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Cotton Farming

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MARCH 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

North Carolina Farmer Minimizes Risks

NCGA Awards Honor Leadership And Service

Reflect & Project 2021 Economic Outlook For U.S. Cotton

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Vol. 65 No. 3

Cotton Farming PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

MARCH 2021

www.cottonfarming.com

FE ATURES

12 18

VICKY BOYD

10 Economic Outlook Every year, National Cotton Council’s Economic Services department prepares its Economic Outlook for U.S. Cotton and delivers the report during the NCC’s annual meeting. It covers topics such as U.S. cotton acreage, production, mill use and exports. The staff also includes details about world cotton imports and exports. Here are excerpts from their reflections and projections for 2021.

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Note 6 Cotton’s Agenda 8 Industry News

12 Southern Plains Report 14 Specialists Speaking 22 My Turn

ON THE COVER: The concept cover for “The 2021 Economic Outlook for U.S. Cotton” was designed by Ashley Kumpe. Globe graphic by Vecteezy.com.

SMALL SEEDS, BIG RESEARCH Cotton Incorporated funds research aimed at seed used at planting as well as crushed whole cottonseed, which becomes oil.

NC FARMER MINIMIZES RISKS Brad Warren uses cover crops, no-till and new planter technologies to lower production risks and increase his farm’s overall sustainability.

GINNERS MARKETPLACE

the official publication of the ginning industry The National Cotton Ginners Association announces the recipients of two prestigious awards that recognize outstanding service to the ginning industry.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Every three years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service conducts a survey of ginning costs by region. Data from the survey allows gin management to compare their operation to regional and national data. It also provides information about key variable costs. To learn why the cost of ginning in California is much higher than other states, go to www.cottonfarming.com for this Web Exclusive report.

DIGITAL OFFERINGS Keep up with the latest from Cotton Farming by signing up for the monthly E-News at www.cottonfarming.com. Look for the Cotton Farming E-News sign-up box in the upper right corner of the home page.

Nutrient Management

CornSouth ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

Southern Production & Marketing Strategies

A Supplement to Cotton Farming and The Peanut Grower Magazines

March 2021

SUPPLEMENT Look for Corn South following page 12 in the Mid-South and Southeast editions of Cotton Farming. To have industry news and content delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at www.cornsouth.com.

COTTON FARMING (ISSN 0746-8385) is published monthly January through December by One Grower Publishing LLC, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tennessee, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omeda Communications, Customer Service Department, P.O. Box 1388, Northbrook, IL 60065-1388 (Phone: 847-559-7578) (Fax: 847-564-9453). Annual subscriptions are $40. International rates are $55 in Canada/Mexico, $90 in all other countries for air-speeded delivery. Surface delivery not available due to problems in reliability.

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MARCH 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Editor’s Note Carroll Smith

Cotton Farming EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Managing Editor Vicky Boyd vlboyd@onegrower.com

Imparting Knowledge And Wisdom

hile standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, a copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2021 caught my eye. I haven’t picked one up in a while, so I decided to refresh my memory about what it has to offer. The reference book was established in 1792, and according to its website is “North America’s most popular reference guide and oldest continuously published periodical.” The history section recounts that at the time of its inception, many other almanacs were being published. Credit for The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s success is given to its first editor, Robert B. Thomas. “Based on his observations, Thomas used a complex series of natural cycles to devise a secret weather forecasting formula, which brought uncannily accurate results, traditionally said to be 80 percent accurate,” the website says. “Even today, his formula is kept safely tucked away in a black tin box at the almanac offices in Dublin, New Hampshire.” To me, it’s intriguing to imagine that the secret formula for predicting weather lies quietly in a little box up North. An interesting quote that appears on the opening page of the periodical says, “Knowledge is telling the past. Wisdom is predicting the future.” It is attributed to W. Timothy Garvey, American endocrinologist and clinical investigator. These words made me think of the National Cotton Council’s Economic Services annual report on “The Economic Outlook for U.S. Cotton.” Each year, the staff gathers information from the previous year on topics such as U.S. cotton acreage, production, mill use and exports. They also collect details of world cotton imports and exports. Armed with this knowledge, the NCC Economic Services department then makes predictions for the upcoming year. Go to page 10 to see the results of their latest efforts and page 6 to read NCC President and CEO Gary Adams’ commentary on the report. As we sit on the cusp of spring and cotton planting, also check out page 14 where university cotton specialists from across the belt share last-minute production tips based on their knowledge of specific geographies. Years of experience and the ability to communicate best recommendations make these talented resources invaluable to cotton farmers. Unlike the custom at The Old Farmer’s Almanac, those we depend on to impart knowledge and wisdom to the U.S. cotton industry don’t keep their secret formula tucked away in a black tin box. Instead, they put it all out there for the benefit of everyone. And for that, we are grateful.

Carroll If you have comments, please send them to: Cotton Farming Magazine, 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN 38138 or email csmith@onegrower.com.

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

Southeast Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 For subscription changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email cottonfarming@omeda.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David Burns – North Carolina David Lynch – South Carolina Bob McLendon – Georgia Larkin Martin – Alabama Mike Sturdivant Jr. – Mississippi Charles Parker – Missouri Jimmy Hargett – Tennessee Allen Helms – Arkansas Jay Hardwick – Louisiana Ronnie Hopper – Texas Ron Rayner – Arizona John Pucheu – California

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COOPERATION: Cooperating with COTTON FARMING are various cotton producer organizations across the Cotton Belt. Many representatives of producer organizations serve on COTTON FARMING’s editorial advisory board. Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by contributors are not necessarily those of the cooperating organizations or the editors. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Copyright 2021 © ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS – One Grower Publishing, LLC also publishes RICE FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH.

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OW N THE E A RLY STONEVILLE.COM

Always read an d follow la be l dire c tions. Stoneville is a re giste re d tr a de m a r k of BA S F. © 2 0 2 1 B ASF Corpo r ation. All r ights reser v ed .

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Cotton’s Agenda Gary Adams

Cautious Confidence National Cotton Council economists see restrained optimism for the U.S. cotton industry’s 2021 outlook.

What general business climate is foreseen?

■ The COVID-19 pandemic still is creating dis-

ruptions in the supply chains and markets for the U.S. and world cotton and textile industries, but the overall global economy is recovering at a faster pace than originally expected. The distribution of vaccines has created optimism for world economic conditions, yet some uncertainty is present due to new virus strains in some parts of the world along with renewed restrictions.

How do you see U.S. cotton’s outlook unfolding?

■ First of all, U.S. export commitments and ship-

ments have been strong thus far into the 2020 marketing year (ending Aug. 1, 2021). As of early February, total U.S. commitments had reached 14.1 million bales while 7.8 million bales had been shipped. Based on t ho s e nu mb e rs, NCC projects U.S. exports to reach 15.8 million bales for the 2020 marketing year.

