Growers Invited to View Three New Focus on Cotton Webcasts

Randall Weiseman Cotton, Field Crops, Industry News Release

cotton-logoCotton Incorporated and the Plant Management Network are committed to providing valuable tools and resources to cotton growers as part of an overall commitment to improving the profitability of growing cotton. As a result of their partnership and commitment, they continue producing a suite of Focus on Cotton webcasts that gives the cotton growing community real-time access to scientific information that can be used in the field. Below is information provided by The Cotton Board concerning three new Focus on Cotton webcasts:

Minimize the Impact of Auxin Herbicide Drift with New ‘Focus on Cotton’ Webinar:

Memphis, TN — The upcoming release of 2,4-D and dicamba resistant cotton cultivars will increase the use of synthetic auxin herbicides and may result in more incidents of improper application and damage due to drift.

A new Focus on Cotton webcast titled “Beltwide Evaluation of the Effect of 2,4-D Drift on Cotton” helps cotton growers, consultants, and other industry experts understand the impact sub-lethal doses of 2,4-D can have on non-tolerant varieties.

This 19-minute talk by Seth Byrd, Assistant Professor and Extension Cotton Specialist at the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension in Lubbock, provides information that helps users:

• Avoid common cross-contamination mistakes
• Time applications during less susceptible growth stages
• Accurately assess impact of non-lethal damage on yield

New ‘Focus on Cotton’ Webcast Discusses Importance of Plant Properties, Resilience in Cotton Research and Management:

Memphis, TN — Cotton producers will face many challenges in the coming decades, including those caused by changing climates, regulations, resources, and costs. Research and the improved strategies needed to address these threats will rely on a better understanding of cotton plants and their complex interactions.

A new Focus on Cotton webcast titled “‘Cotton Physiology’ the Cornerstone of Future Cotton Science” helps cotton growers, consultants, and other industry experts understand how the plant’s natural properties, resilience, and interactions will guide the improvement of best practices to sustain high quality, profitable
cotton crops.

This 19-minute talk by Michael Bange, Cotton Systems Scientist at CSIRO Agriculture, provides information that helps users understand:

• Which emerging factors could limit future yields
• Why cotton research relies on plant physiology
• How modeling will inform new management practices
• Why improved best practices are critical for sustainability

Improve Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management With New ‘Focus on Cotton’ Webinar:

Memphis, TN — Proper management of soil nutrients and fertility is critical for maintaining efficient cotton growth and stable returns year after year.

A new Focus on Cotton webcast titled “Managing Cotton Fertility” helps cotton growers, consultants, and other industry experts maintain consistent soil nutrient levels to avoid negative impacts on yield and unnecessary fertilizer expenses related to over- and under-applications.

This 21-minute talk by Tyson B. Raper, Assistant Professor and Cotton and Small Grains Specialist at The University of Tennessee, provides information that helps users:

• Review the four Rs of nutrient management
• Monitor common yield restricting nutrients in cotton
• Optimize fertilizer application timing and rates
• Improve liming practices and soil pH balance

These three presentations are available at no charge, courtesy of Cotton Incorporated, through the ‘Focus on Cotton’ webcast resource located at the Plant Management Network, http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/foco. ‘Focus on Cotton’ contains over 35 webcasts on various aspects of cotton crop management. These talks–freely accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week–cover agronomic practices, crop protection, and ag engineering. 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.