USA and to see our complete line up

uniformly into spray solution. AvAvailabdust-free water dispersible granules

InsecticideTide Acephate 90WDG

up

vailable granules

10new_CF 11/13 template 7/17/14 8:27 AM

Consultant’s Name:

Company Name (if applicable):

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Fax: Email:

In your own words, please tell us why you are nominating the consultant above for the “Cotton Consultantof the Year” Award:

Background:

Biographical/Industry Involvement Background:

Your Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Fax: Email:

Sponsored by

The Cotton Consultant of the Year

(CCOY) represents the consultant

who has made great contributions

to the cotton industry through

outstanding customer relations,

leadership and innovation.

Recognized by fellow members of

the cotton industry, this award is

given to the consultant who not only

meets these requirements but also

exceeds them.

Syngenta and Cotton Farmingmagazine, CCOY sponsors, are

soliciting your help in selecting the

2014 recipient, who will be named

during a special celebration during

the National Cotton Council’s 2015

Beltwide Cotton Conferences.

The winning consultant and the

person who nominates the winner

receive two nights’ hotel stay and

airfare to the 2015 Beltwide, which

will be held in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition, the 2014 CCOY

recipient will be the subject of a

four-page salute in the January

2015 issue of Cotton Farming.

Please send your nomination form byAugust 22, 2014 to:Carroll Smith, 1010 June Road, Suite 102 Memphis, TN 38119Fax: (901) 767-4026 Scan/Email: [email protected] can print out an electronic version ofthe form located on the Cotton FarmingWeb site at www.cottonfarming.com.

If you would like to nominate a consultant deserving of this outstanding recognition,

please take a moment to fill out the following form.Please use a separate page for biographical/professional information. Additional

recommendations via letters or emails from other farmers, consultants and industrymembers are also encouraged to provide support for the nominee.

Cotton Consultant of the Year 2014

N o m i n a t i o n F o r mN o m i n a t i o n F o r m

Cotton Farming

2014 CCOY nom form FINAL_ Consultant Nomination 2004 6/9/14 9:11 AM Page 13


SPECIAL REPORT

Can a cotton producer learnanything valuable afterspending a week in Mon-tana? To the uniformed out-

sider, that would be a logical question.For participants in this summer’sMulti-Commodity Education Program(MCEP) tour, it all makes sense now.

This program began in 2006 and iscoordinated by the National CottonCouncil’s Member Services and sup-ported by the Cotton Foundation witha grant from John Deere.

The week-long trip serves many pur-poses. It gives the visiting group achance to observe agronomic practicesas well as gain a better understandingof issues in another region.

An additional benefit is buildingalliances among American farmersfrom different parts of the country.Those alliances have proven beneficialduring years when a Farm Bill is beingdebated in Washington.

This year’s producer participantsincluded:

Jarod Abernathy, Altus, Okla.Neal Baxley, Mullins, S.C.Justin Bone, Bakersfield, Calif.David Cochran, Greenville, Miss.Bert Driskell, Grand Bay, Ala.Michael Fruge, Eunice, La.Heath Herring, St. Joseph, La.Chris Hirt, St. Lawrence, Texas.Joe Martin, Conway, N.C.Bobby Rieder, Sinton, Texas.Jerry Rovey, Buckeye, Ariz.Jeff Wilson, Rebecca, Ga.Also participating in the tour

were John Gibson, NCC MemberServices director, and Richey Seaton,executive director of the GeorgiaCotton Commission.

Diverse Agenda OfferedThe tour was arranged by the

Montana Grain Growers Associationand gave the cotton group a chance totour farms and see production of maltbarley, sugar beets, corn, wheat, alfal-fa and cover crops.

The cotton visitors also toured a cat-tle marketing company, CentralMontana Co-op Fertilizer Plant,Montana Wheat and Barley Committ-ee, Montana State Grain Lab, AgTrucks and Equipment Co., Centraland Southern Ag Research Centers,Montana Fish and Game headquar-ters, Giant Springs Trout Hatchery,Pasta Montana (pasta manufacturer),Greenfields Irrigation District, a bar-ley elevator for MillerCoors and BuschAgricultural Resources, Harvest MoonBrewery, Malteurop malting plant,Moodie Implement (John Deere dealer-ship) and a grain elevator at theMountain View Co-op.

Gibson, who has managed the pro-gram since it started eight years ago,says the goodwill and informationexchange generated through the yearscontinues to be significant. This year’strip was no exception.