Looking ahead to the 2021 marketing year, the NCC projects 2021 U.S. cotton acreage to be 11.5 million acres, 5.2% less The NCC presented its annual economic outlook during than 2020 — prithe NCC’s recent virtual annual meeting. marily the result of strong competing crop prices. With U.S. crop abandonment assumed at 18.1%, Cotton Belt harvested area would be 9.4 million acres. Using an average 2021 U.S. yield per harvested acre of 855 pounds generates a cotton crop of 16.7 million bales, with 16.3 million upland bales and 431,000 extra-long staple bales. U.S. cot-

tonseed production is projected to increase to 5.2 million tons in 2021. The NCC is projecting a partial recovery in U.S. mill use at 2.8 million bales while U.S. exports are projected to drop slightly to 15.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year. With large stocks in other major exporting countries and a partial recovery in Australia’s production, the United States will continue to face strong export competition in the coming year. When combined with U.S. mill use, total offtake exceeds expected production, and ending stocks are projected to fall to 2.6 million bales. If realized, these U.S. stocks would represent one of the lowest levels in the past 20 years.

What about the global market and prices?

■ World production is estimated to increase by 1.5

million bales in 2021 to 115.6 million due to a slight increase in acreage. World mill use is projected to increase to 120.9 million bales in 2021. Ending stocks are projected to decline by 5.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year to 90.4 million bales.

Although global stocks remain high, there is a growing bullish sentiment for cotton prices due to: ■ A tighter U.S. balance sheet. ■ Low supply chain inventories. ■ Increased purchases from China. ■ Speculative money flow. ■ Weaker U.S. dollar. ■ Higher grain and oilseed prices. ■ Post-COVID demand expectations. However, additional restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, large stocks in some key exporting countries, and low man-made fiber prices could put downward pressure on cotton prices in 2021. More details are in the NCC’s 2021 Cotton Economic Outlook at www.cotton.org/econ/reports/ annual-outlook.cfm.

Gary Adams is president/chief executive officer of the National Cotton Council of America. He and other NCC leaders contribute columns on this Cotton Farming page.

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

COTTONFARMING.COM

THRIVING IN COTTON

Whipping Nematodes On The South High Plains

Yield Doubled, Nematode Numbers Declined The Voigts have worked with Legé for the past five years to try to get rid of their reniform nematode problem. He educated them about the pest and conducted variety trials in a test plot on the irrigated field where the reniform nematodes first showed up. In 2020, Legé had five different varieties in the test plot. The susceptible variety — like one they would normally plant — only made 750 pounds to the acre. The reniform-resistant

™®

PhytoGen, the PhytoGen Logo are trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VAN VOIGT

an Voigt farms mostly dryland cotton in Lynn and Garza counties in the South High Plains of Texas with his father, Harold, and his son, Kyle. They all bring something to the table and pool their talents when it comes to producing a successful crop. Since groundwater is a scarce commodity in this area, the Voigts decided to install drip irrigation on one of their fields about eight years ago. During the first growing season using the new system, Harold’s eagle eye spotted a problem. “There’s something wrong with the cotton in that corner over there,” he said. Van remembers running the cotton stripper across the field three years later and dumping five times. Then he turned around and went from one end to the other on the next set of rows and never dumped. “We asked our Simplot representative, Nathan King, to take a look because we didn’t know what was going on,” Van says. “He put us in contact with PhytoGen Cotton Development Specialist Ken Legé, who came out to the field, ran a lot of soil tests and “Another benefit found that we had reniform of PHY 443 W3FE nematodes. I had never heard of a reniform nematode, but is our nematode some of our farming practices numbers are were spreading them everygoing way down.” where. “The reniform nematodes had started in the corner of — VAN VOIGT the field that caught my dad’s eye earlier. We were farming conventionally, so we would chisel across the row and move dirt from one area to another. And we weren’t cleaning our equipment before we would run to another field because we didn’t know any better.” Today, the West Texas farmers have switched to no-till and plant into a cover crop. They don’t disturb the field again except to run the spray rig and the stripper to avoid moving the nematodes from one field to another.

Van Voigt (far right) farms cotton in the Texas South Plains with (from left) long-time employee Fabian Sigala; Van’s son, Kyle; and Van’s father, Harold.

variety — now available as PhytoGen® brand PHY 443 W3FE — made 1,450 pounds per acre on the very next row. “This shows you how mean those nematodes are,” Van says. “And the loan on the reniform-resistant variety was 56.5 cents. We were tickled with that. It’s also a big deal to me for the variety to be resistant to bacterial blight. You can wear out a pair of boots going back and forth trying to decide if the infected plants are going to live or not. That time of year, we need to be moving on to the next job instead of worrying about bacterial blight. “If it weren’t for PhytoGen and Ken Legé, that irrigated field would be planted to something else because you can’t be in the cotton business and survive on 750-pound-per-acre irrigated cotton. Another benefit to the PhytoGen reniformresistant variety is our nematode numbers are going way down. We hope one day we will be nematode-free again. “I think PhytoGen really has something with PHY 443 W3FE. It should get this reniform nematode problem whipped, so nobody else has to go through the learning curve we did.” PhytoGen® brand PHY 443 W3FE • Mid-maturing variety. • Great fiber quality and strong yield potential. • Broadly adapted taller plant. • Resistant to bacterial blight, reniform nematodes and root-knot nematodes.

TRAIT STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES NOTICE TO FARMERS Bayer Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to conﬁrm their buying position for this product. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations of dicamba, glyphosate or glufosinate are approved for in-crop use with XtendFlex® Cotton. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with XtendFlex® Cotton. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your representative for the registration status in your state. Roundup Ready® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. Products with XtendFlex® Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Contact your seed brand dealer or refer to the Bayer Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs. Insect control technology provided by Vip3A is utilized under license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Bollgard®, Respect the Refuge and Cotton Design® and XtendFlex® are trademarks of Bayer Group. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of BASF. Agrisure Viptera® is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. All other products, company names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read, understand and accept the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for insect resistance management, for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed as set forth in the Bayer Technology/Stewardship Agreement that you sign. By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reafﬁrming your obligation to comply with the most recent stewardship requirements. 8

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

Industry News e3 Sustainable Cotton Farmers Receive Additional Rewards BASF recently launched the e3 Sustainable Cotton Grower Fund, a unique effort to provide additional economic support for cotton farmers in the e3 Sustainable Cotton program who commit to growing sustainable cotton. Brands, retailers, mills and other cotton fiber value chain companies sourcing e3 Sustainable Cotton will have the opportunity to contribute money to the fund. At the end of each year, 100% of those funds will be distributed equally to e3 Sustainable Cotton farmers in addition to a $2.50-per-bale premium BASF provides to farmers enrolled in the program. “Our program is based on three pillars, one of which is to grow sustainable cotton in an economically viable way,” says Jennifer Gasque-Crumpler, e3 Sustainable Cotton program manager for BASF. “Our vision for honest, fair, sustainable cotton isn’t possible without our dedicated farmers. “We’re grateful to our cotton fiber value chain collaborators who also understand the importance of rewarding their effort and are joining us in this first-of-its-kind commitment.”

