Growing Season Underway During The First Couple Weeks Of May!

Specialists Speaking – BRIAN PIERALISI MISSISSIPPI

It is an early spring this year. As I write this on April 13, farmers are waiting on a rain to plant… anything! In Mississippi, we haven’t had measurable rainfall in over three weeks and temperatures have been in the upper 80s and low 90s.

The most important thing to consider this year is planting into soil moisture, which could be currently too deep to plant cotton until it rains. Hopefully, it will rain soon to keep us planting during the optimal time of May 1 – 10.

Early season pests are always concerning, and a few tips can help avoid delays in maturity. Most importantly, managing weeds appropriately with a PRE herbicide followed by early and late POST herbicide application.

For Thrips, acephate will likely be used to some degree, but it’s worth noting that ThryvOn and Intrepid Edge are still effective management tools against Thrips damage during the early season.  Hopefully the weather will hold up and we can get this growing season underway during the first couple weeks of May!

Specialists Speaking – BRIAN PIERALISI MISSISSIPPI