“Our cotton farmers certainly en-joyed seeing so many parts of Montanaagriculture,” he says. “Plus, I thinksome important friendships were madeon this trip that will last a lifetime.You can’t put a pricetag on howimportant that will be down the road.”

First-Time VisitorsMost of the cotton contingent had

never visited Montana, and manyprobably had a preconceived idea ofwhat they might see. The diversityand scope of the state’s agricultureindustry seemed to make the biggestoverall impression.

And even though nobody will evergrow cotton in Montana, the visitorsCotton Farming

CCOY2014 Cotton Consultant of the Year

Last Chance For 2014 CCOYNominations

How important are cottonconsultants? They’re importantenough that Cotton Farmingmagazine and Syngentacontinue to co-sponsor a specialaward each year that honors thetop consultant in the Cotton Belt.

Nominees are voted on by pastCotton Consultant of the Yearwinners. The honoree will berecognized at a special receptionat the 2015 Beltwide CottonConferences in San Antonio andfeatured in a special four-pageinsert in the January 2015 issueof Cotton Farming.

Don’t delay. Fill out thenomination form on page 11 andsend it to us. The deadline forentries is August 22.

Cotton Consultant of the Year sponsored by

Trip To Montana –A Special Experience

BY TOMMY HORTON EDITOR

12 13_CF 11/13 template 7/16/14 1:34 PM

could certainly relate to grain and cat-tle farming operations.

Such was the case for Texas HighPlains cotton producer Chris Hirt. Hewas particularly interested in howMontana farmers deal with their waterissues. But, more than that, he appre-ciated the chance to communicate withag representatives from another state.

“I am like others in our cottongroup,” he says. “I didn’t really knowwhat to expect, but it became a won-derful learning experience from startto finish.”

Two other cotton producers – DavidCochran of Greenwood, Miss., andNeal Baxley of Mullins, S.C. – echoedthose comments.

Cochran says it is essential thatregional ag associations work together,and he believes the Montana triphelped in that process.

“I was completely impressed by theexperience,” he says. “And I would

highly recommend that my fellow cotton farmers take advantage of thisopportunity if given the chance.”

The Mississippi producer says agri-culture’s voice can be strengthened inWashington by programs such asthe MCEP.

Baxley says he didn’t know muchabout Montana, but he is glad that hecould observe farming practices ina state that differs so much fromSouth Carolina.

“I’ve spent a lot of time telling myfarmer friends about Montana,” he

says. “Everybody was interested inwhat I saw. It was so interesting to seehow farmers in that part of thecountry produce their crops.”

Memorable ExperienceWhether it was viewing equipment,

grain elevators or standing in anexpansive wheat field with snow-capped mountains in the background,it was hard not to be impressed withthe fourth-largest state in the country.

Perhaps Lola Raska, executive vicepresident of the Montana GrainGrowers Association, summed it upbest when reviewing the week’snumerous activities.

“It was a mutually beneficial experi-ence for Montana agriculture and thiscotton group,” she says. “We bothlearned something, and now we havemade some wonderful new friends inthe ag community.”

Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767-4020 or [email protected].

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. The information presented herein is provided for educational purposes only, and is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell, or a recommendation to use, any unregistered pesticide for any purpose whatsoever. It is a violation of federal law to promote or offer to sell an unregistered pesticide.

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

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

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

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Bollgard II®, Genuity Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, Ground Breakers®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design®, Roundup Ready® and Roundup® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. LibertyLink and the Water Droplet Design® is a registered trademark of Bayer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2014 Monsanto Company. MDIC-CF-14013LC

It was an opportunity for learning when this cotton group visited Montana.

“I didn’t know whatto expect, but it

became a wonderful learning

experience fromstart to finish.”

– Chris Hirt, Producer,

St. Lawrence, Texas


12 13_CF 11/13 template 7/16/14 1:34 PM


New Apps Help Western Farmers

What’s next in weed control

technology?

Cotton producers are increasingly taking advantageof smartphone technology to improve the effective-ness of their operations. In the Western CottonBelt, a number of smartphone applications or

apps, specific to that region, are taking office work intothe field.

Given the unique nature of the arid West, cropping toolsused in other parts of the Cotton Belt have little use inCalifornia, Arizona or New Mexico. Therefore, app develop-ers are relying on methods and models originated in theWest to build the applications.

Over the last 30 years, the University of Arizona hasworked with cotton producers and crop production special-ists to develop computer programs that effectively trackcrop progress. The programs were cumber-some, in that data had to be transferredfrom the field to the farm office, usuallyon paper, and input by hand intothe computer.

