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Executives from 13 leading textile mills in Turkey – the world’s second largest cotton importer – will see U.S. cotton operations and meet with U.S. cotton exporters and other industry leaders during a wide ranging coast-to-coast tour, April 2-11. These important U.S. raw cotton customers are participants in a COTTON USA Special Trade Mission sponsored by Cotton Council International (CCI), the Memphis-based National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotions arm. The participating Turkish textile mills collectively spun more than 730,000 cotton bales in 2004-05 – of which about 430,000 were U.S. bales. Turkey is the third largest market for U.S. cotton, and the U.S. market share of imported cotton in Turkey is 63 percent with 2.1 million bales consumed in 2004-05. The Turkish textile executives will begin their U.S. tour April 3 in New York with a briefing from CCI and a seminar at the New York Board of Trade. In Raleigh, N.C., they will attend a seminar with the American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA), AMCOT, Southern Cotton Growers Association and Cotton Incorporated, whose headquarters they will tour. The tour eventually concludes in California, where the mill executives will visit a farm and gin and participate in a seminar with the Western Cotton Shippers Association, AMCOT, the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association and Supima.
The M.K. Hansen Company has announced the introduction of a new version of its AM400 soil moisture data logger with enhanced graphic display capability. Now the producer can view an additional display on the built-in LCD screen which shows the average soil moisture reading from selected sensors. The new average display helps the producer quickly identify critical soil moisture trends without having to download data to another computer. When more detailed analysis of soil moisture data is required, the producer can download up to 11 months of readings to a notebook computer or PDA using a serial cable. Downloaded data can be imported directly into PC spreadsheet software for graphing, or it can be graphed using the optional AM400 Chart graphing software package offered by the M.K. Hansen Company. By helping the producer make more informed irrigation scheduling decisions, the new version of the AM400 data logger can significantly increase crop yield and quality while reducing water, pumping and fertilizer costs. The unit also benefits the environment by reducing the contamination of ground and surface water that results from over-irrigation. For more information call (509) 884-1396 or go to www.mkhansen.com.
Bayer CropScience has announced a new formulation in Baythroid XL insecticide, which delivers the pyrethroid control with strong residual based on multiple trials. Baythroid XL is now registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for immediate sale and use within the United States. The optimized active ingredient beta-cyfluthrin contains high-performance isomers. The product also features improved end-user flexibility, including a “Warning” signal word, a reduced potential of skin irritation and the most flexible re-entry and pre-harvest interval available for most current crops. The product, according to company officials, is an emulsifiable concentrate formulation and controls piercing and sucking pests through contact action and ingestion. Good spray coverage of the crop is needed for the highest level of control in a field.
Research findings from an extensive grower trial with Roundup Ready Flex cotton in 2005 show that Monsanto’s newest technology may save cotton producers considerable time and increase their efficiency, in addition to providing improved weed control flexibility when compared with Roundup Ready cotton. The research involved 160 producers across the Cotton Belt, each of whom planted between 20 and 40 acres of Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex cotton this past season. Field plots were monitored closely throughout the season by not only the participating farmers, but also by leading cotton consultants, university specialists and Monsanto technical development personnel. Among the study’s findings: The Roundup Ready Flex System saved producers 1.9 minutes per acre compared with Roundup Ready cotton (5.4 minutes versus 7.3 minutes). This translates into a 26 percent time saving which, if extrapolated out for 2,000 acres, would mean a time savings of 63 hours in a year.
The University of Memphis has entered into a partnership with the American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) to train future leaders in the global cotton industry. The ACSA International Cotton Institute will be held May 31-July 18 at the Fogelman Executive Center on the U of M campus. The eight-week residential program is designed to provide a basic education in all aspects of the cotton industry and the international business environment. Some 40 participants are expected to attend. They are involved in all facets of the cotton industry and typically represent several U.S. states, as well as such foreign countries as Australia and Zimbabwe. Since its creation in 1995, the Cotton Institute has educated more than 500 students from some 50 countries.
Denim insecticide from Syngenta Crop Protection recently received California registration from the Environmental Protection Agency for control of a broad spectrum of economically damaging lepidopteran pests in cotton, including armyworms and cotton bollworm, as well as important suppression of mites. “Denim provides excellent control of all worm pests, especially armyworms, and also suppresses mites with minimal impact on beneficial insects, making it an ideal fit for integrated pest management programs,” says John Foresman, Syngenta crop manager. Denim has been used effectively in registered states since 2003 for control of worm pests and mite suppression. The active ingredient in Denim – emamectin benzoate – is a new chemistry in California, giving producers another tool in their overall cotton management program. More information is available at www.syngenta.com.
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the registration of DuPont Staple LX herbicide for versatile, over-the-top weed control in all types of cotton. “Growers across the Cotton Belt have made Staple herbicide the foundation of their residual weed-control programs, especially where Roundup needed help,” says Mike Cunnane, product manager for DuPont. The new herbicide may be a good fit for producers going into Roundup Ready Flex Technology, LibertyLink and, of course, standard Roundup Ready programs. Staple LX provides improved contact activity to a Roundup tankmix, plus soil residual control of teaweed and glyphosate-tolerant pigweed and residual suppression of morningglory, smart weed and coffee bean. The product also may enhance grass suppression compared to Roundup alone, giving producers more effective options in timing their herbicide applications to weed size.
Valmont Irrigation announces an industry exclusive with the introduction of structure choices. The new 7000 series joins the proven 8000 series in Valley performance. The 7000 series structure is designed to be a choice for less demanding fields while offering the durability of Valley gearboxes, cam control panels and effective communication options, with the same Valley warranty agreement. A lighter structure, the 7000 series, does not fit every application, but offers strength and durability similar to the competition. The Valley network of dealers has been trained to design an irrigation pivot choice suitable to fit specific field conditions and customer demands. Current energy costs and water restrictions require the best possible solution for every producer. The company has sold more
than 145,000 center pivots and linears, and Valmont equipment irrigates
approximately 15 million acres in the world. |