It is hard to describe the behavior of the dreaded stink bug, which has wreaked havoc on cotton fields in the Southeast – and especially Georgia – for nearly two decades. The bad news is that this pest is here to stay. The good news is that farmers have tools and technology that are helping control the state’s No. 1 cotton insect pest. In addition to new strategies, researchers now seem to understand the pest’s behavior as compared to pre-Bt cotton days before 1996. Extension entomologist Phil Roberts, based in Tifton, Ga., says it’s also easier to explain other scientific facts about this pest. “I have had a lot of farmers ask why we can’t eradicate the stink bug – especially after we eradicated the boll weevil,” he says. “The only way you can eradicate any pest is if there is a weak link in its biology.”

Several years ago, I attended a press briefing at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences to hear about a new venture called COTTON LEADS, and it was an intriguing concept, to say the least. At the time, it sounded extremely ambitious, and many attendees wondered if such a project could achieve its goal of bringing together the U.S. and Australian cotton industry as well as retail partners – all in an effort to promote best management practices and traceability in the cotton supply chain. It also was deemed an important initiative to help cotton regain market share. Here we are today, and nobody can question how successful this venture has been in such a short time period. More than 300 participants are now on board, and it’s an interesting group that includes yarn spinners, textile/apparel manufacturers, brands and retailers. What makes this program so unique is that there is no cost or certification attached to it. Partners voluntarily participate because they see the need for cotton to tell its story to a global audience. Many objectives can be achieved by COTTON LEADS – and that in itself is the beauty of the process.

The weather is usually far from consistent, but for the third year, we have seen a pattern of wet springs that make it difficult for Mid-South cotton growers to plant crops. They are forced to plant when Mother Nature allows between frequent rains. Often, planting conditions are far from ideal; perpetual wetness prevents staggering of plantings. Typically, the majority of cotton fields planted in the South Delta – from around Memphis farther south to the latitude of the Red River Valley in Louisiana – would have been planted by late April. Despite the reduced number of cotton acres throughout the Mid-South this year, the inability to stagger plantings and the timing of fertilizer and insecticide applications coming together simultaneously is making it challenging for growers to manage.

How has U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint improved in recent years? A large and reliable supply of quality lint is required to help U.S. cotton compete for market share among other fibers, including man-made. Today, though, proof of responsible production is needed to satisfy many leading apparel brands, retailers and manufacturers. Fortunately, environmental gains by U.S. cotton producers over the past 30 years have been well established by USDA and other third parties. Consider: compared to 30 years ago, soil loss has declined 68 percent; water use (irrigation) decclined 75 percent; energy use is 31 percent less; and greenhouse gas emissions are 22 percent less. Productivity, though, has improved substantially. U.S. cotton farmers only need two-thirds of the land required 30 years ago to produce an equivalent amount of cotton. Much of this improvement can be attributed to U.S. cotton producers’ annual $50 million contribution to agricultural research.

New Product Evaluators To Exclusively Trial Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ Cotton For Class Of 16 ST. LOUIS (April 28, 2015) – The Deltapine New Product Evaluator (NPE) program kicks off its eighth season with nearly 200 farmers planting and evaluating...

INDIANAPOLIS — May 21, 2015 — Dow AgroSciences has recorded the first U.S. sale of Enlist Duo™ herbicide with Colex-D™ Technology. This marks the first commercial activity for the Enlist™ Weed Control System in the United States, putting advanced herbicide and trait technology in...

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $6.5 million in the Ogallala Aquifer region this year to help farmers and ranchers conserve billions of gallons of...

Recipients Will Pursue Research Dedicated To Insect Pest Research Across All U.S. Row Crops ST. LOUIS (May 7, 2015) - Monsanto Company has announced that six recipients will be awarded research grants as part of the Insect Management Knowledge Program (IMKP)....

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Twelve U.S. cotton industry members have been chosen to participate in the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) Emerging Leaders Program for 2015-16. Participants include: PRODUCERS -- Rafe Banks, Clarkedale, Ark.; Brandon Brooks, Phoenix, Ariz.; Matt Coley, Vienna, Ga.;...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 30, 2015) – Key textile executives from 11 Pakistani companies will tour the U.S. Cotton Belt May 3-9 to observe U.S. cotton production, processing and marketing and to meet with U.S. cotton exporters. The COTTON USA Pakistan...