Currently, alls m a r t p h o n et e c h n o l o g yhas an effec-tive capabil-ity to allow

data to be up-loaded in the field,with a real-timeanalysis takingplace at the time of input.

One app createdby UA’s College ofAgriculture andLife Sciences iscalled Mobile Cot-ton. It can provideinformation on cropprogress based onthe accumulationof heat units. The ability to make real-time cropping deci-sions saves time and energy, while providing a reference ofproven science for the producer.

The app also includes access to the university’s ArizonaMeteorological Network or AZMET for current and histori-cal weather data, which is used in the working models.

Another Tool For ProducersWith so many cotton producers already using their

phones to get commodity prices or connect with those

WESTERN REPORT

BY BRENT MURPHREEMARICOPA, ARIZ.

14 15_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 8:53 AM


See Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ Cotton in action in Ground Breakers® Field Trials Under Use Permit:

xtendfollowafi eld.com

An advanced cotton product that will:

• Provide tolerance to dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides

• Be built upon the proven performance of Genuity® Bollgard II® with Roundup Ready® Flex Cotton technology

Pending regulatory approvals. Not available for sale or commercial planting. This information is for educational purposes only and is not an offer to sell Bollgard II® XtendFlex™. This product is not yet registered or approved for sale or use anywhere in the United States. Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. The information presented herein is provided for educational purposes only, and is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell, or a recommendation to use, any unregistered pesticide for any purpose whatsoever. It is a violation of federal law to promote or offer to sell an unregistered pesticide. Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2014 Monsanto Company. MDIC-CF-14013

marketing their crops, adding toolsto aid plant progress should be a nat-ural step.

Another app developed at theUniversity of Arizona is Differentiat-ing Diseases of Early Season Cotton.As the app name indicates, it is a toolfor identifying disease problems inyoung cotton – a less bulky and moreaccessible version of a college plantdisease textbook.

The app is an on-hand and in-fieldindex of plant diseases. The referenceguide to the diseases of cotton is alsoa direct link to a UA plant patholo-gist who can help with identifi-cation and advise on helping treatthe plant.

Both apps are free to cotton pro-ducers and can be downloaded at:cals.arizona.edu/mobilecotton/and apps.cals.arizona.edu/cot-tondiseases/main.html#home.

Like producers across the Cotton Belt, Western producersare beginning to take full advantage of global positioningsystems to track module and bale locations. And, ginsoftware developers are including smartphone apps intheir packages.

Melissa Campbell, manager of River Gin in Coolidge,Ariz., says last season several of her producers usedMyModules in conjunction with the eCotton-brandgin software.

Producers were able to tag theirmodules digitally. The location andnumber of that module is instantlyuploaded to the gin, where it isscheduled for pickup.

“One of my growers was in a badreception area,” says Campbell. “But,other than that, we didn’t have manyproblems receiving the information.”She paused shortly to add, “Unlessthey accidentally enter the wrongmodule number.”

Smooth Transition For App UsersAside from human error or bad

cell reception, the app works well forits intended purpose, although someproducers balked at the fee to addthe app to their phone. At about $10,it is comparable to other app prices.

MyModule can be used by customharvesters to pinpoint the location ofa module without revealing other

information that the producer wishes to keep secure.Most applications catering to cotton farmers can be vetted

through producer and ginner groups or by local Extensionservices. Reviews for the apps can be found on independentdownload sites such as iTunes or Google Apps.

Brent Murphree is the Cotton Board’s RegionalCommunication Manager for the West. Contact him [email protected] or (602) 810-1171.

Important data and photos on plantdiseases can be sent to a smartphone.

14 15_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 10:35 AM


Specialists Speaking

Late Crop Needs To Play CatchupFLORIDA David Wright

The early wet weather resulted in delayed plant-ing in many areas of Florida, and much of the cottonbegan blooming in late July and early August. Therecent heat wave with temperatures near 100 degreesfor several weeks in July slowed cotton growth andboll set. There is still plenty of time for most of ourvarieties to make a good yield if we are able to get

timely rains and more moderate temperatures.Many of the management decisions have been made to this point

with fertilizer inputs being finished as well as most layby herbicides.Some producers will want to apply fungicides and keep an eye oninsects where they have irrigation and rank growth. Overall, the2014 season still has a chance to finish well but may not be as highyielding as the past two seasons when timely rains made for nearperfect seasons. [email protected]

ALABAMA Charles BurmesterCotton has made up a lot of ground during the last

couple of weeks in northern Alabama. Several fieldshad blooms the first week of July, and younger cottonfields are growing rapidly. I am seeing more sulfurdeficiency symptoms on cotton this year than in yearspast. This may be due to the heavy rainfall in someareas and poor cotton rooting early in the season.

