When the Cotton Farming editorial staff decided to take on the task of understanding what might lie ahead in the industry’s future, we knew we couldn’t predict everything that might happen. But this much we did know. No matter how the future is viewed, there are some rather amazing developments that will have a positive impact on U.S. cotton.

We all know about the dramatic acreage shifts that occurred in the past year as it pertains to corn, wheat and soybeans. That fact has had a definite effect on cotton acreage. But these are economic trends, and most experts believe there are other positive signals for cotton. For example, the price trends – especially for the December ‘08 futures contract – are the highest in the past five years. Those prices are in the mid-70 cent range and inching upward. That is significant, especially when viewed against the past few years. Another trend is how much corn acreage will come back to cotton.

Also quite evident is that technology and global demand for cotton will be the driving forces for the future. For that reason, we thought it more than appropriate to talk to a wide range of farmers, industry leaders and other officials to see how cotton can take advantage of this environment.

Granted, the new Farm Bill and the ongoing battle with the World Trade Organization will create a backdrop of rules and regulations for all production agriculture. But the industry has friends in Washington who haven’t forgotten agriculture, despite efforts by the Bush administration to slash important ag programs and change the landscape.

In this issue of Cotton Farming, you’ll find a broad spectrum of stories that paint an encouraging picture. Texas producer Rickey Bearden, who is the outgoing president of the Plains Cotton Growers Association, and Andy Jordan, recently-retired Technical Services Director of the National Cotton Council, both offer candid observations about how politics, economics and technology will affect U.S. cotton’s future. You’ll find their enlightening interview on pages 8, 9 and 10.

What about innovative technology? Senior Writer Carroll Smith offers a rare inside look at how the new module-harvester equipment is changing the way cotton is harvested and delivered to the gin. Despite what the naysayers might say, this is how we’ll harvest cotton in the future. Look for her story on pages 13 and 14.

How do farmers feel about cotton’s future? When you read the story about the Keyes family of Tensas Parish in Louisiana, you’ll better understand how loyal some farmers are toward cotton. This story (on pages 16 and 17) was contributed to us by Mike Danna of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, and it shows that when the dust clears, cotton will still be here, no matter what kind of economic trends occur.

Finally, Contributing Editor Brenda Carol tells us about exciting new developments occurring in California. Acreage may have decreased in that state, but cotton breeders are conducting important research for an industry that remains viable in the West. Brenda’s story is on pages 22 and 24. Meanwhile, Southeast Editor Amanda Huber examines an issue that is becoming a major problem in Georgia and that has to do with water shortages. How will the problem affect south Georgia’s farmers? Read Amanda’s update on page 20.

One fact we learned from this examination of cotton’s future. The industry isn’t being complacent about where it’s headed or what it needs to do to thrive economically in the decades ahead. The path is straight. The mission is clear. And there is no looking back.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

Gone With The Wind is one of my all-time favorite movies. No doubt there were obstacles to overcome, but in the end – those obstacles shaped the character of many of the roles played. While Gone With The Wind is not how I would describe the cotton industry, the parallel of challenges seems poignant.

Even Scarlett O’Hara saw the significance of a new day. Whenever she was faced with something she didn’t particularly like, her response was, “I won’t think about that today. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Maybe she felt her perspective would be different…or her strength would be renewed…or just that a new day offered a fresh start.

For cotton, the dawn of that new day is rapidly approaching. While dawn is the first appearance of light in the morning, it also means to “begin to appear or develop; to begin to be understood,” according to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary that sits on my desk. In 2007, we saw cotton take the brunt of controversy in WTO rulings, the slow development of a new Farm Bill with cotton clearly the un-favored son, an increase in corn acreage in the South replacing cotton acres and a horrific drought in the Southeast.

That said, with each sunrise, there is hope. And while hope is not necessarily a strategy, it does offer a promise for the future. The 2008 season should bring some clarity to legislation. And while sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don’t, there is hope that our friends in Washington will provide our farmers with an acceptable Farm Bill.

There are other positive things to consider. The corn plantings are a very good rotation with cotton. It gives the land a breather from continuous cotton and helps to combat nematode problems in those fields. From an economic perspective, if the cotton acreage remains flat or actually decreases in 2008, the law of supply and demand should come into effect. If the law of marketing holds true, perhaps cotton prices will be more attractive.

