Every year presents different growing conditions and new challenges, and 2014 was no exception. For some of the most troublesome pests, the university Extension experts predicted accurately that:
Tarnished plant bugs were capable of surviving the harsh winter.
Nonmigratory lepidopteron caterpillar...
SePRO Corporation has collaborated with weed scientists from universities, USDA, Cotton Incorporated and the National Cotton Council to develop a new herbicide mode of action for cotton. Brake, with the active ingredient fluridone, was discovered approximately 35 years ago...
USDA, House Ag Committee Announce Risk Mgt. Tools
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson has joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other farm leaders to unveil the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded more than $18 million in grants to small businesses for high quality, advanced research and development that will lead to technological innovations and solutions for American agriculture. NIFA awarded 100 grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. "Small businesses are adept at finding solutions that can advance agriculture, create new jobs and grow our economy," says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "These grants will provide resources so small businesses can innovate and create new breakthroughs. The SBIR program has provided hundreds of small businesses with the ability to explore new ideas that have led to cutting- edge solutions to pressing challenges and helped keep American agriculture innovative and strong." The SBIR program exists to stimulate technological innovations in the private sector and to...
By Fred Bourland
Keiser, Ark.
EDITOR’S NOTE – Fred Bourland is a cotton breeder and manager of the Northeast Ag Research Station in Keiser, Ark. In the following report, he discusses the important decisions facing a cotton producer when he chooses...
Less Cotton in China?
Several years ago when I was working for the Globecot News Network (www.commoditynetwork.com), I wrote a story detailing the decline of China’s cotton production in lieu of the need to “import what you wear and plant...
We always hear the phrase that every cotton harvest is somehow different from all the ones that occurred in the past. After observing conditions in many parts of the Belt this year, I’d say that this was definitely a season for the history books – regardless of what yield numbers might reveal. From Texas to the Carolinas, I don’t think I can recall a more varied reaction from producers when asked how harvest had proceeded this year. As we were moving into the first part of October, it was debatable the kind of harvest that Texas would eventually have. The Rio Grande Valley, which has an earlier crop than the rest of the state, was able to deliver cotton for the first time in several years because of good moisture levels throughout most of the growing season. That was some of the best news I heard coming out of Texas. A challenging situation occurred in the High Plains where excessive...
It is a consistent theme each year when cotton seed companies announce their lineups for the new crop season. Some varieties have a longer shelf life than others and remain on the market. Meanwhile, new ones always appear –...
If you want to sell something for the highest possible price, you should try a method that dates back to around 500 B.C. That’s around the time humans first used auctions as a means to a higher price. Your...
I saw an encouraging report recently about the reading habits of young farmers and ranchers, and it made me think about what lies ahead for agriculture. The article was written by Jack Semler of Readex Research. According to this group’s latest poll, 81 percent of young farmers under the age of 44 continue to read printed trade magazines. More amazing is that 74 percent of this group turns to ag magazines and newspapers first and then to their local dealer and retailer when they want new information about ag products, equipment, services or suppliers. I always knew that older farmers were one of the most loyal groups when it came to reading a printed trade publication. But, I had always thought that younger farmers were more tech-savy and not necessarily attracted to printed publications as much as their parents. I must say it’s very good news to know that younger farmers aren’t like...
For anyone unfamiliar with cotton production in Mississippi, two primary regions exist – one in the Delta and another in the Hills. They are distinctly different and require special approaches for growing the crop.
The Delta is adjacent to the...