NCC Chairman Reelected To Lead In 2021 Kent Fountain, a Surrency, Georgia, ginner, was recently reelected National Cotton Council chairman for 2021 during the organization’s virtual annual meeting. Ted Schneider, a Lake Providence, Louisiana, producer, was reelected to the position of vice Kent Fountain chairman for 2021. A member of the NCC’s 2001-2002 Cotton Leadership Class, Fountain served as a NCC vice president from 2016-2018 and as a NCC director in 2011. He has served on multiple NCC committees, including chairing its Quality Task Force. Fountain also served for 10 years as a director of Cotton Council International, the NCC’s export promotion arm. Very active in the National Cotton Ginners Association, Fountain has held numerous leadership positions including

serving as its president in 2012. He is a past president of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association and currently serves as a director for Staplcotn and the Cotton Growers Warehouse Association. Fountain, who earned an agricultural economics degree at the University of Georgia, is the president/CEO of Southeastern Gin and Peanut Inc. in Surrency. The recipient of numerous honors, he was named Southeastern Ginner of the Year in 2001 and received the Horace Hayden National Ginner of the Year Award in 2016. He and his wife, Missi, live in Screven, Georgia, and have two sons.

Mississippi Farm Bureau Reacts To House Bill 1439 The Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1439 that proposes to raise the sales tax on farm tractors and parts, farm implements, and tree farming equipment from 1.5% to 4%. Dairies will see an increase of 2.5% to their supplies for farm buildings. This increase, along with an increase to almost all sales tax, was done to recoup lost revenue from the bill’s elimination of the state income tax and reduction of the grocery tax by 50%. The Mississippi Farm Bureau says, “Our staff continues to research the bill, and its effect on Mississippi’s number one industry — agriculture. There are some things we do know already.

“If this legislation passes in its current form, a new tractor’s costs could increase by over $8,000...” “If this legislation passes in its current form, a new tractor’s costs could increase by over $8,000 and a new cotton picker’s cost could increase by over $18,000. “Poultry and livestock producers will see a 2.5% increase on any equipment and parts. In a large row-crop operation, this equates to an annual increase of $75,000 or as much as the salary of two farm employees.” MFB says as this legislation moves to the Senate, they will continue monitoring its impact on farmers, ranchers, rural Mississippians and Farm Bureau members. COTTONFARMING.COM

COVER STORY

Reflect & Project The 2021 Economic Outlook For U.S. Cotton BY JODY CAMPICHE, SHAWN BOYD AND MICHELLE HUFFMAN

Editor’s Note: During the 2021 National Cotton Council Annual Meeting, NCC Economic Services presented the economic outlook for the U.S. and world cotton market. Here are excerpts from their report.

his past year was characterized by significant uncertainty and volatility in both the global economy and the world cotton market. The most challenging issue facing the global cotton market in 2020 was the COVID pandemic. It caused unprecedented disruptions in the supply chains and markets for the U.S. and world cotton and textile industries as retail outlets shuttered their doors for months. The COVID pandemic resulted in a contraction in the U.S. and world economy in the first half of 2020 followed by a partial recovery in the second half of the year. In early 2021, world mill use appears to be recovering at a faster rate than originally expected following an 18 million bale decline in the 2019 crop year. A recovery in demand, along with increased purchases of U.S. cotton as part of the U.S.China Phase I agreement, has allowed the U.S. share of Chinese imports to rebound to the level prior to the trade dispute. World Mill Use Recovering

NCC Acreage Survey

Projections for the 2021 marketing year will begin with the outlook for U.S. production. As in past years, the prospects for the U.S. crop are based on the results of the NCC planting intentions survey with assumptions made for abandonment and yields. Surveys were distributed Dec. 15, 2020, and responses were collected through mid-January. Respondents are asked to give their plantings of cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops for 2020 and intended acreage for 2021. It is important to remember that the survey is a snapshot in time based on grower intentions. Changes in markets and weather will cause actual plantings to differ from early season intentions. As we look ahead to projected prices for the 2021 crop year, cotton harvesttime futures contracts as of early February were trading at much higher levels than last year. Competing crops prices are also above year-ago levels, with soybean prices showing the most significant increase.

VICKY BOYD

Because of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made a significant reduction in 2019 crop year world mill use between its March and May estimates. Looking back to its initial estimate in May 2019, USDA was projecting world mill use

of 126 million bales. World consumption of 102 million bales for the 2019 crop year was the lowest level since 2003 and 18 million bales lower than in 2018. While a recovery in mill use is occurring during the 2020 crop year, ongoing COVID disruptions have resulted in a 2020 estimate below pre-pandemic levels. In the latest USDA report, 2020 world consumption was increased to 117.2 million bales, mostly due to a 1 million bale increase in China, along with smaller increases in India and Pakistan.

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

COTTONFARMING.COM

U.S. Cotton Production

With average abandonment for the United States estimated at 18.1%, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 9.4 million acres. Using an average 2021 U.S. yield of 855 pounds per acre generates a cotton crop of 16.7 million bales, with 16.3 million bales of upland and 431,000 bales of ELS. The USDA estimate for 2020 cottonseed production was 4.6 million tons, down 1 million tons from the previous year. For the 2021 crop year, cottonseed production is projected to increase to 5.2 million tons. Turning attention to the U.S. balance sheet, projected U.S. production of 16.7 million bales is 1.7 million bales higher than 2020. Domestic Mill Use

NCC projects a partial recovery in domestic mill use of cotton at 2.8 million bales for the 2021 marketing year. As one of the largest users of U.S. cotton, U.S. mills continue to be critically important to the health of the cotton industry. In the face of rising textile imports from Asian suppliers, the U.S. textile industry has focused on new investment and technology adoption to remain competitive. TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING

U.S. Production, Mill Use And Exports For the United States, the latest USDA production estimate is 15 million bales, which is 5 million bales lower than in 2019. The latest ginning report shows that 14.4 million 480-pound bales have been ginned, so the final U.S. crop could come in a bit lower than 15 million bales. Lower acreage, along with a combination of adverse weather events, led to the decreased U.S. crop. USDA’s mill-use estimate of 2.4 million bales for the 2020 crop year is in line with the Council’s own mill use surveys. The 2020 number represents a slight recovery from the 2019 crop but remains below pre-COVID levels. In the U.S. balance sheet, we believe current export commitment and shipment data support a stronger export number than the latest USDA estimate. U.S. exports are projected at 15.8 million bales, as compared to USDA’s latest estimate of 15.5 million bales. As a result of a large carryover from the 2019 crop year and increased purchases from China, U.S. export commitments and shipments have been very strong for the 2020 crop year. As of Feb. 4, total commitments reached 14.1 million bales while 7.8 million bales have been shipped. Current commitments are at the highest level at this point in the marketing year since the 2010 crop year. The stronger export number results in U.S. stocks of 4.1 million bales, which represents a significant drawdown by the end of the current crop year.