We definitely need to pay more attention to sulfur fertilization oncotton in Alabama.

Late emerging glyphosate-resistant horseweed is also a problem inseveral cotton fields I visited last week. These fields had pre-plantand pre-emergence herbicides applied, but new horseweed plantsare continuing to emerge. Many of these farms will be using hoodedsprayers to control these troublesome weeds. [email protected]

MISSOURI Mike MilamOur overall crop looks good. According to the

Crop Progress and Condition Report released on July7, 93 percent of our cotton is in the fair to good cate-gories. There have been reports of squares abortingfollowing heavy rains and cloudy conditions.However, most of our cotton is holding squaresvery well.

From May 1 through June 6, our DD-60s are looking good. AtPortageville, there have been 953 heat units. For comparison pur-poses, we are ahead of the 726 heat units accumulated by July 15 in2008. Is this important? I really don’t know, but Missouri had arecord yield in 2008 with 1,106 pounds per harvested acre.

I was not surprised that the Missouri acreage dropped by 5,000acres from last year. With our rainfall patterns, most producers werefortunate to get most of their crops planted. But if you look at ouracreage last year, we had 255,000 acres planted but only 246,000acres harvested. The loss of this many acres is very unusual for Missouri.

I would say that our crop is about two weeks late at this point ofthe season. Blooms are being observed. Our last effective bloomdate is about Aug. 15, so we should have five to six weeks of bloomsbefore that date. This should be fine since most of our cotton bollsare set earlier in the season. If we can avoid a prolonged cloudy andrainy period in July and August, we should be in good [email protected]

NORTH CAROLINA Keith EdmistenAugust is a time to be monitoring for stink bug lev-

els. We recommend utilizing the dynamic thresholdsfor triggering potential stink bug applications. Thethresholds change depending on the week of bloom.This dynamic threshold takes into account the abilityof the plant to compensate and the proportion of thebolls that are safe from stink bug damage, which

increases during the bloom period.August is also a good time to get an idea of the highest node on

the plant that will likely develop harvestable bolls. A good rule ofthumb is that a square should be on the plant by the first of Augustand a bloom by the end of the third week of August to have a rea-sonable chance of producing a harvestable boll.

Knowing where this occurs for a given field may help you in mak-ing those difficult defoliation timing decisions later [email protected]

LOUISIANA Dan FrommeThe Louisiana cotton crop continues to look very

promising. This year’s crop has been aided by sometimely rains throughout the first half of the season.Cotton fields started to bloom during the third weekof June. Nodes above white flower counts werebetween nine and ten, which indicate growing condi-tions were excellent during the first 60 days

of growth. Fruit retention was around 85 to 90 percent going intofirst bloom.

Currently, mepiquat chloride applications are being applied tomanage height control. As of July 15, the earlier planted cotton fieldshave completed their third week of bloom and are between six toeight nodes above white flower. We should start seeing some openbolls around Aug. 1. Overall, pressure from insect pests has beenlight through the first part of July.

In conclusion, emphasis will be focused on controlling plant bugsby producers and consultants for the remainder of the season.Timely rains during the latter part of July will be needed to equal lastyear’s record yielding crop. [email protected]

MISSISSIPPI Darrin DoddsAlthough it is difficult to believe, by the time this

issue of Cotton Farming reaches your hands, we willbe on our way toward making final decisions on thisyear’s crop. Given the lateness of this crop, irrigationand pest management will likely continue for most ofthe month, and harvest-aid applications will takeplace in September for the most part.

A few blooms were found during the latter part of June, but thebulk of our cotton did not begin blooming until the week after July 4.Tarnished plant bugs have been a problem once again this year aspreviously mentioned, and applications to control these troublesomepests will likely continue throughout August.

The 2014 cotton crop in Mississippi is beginning to make the turn,and many fields look good. While we have had our fair share ofissues up to this point, we have a respectable crop in the field. If2013 taught us anything, it was to never give up on a cotton crop.

We do not appear to have the state record crop of last year; how-ever, we are a far cry from the worst crop we have seen inrecent memory. [email protected]

16 17_CF 11/13 template 7/17/14 10:29 AM

GEORGIA Guy CollinsAs I write this on July 10, most of the Georgia

cotton crop is in relatively good shape. As a result ofGeorgia’s wide planting window (late April to June15), current growth is anywhere from four to fiveleaves to nearly mid-bloom. Some replants were nec-essary in the early part of the planting window due toheavy packing rains. However, moderate rains were

fairly prevalent through mid-June in most places, which gave theremainder of this crop a good start and allowed producers tocatch up.