While drought is something we cannot control, the seed breeders are actively working on drought-tolerant varieties. We have seen a tremendous improvement in quality over the last few years, and I feel certain our breeders will rise to this challenge as well. Technology continues to progress. In addition to seed trait technology, mechanical technology is stepping up the pace as evidenced with the new module-on-board harvesters.

The essence of this industry is evolution with each decade showing advancement. Yes, there are some things that we cannot change, and some things we have no control over. But with each passing day comes more experience, wisdom, and a better appreciation and understanding. I hope each of us remains steadfast as we fight for improvements, accept there will always be obstacles, but mostly embrace this dawn of a new era.

“After all,” to quote Scarlett, “tomorrow is another day.”

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

Higher-than-expected yields per acre in 2007 could produce a larger cottonseed crush, meaning more cottonseed oil to satisfy the food industry’s craving for trans-free oils.

“Ever since New York City banned trans fats in restaurants in July 2006, we’ve seen a growing demand for stable, healthy cooking oils, like cottonseed oil,” says Ben Morgan, executive director of the National Cottonseed Products Association (NCPA) in Cordova, Tenn.

Cottonseed oil is a highly stable oil that does not require hydrogenation, which refers to the process that produces artificial trans.

High Yields Paying Off

Cotton plantings were down 20 percent in 2007, but a new report shows higher cotton yields are making up for some lost ground. USDA recently forecast domestic cottonseed production to reach 6.54 million tons in 2007, up 252,000 tons from the October estimate of 6.29 million tons.

NCPA’s Morgan, who tracks the cottonseed crush on a weekly basis, reports that while numbers earlier in the season were tracking behind the prior year, “we’re on a pace to potentially catch up to last year’s crush of 2.6 million tons.”

Morgan adds that cottonseed oil production will likely be below levels of the past two years, but only 10 percent below the five-year average.

Lubbock, Texas-based PYCO Industries, which is one of the largest cottonseed crushers in the South, is looking forward to one of its largest crushes on record, thanks to ideal cotton growing conditions in the Texas cooperative’s 25-county region.

“The cotton crop just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” says Ronnie Gilbert, vice president of oil trading. “Both of our plants will be crushing cottonseed in December.”

While PYCO markets 100 percent cottonseed oil to restaurants and regional potato chip manufacturers, the company is fielding more calls these days from national oil suppliers who want cottonseed oil for their zero-trans vegetable oil blends.

“With the industry’s departure from hydrogenated oils, and reformulations still in the works, we don’t anticipate having any problems selling all of our cottonseed oil this year,” Gilbert says.

Meeting Increased Demand

Morgan says cottonseed oil still constitutes a fraction of the total edible fats and oils market, but that the uptick in yield this year will make a difference in helping meet demand.

Furthermore, he says, “It’s quite possible that the crop estimate will indeed grow even bigger, assuming timely rains in parts of the Mid-South helped boost yields.”

According to Dr. Bill Pettigrew, a cotton expert with USDA’s Agriculture Research Service in Stoneville, Miss., Mississippi Delta cotton yields per acre were better than earlier expected partly “because many farmers, chasing higher grain prices, shifted some of their poorer-performing cotton acres to corn and soybeans. What’s left was the good stuff.”

The National Cottonseed Products Association contributed information for this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

This is especially the case for the growing number of southern producers who rely on herbicide tolerant technology. Roundup Ready Flex technology has been rapidly adopted by cotton producers who appreciate its wider application window and the time the system saves them.

Being proactive on weed resistance management is a key guard against the development of troublesome glyphosate-resistant weeds to preserving the full benefits of the technology for years to come.

“Roundup Ready Flex cotton allows producers the flexibility to manage weed populations and can easily be incorporated into a weed resistance strategy on the farm,” says Paul Callaghan, cotton traits marketing manager for Monsanto. “The system can help fight not only glyphosate-resistant weeds, but ALS- and triazine-resistant weeds as well. There are some producers who have adopted very successful strategies on their farms.”

Flexibility To Add Residuals

Georgia cotton producer Bobby Smith had approximately 3,000 acres of Roundup Ready Flex cotton in 2007 on his farming operation near Sylvania in Screven County. He currently has to manage around glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth, a problem that a number of Georgia cotton producers wrestle with.

