The first in a series of Gulf Coast Cotton Management Workshops will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center on Hwy. 44 just west of the Corpus Christi Airport. The focus of the first workshop will be the “Pre-season Planning to Emergence” period. This series, offers producers the opportunity to ask questions and interact with industry representatives, consultants, county agents and AgriLife Extension and Research personnel. With cotton prices currently at record levels, it is important to fine tune cotton production needs to be as efficient as possible to take advantage of the excellent prices. This workshop is designed to provide local cotton growers with tools to help them be successful in the coming growing season, according to Dr. Juan Landivar, Director of the Corpus Christi Agrilife Research and Extension Center.
The workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. and conclude by 5 p.m. Topics will include a discussion of weed management to avoid the growing herbicide resistance problem emerging in the cotton belt by an invited guest speaker, Dr. Peter Dotray, Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University. Representatives from cottonseed companies will discuss cotton cultivars for the 2011 season.
Locally developed online management tools available at the Crop Weather Program website will be discussed and demonstrated. Agronomic considerations for producing a good cotton crop will also be discussed, including temperature and soil moisture effects on germination along with seeding rates and final lint yields. Early insect management will also be reviewed, including seed treatments and their role for early-season insect protection.
The session will wrap-up with a discussion on cotton prices and marketing strategies for the upcoming crop. 3 CEU’s will be offered for pesticide applicators and certified crop advisors. This workshop is being sponsored by Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any of the mentioned activities, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office at 361-767-5223 at least eight days before all programs for assistance.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all citizens without
regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.
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