Therefore, most of our crop is not very far behind at all, com-pared to what we originally expected. Dry, hot weather prevailedduring the latter half of June and on into early/mid July. Earlier plant-ed cotton, which was naturally larger and developing a boll loadduring this spell, appeared stressed in many areas, with some poten-tially reaching cutout a little prematurely. [email protected]

TEXAS Mark KelleyAt the time of this writing, thunderstorms are devel-

oping and moving south across the region. This hope-fully will provide the needed moisture to keep thedryland cotton in the area going and provide anotherbreak for the irrigation systems. At this time, we arestill developmentally delayed with the best cotton ator near first bloom and the worst, at least two weeks

from bloom. Producers who wish to sidedress or fertigate additionalnitrogen should have it completed by first bloom in order to take fulladvantage of the fertilizer. Also, where moisture and nitrogen areplentiful, plant growth regulators (PGRs) may be warranted. This willalso depend on variety growth characteristics.

Where ”growthy” varieties are planted, low-rate multiple applica-tions of PGRs are effective in controlling growth. With other vari-eties, producers should monitor the crop regularly to determine theneed for a PGR. [email protected]

OKLAHOMA Randy BomanThe cotton crop in western Oklahoma is progress-

ing nicely. According to NASS, our planted acreagewas about 240,000, which is an average size crop forthe state. Overall, we have had reasonable rainfall inmany areas but are still struggling with lack of runofffor reservoirs. A lot of cotton was planted leading upto the Memorial Day weekend during which substan-

tial rainfall painted a large area. After this rainfall, many fields were planted. Due to this, we have

quite a large acreage that will be blooming later in July than perhapswhat some would like to see. However, the good news is that wehave reasonable crop potential at this time. Early insect pressure wasgenerally light, and producers stayed on top of fleahopper issues.Weeds have been a challenge in some areas in spite of considerableresidual herbicide applications. If we can continue to obtain goodrainfall and manage to effectively beat back our weed challenges,we will have good crop prospects in [email protected]

ARIZONA Randy NortonA majority of the crop is heading into peak bloom

while we are beginning to experience the effects of afairly active monsoon season. During this weatherpattern, temperatures tend to stay warmer in theovernight hours, and the ability of the plant to coolitself is greatly diminished. This unique set of condi-tions is where we can begin to see heat stress affect

the development and retention of fruit on the plant. It is important tomonitor this potential fruit shed phenomenon as it may lead toreduced fruit load and increased vegetative growth.

Plant growth regulator applications become critical under this

scenario to help arrest out of control vegetative growth. Heat stresslevels can be tracked in real time at several of the University ofArizona’s AZMET weather stations. This data can be found athttp://cals.arizona.edu/azmet/cotton.htm#HEATSTRESS. For moreinformation, go to [email protected]

TEXAS Gaylon MorganAs of July 14, cotton in the Rio Grande Valley is

considered fair to good, and many people feel thecrops looks good at first glance, but an in-depthinspection provides a less favorable outlook. This ispartially due to poor fruit set early in the season, butthe plants could make up the difference with a goodtop crop. This alone will present some late-season

management challenges with insect management and defoliation.The first defoliation applications typically are applied near the end

of July in the RGV, but most cotton fields are behind 10 to 14 days.Cotton in the Coastal Bend is quite variable due to the sporadic rain-fall within the region over the past month. The Blacklands has virtu-ally two crops, depending on when the crop emerged.

Significant efforts with cultivation, hooded herbicide applicationor hand hoeing should be implemented to minimize seed produc-tion by glyphosate-resistant weeds. [email protected]

ARKANSAS Bill RobertsonMother Nature has certainly kept this season inter-

esting. We have some April-planted cotton, but mostof our crop was planted in early May. The crop hasexperienced many challenges from low temperaturesafter planting to extended periods of wet feet forsome. But for what it has been through, it doesn’tlook too bad, and it continues to look better as the

season progresses.Cotton has a tremendous capacity to compensate and still has the

potential to deliver the yield goals we have for this crop. We haveyet to experience above 100-degree temperatures through mid-July.My main concern at this time is that we could have an early fall.With a crop that is slightly behind schedule and a potential for anearly end, it is critical that producers monitor nodes above whiteflower to determine cutout to best manage crop termination. Pushingthe crop and chasing bolls that have little impact on lint yield andprofitability could cut into yield and quality potential.