“We probably have fewer problems with resistant pigweed than many of our neighbors, and in that respect we are very lucky,” Smith says. “We use a number of herbicides with different modes of action in our cotton, and we’re also able to get some control of pigweed in our peanuts, which reduces the infestation level when we rotate back to cotton.”

Peanut herbicides used include Valor, StrongArm and Cadre. In cotton, which is planted strip-till, Smith uses a burndown application with a Roundup agricultural herbicide, followed by a preplant residual herbicide such as Prowl, which is applied with preplant fertilizer. Smith follows with another application of Prowl in a band at planting and two over-the-top applications with Roundup WeatherMax.

“We also never skimp on our rates of Roundup herbicide,” says the Georgia producer. “We always use the full, labeled rate to ensure the best possible weed control.”

Different Modes Of Action

Dr. Alan York, Extension weed specialist for North Carolina State University, says that residual herbicides are strongly recommended in Roundup Ready Flex cotton.

“It is important to use different herbicide modes of action and to rely more on residual herbicides, whether they are applied preplant, preemergence over the top or at layby,” he says.

York also recommends that a herbicide such as 2,4-D should be incorporated into preplant burndown herbicide treatments when possible. Dicamba provides good control of marestail but must be used carefully due to the predominance of tobacco greenhouses in North Carolina.

“Growers should use some type of preemergence herbicide and include a residual herbicide in at least one over-the-top application of Roundup,” York says. “Residual herbicides can also be added to tankmixes with Roundup for post-directed layby applications.”

Osborn & Barr, which represents Monsanto, provided information for this article.

Important Advantages Of RR Flex System

• Providing an excellent tool to manage ALS and other weed resistance to different herbicide chemistries.

• Increased application flexibility. This means that producers can apply Roundup herbicide formulations over the top of weeds at the right time in Roundup Ready Flex cotton.

• Allows producers to match timing to weed size without having to worry about impacting yield potential.

• Ability to now use higher rates of Roundup PowerMax and Roundup WeatherMax – up to 32 ounces per acre – if needed to provide control.

• Compatible tankmix partner with other chemistries used for residual control.

• Provides the best opportunity to start clean and stay clean throughout the season.

“As a company solely focused on agriculture, Monsanto is committed to preserving the Roundup Ready system for the long run – because we know that our success is only based on the producers’ success,” says Callaghan. “That’s why we are committed to bringing the producers the most comprehensive information that they need for effective weed resistance management.”

Source: Paul Callaghan, Cotton Traits Marketing Manager, Monsanto

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

If you didn’t know any better, you’d say that southwest Georgia looks like your average agricultural region. Lots of fields, equipment dealerships and truck traffic dominate the two-lane highways.

The pace is much slower than what you’d encounter in Atlanta, Dallas or Los Angeles. Rush hour traffic is hardly in a rush.

Don’t be deceived by this tranquil setting. A closer look reveals something else – a vibrant agri-business community that is the economic backbone of the region.

Nowhere is that more evident than what you’ll find inside a modest red brick building located on West Crawford Street in the small town of Donalsonville. That’s where you’ll find the offices of Killarney Farms, a third-generation family operation that has deep roots in Georgia’s sandy soils.

Producer Mark Burkett, his wife Annette and their three children are all involved in the business. Granted, the children are still young. Son Ben is 15 and the twin daughters, Beth and Brittany, are 13. Their jobs are confined to painting modules and helping pack the finished bales.

Other persons also contribute to this farm that is comprised of peanuts, cotton, soybeans, corn and cattle. Farm manager Jeff Croom and long-time consultant Wes Briggs are on the turnrow every day dealing with key management decisions. And during the summer, you’ll find part-time workers everywhere doing various tasks.

Long, Hot Summer

Four months ago, Burkett wouldn’t have given you much hope that his farm would produce anything close to a good cotton crop. The heat and drought made for overwhelming conditions.

But Burkett had an effective irrigation system in place and was confident that his 3,500 cotton acres had a chance at good yields – even if they weren’t record-breaking.

“If you had good irrigation, your cotton somehow survived,” says Mark. “With some cotton still to gin, it looks like we’ll average around 1,400 pounds per acre. Considering how tough the weather was, we were pleased.”

