The 2022 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, set for Jan. 4-6, 2022, at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, will offer attendees timely updates on the latest research, technology and issues affecting U.S. cotton production and processing.
Coordinated by the National Cotton Council, Beltwide annually brings together university and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers, regulatory agencies, Extension personnel/agents, consultants, and industry sales/support personnel to exchange information.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to register via the BWCC home page at www.cotton.org/beltwide/ and clicking on the registration tab. The home page also includes links to more information about the forum, including housing reservations and an updated program.
Registration costs for the 2022 BWCC before Dec. 16 are: $200 for NCC/Cotton Foundation members, university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel, associations and consultants; $500 for non-U.S. research, Extension, associations, and consultants; $400 for non-NCC/Foundation members; and $80 for students.
On-site conference self-registration kiosks will be available 24 hours a day beginning on the evening of Jan. 3. Beginning on the morning of Jan. 4, NCC staff will be available for attendees needing assistance with registration and name badge printing.
Topics
Among topics being considered for inclusion in the BWCC’s Consultants Conference on the morning of Jan. 4 are:
• Updates on ThryvOn cotton and its effectiveness on providing season-long protection against tarnished plant bugs and thrips species.
• Herbicide resistance.
• The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
• Changes in weather patterns and the impact on crops.
• The Biden administration’s impact on agriculture.
• The Endangered Species Act.
• Developments in Bt cotton.
• Carbon sequestration at the field level.
12 technical conferences
The BWCC’s 12 cotton technical conferences, which now includes the Cotton Sustainability Conference, will provide findings from current research and updates on emerging technology that are aimed at elevating U.S. cotton production and processing efficiency. Those sessions will meet concurrently beginning on the morning of Jan. 5 and conclude by noon on Jan. 6.
The Cotton Sustainability Conference will focus on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, including multiple panel discussions with many name brands and industry leaders, as well as sustainability experts. Field-to-Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture along with carbon and organic markets also will be included as topics of interest.
The Cotton Engineering-Systems Conference is planning presentations on data analytics, robotics, remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicles, among others.
The National Cotton Council provided information for this article.