Harvest is almost complete in South Texas. Gins are running full blast and modules are stacked as far as you can see, according to Dr. Josh McGinty, Extension agronomist in Corpus Christi. Grades look good and yields are all...
Years ago, there were considerable educational efforts regarding the initial 40 days of the season. Starting strong — achieving a respectable stand, obtaining good weed control with minimal crop injury, and winning the battle against thrips and seedling disease...
Our Alabama crop is all over the board in terms of growth stage and condition. I’ve seen good, bad and ugly… and late. Struggles have been many. High mid-May temperatures and lack of rain interrupted the planting cycle. Stands...
Rainfall has been frequent across most of the Bootheel, and as I write this, there are plenty of chances for rain in the future. Don’t be tempted to irrigate squaring cotton unless there is a substantial dry spell soon.
However,...
Among the specialists, I’m the new kid on the block, though I’ve been around the block several times and am no longer a kid. This is my 42nd crop, and I’m still learning… Alabama growers planted considerably more acres...
The good news of more rain and snow and an improved water supply situation has been a highlight of the year so far. However, rainy weather patterns that were holding through most of March had many wondering if we...
Harvest activities have come to an end in the Texas High Plains, and fieldwork has picked up. As we continue planning for the upcoming season, one of the most important decisions our growers have to make relates to variety...
Planting season will soon be upon us for the 2019 cotton season, and decisions are being made about the proper time to plant.
The temperature experienced by the seed during the first critical hours and days after planting will to...
Planting decisions for the 2019 season are taking shape. Cash margins for all commodities are tight and provide little room for mistakes. We must be smart to get the most out of our inputs. We need to watch our...
Many of our cotton producers were glad to leave 2018 behind them as crop management was difficult through most of the year due to wet conditions after a dry early May.
Even though the crop was one of the best...
While some farmers got a later start than usual, the above-average temperatures in May propelled the crop to one of our fastest starts. As we rolled into harvest, the frequent and often heavy rainfall caused delays and had negative...
Harvest season is especially busy and stressful for farmers as they often have two or more crops to gather in an eight- to 10-week period. There is also the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes that delay and reduce...
As I write this on Sept. 5, the cotton crop in North Carolina is variable but generally good in many parts of the state. Yield potential among fields varies significantly and within a close proximity, depending on planting date,...
After some mid- and late-season pest issues (lygus, mites), and a rough summer with high temperatures, most cotton fields still look relatively good going into boll maturation. Late plantings and fields that sustained a lot of early to mid-season...
This has been an unusual cotton-growing season with rain since the middle of May and often little time to get into the field to manage the crop. However, most growers got the weeds under control and were able to...
