Cotton Farming

This winter, Western cotton producers are encouraged to use the off season to assess their 2007 programs and look for ways to make improvements for 2008. Now is the time to seek out information for those challenging crop issues and contact Extension agents, farm advisors, specialists and consultants for any kind of effective production recommendation.

Arizona and California cotton farmers face unique issues in their regions – limited water availability, urban growth and labor shortage – but also the universal burden of weeds and shifting acres that all U.S. Cotton farmers share.

Preventing Weed Resistance

While California has positively identified herbicide resistant marestail and hairy fleabane, Arizona weeds have yet to show resistance to herbicides.

Randy Norton, regional Extension specialist with the University of Arizona, warns that resistant weeds are not beyond the realm of possibility in Arizona cotton and are a threat farmers should consider as they are mapping out their various 2008 crop protection programs.

“With the technology we now have – Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex – we are seeing more and more farmers move away from any soil-applied herbicides, and they are depending a lot on glyphosate, which isn’t a good situation to be in,” Norton says. “We encourage farmers to have a diverse weed control program and include residual herbicides.”

Nick Groenenberg, Kings County, Calif., cotton consultant, recommends his farmers apply late fall or early winter applications of residual herbicides as part of their overall crop protection program and to get ahead of the tough weeds that eventually come with the growing season.

“With fall applications of residual herbicides, we have been able to extend the period of weed control so farmers have a clean seed bed when they go to work in the spring,” Groenenberg says.

His primary recommendation is Chateau applied at the 4-ounce rate in the fall or at the 3-ounce rate if the application is delayed until early January.

By implementing an action plan now, farmers can help alleviate early spring weed pressure which can compete with crops for important soil nutrients and potentially hinder yields.

Careful Planning

Tough-to-control weeds, limited water availability and commodity prices have many Western cotton farmers moving into other crops.

“In the past few years, there has been a shift from cotton acres, and I anticipate the acreage will be down even more in 2008,” Norton says.

Groenenberg sees the same concern and trend among his customers and knows that actions made now during post-harvest can be critical for farmers who need to remain flexible heading into the next season.

For example, some products that provide great residual weed control also have restrictions that limit rotation from cotton to corn.

“Farmers who want the freedom to rotate from cotton to another crop need to pay close attention to a herbicide’s plant-back restriction if they make a fall or winter application,” Groenenberg says.

Archer-Malmo Advertising, which represents Valent, provided information for this article.

- PRODUCTION - Western Producers Tackle Weeds Early Planning Can Prevent Outbreaks

This winter, Western cotton producers are encouraged to use the off season to assess their 2007 programs and look for ways to make improvements for 2008. Now is the time to seek out information for those challenging crop issues and contact Extension agents, farm advisors, specialists and consultants for any kind of effective production recommendation. Arizona and California cotton farmers face unique issues in their regions – limited water availability, urban growth and labor shortage – but also the universal burden of weeds and shifting acres that all U.S. Cotton farmers share. Preventing Weed Resistance While California has positively identified herbicide resistant marestail and hairy fleabane, Arizona weeds have yet to show resistance to herbicides. Randy Norton, regional Extension specialist with the University of Arizona, warns that resistant weeds are not beyond the realm of possibility in Arizona cotton and are a threat farmers should consider as they are mapping out their various 2008 crop protection programs. “With the technology we now have – Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex – we are seeing more and more farmers move away from any soil-applied herbicides, and they are depending a lot on glyphosate, which isn’t a good situation to be in,” Norton says. “We encourage farmers to have a diverse weed control program and include residual herbicides.” Nick Groenenberg, Kings County, Calif., cotton consultant, recommends his farmers apply late fall or early winter applications of residual herbicides as part of their overall crop protection program and to get ahead of the tough weeds that eventually come with the growing season. “With fall applications of residual herbicides, we have been able to extend the period of weed control so farmers have a clean seed bed when they go to work in the spring,” Groenenberg says. His primary recommendation is Chateau applied at the 4-ounce rate in the fall or at the 3-ounce rate if the application is delayed until early January. By implementing an action plan now, farmers can help alleviate early spring weed pressure which can compete with crops for important soil nutrients and potentially hinder yields. Careful Planning Tough-to-control weeds, limited water availability and commodity prices have many Western cotton farmers moving into other crops. “In the past few years, there has been a shift from cotton acres, and I anticipate the acreage will be down even more in 2008,” Norton says. Groenenberg sees the same concern and trend among his customers and knows that actions made now during post-harvest can be critical for farmers who need to remain flexible heading into the next season. For example, some products that provide great residual weed control also have restrictions that limit rotation from cotton to corn. “Farmers who want the freedom to rotate from cotton to another crop need to pay close attention to a herbicide’s plant-back restriction if they make a fall or winter application,” Groenenberg says. Archer-Malmo Advertising, which represents Valent, provided information for this article.

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