Tennessee's Annual Cotton Focus Scheduled For February 12

Jan 30, 2015

By Dr. Tyson Raper

UT Extension Cotton Specialist

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s annual Cotton Focus program is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson, Tenn.

Geared toward producers and agriculture industry professionals, Cotton Focus is packed with useful information for the upcoming cropping season in a succinct, half-day format. Registration begins at 8 a.m. CST and concludes with a complimentary lunch at noon. There is no cost to attend.

Cotton focus program topics include weed, insect, disease and nitrogen management; best irrigation practices; and an in-depth look at the performance of tested cotton varieties. Also on the agenda are a presentation on the relationship between crop production and beekeeping, an update on the use and regulations of unmanned aerial systems, and a look ahead at the 2015 cotton market.

The complete Cotton Focus program can be viewed online at UTCrops.com (click on the “Upcoming Events” link) or call 731-425-4707 for more details.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for Pesticide Applicators and Certified Crop Advisors.

Cotton Focus has moved to the DoubleTree Hotel for 2015 due to ongoing renovations at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The DoubleTree is located at 1770 Highway 45 Bypass in Jackson.

The UT Institute of Agriculture provides instruction, research and outreach through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch, including its system of 10 research and education centers, and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.

Source:tennessee.edu

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.