Irrigating the cotton wasn’t a hit-or-miss proposition. It took intensive monitoring, because the region received no appreciable rainfall between April and September. The center pivots were running nearly non-stop during the day.

Like many Georgia producers, Burkett leans on one variety – DP 555 BG/RR. Even though the variety has delivered big yields since it was introduced in 2002, Burkett had his doubts about what would happen in the middle of a record-breaking drought.

“We did the best we could to take care of our irrigated cotton,” he says in reviewing the 2007 season. “We never stopped watering the crop, and the variety never quit. It definitely rewarded us. That’s all you can really say about it.”

The Burketts also are part owners of the local gin – Cloverleaf Cotton Gin & Warehouse. In 2007, the gin processed about 90,000 bales, which is only slightly less than the 100,000 bales ginned in 2006.

Optimistic Outlook

Even though the new Farm Bill hasn’t been signed into law, Mark and his family remain optimistic about 2008 despite the challenge of pigweed resistance, stinkbug outbreaks and the worsening water shortage problem.

“I think a lot of corn acres will come back to cotton in our area, so that makes me more optimistic,” he says. “And I think we can deal with these other problems. That just comes with the territory when you’re a cotton farmer.”

It was Burkett’s consultant Briggs who started advising him to spray for stinkbugs several years ago. That investment helped solidify high yields. Briggs and farm manager Croom also learned the intricacies of irrigation and managing DP 555 BG/RR. Knowing how much plant growth regulator to apply was the first lesson in managing a variety with such vigor.

Diverse Farm Operation

The diversity of the Burkett farm might be another key to its success. Besides the cotton acreage, there are 3,000 peanut acres, 2,100 soybean acres, 2,500 corn acres and 1,500 head of cattle.

Mark’s wife Annette says it takes a special commitment to be part of a family farm operation. But after 24 years of marriage, including eight years as a teacher, she feels at home being the office manager and signing all the checks.

“You need to have a passion about farming,” she says. “It’s not a 9 to 5 job. Mark and I are always talking about what we can do to improve the operation. It’s definitely a team effort, and a lot of folks contribute.”

Perhaps Briggs has the best explanation of how the Burkett farm operates so efficiently – even when conditions aren’t ideal.

“Mark has always tried to embrace technology, and it’s paid off in a good way,” he says. “Whether it’s rotating cotton with peanuts, planting a good variety or attacking a weed or insect problem, he’s not afraid to pull the trigger. When you make decisions like that, it’s nice to see a farmer rewarded with good yields and quality.”

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

“Get the soils right, get the roots healthy, and the rest will usually take care of itself,” says Luker, who farms just over 1,000 acres, mostly cotton, near Brownfield. “There can be too much focus on the top half of the cotton crop when the real source of plant vigor and yield is the ground the crop stands in. The soil is the foundation that matters most.”

In his quest to build the best foundation, Luker focuses on the nutrients, soil bio-ecology and nematodes that are rampant in the High Plains, and the micro-management of diminished water supplies.

Importance Of Testing

Luker’s crop management philosophy and his ag engineering (Texas A&M 1974) penchant for tinkering have led him to test and adopt several new technologies such as Harpin Proteins and Low-Energy Precision Application (LEPA) systems on his center pivots and some technologies that are probably as old as the planet, like mycorrhizal fungi.

These ancient fungi have a symbiotic relationship with roots – building tubes that extend the reach of roots so they can capture more water and nutrients in return for plant sugars. Modern ag techniques tend to sharply reduce mycorrhizal fungi, so Luker bands the fungi product at planting and waters it in.

The extended cool, very wet and sometimes windy spring weather in that part of Texas this year made getting a cotton crop planted – and growing instead of stagnating – a tough challenge for everyone. Luker didn’t get the fungi on, but on irrigated ground he did stick with his in-furrow regimen of Temik and seed treated with N-Hibit and Awaken.

Effective Seed Treatment

N-Hibit is a Harpin Protein seed treatment for nematode management and plant health. Awaken is a 15-0-0 concentrate plus potash and micronutrients. Last year, the Texas producer wanted all the seed for his 435 acres of irrigated cotton treated with that combination. He doesn’t use a seed treatment for dryland cotton, but he still uses Temik on it. In 2006, the Temik + N-Hibit + Awaken combo on DynaGro 2520 made 3.4 bales per acre.