World Imports And Exports

Now, let’s transition to the world market to determine the outlook for U.S. cotton exports. In the most recent monthly estimates, USDA increased China’s production, mill use and imports for the 2020 crop year. With a smaller crop expected in 2021 and continued growth in mill use, China is expected to increase imports to 11.5 million bales in the 2021 crop year. However, the outlook regarding China will be affected by major policy developments. One is the continued implementation of the Phase I agreement, and the second is the U.S. government’s increased focus on addressing forced labor issues in the Xinjiang region, where most of the cotton is produced. The most recent Withhold Release Order issued for cotton and all products from the Xinjiang region will likely have a significant impact on the global cotton textile and apparel supply chain. As of early February, the full impacts of these new restrictions on the world cotton market are unclear. Bangladesh and Vietnam continue to increase imports as their textile and clothing industry expands. India’s imports are expected to decline in 2020 and 2021. The Indian government recently announced a 10% duty on cotton fiber imports to potentially support local prices amid higher domestic production. Pakistan continues to be a large importer of cotton. This is a result of lower production and strong demand for better grades of cotton for blending and producing export-oriented quality textile products. With expanding cotton acreage in Brazil, a slight rebound in Australia’s production, and increasing stocks in India, the United

VECTEEZY.COM

During the survey period, the cotton-to-corn price ratio was higher than in 2020 while the cotton-to-soybean price ratio was lower. It is important to call attention to the ratios because experience has shown that they are reliable indicators of changes in cotton acreage. In the Southeast, survey results indicate a 4.2% decrease in the region’s Upland area to 2.3 million acres. In the Mid-South, growers have demonstrated their ability to adjust acreage based on market signals. The relative prices and potential returns of competing crops play a significant role in cotton acreage. Mid-South growers intend to plant 1.7 million acres, a decline of 3.7% from the previous year. Survey results suggest that the decrease in cotton acres can be attributed to a shift to corn and soybeans. Growers in the Southwest intend to plant 7.1 million acres of cotton, a decrease of 5.5%. Increases in cotton area is expected in Kansas, and a decline is expected in Oklahoma and Texas. With intentions of 197,000 acres, producers in the West expect to plant 2.5% fewer acres of Upland cotton. Overall, the survey indicates that growers also intend to plant less extra-long staple cotton in 2021 for a total of 161,000 acres. The total of Upland and ELS cotton intentions shows U.S. all-cotton plantings in 2021 of 11.5 million acres, 5.2% lower than in 2020. Between now and planting time, changes in relative market prices and weather developments can alter final decisions, but we think these survey results provide an accurate picture of overall intentions.

Continued on page 13 MARCH 2021 | COTTON FARMING

SOUTHERN PLAINS REPORT

Small Seeds, Big Research Focus

he challenging environment of the past growing season in the Southern Plains region is fresh on producers’ minds, but optimism for the 2021 crop remains high. Familiar questions about variety selection, field conditions and market prices weigh on farmers in this region, and Cotton Incorporated is always looking for new ways to provide answers. In the cotton industry, both cotton lint and cottonseed have viable markets and produce revenue for farming operations. Cotton Incorporated funds research aimed at maximizing producer profitability for both segments. Planting Seed Research

Dr. Murilo Maeda, Texas A&M AgriLife assistant professor and Extension cotton specialist, currently leads a Beltwide Cotton Incorporated-funded research project studying the viability of cottonseed

BY SHELLEY HEINRICH LUBBOCK, TEXAS

used at planting. The research started with producers asking how to maximize seedling stand establishment. They also wanted to know why there was such a divergence from field to field. This research looks at cottonseed’s cold and warm germination tests along with many other lab tests. The goal is to better understand the viability and variability

Getting Back To The Basics: Conventional Cotton Seed

• Plant Early • Yield More • Make More $ Seed Source Genetics offers high yielding, CONVENTIONAL cottonseed at a low cost to producers in the Mid-South, Southeast and Texas. Our goal is to make cotton farming profitable again.

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COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

of seeds, which will lead to better stand establishment in growers’ fields. Dr. Katie Lewis, Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities, is conducting Cotton Incorporated-funded research to study how cottonseed breeding advances have improved the plants’ ability to use nutrients. The research compares new cotton varieties to older ones and how they differ in nutrient use efficiency. Overall, cotton lint yield has improved 150% over the past 30 years. Understanding how new cotton varieties use the nutrients could help producers optimize their fertilizer applications and reduce nutrient costs. Cottonseed Research

At one point, cottonseed served as a means to offset the cost of ginning. Today, it can equate to real dollars as the whole seed market expands to include feed rations for dairy and beef cattle. Additionally, crushed whole cottonseed becomes oil and is a staple in the restaurant, snack food and specialty oil markets. Tom Wedegaertner, director of cottonseed marketing for Cotton Incorporated, says several projects are underway to increase market opportunities for cottonseed. One of those is looking at increasing seed size and oil yield to increase cottonseed value. “Increasing the oil content of the seed will also increase seedling vigor,” Wedegaertner says. “While seed size is important, seed components — especially oil content — is probably more important. “For ginners and oil mills, seed size uniformity would eliminate some of the processing difficulties caused by small seed. Research is underway to find the ideal seed size while not negatively affecting fiber yield.” From the seed you plant to the seed you harvest, Cotton Incorporated is committed to maximizing producer profits and exploring new market opportunities. Yes, seeds are small, but they play an enormous role in the cotton industry’s success. Shelley Heinrich is the Cotton Board Southern Plains regional communication manager. Email her at sheinrich@cottonboard.org. COTTONFARMING.COM

