climate solutions

New Pilot Program Promoting Cotton Producers

Dan Cotton

The National Cotton Council (NCC) has initiated a pilot of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. It is a program designed to confirm and increase awareness of the fact that U.S. cotton producers farm responsibly and strive for continuous improvement. Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Ken Burton, has more details and explains how enrollment can affect market share for U.S. cotton.

plant bugs

Plant Bugs Put Heavy Pressure on Cotton

Dan Alabama, Cotton, Industry News Release

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES.edu)—The season’s early onset of drought-like conditions has several insects on the move early. Plant bugs and stink bugs are moving from their wild host plants into cotton earlier than farmers usually expect. Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologist Ron Smith said the plant bug situation is not one producers are unfamiliar with, but earlier action will be required to keep …

cotton

Cotton and Peanut Planting Numbers

Dan Cotton, Peanuts

With dry conditions continuing in many areas of the Southeast, both cotton and peanut planting progress continues. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest on the nation’s cotton crop. And Rippey says peanuts are one of the crops ahead of the planting averages.

wiregrass corn

Dry Weather, Dry Forecast Worry Wiregrass Corn Producers

Dan Alabama, Corn, Drought, Industry News Release, Peanuts, Soybeans, Weather

Expectations for higher-than-normal May temperatures have Wiregrass corn producers on edge as the spring growing season shapes up to be a dry one. Brandon Dillard, an Alabama Extension regional agent of agronomic crops, said farmers in the area were ahead of the planting schedule earlier in the season. “This was one of the best looking dryland corn crops I’ve seen …

georgia cotton commission

Georgia Cotton Farmer Discusses Farm Economy

Dan Cotton, Georgia

The U.S. Senate is working on passing a disaster aid bill to provide assistance for farmers hurt by storm damage, including those affected by Hurricane Michael last October. The U.S. House did pass a disaster bill last week, and now congressional leaders and the White House are working on a bipartisan bill that can get through the Senate. Last week Colquitt …

cotton acreage

Thrips Predictor Model Helps Make Cotton Management Decisions

Dan Alabama, Cotton, Industry News Release

Spring and warmer weather sends producers to the fields in droves, planting and making decisions about the upcoming growing season. Researchers at North Carolina State University helped to remove some guesswork from cotton management by developing the thrips predictor model. Predicting Thrips Ron Smith, an Alabama Extension entomologist, said for many years specialists and producers have assumed the earliest planted …