Impacts Of Reduced Insecticide Options In ThryvOn Cotton Landscapes

Presented by: Dr. Tyler Towles, Research and Extension Entomology, LSU Ag Center

Currently, producers face the potential restrictions or complete loss of many insecticide classes commonly utilized for tarnished plant bug control in cotton. However, with the forthcoming commercialization of ThryvOn cotton varieties, a plant-expressed technology known for reducing the threat of tarnished plant bugs, it is important to measure how detrimental losing various insecticide classes would be in terms of yield preservation.

Considerations For The ThryvOn Technology In Cotton!

Presented by:  Dr. Rogers Leonard, Owner-Operator, Integrated Crop Consulting, LLC, St. Joseph, LA and Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University AgCenter

It remains difficult for agricultural consultants and producers to select the proper IPM strategy for the current complex of cotton arthropod pests. In fact, with all the issues affecting treatment efficacy, it is remarkable that cotton producers consistently maintain satisfactory control with available products. Several factors including changes in the pest spectrum, insecticide-resistant populations, novel products with uncommon modes of intoxication, the need for co-application of multiple products, difficulty in post-treatment evaluation of performance, and technology costs must be considered in the final selection of the most effective strategies. The recent availability of the ThryvOn technology for management of thrips and tarnished plant bugs is a welcome addition to available technologies in the cotton IPM toolbox. This paper will discuss two years of experiences with ThryvOn and common-sense suggestions for technology use on cotton farms during 2021-22.

Cover Crop Management Factors in a Peanut/Cotton Rotation

Presented by: Dr. Kip Balkcom, Research Agronomist, USDA-ARS – Natl. Soil Dynamics Lab.

Cover crops are a critical component of conservation systems and when combined with conservation tillage can provide benefits to southeastern soils. Unfortunately, cover crops are not free and require time and labor to plant and properly manage to maximize benefits associated with them. Cover crop management considerations with respect to a cotton/peanut rotation will be discussed to enhance return on invest and associated benefits from cover crops.

Using Poultry Litter On No-Till, Skip Row Cotton

Presented by: Nick McMichen, Alabama Farmer

Poultry litter has been a huge fertilizer saving asset for McMichen as he raises no-till, skip row cotton. In the area where he farms, poultry litter is readily available and he finds there’s about a $30 an acre savings in using this process. By applying the litter about 30 days prior to planting he can benefit from the full nitrogen in the litter, he says. He will share his experience of 33 years of farming to help others be more profitable.

McMichen attended Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL, with plans to work toward a degree in agronomy and soils. However, an opportunity arose to double the size of the farm, so he left school to pursue that opportunity.

Cotton Disease Identification And Management

Presented by: Dr. Tom Allen, Associate Extension Research Professor, Plant Pathologist

Diagnosing important yield-limiting cotton diseases can be an important first step in determining the necessary management practices. Information on the diagnosis of important yield-limiting cotton diseases will be presented in addition to information regarding important management strategies that are commercially available. The presentation will also include information on some of the resurgent diseases occurring throughout the southeastern U.S. including areolate mildew and target spot.

Cotton Fungicide Seed Treatment Considerations

Presented by: Dr. Trey Price, Associate Professor & Agronomic Crop Pathology, LSU AgCenter

Cotton fungicide seed treatments are crucial for stand establishment in the mid-south. Most seed companies have a few fungicide seed treatment options usually with multiple modes-of-action. We will discuss seedling disease pathogens of concern, review all available commercial options, take a look back at historical data, and provide recommendations for economically sustainable seedling disease management during the upcoming season.

Managing Field Variability In West Tennessee Cotton

Presented by:  Dr. Tyson B. Raper, Cotton Specialist, University of Tennessee
Presented by:  William Walker, Tennessee Farmer

Variability within and across West Tennessee cotton fields provides several management opportunities. While variable applications of lime, P and K have become quite common, only a few have adopted variable applications of N and plant growth regulators. Walker Farms produces cotton in Fayette County, TN on variable ground around Longtown Gin. Walker Farms tackles variability in cotton fields from a multi-faceted approach; over the years, they have managed within field variability with variable rate applications of lime, P, K, N and plant growth regulators, among other things. The Walkers also run overhead, row and subsurface drip on their operation. During this session, Mr. Bob Walker, Mr. William Walker, and Dr. Tyson Raper will discuss their experiences and research conducted on these topics.

Evaluation of 60-Inch Row Spacing in Louisiana Cotton

Presented by: Dr. Matt Foster, Assistant Professor, LSU AgCenter

Cotton grown on 60-inch rows has recently gained interest in Northeast Louisiana. Potential benefits include lower input costs, increased light interception, less boll rot, and standardization of equipment with grain crop rotation. To gain a better understanding of variety performance and production practices in the 60-inch row system as compared to a 38-inch row system, replicated field trials to evaluate popular cotton varieties, nitrogen rate/timing, and plant growth regulator rate/timing were established in 2022 at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, LA. Currently, data collection is ongoing, and results will be presented at the conference.

A Consultant’s Perspective For Raising Cotton On 60″ Beds

Presented by: Hank Jones, Louisiana Consultant

Several farmers in Louisiana are already growing cotton on 60” beds which are rotated the following year with either 30” corn or 30” beans. “So there’s a dual purpose for the 60” beds,” Jones said. He will detail the data from experiments already done on the system.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Louisiana Tech, and a master’s in entomology from LSU. He has operated a 100-acre research farm and has done contract research for seed and chemical companies for the past 14years. He has been consulting for 19years. He was named Crop Advisor of the Year in 2019.

