All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

15 Jan 2018

2017 TN Cotton Variety Trial Results now available (PB1742)

15 Jan 2018
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The 2017 TN Cotton Variety Trial Results Publication is now available online. This document contains detailed results from all harvested trails in the 2017 University of Tennessee Cotton Variety Testing Program.  This expanded publication follows the recently published summary publication, 2017 TN Cotton Variety Guide (W285), which was released a few weeks ago.

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15 Jan 2018

UT Extension County Meeting Schedule, January/February

15 Jan 2018
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In addition to the East, Middle and West TN Grain Conferences and the Cotton Focus event, UT Extension is hosting a series of meetings to be held throughout the state to prepare growers for the upcoming season. These meetings will focus on variety selection, insect and plant disease management, weed management, and other current crop production topics.

Below is a list of the production meetings to be held in January and February. Please contact your local UT Extension office for more details on time and location. Continue reading →


18 Dec 2017

Cotton Variety Guide | 2018

18 Dec 2017
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The 2018 TN Cotton Variety Guide is now available  online. This document summarizes results from the 2017 University of Tennessee Cotton Agronomy program and serves as a precursor to a full release of trial results in PB 1742 to come within the next few days.  Summary tables from the 2017 season were calculated from six Official Variety Trials (OVTs), three large, replicated on-farm trials and thirteen County Standard Trials (CSTs) scattered throughout TN’s cotton producing counties.  To access the document click the adjacent image or the hyperlinks above or below.

Special thanks to all those who participated and/or contributed to the program during the 2016 growing season. See more here: W285


12 Oct 2017

Removing juvenile growth AFTER the first harvest aid application

12 Oct 2017
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Juvenile leaves in regrowth have been an issue this year, both where plants shut-down prior to the first harvest aid application and where a substantial period of time has passed since the last harvest aid application.    This blog article highlights the important aspects of removing juvenile growth with a follow-up harvest aid shot. Continue reading →


05 Oct 2017

Defoliation window closing?

05 Oct 2017
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If historical weather trends are true and our forecast holds, we are staring at one of the last opportunities to use moderate to warm temperatures to coax leaves off and open bolls.  The long term forecast suggests low temperatures next week will consistently fall below 60F with a few nights forecast to touch the low 50s.  Furthermore, rain is in the forecast over the weekend/through the beginning of next week.

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26 Sep 2017

Defoliation as temperatures begin to drop

26 Sep 2017
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The past two weeks have been excellent for defoliation.  Clear skies, nighttime temperatures in excess of 65F degrees, and very few scattered showers have allowed many to shed green leaves and open bolls quickly.  Unfortunately, the end of this week is forecast to bring much lower nighttime temperatures; several nights are expected to hit the low 50s.  The good news-  chances for rain over the next week are slim, daytime temperatures are still relatively warm, and only a few days are forecast to be partly cloudy.  Still, as temperatures begin to drop, products and rates will need to be altered.   Continue reading →


14 Sep 2017

Defoliation strip trials placed, comments on harvest aids for Sept 14th

14 Sep 2017
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August felt more like September and the first few days of September forced many to rummage through the closet for a jacket.  Still, it appears we’ve been given an excellent window for harvest aids over the next 10 days; the temperatures in the forecast bring all products back to the table.   Continue reading →


09 Sep 2017

2017 MidSouth Cotton Defoliation Guide

09 Sep 2017
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The Mid-South’s cotton crop is rapidly maturing and many of our acres will receive a harvest aid application soon after Hurricane Irma moves through the area.  There are many factors to consider in determining timing, products and rates.   In an effort to outline these decisions and provide harvest aid recommendations for the Mid-South, the 2017 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide has just been updated by the MidSouth Cotton Specialists’ Working Group and is now available online.   To access the guide, click the image above or the included link.  Please keep in mind that this was compiled as a regional guide and should be used in conjunction with your previous experiences.