Continued from page 11

States will continue to face strong export competition in the 2021 crop year and in the foreseeable future. Brazil continues to make improvements to infrastructure allowing for more efficient transportation of cotton. Despite the challenges in 2020, the United States did have increased opportunities for export sales to other markets in the 2020 crop year, particularly in Pakistan and Turkey. During the 2020 crop year, the Indian government increased purchases of Indian cotton under the Minimum Support Price program, resulting in less cotton available to export. The management of stocks by the Indian government will be a major factor to watch in 2021. Uzbekistan has drastically reduced cotton exports in recent years and was aiming to use all local cotton production domestically as early as the 2020 marketing year. A further expansion of its textile industry will require Uzbekistan to increase cotton production or become a cotton importer. This is an interesting dynamic since Uzbekistan has not previously imported raw cotton. U.S. Balance Sheet

When combining the net trade changes of other countries, U.S. exports are projected to drop slightly to 15.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year. With large stocks in other major exporting countries and a partial recovery in Australia’s production, the U.S. will continue to face strong export competition in 2021. When combined with U.S. mill use, total offtake falls short of expected production, and ending stocks are projected at 2.6 million bales. If realized, U.S. stocks represent one of the lowest levels in the last 20 years. World Balance Sheet

For the 2021 marketing year, world area is projected to increase slightly in response to higher cotton prices. World production is estimated to increase by 1.5 million bales in 2021 to 115.6 million bales. World mill use is projected to increase to 120.9 million bales for the 2021 crop year, while world trade is estimated to increase to 46.0 million bales. World ending stocks are projected to decline by 5.4 million bales in the 2021 marketing year to 90.4 million bales. December Cotton Futures

does not attempt to project cotton prices, it is important to review some of the factors shaping the current price situation. Although cotton prices were weaker in the first half of 2020 compared to the previous year, prices had improved during the second half of the year. Prices have continued to strengthen in the first few weeks of 2021 and overall present the most bullish picture we’ve seen since mid-2018. Final Thoughts

As with any projections, there are uncertainties and unknowns that can

change the outcome. Although global stocks remain high, a tighter U.S. balance sheet, low supply chain inventories and increased purchases from China are contributing to bullish sentiment for cotton prices. Other contributing factors include speculative money flow, weaker U.S. dollar, higher grain and oilseed prices, and post-COVID demand expectations However, additional restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, large stocks outside of China and low man-made fiber prices could put downward pressure on cotton prices in 2021.

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Specialists Speaking

Last Minute Planting Considerations TEXAS Ben McKnight

As of mid-February, many of the cotton producing regions of Texas have not seen adequate relief from dry conditions. They persist in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend and parts of the Blacklands. Hopefully, some relief is headed to these areas by early March as we get closer to planting. As I write this on Feb. 12, much of Texas is experiencing, or will experience, several days of well-below-average temperatures. Freezing weather will likely affect the state all the way to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This will put any early plantings on hold until favorable planting temperatures return. Keep in mind that soil temperature greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit increases the rate of emergence as well as cotton seedling vigor. As soil temperature falls below 60 F, emerging cotton plants will be at risk of chilling injury that can result in weak or dead plants and potentially affect maturity. Additionally, a favorable five-day weather forecast following planting is critical for successful emergence and seedling establishment. Cottonseed quality greatly affects seedling establishment and should be an important consideration as we get closer to planting. Warm and cool germination information for every variety and seed lot can be requested from seed companies or distributors. Adding the warm and cool germ percentages will produce a number that can be compared with the vigor index. A vigor index value less than 120 is considered poor, 140-159 is considered good, and 160 and higher is considered excellent. Where the quality of your purchased seed falls within this index should be considered when thinking about planting timing and conditions. The 2020 Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) trial results for all Texas cotton production regions have been published at http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/cotton/. I encourage everyone to spend some time looking through the results to identify varieties suited for their region and production operation. bmcknight@tamu.edu

TEXAS Murilo Maeda

As I write this in mid-February, low temperature records are being set across the state. While it is undeniable this will cause problems for many, we remain grateful for what little moisture we can get in the Texas High Plains. Coming out of 2020 in a bad drought and with the 2021 season right around the corner, we hope to continue receiving moisture leading into our planting season. According to the National Cotton Council, Texas growers intend to seed 6.4 million acres of cotton this season. Despite representing a 5.7% reduction in acreage compared to last year (6.8 million acres), this still represents approximately 55% of the estimated 11.5 million cotton acres for the entire nation. With uncertainties in the global market, and despite a recent price runup, we continue to suggest remaining cautiously optimistic. Recent news indicates a significant uptick in fertilizer prices, both dry and liquid. As of the second week in February, all eight major fertilizer prices were up by at least 5% within the same week. Urea, for example, was up by about 16%, being quoted at $429 per ton on average. As always, keeping a close eye on inputs will be critical. On the seed side, consider what technologies (insect, herbicide, etc.) you need. As new technologies are added, or stacked, the cost of seed tends to increase.

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

With many commercial varieties from which to pick, the Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation trial may be a good resource. Dr. Jourdan Bell, Extension and research agronomist in Amarillo, tests early to early-mid varieties suitable for the shorter growing season in the Panhandle, while I tend to focus on mid- to mid-full season varieties in the Southern High Plains. The final RACE trial report for the Texas High Plains is available online at our variety testing website http://varietytest ing.tamu.edu/cotton/. We will continue to keep our growers in South Texas in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with the potentially devastating effects of record-low temperatures to their orchards and crops. mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu

ARKANSAS Bill Robertson

Planting intentions for 2021 are still up in the air as everyone is following the markets for grain and cotton. Current and predicted weather patterns are also playing into the equation. Cash margin information being discussed by our economists are all tight and have little margin for mistakes. Regardless of the commodity we plant, we must get the most out of our inputs. Watch costs yet provide necessary inputs to protect yield potential. Variety selection for yield and quality is an important first step in establishing yield potential. Match nutrient applications to crop requirements, apply integrated pest management and use tools like the Pipe Planner irrigation program. These can represent real cost savings, preserve yield potential, and help improve efficiency and conserve natural resources. Cotton burndown programs hopefully will be put in motion soon. Those who planted a cover crop likely did so with the objective of improving soil health and helping with pigweed control. Many of the early season cotton pests overwinter in broadleaf weeds. A thin or skippy cover crop stand will often open the door for broadleaf weeds. Early termination may be needed to address these weeds to decrease issues related to setting up a green bridge from the cover to cotton. Our immediate goal for the 2021 crop is to start with a good stand of healthy fast-growing cotton plants. This requires the fields to be weedfree at planting. A timely and effective burndown program is the first step toward this goal. Contact your local county Extension agent for more information. brobertson@uaex.edu

