May 26, 2017
Red, when printed on dark background:
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Your Cotton, Your Choice
The Turnrow Newsletter
by Jeff Thompson, Choice Cotton / AQCA ManagerMay 26, 2017
Blue, whether on white or dark backgrou
Since our last newsletter, a great deal of progress has been made getting this year’s cotton crop in the ground. Fortunately so, for last weekend’s torrential rains brought fieldwork to a screeching halt in many places. State Alabama Georgia N. Carolina S. Carolina Tennessee Texas Oklahoma
Percentage of Cotton Planted by State May 21, 2017 May 14, 2017 May 21, 2016 75 59 69 60 38 55 62 31 55 64 52 61 70 35 65 66 40 44 37 33 29
Southeast Crop Conditions Heavy rains fell across a large portion of the Southeast beginning last weekend as wave upon wave of weather fronts passed through the region. Though rainfall totals varied among locations, the region averaged three to five inches over the entire four to five day period. Of course, you will hear few complain as we all know how precious this moisture can be come July or August. Further, any delays in fieldwork will be short lived as our soils will allow us to return quickly, some already have. This doesn’t tell the whole story, however. Central Alabama was ground zero for the storms receiving six to eight inches with some isolated locations getting in excess of 10 inches. This is in contrast to North Alabama and Georgia, previously the two driest areas within the region, missing out again and received less than an inch. As for damage, we may have dodged a bullet, since so much of the crop was already up to a stand. The cotton in greatest jeopardy is that planted late last week not yet out of the ground or young cotton in poorly drained soils. A lot of pocket knives are out this week digging in search of sprouting seeds as cotton stands are evaluated. We will know for sure soon, but I feel stand losses will be localized and replanting will be minimal.
Southwest Crop Conditions With the insurance deadline quickly approaching the northern areas on the High Plains of Texas, producers are running out of time and, in some locations, moisture. Many are having to finish up acreage by dry planting and hoping for a rain next week. Most irrigated acres are up and look good, while some dryland stands are questionable and need a rain soon. All acres will get planted this year, however, it’s now a question of what dry planted acres will get a rain. Storms came through the Rolling Plains early Tuesday morning bringing one to four inches in many locations, just in time for these guys. Some are already back in the field planting. Replanting Decisions Over the course of a growing season, one must make an untold number of decisions. All of which are equally as important. Nonetheless, I know of no other decision with greater consequence and difficulty as deciding whether to replant. This will be a question facing many on the heels of these heavy rains. My philosophy has long been if it’s not obvious and you must think about it, don’t replant. Sounds simple but they’re several factors to consider when making this decision. Timing is the most important of these. Currently, the areas of most concern are far enough south to benefit from a wider planting window so time is still on our side if replanting is necessary. In the lower south, cotton can be planted safely as late as mid- June thanks in large part to our newer, fast fruiting varieties, less insect pressure, and plant growth regulators. Always keep in mind that cotton, more so than any other crop, has a unique ability to compensate for thin stands. While the ideal plant population is three per row foot, cotton can produce comparable yields with only one or two plants per foot if uniformly spaced. Most often replanting is warranted when excessive skips of over three feet in length are found throughout the field, or specific portions of a field. Finally, I would strongly discourage spot planting, for it’s a production nightmare trying to manage cotton of various ages within the same row. Rotary hoes may
be an option to replanting, but in my experience they usually do more harm than good. More often than not when the decision to use one is finally made it probably should have been done two days ago. The key point to take home is don’t be hasty in your decision, rather give seed some time to emerge on their own since the calendar is still our friend. Secondly, replant only if it’s obvious and take in whole sections of the field so they can be managed separately. Dicamba Weed Control If early reports are any indication, growers may have misunderstood what to expect from the initial applications of Dicamba on resistant pigweed. Understandable, considering all the hype this new technology received over the winter. Most assumed a return to the old days of glyphosate where 100 percent control of pigweed was assured. Instead, after the first applications of Dicamba, even small pigweeds can be found twisted, yellowed, and stunted but most still alive. Don’t be totally alarmed because research studies over the past few years have shown similar results. The first treatment of Dicamba, unlike the glyphosate of old, doesn’t always provide a complete kill, but does seem to retard the growth of these weeds. The second application 10 to 14 days later finishes them off providing acceptable control. This holds true despite the Dicamba product used, XtendiMax or Engenia. In an attempt to stem grower dissatisfaction, the manufacturer is blaming the lack of control on poor coverage. Their solution is to increase water volume and pressure. This alarms me greatly. Sure this is certain to improve coverage because it creates a smaller droplet size. However, this, in turn, increases the potential for drift and damage to susceptible non target crops. I strongly encourage everyone to follow label directions closely. AQCA News AQCA members do not forget June 1 is the deadline for returning Farm Verification Forms. If you haven’t done so already, please submit them to us either by fax, mail, or electronically.
ATTENTION: AQCA and Choice Cotton Company have relocated their offices to 169 East Main Street Prattville, Alabama 36067. Please note our new mailing address and send all future documents to this location.
