Webcasts Provide Real-Time, Reputable Information

Cotton Incorporated is dedicated to providing valuable tools and resources to cotton farmers as part of an overall commitment to improving the profitability of growing cotton. To help achieve the goal, Cotton Incorporated has partnered with the Plant Management Network to create Focus on Cotton webcasts. Accessible 24-7, this online suite provides real-time access to scientific information that can be used in the field.

Access to the Focus on Cotton webcasts, which feature reports from noted cotton industry experts, is available 24 hours a day.
Access to the Focus on Cotton webcasts, which feature reports from noted cotton industry experts, is available 24 hours a day.

“The cotton supply chain has moved to a ‘real-time’ flow of fiber, fabric and fashion to meet the latest consumer needs. So it is only logical that information flow to producers would evolve as well to ‘real-time’ delivery of agricultural knowledge to meet producers current needs,” says Dr. Kater Hake, vice president of Agricultural and Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated.

“This is part of the reason Cotton Incorporated has partnered with the Plant Management Network, to make it extremely easy for producers to access useful information when they need it.”

Focus on Cotton features frequently updated webcasts from noted cotton industry experts covering topics such as agronomic practices, crop protection from insects and weeds, disease control and ag engineering. These webcasts provide farmers and crop consultants the opportunity to access the best, research-driven management practices.

Objectivity, Convenient Access
Another reason Cotton Incorporated teamed up with the PMN to develop this tool is its reputation for scientific robustness and objectivity in reporting. “The Plant Management Network is backed up by three of the most reputable agricultural science organizations and thus delivers unbiased and up-to-date information that producers can apply to challenges on their farms,” Hake says.

“Sharing information through these webcasts is a useful way to explain the latest technologies, reinforce the basics, and communicate the best practices that can translate into higher yields and greater profits,” says Phil Bogdan, PMN business and communications manager.

Dr. Ryan Kurtz, director of agricultural and environmental research at Cotton Incorporated, adds, “We know producers, consultants and researchers don’t always have time to attend meetings to learn about the latest advances in cotton research. And these open access webcasts allow anyone to go online at his or her convenience to stay current on the latest research developments.”

Webcast Content
To date, Focus on Cotton contains more than 40 webcasts on various aspects of cotton crop management. The webcasts range from 10-30 minutes in length and are freely accessible 24 hours a day.

Titles of the most recently released webcasts include:

  • Managing Cotton Fertility by Dr. Tyson B. Raper, University of Tennessee
  • Beltwide Evaluation of the Effect of 2,4-D Drift on Cotton by Dr. Seth A. Byrd, Texas A&M University
  • Managing Thrips in Cotton: Research in the Southeast Region by Dr. Michael D. Toews, University of Georgia
  • Selection and Use of Sensors for Cotton Irrigation Management in Humid Regions by Dr. Brian G. Leib, University of Tennessee.

This resource also features a new and improved Cotton Extension Search tool, where users can conveniently search for Extension resources across all U.S. land-grant universities serving cotton producers.

To access Focus on Cotton, please visit http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/foco.

The Cotton Board, which administers CI’s Research and Promotion Program, contributed this article.

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