Strong thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall and isolated hail to some areas of the MidSouth last weekend (5/13-5/15).  Reports of hail damage have not been widespread and many welcomed a rather helpful rainfall event.  Still, those who caught hail are assessing their damaged stand and those who caught the heaviest rainfalls are trying to determine if a replant is warranted.  In this blog, I summarize some recent research conducted by the MidSouth Cotton Specialists’ Working Group on hail damage and planting date/populations and discuss the applicability of those findings to our current situation. Continue reading →

The Extension Cotton Specialists’ Working Group, with funding from Cotton Inc and support from a number of seed companies,  has been studying seed quality and the impacts marginal seed have on in-season performance since 2020.  I planted the 2022 seed quality trial last Thursday (April 28th) with the expectation that even the best treatments would struggle, based on the forecast.   To my surprise, each time I checked the forecast temperatures increased and rain chances shrunk.  Some of those treatments emerged yesterday and they rowed this afternoon (pictured above).  The planting window that I thought would help separate excellent seed from marginal seed just might make everything look great! Continue reading →

The National Cotton Council is seeking engagement from cotton crop consultants to help facilitate the enrollment of cotton producers in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.  The Trust Protocol is an industry-led sustainability initiative that proves, measures, and verifies the sustainability of U.S. cotton.  This seminar will provide information and benefits regarding the Trust Protocol so that you as the consultant can assist your producer with the enrollment process.  Cotton producers are invited and encouraged to attend as well to learn more about the Trust Protocol and enroll.  Consultants have the ability to enroll in the Trust Protocol and then, once linked with their enrolled producer, can enter field level information on behalf of the producer.  Complete enrollment in the Trust Protocol prior to the end of March will allow producers to enroll their 2021 crop data and bales.

Join us on March 25^th at 10AM at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (605 Airways Blvd. Jackson, TN 38301).  Lunch will be provided and NCC staff will be present to aid in Trust Protocol enrollment.  Please RSVP to Savana Denton at sdenton@cotton.org.  Hope to see you there!

Over the past several months, those that drive by the ‘Experiment Station’ in Jackson have noted big changes on the farm.  In July of 2021, it was difficult to see more than a few hundred yards across the north side of the station from the 45 bypass.   Now, from the bypass, you can almost see traffic on Airways Blvd.

As a row crops blog, we rarely dive into subjects outside of those directly related to corn, soybean, cotton or wheat.  Subsequently, we rarely include content on the blog from one of our most well known and best Extension Specialists, Dr. Dave Mercker.  Dr. Mercker serves as our Extension Forester and is world-renowned; he has been named a Fellow by the Society of American Foresters and was named the 2020 Extension Forester of the year by the Forest Landowners Association.  Dr. Mercker recently completed an outstanding publication covering the process of ‘recovery’ after timber harvest.  Dr. Mercker has graciously written a brief history of the West TN REC timber stand for this blog and included a link to the Extension pub I mentioned above at the end of this article.  I am certain you will find both of these very informative and will likely have reason to reference Dr. Mercker’s publication on your own farm.   You’ll also find a brief video highlighting the WTREC timber harvest by Julia Ewoldt above.  Continue reading →

The 2022 University of Tennessee Cotton Focus is coming up on February 10th from 8AM to 1PM in Jackson, TN at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center (605 Airways Blvd Jackson, TN 38301).  Lunch will be provided and CCA, Commercial Applicator and Master Row Crop Points will be available. 

I will be posting the final agenda next week, but I can promise you will not want to miss this year’s content!  We have several speakers that will be addressing extremely impactful information that will help tackling the challenges of 2022.  Hope to see you there!

The 2021 Tennessee Cotton Variety Trial Results Publication (PB 1742) is now available online.  Included within these results are ten large strip trials (CSTs) testing 15 XtendFlex commercial varieties, three large strip trials (CSTs) testing 5 Enlist commercial varieties, and six small plot trials (OVTs) testing 41 experimental and commercial varieties. Special thanks to all of the agents and producers who helped generate this data.  Additionally, thanks to the USDA Classing Office in Memphis for assisting with this effort.  If you have any questions on location response or variety placement, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to your county agent.