“With N-Hibit riding along on the irrigated acres, I can reduce the Temik rate somewhat and still manage nematode,” says Luker. “I add Awaken to the seed treatment package because when I’ve pulled plants for comparison, the treated plants have a much larger root mass.”

This year, 20 of the bags of seed Luker received had a three-way treatment instead of his usual combination, and he decided to put it to the test. The results convinced Luker he was on the right track with his own recipe.

The difference remained visible on July 9, though one had to look a little closer. At that stage, the three-way cotton typically was smaller, with seven nodes vs. the nine nodes for Luker’s standard combination. By late summer the fields were more uniform, but Luker wanted to harvest them separately for the payoff comparison.

Nematodes Invade High Plains

Dr. Terry Wheeler, research plant pathologist at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Lubbock, says nematode management is critical now and will be more so in the near future as reniform nematodes expand their territory. They already have moved into six counties near Lubbock, including Terry County, where Luker farms.

“Root-knot nematode has been around for a long time, so most producers know that they have it,” says Wheeler. “The reniform nematode is a growing problem. So far, there are not many acres with reniform nematode, but every year there are new fields that show damage.

“I believe our producers can live with root-knot nematode damage in most cases, if they use nematicides. I do not believe that producers can farm continuous cotton on land that has reniforms, even using a nematicide, unless they fumigate the soil.”

Plant Health Care, Inc., contributed information for this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

If tractor-seat common sense is a guide, fertilizer-related expenses will continue increasing for the foreseeable future, and a few points made at a recent Fertilizer Institute conference support that belief.

One thing made clear at the conference is that supplies of nitrogen, phosphates and potash – the classic combination of N, P and K – will remain tight as world-wide demand for these fertilizers remains strong.

“There have been some major shifts in fertilizer supplies here in the United States over the last few years,” Bob Young, American Farm Bureau chief economist, says.

A closer look shows why this situation is unfolding. The analysts at the fertilizer conference based their presentations on the belief that about 88 million acres of corn would be planted in 2008, a small decline from 2007’s record-setting planting of 93 million acres. That slight shift away from corn means not as much nitrogen in the form of anhydrous ammonia, a common type of fertilizer applied to corn acreage, may be used in the year ahead.

Potential Impact On Prices?

The lessening in demand for nitrogen is unlikely to translate into lower prices for farmers in the market for this product, however. The United States imported about 57 percent of its nitrogen in 2007, compared to 31 percent in the 1999/2000 growing season. One reason for the import increase is rooted in the price of natural gas, nitrogen fertilizer’s key ingredient.

Trinidad, a tiny island in the Caribbean, has an abundant supply of natural gas, and it manufactures anhydrous ammonia more cheaply than the United States. Trinidad is expected to be this country’s largest supplier of anhydrous for some time to come, while other popular nitrogen fertilizers such as urea are imported from Russia and Eastern Europe.

Countries Compete For Fertilizer

Other fertilizers U.S. grain growers count on, such as phosphates and potash, are increasingly used by their foreign competitors. Increasing reliance on phosphates and potash in Brazil, India and China and continued strong demand in the United States mean prices are likely to stay at or above current levels.

While the United States is a major manufacturer and exporter of phosphates, stocks are relatively low at this time. If disruptions in the manufacture or distribution of these fertilizers materialize, then the probability of spot market price spikes increases.

More than 90 percent of the potash fertilizer used in the United States is imported, the bulk of it from Canada but also some from Russia and the Congo. Recent flooding that affected the production of potash also suggests supplies may be tight in 2008.

Search For Savings

Farmers are taking close looks at their balance sheets, as they determine how much fertilizer to purchase ahead of planting time. And figuring out how to reduce fertilizer use to the bare minimum needed to grow healthy crops will be a valuable skill many farmers try to hone this winter.

The American Farm Bureau Federation contributed information for this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

“We wanted to establish cotton’s true environmental message with retailers, brands and those that make fabric sourcing decisions to assure them that cotton is the No. 1 renewable, biodegradable and sustainable natural fiber demanded by consumers today,” says J. Berrye Worsham, president & CEO, Cotton Incorporated.

Beautiful Site For Meeting

The Summit took place at the base of one of nature’s most beautiful settings – Yosemite National Park – and brought together individuals from all sides of the supply chain to hear candid presentations and conversations about cotton and the environment.