Contact your local county Extension agent for details on croptermination guidelines. [email protected]

TENNESSEE Tyson RaperA record-setting wet June, coupled with moderate

daytime temperatures and a few cool nights early inthe season, seem to have held development back inmany areas of West Tennessee. These rains have kepta few producers out of the field and in some situa-tions prevented timely applications of post-emer-gence herbicides. As of the second week in July, I

have only seen a handful of fields with scattered blooms. Most fieldsappear to be seven to 10 days behind.

Still, a great deal of growth has occurred in the first two weeks ofJuly, and most producers dodged rains and timed herbicide applica-tions well. Many fields look very strong with cotton beginning to lapthe middles.

Plant bug pressure has been increasing, but square retention hasgenerally been reported as high. Given the moderate forecastedtemperatures and the late nature of this crop, producers should placea particular emphasis on earliness this year. This includes maintain-ing a very high square retention and protecting the low first- and second-position fruiting bodies. These bolls are very valuable in ayear like this one, as we may not have enough growing degree daysto make a late-set top crop. [email protected]


16 17_CF 11/13 template 7/17/14 10:29 AM


Nematodes – those microscop-ic pests that attack a plant’sroots and adversely affectcotton yields – can cause

enough headaches for a farmer to lasta lifetime. Whether it’s reniform orroot-knot, this pest can often go unde-tected until it’s too late to rescue aninfected field.

The good news is that farmers havea lot of choices in controlling this trou-blesome pest. True, many seed compa-nies are offering new varieties that are“nematode resistant,” while otherstrategies may involve changing upseeding rates at planting or implementing crop rotation.

As farmers are prone to saying, it’s nice to have so manychoices in their toolboxes. However, longtime University ofGeorgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait talksabout this issue with a sense of urgency – and with

somewhat of a different approach.It’s not so much a case of should pro-

ducers try to control nematodes. It’smore about farmers being out of busi-ness unless they tackle the problemhead-on. For that reason, Kemeraitsays producers should consider apply-ing a soil fumigant (Telone II) in a site-specific approach.

“So why don’t producers useTelone?” Kemerait recently askedrhetorically. “The first answer I get isit’s expensive.”

However, he is quick to point outthat it’s more expensive to let nema-

todes flourish unchecked. That’s why he likes this newapproach to deal with the pest problem.

“Let’s use Telone where we need it,” Kemerait says. “If wecan cut the application in a field by 60 percent, you can’t tellme that’s not sustainable.”

Research Looks PromisingHistorically, Telone has been applied across a cotton field

at a rate of three gallons per acre, typically seven to 14 daysprior to planting, though Georgia producers can apply it atplanting. Research shows that this soil fumigant canimprove lint yields by 200 pounds or more, depending onthe severity of nematode pressure and growing conditions.

Georgia cotton producer Bart Davis farms in ColquittCounty in the southern part of the state. He is a proponentof Kemerait’s site-specific approach for Telone applications.Even though he didn’t make a full application this yearbecause of wet conditions, he is confident that he will see adecrease in nematode populations.

“We are hopeful that the small amount of Telone we putout will help,” he says. “We have done some test plots withBob (Kemerait) on Telone, and they performed as everybodyhoped they would.”

Some observers call nematodes “invisible pests” becausethey attack plant roots and usually can’t be seen in a field.As most producers are aware, Telone has always had a goodreputation for controlling nematodes. In the early days,however, it was expensive and required a special calibrationon a sprayer before it could be put out on the crop.

Danielle Hardin, product manager for Dow AgroSciences,says the soil fumigant has become more user-friendly forvarious reasons.

“With the advent of field prescriptions and GPS, we havecome a long way in overcoming the cost barriers,” she says.“It’s an investment that pays for itself in the long run.”

Bader Rutter, which represents Dow AgroSciences,contributed information for this article. For additional data,go to www.dowagro.com.

For up to the minute cotton market information

Experience means credibility. Listen to two experienced farm broadcasterswho keep their listeners updated on news

that affects your farming operation.

And each week listen to the Cotton Insider Report from Tommy Horton, Editor of Cotton Farming magazine.

The Mississippi AgriNews NetworkAg Voice of the Delta

Louisiana Agri-News NetworkLouisiana’s Source For Ag News

John WinfieldFarm Director

Miss. AgriNewsNetwork

Don MolinoFarm DirectorLa. Agri-News

Network

Tommy HortonEditor

Cotton Farming magazine

More Options ExistFor Nematode Control

PRODUCTION

Dow AgroSciences Market DevelopmentSpecialist Chip Giles confers withGeorgia producer Bart Davis.

