All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

29 Jun 2015

Plant growth management of new cotton varieties

29 Jun 2015
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IMG_1085Rains and warmer temperatures have promoted rapid growth over the past week.  Now that the root zone has expanded and N uptake has increased exponentially, expect very rapid plant growth in areas which have adequate moisture as we move into flowering.  For those who have not applied an early shot of a plant growth regulator (PGR), you should consider doing so very soon.  Several points should be considered when attempting to regulate growth in 2015. Continue reading →


20 Feb 2015

2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Mid-South Ag Forum and SCGA Annual Meeting

20 Feb 2015
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fgs2015The 63rd annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is scheduled for February 27- 28, 2015 at the Cook Convention Center, Memphis, TN. Those two days, more than 400 exhibitors from over 40 states will be on hand showcasing the latest technology and innovation available in agriculture.  Show hours are Friday, February 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at www.farmandginshow.com and the full press release can be found by clicking on the logo or the hyperlink above.

Two other events will be occurring in conjunction with the Farm and Gin Show that many will find to be of interest: Continue reading →


15 Feb 2015

2015 TN Cotton Quick Facts

15 Feb 2015
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w319With snow in the forecast, I hope you find some warmth in our hot-off-the-press 2015 Tennessee Cotton Quick Facts Publication (W 319) which is now available online.  New this year are digital hyperlinks to all full-length UTIA publications.  Simply click on the grey boxes or related QR codes describing the publication in which you are interested and your browser will do the rest. Keep losing your guide or tired of carrying paper guides around? Open this document with the reader on your mobile device (if Apple, your iBooks app) to have a digital copy at your fingertips at all times.  Hyperlinks will still work!

Continue reading →


21 Jan 2015

2014 University of Tennessee XtendFlex™ Cotton Variety Trials

21 Jan 2015
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Tyson Raper and Larry Steckel

During the 2014 growing season, the University of Tennessee Cotton Variety Testing program was given an opportunity to evaluate several of the new Monsanto Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton varieties. Given the recent de-regulation of this trait, many may find this data of interest. (De-regulation of dicamba applications to these varieties is still pending.) Continue reading →


17 Jan 2015

2015 Cotton Focus Agenda

17 Jan 2015
Author:  1 Comment

2015_focusbannerThe 2015 Cotton Focus Agenda is now available online.  This year’s meeting will be held at the DoubleTree (1770 Highway 45 Bypass) in Jackson, TN on Thursday, February 12th.   Registration begins at 8:00 AM with opening remarks beginning at 8:30 AM.  Specialists from the University of Tennessee, Mississippi State University and the National Cotton Council will Continue reading →


08 Jan 2015

Wheat N considerations for early 2015

08 Jan 2015
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wheat_cottonstubble2

I’ve recently received several calls concerning N applications on wheat. Although this cold front has made it easier to get across wet fields, it is still early for the first split in a late winter/early spring split-N application approach. To make the most of the first split, target ‘spring greenup’, or the period in which wheat breaks dormancy and begins to grow rapidly (typically Feekes 3 or Zadoks 25). Delaying applications until this point can help ensure the applied N is available to the developing crop by reducing the potential for N loss. The current N demand of the dormant crop Continue reading →


31 Dec 2014

2014 TN Cotton Variety Trial Results

31 Dec 2014
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pb1742_picThe 2014 TN Cotton Variety Trial Results Publication (PB1742) is now available online. This document contains detailed results from all harvested trails in the 2014 University of Tennessee Cotton Variety Testing program.  This expanded publication follows the recently published summary publication, 2015 TN Cotton Variety Guide (W285), which was released a few weeks ago.

The tech-trait diversity in the top performers highlights the excellent yield potential, stability and fiber quality currently available in commercial cultivars irregardless of tech platform.   Given many of these currently-available varieties have been moved forward into new tech-trait platforms, it appears producers will be deciding between several very viable options for many years to come. Continue reading →