By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Cotton Commission and Camp Hand, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist, advise growers what they should consider during planting season amid worsening drought conditions in the state.
“I know that we’re talking about a tough year, but in a lot of cases it would benefit folks to water before you plant,” Hand said. “You plant into good moisture and that just helps you out, in terms of getting a stand. Plant into good, clean water and then spray your residual herbicides and then water it again.”
Irrigation is critical for growers to achieve an adequate plant stand. That is why this potential prolonged drought could have serious ramifications. Georgia growers have only planted 6% of this year’s crop, with the bulk of planting season occurring in May.
“Once we get it up, we really don’t need much water until it starts blooming. If we can get us a stand, we can just about hold out until it starts blooming, and we can turn the water back on,” Hand said.
According to the UGA Weather Network, Tifton, Georgia, has received just 0.05 inches of rainfall since April 8. Moultrie has received zero rainfall since April 8. So has Waycross, Georgia. There are minimal rain chances in the weather forecast for the next two weeks.
Fortunately for Georgia cotton producers, they will plant this year’s crop into June.
“We’re still really early. We’re fortunate that we’ve got a long planting window,” Hand said. “We’ve got us a long ways to go before we get desperate.”