COTTON WORKSHOP -FOCUS ON HARVEST PREPARATION

    The third in a series of Gulf Coast Cotton Management Workshops will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center on Hwy. 44 just west of the Corpus Christi Airport.  The focus of this workshop will be the “Preparing the Crop for Harvest.”  This series offers producers the opportunity to ask questions and interact with industry representatives, consultants, 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 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 5:00 p.m.  Topics will include a discussion on Environmental and Physiological Processes that Impact Fiber Quality Development led by Mourad Krifa, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Fiber Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Textiles and Apparel.  Dr. Krifa will also be discussing fiber development and micronaire variation - the key to cotton fiber use-value.  The discussion on the expected impact of drought stress on fiber quality will be of particular interest this year due to our below normal rainfall during the growing season.
     An online Cotton Defoliation management tool available at the Crop Weather Program website will be discussed and demonstrated, while agronomic considerations for improving the final stages of this cotton crop will be reviewed.  In addition, marketing updates and risk management strategies will be discussed by local Extension Economists.
    2 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.