“We wanted to provide a more intimate atmosphere so the Summit attendees would feel comfortable sharing their insights on the topic,” says Elizabeth King, Cotton Board vice president, importer relations.

Speakers at the Summit included producers, various retailers and brands, best-selling authors and key Cotton Incorporated senior staff who detailed what the organization is doing to keep cotton sustainable.

In the opening panel discussion, Alabama producer Larkin Martin and California producer Don Cameron spoke about how they have been incorporating sustainable production practices on their farms for several years.

“One of the biggest myths about cotton farming is that we are all huge corporate farms,” says Martin, who also grows corn, wheat and soybeans. “Yet, in reality, most of us are family operations and have been farming and living on that same land for generations.”

Another myth that Martin dispelled is that cotton is an irresponsible user of water and chemicals.

“Cotton is drought tolerant and uses less water than many other crops,” she notes. “Only 35 percent of cotton in the United States is irrigated.”

When speaking about chemicals, she and Cameron both say that inputs are also kept very minimal on today’s farms because of the innovative value-added technologies that were improved for producers of all crops.

“Using some combination of genetically-enhanced seed and/or precision technology is becoming increasingly common for many U.S. farms, including those raising cotton,” says Martin.

Cotton’s Supply Chain

Other panel discussions included those pertaining to cotton throughout the supply chain and provided companies such as Nike, Marks and Spencer (UK) and Wal-Mart a chance to tell how they are expanding their corporate responsibility to be better stewards of the environment.

Nike is currently implementing a plan called “Nike Considered” that addresses responsible competitiveness, design and climate factors. The company’s director of sustainability horizons, Sarah Severn, says that each department within the organization is ranked gold, silver or bronze according to their operational activities and products.

The U.K.-based Marks and Spencer addressed key factors including climate, waste, sustainable materials, fair partnerships and health. This five-year initiative is called “Plan A” and is important to the industry because more than 55 percent of the clothing sold by the retailer is made of cotton.

Cotton Incorporated also unveiled its new Natural trademark that is being offered to promote 100 percent cotton products as well as a new environmentally-themed television commercial.

The Cotton Board, which administers the Cotton Research and Promotion Program conducted by Cotton Incorporated, provided information for this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

Lowell and Becky Zelinski have long recognized how important California cotton is to the world cotton market, and for the last five years they have combined commitment and innovation to host the California Central Coast Cotton Conference – an event that provides updates on and trends affecting nearly all important components of the state’s cotton production.

This year’s conference, held in Monterey, Calif., marked the fifth anniversary of the event.

“Becky and I have always wanted this conference to be a forum for two-way communication between speakers and the crowd, so from the onset we highly encouraged on-the-fly comments from everyone during the event,” says Lowell, a multi-seasoned crop advisor who has now taken on the role of host and moderator of the annual conference.

He can be counted on to ask poignant questions to speakers during their presentations as he draws on his years of experience dealing with agriculture in California’s unique but diversified growing regions.

Since 2003, California cotton acreage has decreased from 850,000 to 455,000 acres.

“Despite that reduction in acreage, there is a large and dedicated contingent of cotton professionals who are exerting both production and research efforts on cotton’s behalf throughout the California cotton growing region,” says Zelinski.

Diverse Presentations Given

Along with presentations reviewing soil fertility issues, IPM updates and the use of precision farming to make agronomic decisions, conference attendees heard the latest in genetic engineering advances in cotton physiology from Kater Hake, newly appointed vice president of Agricultural Research for Cotton Incorporated.

“Our industry will be best served in the future if today we use diverse strategies to improve multiple areas of cotton’s stress tolerance,” says Hake.

“There are five stress tolerant areas within cotton that are currently being tested (drought, heat, salt, cold and excess moisture). With the unstable climate changes occurring in cotton-producing regions, we can’t limit our research to just one area of stress tolerance.”

Hake also recapped Cotton Incorporated’s efforts to increase the value of cottonseed.

“We continue to support bio-tech research strategies that can add further value to cottonseed while simultaneously working to promote the consumption of cottonseed by our current customers,” he says.

Water Availability Crucial

Earl P. Williams, president & CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, gave a revealing presentation during the industry update portion of the meeting as he estimated 2008 California cotton acreage.