OKLAHOMA Seth Byrd

As we enter March, most activities surrounding the upcoming cotton season involve preparing the ground for planting later in May. For growers who use strip-tillage, many started those operations in February. Others will begin ground prep in March, along with making fertilizer and residual herbicide applications to combat weeds that may germinate in the weeks prior to planting. A common recommendation is to base fertilizer rates on soil tests and realistic yield goals to ensure efficient use of nutrients and finances. Many make these preplant applications to lay their fertility foundation, with the option to come back before the second week of bloom to apply additional nutrients in a split application program. Or their goal may be to meet increased yield potential for a dryland crop in the case of favorable weather conditions. It is also common to use the early application windows to address nitrogen needs, while waiting to apply potassium and other nutrients closer to COTTONFARMING.COM

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Specialists Speaking planting. Thus far, it has been a dry winter in terms of rainfall. But growers are encouraged to have a plan in place in case a rainy spring causes concerns about where some of this winter applied fertility is located in the profile by planting time. Many of the residual herbicides require mechanical incorporation, such as tillage, to get proper soil contact and provide control. As of mid-February, the vast majority of precipitation received across the Oklahoma cotton production region has been of the frozen variety. These arid conditions challenge the ability to properly use tillage to incorporate these herbicides, although there are other options that allow for incorporation with irrigation. The window for using these residual products in our region is generally through the month of March, so hopefully an opportunity will present itself before the month is over. A proper preplant residual program will lessen the chance of weeds removing moisture and other resources from the soil prior to planting. It also will take pressure off the preplant burndown or preemerge applications and give us a strong start to a weed-free season. For more information and resources for Oklahoma cotton producers, including the results of the 2020 on-farm variety trails, visit https://bit. ly/3upKi4J. seth.byrd@okstate.edu

FLORIDA David Wright

Growers are getting equipment ready and choosing cotton varieties since planting season is only a few weeks away. There is more optimism for cotton this year due to higher prices and the need for it as a rotation for peanuts in the Deep South. Cotton does better in dry weather compared to most other row crops without irrigation, and the weather forecast into planting season predicts warmer and drier conditions. However, growers saw a potential record yield for Florida in 2020 evaporate quickly from seven named tropical storms or hurricanes that occurred from mid-August to harvest. This has happened often in recent years. Too much rain with high winds reduced yield and blew cotton from open bolls. Continued wet weather caused seed to sprout and hardlocked bolls, further reducing quality and yield. When cotton follows winter grazing, less fertilizer is needed. More nutrients recycle and cotton roots double compared to cotton planted into cover crops without grazing or on conventional-till fields. Cotton often yields 150 to 400 pounds per acre more following winter grazing. Growers are finding less fertilizer is needed as well as 40% to 60% less irrigation when they include cattle grazing ahead of cotton. This results in $150 to $250 per acre increased income. If cotton is to be planted in late April, cover crops or winter grazing should be terminated in late March or early April. For cotton planted in May, terminate cover crops by mid-April. wright@ufl.edu

NORTH CAROLINA Guy Collins

Cottonseed quality has been a subject of interest recently, and 2021 is no different. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Cotton Seed Quality Testing Program began as a pilot program in 2020. It gained significant strides during the planting season as growers became more aware of the program and how it can affect their decisions, especially during periods of challenging planting weather. One of the goals of the program, which will continue into 2021 and beyond, is to test as many seed lots of cottonseed that are sold in the state as possible and provide an official test for both warm and cool germ. An “official” test is one where seed samples are collected from unopened bags or containers by NCDA inspectors, per their protocol, and tested in

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

the state lab according to a specific national testing protocol. A “service sample” is one that is collected and submitted by anyone, and/or from previously opened bags or containers or after downstream seed treatment has been done. Both are good for the grower to have on hand to make better planting decisions, but only official tests hold any merit in arbitration or seed complaints. This information is then searchable in the NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Database, which can be found on our NCSU Cotton Extension Portal (https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/) under “Calculators and Decision Aids.” Once users create their own usernames and passwords, they can log in, click on “Seed Reports,” then click on “Cotton Test Results”….not “Cotton.” A lot number can be entered, keeping in mind that the number “0” should always be used when entering lot numbers, versus the letter “O.” If a sample has been collected from that lot number and the warm/cool tests are completed, the results will be listed. If no results are found, a grower should contact NCDA immediately so an inspector can collect an official sample from unopened bags prior to downstream seed treatment. Growers are strongly advised to express their interest to both the seed company and their local seed dealer in having their seed tested by NCDA before downstream seed treatment and well before planting. Given the time required for inspectors to collect samples and the 12 days needed to complete the tests, this conversation needs to occur as early in the year as possible. guy_collins@ncsu.edu

ALABAMA Steve M. Brown

I’m not an economist — for which I’m thankful — but an agronomist. PRODUCING, growing stuff thrills me. My fundamental understanding of economics is that all hinges on SUPPLY and DEMAND … and meddling. The latter involves the artificial influences of government policies, currency manipulation, trade barriers, etc. But even with interference, supply and demand ultimately and eventually rule. On Dec. 23, 2020, I received an email from a government agency, “Our projected price for 2021 is 70 cents. Your thoughts on the projection are greatly appreciated.” My first response, “Guesses are free … [and then] I believe we’ll see prices slightly above your estimate, probably 75 cents and perhaps a little towards 80.” The reply, “We definitely know a projection is just that. I wouldn’t be working here if I could predict the market (followed by a smiley face). Asked for justification, I supplied this Jan. 4.  Current Dec 2021 futures price is (today at 8 a.m. ET) 75.45.  Prices for corn and soybeans are particularly strong, and in order to “buy” acres, the market will need to bid higher than in recent years. I realize there are places where producers can’t economically grow grain, but the Mid-South and North Alabama have that flexibility.  Cotton economics have been generally unfavorable for Alabama producers in the past several seasons primarily because of weather — late season hurricanes and mid-season droughts. The farm economy is thus somewhat depressed. The pressures of a high-input crop like cotton compel growers to look elsewhere … unless price looks more attractive. I realize if we planted ZERO cotton, that would have almost no impact on price. But I still hold to the idea that with price-attractive alternatives in soybeans and corn, the market will have to bid higher to get U.S. acres.  The on-going pandemic and its effects on economies and DEMAND pose negative pressure on price. If we or the world retreats into shutdown mode, we could see disastrous impacts on demand … and a significant drop in price. Well, we’ve passed 80 cents. Great! Even with a good price — might we hit 90? — we still need to make a good crop. And maybe we need to secure some price protection. cottonbrown@auburn.edu COTTONFARMING.COM