Managing Early Season Thrips in Cotton: Insecticide Resistance and ThryVon Performance

Presented by: Dr. Sebe Brown, Research & Extension Field Crop Entomologist, University of Tennessee

Tobacco thrips are the most economically important insect in Midsouth seedling cotton. With documented resistance to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, growers are often forced to rely on foliar sprays of organophosphates or Intrepid Edge. ThryVon, a new Bt cotton technology, has the potential to eliminate thrips oversprays in cotton. This presentation will outline the location and severity of tobacco thrips resistance to organophosphates in the Midsouth and highlight the efficacy of ThryVon technology against thrips.

Managing Plant Bugs On Thryvon Cotton

Presented by: Dr. Ben Thrash, Extension Entomologist, University of Arkansas

This session will cover what to expect with Thryvon cotton and differences in tarnished plant bug management strategies between Thryvon and non-Thryvon cotton. We will also discuss the overall value of this new technology as well as potential changes in thresholds and insecticide programs.

Growing Cotton: Perspectives Of A Farmer And A Researcher

Presented by: Dr. Daniel Stephenson, Professor, Weed Science, LSU AgCenter
Presented by: Tim White, Louisiana Farmer/Consultant, Central LA Crop Consulting

Some years, growing cotton can almost be majestic. Timely rainfall to activate residual herbicides, low insect pressure, ½ to 1 inch of rainfall every 10 days. Seems like a paradise. However, cotton producers do not live in that world. Expensive seed and pesticides. Herbicide-resistant weeds. Multiple plant bug infestations. No rain when you need it and 4inches when you need 1 inch. Even through these problems, producers can successfully produce a cotton crop. To raise cotton, a producer must balance their pocketbook, what their experience teaches, and information provided by university scientists and pesticide dealers. This presentation will focus on the balance that must be struck between what the data says and what can actually be done.

Changes In Seed Size And Yield Components In Arkansas Cotton Over 20 Years

Presented by: Dr. Fred Bourland, Professor, University of Arkansas

Small changes in genetically controlled yield components can affect the magnitude and stability of lint yield produced. Data for lint percentage, seed index (weight of 100 seed), lint index (weight of lint from 100 seed), number of seeds per acre, number of fibers per seed, and fiber density (number of fibers per unit area of seed coat) have been collected from variety and strain tests for over 20 years. Over time, lint index and lint percentage have increased while seed index has declined. Changes associated with each these yield components and their relationships with lint yield will be presented.

Influence Of Seed Size, Seeding Rate, And Planting Speed On Cotton Stand Establishment

Presented by: Ray Benson, Program Associate, University of Arkansas

High-speed precision planters are capable of covering more acres per hour than traditional planters and apply variable rates of seed across different management zones. Planting populations can be lowered without yield or maturity penalties if stands are uniform. Recent large-plot studies were established to evaluate the effects of plant populations on 12 cotton cultivars that varied in seed size. The cultivars were planted with prescription rates of approximately 1.0 to 4.5 seeds per row ft at low and high speeds. Reduced accuracy was recorded at the higher planting speed, especially in the high population treatments.

Evaluation Of Cover Crops And Potassium Uptake In The Midsouthern Cotton Belt

Presented by: Dr. Brian Pieralisi, Extension Cotton Specialist, Mississippi State University
Presented by:  Will Rutland, Extension Associate 1/Grad Student, Mississippi State University

Field experiments were established at three Mississippi locations in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate soil K2O uptake and influence on cotton yield and fiber quality. Four winter cover crop treatments including no cover crop, cereal rye, crimson clover, and cereal rye plus crimson clover were seeded into 38” rows to determine K2O content in accumulated biomass. Phytogen 400 W3FE was planted at 42,000 seeds acre-1 to determine K2O leaf content at mid-bloom for all treatments. Soil samples were taken at cover crop initiation, cover crop termination, and harvest to track soil K2O levels throughout the growing season. Fertilizer treatments included no K2O, 150 lbs K2O acre-1 at planting, 150 lbs K2O acre-1 at pinhead square, and split application at planting and pinhead square. Harvest data collection included total node, first fruiting branch, and node above cracked boll.

Irrigation Water Management Using Automation And Drones

Presented by:  Mike Hamilton, Instructor-Irrigation Educator, UADA
Presented by:  Wes KirkPatrick, Arkansas Farmer, Rondo Farms

        While technology has positively impacted many aspects of production agriculture, labor shortages are still a growing issue on today’s farms.  Although many of these advances have          helped, irrigation is one of the most labor-intensive job on the farm.  In 2022, we began looking into irrigation automation with telemetry on 5 Arkansas Discovery Farms to see the          impact it could have on a large operation.  We will discuss the success and failures of the automation system as well as other Irrigation Water Management tools used, including                RTK drones for elevation designs to increase the irrigation efficiency.

US Cotton Trust Protocol:  An Overview And Grower’s Perspective

Presented by:  Dr. Lori Duncan, Assistant Professor and Crop Sustainability Specialist, University of Tennessee
Presented by:  Bob Walker, Tennessee Farmer

Launched in 2020, the US Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary, farm level program that provides science–based goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production, as well as the supply chain transparency that provides brands and retailers the assurance they need to source US cotton. In this session, Dr. Lori Duncan will provide an overview of the program and results from the 1.1 million acres enrolled in 2021–2022. Mr. Bob Walker, a Tennessee cotton grower and US Cotton Trust Protocol grower member, will discuss his results and participation in the program.