The Turnrow - May 2017
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Your Cotton, Your Choice
The Turnrow Newsletter
by Jeff Thompson, Choice Cotton / AQCA ManagerMay 1, 2017
Whether it’s their first crop or fiftieth, every cotton farmer will be quick to admit that the feeling of excitement and anticipation one gets at planting time is better than no other. It’s like the opening weekend of college football, the first tee at the Masters, or the waving of the green flag at Daytona all rolled into one. We say goodbye to the dreary winter and hello to the blooms of spring, with the hope it carries for another successful growing season. We’re certain to face hurdles along the way, for no two years are ever alike; it’s what we do, it’s our passion, and we grow cotton and take pride in it. We wish everyone a very safe and productive 2017.
areas, brought early planting to a halt over the weekend. It’s likely that some of these acres will be replanted. With the exception of a few areas in the Rolling Plains, most have decent subsoil moisture as they continue preparations for planting. We’ll probably see more planters rolling in the northern High Plains by the end of the week.
Thrips Management in Cotton A perennial pest in cotton, thrips can severely stunt the growth of young seedlings and delay maturity. To insure a vigorous and healthy start, most take a proactive approach by using an insecticidal seed treatment at planting. The two products most commonly used are either imidacloprid (Gaucho, Aeris) or thiamethoxam (Cruiser, Avicta). Both of these have delivered excellent thrips control, often eliminating the need for foliar insecticide applications. Be mindful the two vary slightly in water solubility. Therefore, if soils are dry three to four weeks following planting look for Cruiser to outperform Gaucho, while the Southeast Crop Conditions opposite can be expected in a wet spring. Pictured Cotton planting began in earnest this past to the right is an week throughout the Southeast. Much of this example of thrips was done under less than favorable conditions damage. as droughty conditions prevailed over most of S t r a n g e l y, the area. However, it appears the entire region over the past few was the benefactor of significant rainfall Sunday years we’ve noticed evening. This was sorely needed to get what their effectiveness has been planted up to a stand. With forecasts declining somewhat. predicting additional rain for later this week, As feared, it has now planting conditions will be much improved. been documented thrips have begun to Southwest Crop Conditions develop resistance There have only been a handful of acres to this class of planted in West Texas and they’re off to a rough insecticides. Even start. Cool temperatures, even snow in some worse it appears
Blue, whether on white or dark backgro
to be increasing rapidly. This is not to say these products are not of any value because they do provide a good first line of defense. However, it is likely they will need to be supplemented with a foliar insecticide application under heavy thrips pressure or in situations where seedling growth is hindered. The past few years have shown the peak movement of thrips into cotton from wild host plants to be later than normal, now around midMay. Thus, the old adage of planting later to avoid thrips damage is no longer true. However, weather can also be a determining factor. In a dry spring, such as we’re now experiencing, look for this migration into cotton to hasten as other wild host plants dry down quicker. Orthene would be the product of choice if a foliar application is needed. Most important is the timing of this treatment. Do not wait until leaf damage can be seen, for doing so would be too late. Instead, foliar insecticides should be applied when the first true leaf is just budding out. Auxin Herbicide Use Not since the introduction of Bt cotton will a technology be so readily adopted with minimum experience as that of 2, 4 D and Dicamba tolerant cotton. Even more alarming is the dire consequences misapplications can have on non-target plants. It is extremely, did I mention extremely, important all safeguards are implemented for a couple of reasons. Most notably is the user liability issue, but in addition this technology has a conditional registration. It will be reviewed again in 2018. If reports of damage or misuse are extensive we stand to lose this valuable tool. For this reason, I will be reiterating these precautionary measures season long for your benefit. 1. Control Drift – maximum wind seed for application is 10 mph 2. Use designed herbicide – XtendiMax or Engenia, not previous formulations 3. No addition of Ammonium Sulfate 4. Correct nozzle type 5. Boom height - maximum 24 inches above plant canopy 6. Common sense
Planting date and seeding rate effect on Target Spot Target spot is becoming more prevalent with each passing season. Once limited to extensively managed cotton with high yield potential in the coastal regions of the Southeast, it is now being reported over a much larger geographic area. Pictured below is a leaf exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with target spot. A fungal disease target spot can result in premature defoliation and subsequent yield losses. Currently, the use of fungicides and tolerant varieties provide the best control. There has been some thought that adjusting certain production practices, such as planting dates and/or seeding rates, might lessen outbreaks of this disease. A thinner canopy might allow better air circulation while previous outbreaks appeared to be seen more often in earlier planted cotton. Dr. Austin Hagan, plant physiologist at Auburn University, has studied this disease extensively over the past several years. He recently conducted several research trials looking at whether altering seeding rates or planting dates would affect the severity of this leaf disease. Upon close study over several locations, he arrived at a definitive conclusion. Reducing seeding rates and delaying planting do not appear to be effective means for reducing the impact of target spot on cotton. Instead, differences in variety reaction to target spot along with fungicide inputs were shown to be the most effective tools to managing this disease.