Based on three levels of water availability, Williams told attendees, “If we have no water available in 2008, we are estimating there will be 200,000 to 250,000 acres dedicated to cotton, with 200,000 acres planted to Pima and 50,000 going to short staple varieties.” Williams says.

Based on normal rainfall and snowpack, there would be 250,000 acres of Pima and 100,000 acres of short staple. He also mentioned that despite reductions in ginning volume, ginners were experiencing record returns from excellent cottonseed prices.

Sponsors of this year’s Central Coast Cotton Conference included: Dupont, Bayer CropScience, Case IH, Dunavant of California, Precision Ag Inc., Arysta LifeScience, California Cotton Ginners/Growers Association, Dow AgroSciences, UPI, AmVac, Calcot, Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Board, MANA, Monsanto, Supima, Syngenta and Wilbur-Ellis.

The California Central Coast Cotton Conference provided information for this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com

With diesel prices at record highs, California farmers and ranchers are struggling to find ways to minimize fuel usage on the farm without compromising their production.

One way is to farm crops that require less equipment usage, says Dan Errotabere, a Fresno County diversified farmer who grows almonds, pistachios, processing tomatoes, cotton, alfalfa, wheat and other crops.

Many farmers are favoring safflower because of current high prices and the minimum tillage required to grow the crop.

Safflower may even displace crops such as processing tomatoes and garlic, both of which use more water but typically offer higher returns, he says.

“The price of safflower is up considerably this year, and it was up quite a bit last year,” says Errotabere. “It’s probably driven by the soybean oil market that has seen better prices. The whole oil market is responding much like ethanol has affected the grain complex. So we’re seeing commodity inflations on several fronts and it’s pulled up other commodities along with it.”

Will Crop Acreage Change?

But how big of an impact safflower’s market will have on the state’s acreage remains to be seen, he adds.

“There’s an awful lot of talk about putting in more safflower,” he says.

While he doesn’t normally grow safflower, Errotaberre says he might consider it in place of some of his cotton acreage to cut back on water and fuel usage.

“Those are powerful components to reshuffle the crop mix,” he says.

Another crop that is gaining considerable traction due to higher prices this year is wheat. Kole Upton, a wheat farmer in Madera County, says the higher price is helping to ease the pain of the increased fuel costs. While he has increased his acreage on permanent crops such as almonds for higher returns, this year he’s planting more wheat, mostly because of water limitations but also because wheat requires less tractor work, and that will cut down on his diesel cost.

Upton says over the years he’s been investing in bigger and more efficient equipment to reduce the number of trips needed through the field for land preparation. Wheel tractors with more horsepower and bigger discs have effectively allowed him to cover more ground faster.

“If you’re able to do three times as much with the same amount of fuel, the larger tractor may use more fuel per hour, but you’re getting three times as many acres done, so your per-acre cost would go down,” says Upton.

Trying To Conserve Energy

Many farmers say they have continually changed how they operate their farms to try to conserve energy, and what they could do they’ve already done. What’s left now is they must absorb the higher costs of doing business, says Fresno County farmer Russel Efird.

“I think most of agriculture has already pared down all the fat,” says Efird, who grows grapes, nuts and tree fruit and has a commercial harvesting operation. “My concern with this pinch right now is there’s not any more places to trim.”

He noted that he’s already converted the majority of his irrigation system to drip or micro-sprinklers, which not only helps him save water but also energy needed to deliver water to the fields. He’s also adopted no-till farming methods on all his orchards to minimize fuel usage in tractor equipment.

“Once you’ve done all that, you’ve already cut down on your trips through the fields, so now you’re down to only the necessary trips,” says Efird, president of Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Having already maximized his efficiencies, Efird says if he tries to cut back further, his crops will suffer and that will cost him more money.

Rising Irrigation Costs

For Keith Nilmeier, who farms peaches, apricots, nectarines, grapes and citrus in Fresno County, using drip irrigation has not helped him to save money on fuel because his tree crops require more water.

“With drip, you use less water so it reduces your water costs, but many times you run (the system) longer because you’re using less water and because you’re applying it more often,” says Nilmeier.

To save fuel, he has cut back on disking his fields, which means he has to live with having more weeds.

“When you’re growing weeds, that becomes a problem,” he says.

California Farm Bureau Federation originally published this article.

article source : www.cottonfarming.com