All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

14 Sep 2017

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

14 Sep 2017
Author:  Comments Off on Defoliation strip trials placed, comments on harvest aids for Sept 14th

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
Author:  Comments Off on 2017 MidSouth Cotton Defoliation Guide

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.

 


22 Aug 2017

Heat unit accumulation during 2017

22 Aug 2017
Author:  Comments Off on Heat unit accumulation during 2017

Heat unit accumulation has been the big question over the past week.  Mild temperatures settled over Tennessee during early August and there is some concern that the crop may not be maturing as quickly as noted in years past.  While I agree the weather has been quite comfortable, we are currently very close to the 30 year average heat unit accumulation trend noted from 1980-2010.

Continue reading →


28 Jun 2017

Managing cotton plant growth during 2017

28 Jun 2017
Author:  Comments Off on Managing cotton plant growth during 2017

Over the past 10-14 days, our cotton crop has really taken-off.  Rains and warmer temperatures have promoted rapid growth over the past week and Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) applications will begin within the week on much of our crop.  Now that the root zone has expanded and N uptake has begun to increase exponentially, expect very rapid plant growth in areas which have adequate moisture.  Several points should be considered when attempting to regulate growth in 2017. Continue reading →


20 Jun 2017

Cotton Nitrogen Management, 2017 comments

20 Jun 2017
Author:  2 Comments

For much of West Tennessee, the time frame in which to apply Nitrogen (N) is quickly closing.  After accumulating an impressive number of DD60s last week and catching a nice rainfall over the weekend, the crop is beginning to grow rapidly.  This post intends to highlight a few key points in proper N management with recent research results while touching on some exciting in-field experiments. Continue reading →


01 May 2017

2017 Cotton Planting Forecast, 5/1-5/5

01 May 2017
Author:  Comments Off on 2017 Cotton Planting Forecast, 5/1-5/5

Rumors of a few hundred planted cotton acres within the state have spread over the past three weeks. Assuming the rumors are true, the state is still less than .5% planted.

As I write this, I’m waiting for the third (and hopefully last) band of rain to sweep through the area to wrap up a very wet and destructive weekend storm system. Soils are again saturated through the heart of Tennessee’s cotton belt. Continue reading →