Alabama Cotton Shorts - Nov 19, 2024
<div class=\"default-font-wrapper\" style=\"line-height: 1;font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\"><div style=\"line-height: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">Situation. We are approaching the end of harvest across Alabama. Until today this week (11/18), we have had relatively warm weather and dry skies, conducive for picking cotton. According to the USDA Crop Progress Report, we have picked ≈83% of the crop, right on schedule with the 5 year average. The November 8 USDA Yield Estimates project Alabama cotton at 670,000 bales on 395,000 acres for an average of 814 lbs.</span></div><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">Alabama Drought Reach. While some parts of Alabama continue to see scattered showers, most of the state remains dryer than normal. Over half of the state is in D1 Moderate Drought, nearly 40% is in D2 Severe Drought, and D3 Extreme Drought continues to expand in West and North Alabama. Livestock producers continue to report severe impacts on the health of pastures, livestock, and stock ponds. There is some beneficial rain in next week's forecast, but expect broader conditions to remain the same.</span><br><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">Cotton Round Module Handling and Storage Considerations<br id=\"isPasted\">With the advancements in cotton harvest machinery, round modules have become more of a standard for harvesting and storing seed cotton before transporting them to the gin. As round modules can usually sit in the field or at the gin lot for longer periods, they are typically exposed to inclement weather, including rain and wind, which can affect both cotton quality and ginning efficiency. Several other factors during handling and storage can also affect the module, thereby degrading the seed cotton quality and reducing the price received by the grower. Listed below are some key points to consider during cotton harvest for proper handling and storage of round modules: <br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">•<span style=\"\"> </span>Always use the recommended cotton module handler for moving modules within the field and for staging. The most common is a three-point hitch-mounted and hydraulically controlled set of forks (lift arms) that can safely squeeze under the module without damaging the wrap.<br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">•<span style=\"\"> </span>Modules should be staged on a high, flat, well-drained surface such as turn-rows or flat driveways. Avoid placing the modules on top of rows, beds, or field locations where the truck cannot access them if rain occurs. Wet soil conditions can also make the truck tires slip, causing the chains to damage the plastic wrap.<br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">•<span style=\"\"> </span>Avoid placing the module on cotton stalks, as the movement of the modules on the stalks can puncture the plastic wrap. Also, when staging round modules together for transport or storage at the gin, lift the module 12 inches or more above the ground. A lower position can result in stalks tearing the exposed wrap on the bottom.<br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">•<span style=\"\"> </span>Modules must be staged for transport with a 4- to 8-inch gap between them. Do not place modules with ends touching each other, as this will cause water to enter the modules rather than to run off down the ends. Also, modules should be aligned such that the centerline of individual modules is within the ± 5-inch band. If not properly aligned, the wrap may be damaged by the sidewalls of the module truck.<br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">•<span style=\"\"> </span>Stage round modules for transport end-to-end rather than side-to-side. Always load and unload modules with continuous and even speed, as sporadic start-and-stops or speed changes can cause the chains to slip and damage the module. Ensure that trucks used to load and transport round modules are fitted with chains with rounded cleats that will not puncture the plastic wrap.<br></span><br><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">How Much Yield Did Growers Lose to Drought in 2024? <br id=\"isPasted\">I set up a research trial in Fairview (Cullman County) to compare the yields of cotton, corn and soybeans in irrigated and non-irrigated environments. The irrigated and non-irrigated cotton plots were four 36-inch-wide rows and 30 feet long with the two inside rows harvested for yield. The irrigated and non-irrigated corn and soybean plots were four 30-inch-wide rows and 30 feet long with the two inside rows harvested for yield. All the plots were replicated three times.<br> <br>The corn was planted on May 20, soybeans on May 24, and cotton on May 27. There was 6.04 inches of rain in May and 1.02 inches of rain on June 1. There was only 0.58 inches of rain from June 2 until July 5. The irrigated plots got 1.0 inches of overhead irrigation on June 9, 16, 23, and 30 for a total of four inches. There was 7.39 inches of rain in July, 1.55 inches of rain in August, 5.74 inches of rain in September, and 0.79 inches of rain in October.<br> <br>I have cottonseed weights but have not got the gin turnouts or grades back yet, so I am assuming 40% gin turnout. Corn yields were adjusted to 15.5% moisture while soybean yields were adjusted to 13.0% moisture.<br> <br>How much did just four inches of irrigation in June add to yield and increased revenue at this location?<br></span><p id=\"isPasted\" style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;line-height:150%;\'><span style=\'font-family:\"Helvetica\",sans-serif;color:black;\'> </span><span style=\'font-family:\"Helvetica\",sans-serif;color:#185470;\'> </span></p><table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse:collapse;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"><tbody><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Crop</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Yield</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Cotton (Irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">1364.71 pounds per acre</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Cotton (Non-irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">917.65 pounds per acre</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Corn (Irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">200.08 bushels per acre</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Corn (Non-irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">107. 42 bushels per acre</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Soybeans (Irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">36.04 bushels per acre</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">Soybeans (Non-irrigated)</span></p></td><td style=\"width:3.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;\" width=\"50%\"><p style=\'margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Aptos\",sans-serif;\'><span style=\"color:black;\">31.08 bushels per acre</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\"><br>There was 447.06 pounds per acre difference between irrigated and non-irrigated cotton. The month-long drought cost $312.94 per acre at seventy cents per pound cotton. There was a 92.66 bushel per acre difference between irrigated and non-irrigated corn. The June irrigations made an additional $453.11 per acre (92.66 bushels at $4.89 per bushel) on the corn. The lack of rain in August hurt the soybean yields. There was 4.96 bushel per acre difference between irrigated and non-irrigated soybeans for an additional $53.82 per acre (4.96 bushels per acre at $10.85 per bushel).</span><br><br>Tips to Economize Cotton Insect Control in 2025<br id=\"isPasted\"><br>1.<span style=\"\"> </span>Use a trained scout or consultant. Farming is a very labor-intensive job. Difficulties finding workers to help on the farm only makes it worse. Having someone who’s job is to monitor fields weekly from emergence to “cutout” to provide detailed reports of insects is critical. This can allow the farmer to make the most informed decision on when to treat or not treat.<br><br>2.<span style=\"\"> </span>Use economic thresholds. Thresholds for nearly every cotton insect have been developed over the years to ensure insecticides maximize return on investment. But they only work if they are followed. In other words, spraying under threshold will not bring back money and spraying above threshold will not return all the money possible.<br><br>3.<span style=\"\"> </span>Make timely applications when needed. When an insect report is received, time is of the essence. Action to stop a growing population should be taken to ensure economic losses are not reached. If an insect population is given a week after reaching damaging levels to feed and continue growing, that makes getting populations back under threshold much more difficult.<br><br>Alabama Row Crops Short Course<br id=\"isPasted\"><br>The Alabama Cooperative Extension System agronomic crops team is excited to announce the 12th Alabama Row Crops Short Course. This statewide conference is held yearly and offers an opportunity to hear the latest information from researchers, industry representatives, and Extension professionals about row crop management and production in Alabama.<br><br>When: January 21 at 1 p.m. through January 22 at 3 p.m.<br><br>Where: Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus, 345 Voyager Way, Huntsville, AL 35806<br><br><br><br>LJ</div>