18_CF 11/13 template 7/17/14 9:04 AM

COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

Learn What Is Included In Air Quality Permit

Nearly every gin in the country has some typeof air quality or environmental permit. Some aresimple, and some are complex. It is important toknow what your permit says because, just likeevery other government document, you’re respon-sible for what it says and what you are supposedto be doing.

Over the past several years in the Southeast,we’ve seen huge changes in the way that gins areregulated. Two states went from a very detailedand lengthy permit process to a very straightfor-ward general permit. We still have some statesthat have older detailed permits. Some of thoseare more complex than they previously were, andsome are much simpler. Some have expirationdates and others are good forever.

In any case, it shows that a blanket statementcan’t be made as to what the requirements are. Inone state, I’ve seen permits that have 40 percentcapacity limits and some that are 20 percent.Even in one state, you can’t say all gins have thesame requirement in their permits so it’simportant to READ YOUR PERMIT.

What are you likely to find? Well, mostpermits have the name of the businessand many times the legally responsibleindividual. That needs to be correct.Update if necessary. As an example,North Carolina has a requirement forreporting your inspection findings byMarch 1 each year. South Carolinarequires reporting of the number of balesginned each year by February.

There is a laundry list of other require-ments that can be included in your airpermit, far too many to be listed here.Suffice it to say that you need to reviewyour permit and the requirements thatare contained in it. Most gin associationshave someone available or a contact to callthat can help you understand all that is inyour permit.

Even if you’ve never been cited, itdoesn’t relieve you of the obligation.Finally, make sure the permit matchesreality and update as necessary.

Dusty Findley of the Southeastern CottonGinners Association contributed thisarticle. Contact him at (706) 344-1212 [email protected].


Module Mover Chain

1-800-367-9992Stocked in Louisiana and Oregon

www.cottonmodulechain.com

TM

®

A Division of

Ask your supplier for

RAM Brushes & Channel Sawsor give us a call

RAM Manufacturing Company1333 E. 44th St.

Lubbock, TX 79404806-745-5552 Fax: 806-745-5582

[email protected] www.rammfg.net

Cotton Gin Brushes

Channel Saws

Our precision CNC fabricating equipment enables us to producethe highest quality gin brushes and channel saws at a very

competitive price. When it comes to our products, we use onlythe highest quality “Made in the USA” raw materials available.We know gin machinery and the conditions in which it has to

perform, and our brushes and channel saws are manufacturedto an exacting standard for the modern cotton gin.

19 20 21v2_CF 11/13 template 7/17/14 10:30 AM


PRESS RAMS FROM LUBBOCK ELECTRIC

Quantity (1) Continental Bes-Press Ram – Rebuilt and fullpressure tested. $7,500 w/One-Year Warranty

Quantity (1) Lummus 18” Premier Ram – Rebuilt and full pres-sure tested. $84,900 w/Two-Year Pro-Rated Warrant (dualports)

Quantity (1) Lummus 16” EE Ram – Rebuilt and full pressuretested. $72,500 w/Two-Year Pro-Rated Warranty (dualports)

Quantity (1) Lummus 16” Gin DorLes Ram – Rebuilt and fullpressure tested. $72,500 w/Two-Year ProRated Warranty(dual ports)

Quantity (1) Lummus 14” Lift Box Cylinder Double Acting (11” Rod) – Rebuilt and full pressure tested. $58,900 w/1Year Warranty

Quantity (2) Lummus 14” EE Rams – Rebuilt and full pressuretested. $48,400 each w/One-Year Warranty (single ports)

Quantity (1) Lummus 10” Top Ram (fits all presses) – Rebuiltand full pressure tested. $19,800 w/One-Year Warranty(single ports)

Quantity (1) Consolidated 10” CDP Ram – Used two seasons.$48,000 w/One-Year Warranty

Lubbock Electric Co.806-744-2336 or 800-692-4474.

WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM1116 Slaton Hwy.

Lubbock, TX

FOR SALE: 2 – 158 GIN STANDS WITH CONTROLS

MANUFACTURER OF HI-CAPACITY LINTCLEANING SYSTEMS IN 86” to 110” WIDTHS

NEW 60” & 72” OVERSHOT BATTERY CONDENSERS

96” TO 144” INCLINE CLEANERS, STICKMACHINES & AIRLINE SEPARATORS

HIGH CAPACITY VACUUMS

USED & FACTORY REBUILT GIN MACHINERY

BALE HANDLING SYSTEMS

COMPLETE LINE OF REPAIR PARTS FORMURRAY, MITCHELL, H.E., CONSOLIDATED,

CONTINENTAL, MOSS, LUMMUS, HORN & CMI

806-745-81561-800-776-8182

FAX 806-745-0564E-MAIL: [email protected]

WWW.NORTHERNLUCUS.COM

19 20 21v2_CF 11/13 template 7/15/14 8:59 AM

®

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


Did you know that we offer interactive training classes in English and Spanish?

