What is happening in Cotton Research?

Listen to Dr. Guy Collins and R.J. Byrne on current research in cotton varieties.

Cotton & Peanut Research Field Day, September 9, Tifton, GA

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual UGA Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day scheduled for September 9, 2009.
The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch; a detailed schedule of speakers and stops will be forthcoming. The field day is being sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission.
Lunch will be included only for those who register by September 3.

To confirm your attendance, contact Debbie Rutland, Department of Entomology at (229)
386-3424.

Cotton Pest Management Update

COTTON PEST MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER #3

COTTON SITUATION: The Georgia Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report for the
week ending June 14th listed the crop as 96 percent planted which is the same as the 5 year
average. Eleven percent of the cotton was squaring which is behind the 5 year average of 22
percent. Producers will be finishing up cotton planting in the coming days. This past week has
been HOT.

INSECT SITUATION: Thrips have posed only minor problems recently; seedlings are
developing quickly and thrips populations are generally low. Aphids have been reported in
several counties. We have observed spider mites in some field plots in Tifton.

View the complete newsletter from Dr. Phillip Roberts.

Cotton Scout School

Cotton Scout Schools: Cotton insect scouting schools are annually held at various locations in Georgia. These programs offer basic information on cotton insects and scouting procedures and will serve as a review for experienced scouts and producers and as an introduction to cotton insect monitoring for new scouts.

Contact for additional information:

Debbie Rutland - Tifton GA - June 8, 2009 - 9:00 am -12:30pm Tifton Campus Conference Center (229) 386-3424

Peyton Sapp - Midville GA - June 18, 2009 - 9:00 am -12:30pm Southeast Research and Education Center (706) 554-2119

Update on Farm Bill Meetings

Looking for the latest info on the Farm Bill?

Then you need to attend one of the information sessions below. For more information please contact R.J. at the extension office - 229.225.4130 or rjbyrne@uga.edu. You will need to register for the location you will be attending.

DATES AND LOCATIONS
-March 23, Camilla (Mitchell Co. Extension Office), 5-9pm
-March 24, Midville (Station), 12-4pm
-March 26, Hawkinsville (Steakhouse Resturant), 10am-2pm
-March 27, Alma (Bacon Co. Extension Office), 10am-2pm

PROPOSED AGENDA
* Crops Outlook- Nathan Smith and Don Shurley (45 min)
* Budgets and Crop Comparisons- Amanda Smith (15 min)
* Farm Bill Overview- Don Shurley (10 min)
* DCP and Loan- Nathan Smith (15 min)
* Conservation Programs- Amanda Smith (20 min)
* Attribution, Limits, Eligibility- Keith Kightlinger (20 min)
* SURE- Wes Harris (20 min)
* ACRE- Don Shurley and Wes Harris (15 min)
* FSA Open Q and A (20 min)

What To Do About High Fertilizer Prices In Cotton Production?

Anyone paying attention to the fertilizer market has seen the prices jump +20% since the start of the year. As you continue to watch the markets, a bull market, climb upward, here are a few things to think about this year for your production plans.

UGA Cotton Team Soil Scientist Dr. Harris gives a few tips:

Unfortunately there are no “silver bullets” when it comes to getting around these prices. Cotton needs a certain amount of nutrients. These need to be supplied from the soil and from applied fertilizer. The higher the yield goal, the more nutrients the cotton plant needs.

Banding P and K fertilizer does not increase uptake efficiency on soils with medium or higher P and K soil test levels. If you cut the recommended rate of P and K because you apply them in a band you may also cut your yield.

Some things that may be helpful to weather the storm of high fertilizer prices this year include:

1) Soil test – Important to do every year anyway but even more important now. Makes the cost of soil testing pale in comparison to the value of knowing where you stand.

2) Apply the recommended P and K, and ¼ to 1/3 of your total N rate at planting. If using chicken litter as a preplant fertilizer, calculate how much N, P and K is applied.

3) Tissue test around first square if you suspect any micronutrient problems (mainly Mn or Zn) especially due to high soil pH.

4) Sidedress N between first square and first bloom with the appropriate N rate for expected yield goal. Give yourself a 30 lb N/a credit if following peanuts or a legume cover crop.

5) Starting at first bloom, petiole test to fine tune N, K and boron needs. This is especially recommended if you are cutting your N rate compared to previous years because you thought you were high, or if using chicken litter since it is not easily predicted exactly how much and when N will be released from the organic portion of the litter.