Cotton Quality and Yields

CALIFORNIA The remaining winter and early spring months may bring some rain or snow, but weather patterns in late 2017 and early 2018 look like a dry prelude to the 2018 planting season. So far this winter, central California has had relatively normal temperatures but extraordinarily dry conditions. Uncertain rainfall and snow forecasts raise concerns about irrigation water supplies, and ... Read More »

A Farmer’s Perspective From The Heart Of Texas By Carroll Smith Editor The Rolling Plains region of Texas is marked by rows of tall turbines harnessing wind to produce energy, bouncing tumbleweeds and cotton fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. Mark Wright, who grows cotton near Roscoe, says his operation includes land originally owned by his ... Read More »

CALIFORNIA Heading into winter, the question of uncertain irrigation water supplies in California’s San Joaquin Valley is again creeping into conversations due to the warm, dry fall of 2017. For many SJV growers who during the extended drought invested in improved groundwater wells and increased capacities, this mostly affects the degree to which they may have to rely on groundwater ... Read More »

An important component of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program is the Producer State Support Program. Following the mission of Cotton Incorporated closely, the state program is charged with improving the demand for and profitability of cotton. However, strategies and activities created under this program are designed to address specific needs of each cotton-producing state. State funds are allocated based ... Read More »

Marking the 10th year of the New Product Evaluator Program, Deltapine cotton recently announced the addition of seven new varieties to its lineup. The roster includes the full commercial launch of five Bollgard 3 XtendFlex cotton varieties as part of the Class of 18. These were tested and proven to perform at a high level by select farmers participating in ... Read More »

Round Bales, Ginning Technology And A Positive Outlook For Cotton By Carroll Smith Editor As one of the seven cotton industry segments, ginners follow producers in the chain that ultimately leads to the textile manufacturer. Once cotton is harvested, it is delivered to the gin where the seed is separated from the lint. Perhaps incoming Southern Cotton Ginners Association President ... Read More »

West Texas Producer Keeps Field Histories To Track Trends And Help With Future Seasons’ Planning By Vicky Boyd, Managing Editor — Kevin Belt farms by the book.The producer of cotton and other row crops near Plainview, Texas, keeps a three-ring notebook with him to record agronomic activities throughout the season. Each field has its own page, where Belt notes variety, ... Read More »