By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission cautions producers about planting this year’s cotton crop in extreme hot and dry conditions. That’s why Simer Virk, University of Georgia Assistant Professor and Cooperative Extension Precision Ag Specialist, recommends growers wait as long as possible for rainfall to provide moisture to the soil. “If you can wait, definitely wait. But if you …
National Cotton Council Working to Protect Current Tax Policy
The National Cotton Council (NCC) recently joined 40 other agriculture organizations on a letter to House and Senate leadership to express significant concerns about legislative proposals that would jeopardize the future of family-owned farm and ranch businesses. NCC Vice President of Washington Operations, Reece Langley, explains how the Council is working to protect current tax policy for farmers and others in agriculture. …
GCC Reminds Producers About Thrips
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers that thrips damage can be harmful to young cotton plants. Management for thrips begins at planting, says Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist. “We need to be concerned with thrips from the time that plant emerges until we reach the fourth true leaf stage, and that plant is growing rapidly,” …
Rain Causing Cotton Planting Delays
Planting of cotton and peanut seed continues across the Southeast. But according to the weekly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), the number of acres planted are a bit behind what has been normal over the past five years. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says rain is causing delays, especially in cotton planting. In Alabama, …
Irrigation Key During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Cotton and peanut plantings are well underway across the Southeast. Unfortunately with it being hot and dry, these are not ideal conditions as seed and plants are being put in the ground. Wes Porter, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist, stresses the importance of maintaining moisture in the soil. Irrigation helps promote …
Alabama Cotton Planting Should Accelerate This Week
A week of sunshine is just what the doctor ordered for Alabama cotton producers trying to get this year’s crop planted. Wet weather has stalled plantings so far this spring, says Alabama Extension cotton specialist Steve Brown. “We’ve been a good bit behind. The last few days have helped us. There’s still a few places that are probably a little …
USDA Releases Final 2020 Cotton Report
The United States Department of Agriculture released its 2020 final all cotton production report on Wednesday. Becky Sommer with the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Washington D.C. has the final numbers: The 2020 final all cotton production was estimated at 14.6 million 480-pound bales, 27% lower than the 2019 crop. The United States yield for all cotton is estimated at 847 pounds per …
Florida Challenged Over Pesticide Decision
(TALLAHASSEE, Wednesday, May 12, 2021/NSF) — Amid arguments about the troubled citrus industry and the health of farmworkers, a chemical company is challenging a state decision to block a pesticide that could help fight a disease that has caused massive damage in citrus groves. AgLogic Chemical, LLC filed an administrative challenge Tuesday, about three weeks after the state Department of …
Factors to Consider During Cotton Planting
Georgia cotton producers have begun planting this year’s crop. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team Newsletter, there are various factors to consider when planting your crop. One pertains to varieties that are not included in the on-farm variety trials. “Although the on-farm variety trial does a great job of evaluating varieties across a wide range of environments, …
GCC Encourages Nominations for Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds cotton producers who are interested in serving on the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission, the deadline to receive nominations is Thursday, May 30. To serve on a Commodity Commission, a person must be a producer of that commodity, commit to attend meetings and represent the producers of that commodity. Those interested in …