Call our bilingual training coordinator Kristina Miller

for schedules. Office: 806-686-6329samjackson.com

Parts, Supplies, New and Used Machinery

Buy and Sell

MILES GIN SUPPLYElm Mott,TX 76640

Call or Fax (254) 829-1201 Night (254) 829-2372

19 20 21v2_CF 11/13 template 7/16/14 9:00 AM


Agricenter Inter-national is a self-sustaining, not-for-profit organi-

zation that provides eco-nomic development andimproved quality of life byfacilitating agriculturalresearch, educational pro-grams, environmental con-servation, natural areapreservation and recre-ational opportunities.

It is truly a uniqueplace. Agricenter has

about 1,000 acres and is almost surrounded by thecity of Memphis. Approximately 90,000 vehiclespass by every day. We have around 300 acresdedicated to conducting research trials, andthe rest is in production and grounds. We have approximately 500acres in corn, cotton andsoybean production.

I have been withAgricenter Internation-al for five years. Wehave conducted hundreds of experiments withnew varieties and technologies. With this in mind,Agricenter has an excellent opportunity to displaythese new and exciting technologies that are andwill be available in the future. For example, wehave had several variety trials planted alongsidethe major roads adjacent to the Agricenter, andwe’ve placed plot signs in front of them.

I have received numerous phone calls askingwhat that meant, and it allowed me the opportu-nity to explain to the public what decisions afarmer has to make. This is also a part ofAgricenter’s mission statement. We have an excel-lent opportunity to educate the general publicabout agriculture. In fact, we run about 7,000school kids through the Agricenter every year,teaching them about plants, forestry, renewableenergies and other ag-related topics.

It is sad to say that a lot of our children andsome parents don’t have a very good idea of whereour food and fiber come from. They definitely donot understand what all a producer goes througheach year. There appears to be a misconception

that producers are putting way more chemical andfertilizer on their crops than they should. Again,these people do not understand what a producerdoes on the farm each year. The chemical and fer-tilizer cost money, and if one farmer puts out morethan he should, that is money wasted.

It was just three years ago when the world pop-ulation reached seven billion. That means that inthe last 120 years, the earth’s population hasincreased from 1.5 billion to seven billion. Expertspredict that by 2050, the population on earth willreach more than nine billion people. There areprobably numerous reasons for this. Lifeexpectancy is longer, medical advances have total-ly reached remarkable heights, and our agricul-tural technologies have dramatically increased.

So what is our challenge in the agriculturalcommunity? We must find the best way toincrease our production and distribution efficient-ly with the same amount of time and land that we

have now. We live ina world now wherewe want to haveaccess to all of theinformation that wecan obtain. We can

usually find an answer (it may or may not be cor-rect) in a mere few seconds thanks to the Internet.We will need this information readily available toconsumers who are curious. So education will be akey factor, especially when these new technologiescome into play.

This is a huge challenge when the majority ofthe world’s population doesn’t worry or even carewhere they receive their food or how it is grown.As long as they have access to a reliable food sup-ply, they are happy. The information that agricul-tural scientists gather goes into the decision-mak-ing process companies make all the time. Thesenew technologies are tested through stringentmeans and, for the most part, that information isavailable. There are all kinds of issues that seemto arise concerning food safety today. The concernsshould be focused on how we reach the next levelin order to feed an increasing world population.

– Bruce Kirksey, Memphis, Tenn.Agricenter [email protected]

Ag’s Major Mission

My Turn

Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling funny or unusual “farm tales” from across the Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting tale to tell, send a short summary to

[email protected] or fax to (901) 767-4026. We look forward to hearing from you.

Bruce Kirksey

‘We must find the best way toincrease our production.’

22_Don Cameron My Turn #2 7/15/14 8:50 AM

Read it! Advertise in it! Go online for it!

THE MAIN RESOURCE FOR GINNERS AND SUPPLIERS

• Place classified ads for equipment, sales and help wanted• Ginning news and calendar of events• Generate leads, drive sales and increase profits

Contact your sales representative today!

Scott Emerson [email protected]


cotton farming, august 2014

Documents

cotton production

cotton field

agroup of cotton producers

producer sam stuckey

westarkansas sam stuckey

turnf e

t u r e son

e n t s c o