___________________________________________________________________
Your Cotton, Your Choice
The Turnrow Newsletter
by Jeff Thompson, Choice Cotton / AQCA ManagerMay 26, 2017
Blue, whether on white or dark backgrou
Since our last newsletter, a great deal of progress has been made getting this year’s cotton crop in the ground. Fortunately so, for last weekend’s torrential rains brought fieldwork to a screeching halt in many places. State Alabama Georgia N. Carolina S. Carolina Tennessee Texas Oklahoma
Percentage of Cotton Planted by State May 21, 2017 May 14, 2017 May 21, 2016 75 59 69 60 38 55 62 31 55 64 52 61 70 35 65 66 40 44 37 33 29
Southeast Crop Conditions Heavy rains fell across a large portion of the Southeast beginning last weekend as wave upon wave of weather fronts passed through the region. Though rainfall totals varied among locations, the region averaged three to five inches over the entire four to five day period. Of course, you will hear few complain as we all know how precious this moisture can be come July or August. Further, any delays in fieldwork will be short lived as our soils will allow us to return quickly, some already have. This doesn’t tell the whole story, however. Central Alabama was ground zero for the storms receiving six to eight inches with some isolated locations getting in excess of 10 inches. This is in contrast to North Alabama and Georgia, previously the two driest areas within the region, missing out again and received less than an inch. As for damage, we may have dodged a bullet, since so much of the crop was already up to a stand. The cotton in greatest jeopardy is that planted late last week not yet out of the ground or young cotton in poorly drained soils. A lot of pocket knives are out this week digging in search of sprouting seeds as cotton stands are evaluated. We will know for sure soon, but I feel stand losses will be localized and replanting will be minimal.
Southwest Crop Conditions With the insurance deadline quickly approaching the northern areas on the High Plains of Texas, producers are running out of time and, in some locations, moisture. Many are having to finish up acreage by dry planting and hoping for a rain next week. Most irrigated acres are up and look good, while some dryland stands are questionable and need a rain soon. All acres will get planted this year, however, it’s now a question of what dry planted acres will get a rain. Storms came through the Rolling Plains early Tuesday morning bringing one to four inches in many locations, just in time for these guys. Some are already back in the field planting. Replanting Decisions Over the course of a growing season, one must make an untold number of decisions. All of which are equally as important. Nonetheless, I know of no other decision with greater consequence and difficulty as deciding whether to replant. This will be a question facing many on the heels of these heavy rains. My philosophy has long been if it’s not obvious and you must think about it, don’t replant. Sounds simple but they’re several factors to consider when making this decision. Timing is the most important of these. Currently, the areas of most concern are far enough south to benefit from a wider planting window so time is still on our side if replanting is necessary. In the lower south, cotton can be planted safely as late as mid- June thanks in large part to our newer, fast fruiting varieties, less insect pressure, and plant growth regulators. Always keep in mind that cotton, more so than any other crop, has a unique ability to compensate for thin stands. While the ideal plant population is three per row foot, cotton can produce comparable yields with only one or two plants per foot if uniformly spaced. Most often replanting is warranted when excessive skips of over three feet in length are found throughout the field, or specific portions of a field. Finally, I would strongly discourage spot planting, for it’s a production nightmare trying to manage cotton of various ages within the same row. Rotary hoes may
be an option to replanting, but in my experience they usually do more harm than good. More often than not when the decision to use one is finally made it probably should have been done two days ago. The key point to take home is don’t be hasty in your decision, rather give seed some time to emerge on their own since the calendar is still our friend. Secondly, replant only if it’s obvious and take in whole sections of the field so they can be managed separately. Dicamba Weed Control If early reports are any indication, growers may have misunderstood what to expect from the initial applications of Dicamba on resistant pigweed. Understandable, considering all the hype this new technology received over the winter. Most assumed a return to the old days of glyphosate where 100 percent control of pigweed was assured. Instead, after the first applications of Dicamba, even small pigweeds can be found twisted, yellowed, and stunted but most still alive. Don’t be totally alarmed because research studies over the past few years have shown similar results. The first treatment of Dicamba, unlike the glyphosate of old, doesn’t always provide a complete kill, but does seem to retard the growth of these weeds. The second application 10 to 14 days later finishes them off providing acceptable control. This holds true despite the Dicamba product used, XtendiMax or Engenia. In an attempt to stem grower dissatisfaction, the manufacturer is blaming the lack of control on poor coverage. Their solution is to increase water volume and pressure. This alarms me greatly. Sure this is certain to improve coverage because it creates a smaller droplet size. However, this, in turn, increases the potential for drift and damage to susceptible non target crops. I strongly encourage everyone to follow label directions closely. AQCA News AQCA members do not forget June 1 is the deadline for returning Farm Verification Forms. If you haven’t done so already, please submit them to us either by fax, mail, or electronically.
ATTENTION: AQCA and Choice Cotton Company have relocated their offices to 169 East Main Street Prattville, Alabama 36067. Please note our new mailing address and send all future documents to this location.
