Times are tough for cotton farmers and they are not expected to improve anytime soon. Jody Campiche, Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis at the National Cotton Council, said the December ’20 contract is currently trading at a little less than 62 cents per pound. “I think given just the amount of cotton stocks in the world and production …
Dry Weather Could Impact Essential Nutrients in Cotton, Peanuts
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension soils and fertility specialist Glen Harris cautions cotton growers and peanut producers about the impact that the current dry weather can have on essential nutrients in their respective crops. “We have dried out a little. We’re hoping to get some good rains here in late July and going into August,” Harris said. “The two biggest …
July 31 Deadline for Use of Three Dicamba Products
Cotton and soybean farmers have just a few days left to use three important dicamba products: Engenia, Xtendimax and Fexapan. Growers and commercial applicators may use existing stocks that were in their possession on June 3, 2020 – the effective date of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision to vacate dicamba registrations – until July 31. …
Alabama Row Crops Look Promising, Though Dry Weather Could be a Factor
This year’s production season has provided favorable conditions so far for Alabama’ row crop producers. That soon may change, though, if the current dry, hot conditions continue. Audrey Gamble, assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University, said cotton growers need to especially be wary of their crops’ potassium levels. “In a year where we have drought mid-season, we might …
Whitefly Populations Exploding in Cotton
Scorching temperatures and dry conditions could make an already tough whitefly season even worse for cotton growers, according to Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist in Tifton, Georgia. “In cotton, populations can build so rapidly. Whiteflies really thrive in hot, dry conditions. They’ve just exploded in some localized areas in the last 10 days. The last 10 …
Irrigation Vital for Row Crops During Hot, Dry Conditions
Hot and dry conditions over the next few weeks could spell trouble for row crop farmers if they do not apply irrigation in a timely manner. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist, current weather conditions could persist for the next month. She even hinted that a short-term flash drought could be possible considering the lack …
Cotton and Peanut Crop Update
Both the cotton and peanut crops continue to develop. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, there was an overall improvement in the cotton condition this past week. Rippey has the latest outlook for cotton squaring and setting bolls. And Rippey has the latest look at peanut pegging and condition for the week ending July 19, 2020. In Alabama, 88% of …
Survey Shows Growing Consumer Demand for Sustainable Practices
MEMPHIS, TENN. – (July 16, 2020) – A recent global survey shows 54% of sustainability leaders at apparel and textile brands say they’ve seen their customers’ demands for environmentally sustainable practices and products increase since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But 59% said they believe customers will still continue to prioritize price when making purchases. The U.S. Cotton Trust …
With Trust Protocol, Brands and Retailers Can Source U.S. Cotton With More Confidence
The Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurementsto responsible cotton production MEMPHIS, TENN. – (July 15, 2020) – Starting today, brands and retailers can join the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a new system for responsibly grown cotton that will provide annual data for six areas of sustainability in line with the U.N. Sustainability Goals. This year-over-year data, available …
Alabama Cotton Specialist: It’s Make Cotton Time Now
By Clint Thompson It is a critical time in cotton plants’ development this year, so water is essential for producers in the Southeast. Alabama Extension cotton specialist Steve Brown said rainfall is needed for growers, though, there does not appear to be much in the forecast over the next month. “The biggest thing we should be concerned about is that …