Specialists Speaking MISSISSIPPI Brian Pieralisi

With planting season a few short months away, it is time to consider last-minute items before it goes full swing. January and February are typically spent allocating your budget and attending meetings to find the latest relevant cotton production information. Obviously, 2021 is off to a very different start as we prepare for planting. To help with variety selection decisions and best management pracices, visit Mississippi-crops.com for a wealth of information. As with every year, it is a good idea to service equipment including doalls and planters. Make sure do-all blades and teeth are in check, planters serviced and the sprayer is ready to go to field to reduce any downtime. Planting days are critical because often we crunch everything into a couple of short windows. If you are planting behind corn or soybeans, be sure you have the correct plates in the planter. This seems like a no brainer, but it can be overlooked. With a precision planter, double check for the correct plates and make sue the correct selection is made inside the cab on the monitor. Having the wrong number of holes for a selected plate can throw off planting populations. Speaking of planting populations, there have been a number of discussions about reducing plant population and achieving 90-plus % yield potential. In Mississippi, cotton populations can vary greatly depending on geographic region. In southern Mississippi, populations go as low as 30,000 plants per acre. Most locations plant in the vicinity of 40,00045,000 plants per acre. It is worth noting that lower planting populations

can achieve similar yield potential as higher populations with the luxury of reduced seed costs. However, reductions in seeding rate also reduce emergence potential if faced with adverse conditions. The only way decreased populations will sustain high yield levels is if the population is uniformly spaced. All too often, adverse factors affecting emergence result in erratic stands. Finally, pay close attention to cold and warm germination on your seed, and only consider reducing populations if you are well aware of the germination percentage. If seed germination is 85% and you want 40,000 ending population, then you have to plant 47,000 seeds per acre (40,000 /0.85). Feel free to contact me with any questions. bkp4@msstate.edu

TENNESSEE Tyson Raper

Since we were unable to conduct our annual University of Tennessee Cotton Focus event in person this year, we decided to develop an online Cotton Focus Video Series. Fortunately, this format allows anyone to access the content at their convenience. Over the past several weeks, we have had some excellent, relevant content presented by some of the best scientists in the Cotton Belt. We will continue to release videos through the month of March and plan to provide CCA and Tennessee pesticide recertification points at the conclusion of the Cotton Focus Video Series. As you contemplate the 2021 decisions, I encourage you to review these presentations. To access the videos, check out our blog at news. utcrops.com or go to utcrops.com/cotton and scroll to the bottom of the page. traper@utk.edu

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orth Carolina farmer and cotton industry leader Brad Warren is using cover crops, no-till and new planter technologies to lower production risks and increase his farm’s overall sustainability. One of the most pressing issues facing the U.S. cotton industry today continues to be validating U.S. cotton’s on-farm environmental sustainability to buyers and consumers. “Each year, I look back at the previous growing season, identify what worked, what didn’t work and then do my own research — which includes talking to other farmers in my area — before I pull the trigger on changes,” Warren says. “From the research being designed and conducted by Cotton Incorporated to the National Cotton Council’s work leading the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, providing science-based evidence that our fiber is produced sustainably is critical to marketing our cotton.” One specific change was implemented in 1991 when Warren’s father bought a no-till grain drill after the commercial launch of Roundup Ready soybeans. The soil on one field close to Warren’s shop on Ten Mile Farm in Faison, North Carolina, has not been turned over since the grain drill was delivered 30 years ago. “No-till has made a huge difference in my soil health and reducing my operation’s environmental footprint,” Warren says. “The permeability of the soil has improved dramatically. Organic matter left on the field after harvest is beneficial and, over time, the soil has become so mellow.” Many parts of North Carolina were inundated with rain in 2020. “At one point during the production season we got three 8-inch rains in a row,” says Warren, a New Product Evaluator grower for Deltapine whose 85-acre NPE plot was decimated by a 5-inch rain four days after it was planted. “The quality of the soil and the cereal rye cover crop helped reduce the risk of huge washes that would usually carry off topsoil and fertilizer into ditches. That’s an environmental plus.” Warren limits his cereal rye seed to a bushel an acre to keep the long-stemmed

BRAD ROBB

P L AN T ER

North Carolina Farmer Minimizes Risks

Brad Warren and his golden retriever, Clay, pose on their home place farm that has been in no-till since 1992. plants from getting too thick. The cover crop has proven to be a good investment for him, especially in cotton. “Thrips tend to leave after burndown. I’ve had cotton on side-by-side fields where one field had a cover and one didn’t,” says Warren, who saw higher thrips pressure in the non-cover cropped field. “I’ve seen the moisture a cover crop holds and reduced weed pressure as well. Fewer weeds have allowed me to eliminate certain control applications and subsequent input costs. There again, reducing my farm’s environmental footprint.” Planter Technologies

Another way Warren is saving on input costs and production risks is through new planter technologies. “I run a 12-row 38-inch precision planter with V-Drive,” Warren says. He is seeing more consistent plant populations and less seed overlap, especially on his smaller irregular-shaped fields and/ or when his ground speed changes while planting. “I’m planting anywhere from an additional half-acre to an acre per-planter load because of the electric drive system.” Two years ago, Warren learned another lesson the hard way when he was planting cotton into corn stubble. “The planter picked up the prescription for the corn, COTTONFARMING.COM

and I planted 10 acres at 27-K plants/acre before I caught the error,” Warren says. He admits he got a good stand nonetheless and harvested 2 bales an acre off the dryland field. “It was one of those years we didn’t get a lot of cold weather after planting, but I’ll never be brave enough to try that again. I was lucky.” Warren has added Precision Planting’s CleanSweep row cleaner adjustment system for the 2021 planting season. “I’ll be able to adjust the down pressure on my row cleaners from the cab through the system’s air cylinders,” says Warren, who is also considering the company’s Delta Force to improve seed depth control. “It allows the down pressure to be set from the cab. Once the depth control is set on the gauge wheels, it plants each row at a consistent depth. Farming is ripe with variables and inconsistencies, so it’ll be good to eliminate one — especially in corn where I believe seed depth is critical.”

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Another responsibility in Warren’s life is his current role as president of the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association. He presided over the association’s 2021 annual meeting that was recently held virtually. “Nobody could have foreseen the way this pandemic would impact so many aspects of our lives and operations, but I’m proud to work with our board and David Parrish, who marks his 10th year as CEO,” Warren says. “Our annual meeting this year came on the heels of Marshall Grant’s induction into the North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. Grant spent years traveling across our state and many parts of the country gaining grower support for what eventually became the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. That man’s vision and dogged determination literally saved the U.S. cotton industry.” During the NCCPA annual meeting, the Marshall W. Grant Distinguished Professorship in Cotton Extension endowment to the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was announced. “This endowment establishes a cotton Extension position at NCSU in perpetuity,” Warren says. “North Carolina farmers now, and for years to come, will benefit from this endowment and the applied Extension research generated from this position.”

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MARCH 2021 | COTTON FARMING

Ginners Marketplace COTTON

COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.