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 1, 2017
Whether it’s their first crop or fiftieth, every cotton farmer will be quick to admit that the feeling of excitement and anticipation one gets at planting time is better than no other. It’s like the opening weekend of college football, the first tee at the Masters, or the waving of the green flag at Daytona all rolled into one. We say goodbye to the dreary winter and hello to the blooms of spring, with the hope it carries for another successful growing season. We’re certain to face hurdles along the way, for no two years are ever alike; it’s what we do, it’s our passion, and we grow cotton and take pride in it. We wish everyone a very safe and productive 2017.
areas, brought early planting to a halt over the weekend. It’s likely that some of these acres will be replanted. With the exception of a few areas in the Rolling Plains, most have decent subsoil moisture as they continue preparations for planting. We’ll probably see more planters rolling in the northern High Plains by the end of the week.
Thrips Management in Cotton A perennial pest in cotton, thrips can severely stunt the growth of young seedlings and delay maturity. To insure a vigorous and healthy start, most take a proactive approach by using an insecticidal seed treatment at planting. The two products most commonly used are either imidacloprid (Gaucho, Aeris) or thiamethoxam (Cruiser, Avicta). Both of these have delivered excellent thrips control, often eliminating the need for foliar insecticide applications. Be mindful the two vary slightly in water solubility. Therefore, if soils are dry three to four weeks following planting look for Cruiser to outperform Gaucho, while the Southeast Crop Conditions opposite can be expected in a wet spring. Pictured Cotton planting began in earnest this past to the right is an week throughout the Southeast. Much of this example of thrips was done under less than favorable conditions damage. as droughty conditions prevailed over most of S t r a n g e l y, the area. However, it appears the entire region over the past few was the benefactor of significant rainfall Sunday years we’ve noticed evening. This was sorely needed to get what their effectiveness has been planted up to a stand. With forecasts declining somewhat. predicting additional rain for later this week, As feared, it has now planting conditions will be much improved. been documented thrips have begun to Southwest Crop Conditions develop resistance There have only been a handful of acres to this class of planted in West Texas and they’re off to a rough insecticides. Even start. Cool temperatures, even snow in some worse it appears
Blue, whether on white or dark backgro
to be increasing rapidly. This is not to say these products are not of any value because they do provide a good first line of defense. However, it is likely they will need to be supplemented with a foliar insecticide application under heavy thrips pressure or in situations where seedling growth is hindered. The past few years have shown the peak movement of thrips into cotton from wild host plants to be later than normal, now around midMay. Thus, the old adage of planting later to avoid thrips damage is no longer true. However, weather can also be a determining factor. In a dry spring, such as we’re now experiencing, look for this migration into cotton to hasten as other wild host plants dry down quicker. Orthene would be the product of choice if a foliar application is needed. Most important is the timing of this treatment. Do not wait until leaf damage can be seen, for doing so would be too late. Instead, foliar insecticides should be applied when the first true leaf is just budding out. Auxin Herbicide Use Not since the introduction of Bt cotton will a technology be so readily adopted with minimum experience as that of 2, 4 D and Dicamba tolerant cotton. Even more alarming is the dire consequences misapplications can have on non-target plants. It is extremely, did I mention extremely, important all safeguards are implemented for a couple of reasons. Most notably is the user liability issue, but in addition this technology has a conditional registration. It will be reviewed again in 2018. If reports of damage or misuse are extensive we stand to lose this valuable tool. For this reason, I will be reiterating these precautionary measures season long for your benefit. 1. Control Drift – maximum wind seed for application is 10 mph 2. Use designed herbicide – XtendiMax or Engenia, not previous formulations 3. No addition of Ammonium Sulfate 4. Correct nozzle type 5. Boom height - maximum 24 inches above plant canopy 6. Common sense
Planting date and seeding rate effect on Target Spot Target spot is becoming more prevalent with each passing season. Once limited to extensively managed cotton with high yield potential in the coastal regions of the Southeast, it is now being reported over a much larger geographic area. Pictured below is a leaf exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with target spot. A fungal disease target spot can result in premature defoliation and subsequent yield losses. Currently, the use of fungicides and tolerant varieties provide the best control. There has been some thought that adjusting certain production practices, such as planting dates and/or seeding rates, might lessen outbreaks of this disease. A thinner canopy might allow better air circulation while previous outbreaks appeared to be seen more often in earlier planted cotton. Dr. Austin Hagan, plant physiologist at Auburn University, has studied this disease extensively over the past several years. He recently conducted several research trials looking at whether altering seeding rates or planting dates would affect the severity of this leaf disease. Upon close study over several locations, he arrived at a definitive conclusion. Reducing seeding rates and delaying planting do not appear to be effective means for reducing the impact of target spot on cotton. Instead, differences in variety reaction to target spot along with fungicide inputs were shown to be the most effective tools to managing this disease.
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.
