Review of the
2007 Cotton Crop
County
Cotton Production Meeting
2008
Georgia Cotton Since 1990
Acres, Production
2500
Acres
Bales
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
Georgia, U.S Cotton Since 1990
Yield/A
1000
900
800
700
600
Georgia
U.S.
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
500
400
300
200
100
0
It was the BEST of times.
It was the WORST of times.
Georgia Crop, 2007
Acreage, Yield
 1,024,615 acres (BWEP certified)
 1,650,000 bales
 784 lb/A
Fiber Quality
 39 % 31+
96 % 41+
 21 % short staple
20 % high mic
 80.1 uniformity
74 % tenderable
As of January 10, 2008. http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/mncs/
Average Fiber Quality, Macon
Office
Color, Bark/
41 +, % grass,%
Staple,
32nds
Strength, Mic
g/tex
Unif
Tend,
%
2002
51
1.6/0.2
33.9
27.5
49 81.0
34
2003
92
1.3/0.1
34.2
27.9
43 80.5
87
2004
89
2.9/0.2
34.7
29.4
44 80.6
84
2005
94
1/x
34.7
29.2
45 80.2
91
2006
97
1/x
34.4
28.5
47 80.4
73
2007
96
x/x
34.4
28.6
47 80.1
74
As of January 10, 2008. http://www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/mncs/
The Future
INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STD
Color/leaf grade – 31/3 (vs 41/4)
 Staple – 35+ (vs 34)
 Uniformity Index – 81+ (vs 80)
 Short fiber content - less than 8 percent
 Strength – 29 g/tex
 Mic – 3.8 to 4.2 (up to 4.9)

Technology Distribution
1999 - 2007 GA Crop
100
1999
2004
2000
2005
2001
2006
2002
2007
2003
In 2007, DP 555 BG/RR planted
on 83.6 percent of GA acreage.
80
60
40
20
0
er
th
O
v
on
C
B
R
R
R
R
B/
2007 ISSUES
The 2007 Drought


Limited acreage, fiber quality, yield
Reduced efficacy of residual herbicides





even more problems with Palmer amaranth!
Altered insect pressure: thrips ↑, aphids ↓, stink
bugs ↓, whiteflies ↑ (in areas)
Rains the 1st week of June were INCREDIBLE
Late non-irrigated crop
Good harvest conditions
Still, some growers and
counties made their best
crop ever.
Glyphosate resistance in Palmer amaranth
is a serious local and global concern.
Glyphosate resistance in Palmer amaranth
is a serious local and global concern.
THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING!
2008 ISSUES
2008 Questions

How many acres? ~ 1.0 million??



How can we deal with pigweed?
How can we deal with increasing fertilizer costs?



Soil test, lime and fertilize accordingly
Split applications
Double cropping cotton considerations?




corn ↓? peanuts ↑ soybeans ↑
Consider early varieties
Get off to good start
Be conservative with N
How do we prepare for Bollgard expiration?
Registration of Bollgard is expected to expire in 2009.
The Tried and True
Give me data.
Give me local experience.
Give me on-farm experience.
Over time, years, environment.
UGA Variety Trial
Data:
ugacotton.com
Variety Diversification
Spread risks by
 the “20 / 60 / 20 rule”
old standbys / current leaders / brand new
It is important to
gain
experience
 the “90
/ 10 rule”
go with what you know / experiment
NOW.
Variety Diversification
Spread risks by
 the “20 / 60 / 20 rule”
old standbys / current leaders / brand new
Don’t forget REFUGE:
 the “90 /at
10 rule”
least 95 / 5.
go with what you know / experiment