NCGA Honors Mid-South Ginner David Blakemore, an innovative Missouri ginner who has provided outstanding service and leadership to the U.S. cotton industry, is the 2020 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year. He was recognized at the National Cotton Ginners Association’s recent 2021 virtual annual meeting. The annual NCGA award is presented to a ginner in recognition of providing able, efficient and faithful service to the ginning industry and continuing those principles exemplified and practiced by Horace Hayden, a former NCGA executive secretary. President of Blakemore Cotton & Grain in Campbell, Missouri, Blakemore has served as both NCGA president and chairman, chaired several of its committees, and continues to serve as a NCGA director. He has been a National Cotton Council director, David Blakemore and his wife, served on the NCC’s Quality Carolyn, reside in Campbell, Task Force and numerous other committees, and curMissouri. rently chairs the NCC’s Cotton Flow Committee. He also serves as director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, an industrywide sustainability initiative. Blakemore served previously as a Cotton Incorporated director, as president of Cotton Producers of Missouri from 1994-1996, and as president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association in 1999. In 2011, he was named that association’s Ginner of the Year. Blakemore is a director of Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited of Mexico. With help from his wife, Carolyn, he assisted the latter on projects to improve the quality and longevity of life to those living in rural Mexico by providing clean water. The couple also established scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students at Southeast Missouri State University.

Cotton Ginners Marketplace

The National Cotton Council provided this article.

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Texas Native Recognized For Service To The U.S. Ginning Industry The National Cotton Ginners Association named Jerry Scarborough recipient of the NCGA 2020-21 Charles C. Owen Distinguished Service Award at its recent virtual annual meeting. The award honors those who have provided a career of distinguished service to the U.S. ginning industry. A Texas native, Scarborough began working at the Petersburg Co-op Gin in 1960 before eventually landing at Lummus Corp. where he worked in sales. He assisted in selling, what was at the time the largest cotton gin processing complex in

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

the world, to the American Cotton Growers in Crosbyton, Texas. That gin would be the first of two more of the “world’s largest” complexes, including the Adams Gin Co. in Arkansas. In 1974, he relocated to Lummus headquarters in Columbus, Georgia, where he eventually was named vice president, sales, engineering and marketing for all Lummus operations. His duties took him to Russia, Turkey, Israel, several countries in Africa, Ecuador, Australia, Brazil and China. In 1994, Scarborough co-founded Cherokee Fabrication, which grew from a small metal fabrication shop in Salem, Alabama, into a 140,000-square-foot factory, along with two Jerry satellite manufacturing and repair centers, in Scarborough Lubbock, Texas, and Malden, Missouri. The business later included a complete line of cotton gin machinery. The considerable time Scarborough devoted to meeting with engineering students at Texas A&M University resulted in many of them pursuing careers in the ginning sector. Some of them also have previously received NCGA’s Distinguished Service Award. During its annual meeting, NCGA also reelected its 2021 officers: ¢ President: Curtis Stewart, Spade, Texas. ¢ First vice president: George LaCour Jr., Morganza, Louisiana. ¢ Second vice president: Gene Seale, Pima, Ariz. ¢ Third vice president: Richard Lindsey, Centre, Alabama. ¢ Chairman: Wes Morgan, New London, North Carolina. Harrison Ashley of Cordova, Tennessee, serves as NCGA’s executive vice president. The National Cotton Council provided this article.

Cotton’s Calendar Some listed events at https://www.cottonfarming.com/calendar/ may be canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. Please verify the status with the individual organizations. ¢ April 8-9: The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Trade Show has been CANCELED because the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center is closed to outside events through April.

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MARCH 2021 | COTTON FARMING

My Turn A Century Of Cotton

n 2022, it will have ing to corral them and make them learn something been 100 years since unless you’re just meant to do that. my great gra ndpaw, Farming cotton is exactly the same way. It’s someGotleib Voigt, moved thing that is born in you that you want to do and up here from Central Texas were meant to do. And if you were meant to do it, and bought some land on you wake up happy every day. By the end of the fall, the South Plains. I am the we are worn out and never want to see a cotton field fourth generation to farm again. But, by the next spring, you start getting that the home place. itch to do it one more time and see what happens. Our family has always When you plant the seed, it’s like having a baby. grown cotton, and it’s about You are up 24/7 and have to watch everything they Van the only viable crop option do. It’s just like cotton on the South Plains. Voigt here in this region. In years In May and June, the weather here is really volatile. past, I have split a pivot and The wind and the sand are blowing, and you spend planted half grain sorghum and half cotton. The every day and night worrying how those conditions main reason I did that was to get rid of some vert wilt will hurt the small cotton. You live seven days a week issues by rotating to another crop. watching it. Also, our irrigation is very limited. Some fields Since the blowing sand will burn the little leaves, are what I would call “semi-irrigated” at best. The we get in there as quickly as we can with what we rotation allowed us to put more water on the cot- call a “sand fighter” that turns up clods and fresh ton when it really needed it. We did this for about dirt. We’ve also started using no-till and cover crops 10 years, and it worked to stop the sand from really well. But grain “For 100 years, we have been all blowing. The stubble prices went down so low from t he cover crop about cotton.” those last two years that takes care of the sand we decided to abandon problem, but it uses up it. The goal of anything we do is to try to make the a lot of moisture. So you swap the devil for the witch. cotton produce more or be better. As the year goes on, things get a little easier, you Around here, cotton is all we are geared up for. In get the “family” up and grown, and then you can go this community, cotton gins are all there is. There watch a Rangers’ game or something. That’s the way are not even any grain elevators. For 100 years, we I look at it. have been all about cotton. When Kyle was about 5, we took him to Disney My grandfather, Walter, farmed cotton. My dad, World. He and Darla were shopping, and the little Harold, farmed cotton and at 90 years old still likes lady who ran the kiosk asked where we were from to know what is going on at the farm. Today, I farm and what did I do. cotton with my son, Kyle, and my wife, Darla, who I said, “We are from Texas, and I am a professional is our main “lunch bringer.” It’s a family thing and gambler.” something we have all enjoyed. She gave me a strange look and said, “You don’t Fabian Sigala also works with us and has been with look like a professional gambler.” me for 25 years. He thinks like I do, which is probI said, “Well, some people call us cotton farmers. ably dangerous, but it helps me keep up with every- We roll the dice in May and see what comes up in thing. His father worked for me for 20 years before December. We are never assured of anything. You he retired. just have to have the farmer’s heart.” When I try to explain why we all enjoy it so much, I think of my wife who used to teach second grade in — Van Voigt elementary school. There is no sane person who will Slaton, Texas spend all day with a bunch of 6- and 7-year-olds tryvv12@att.net

Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Cotton Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to csmith@onegrower.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

COTTON FARMING | MARCH 2021

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