AQCA COMMENTARY

February 9, 2010

BY: JEFF THOMPSON, MANAGER

            Cotton variety selection is the most important production decision one will make all year.  Recently it has become one of the most difficult, as well.  Varieties are now being introduced at such a rapid pace we have very limited test data from which to base decisions.  The rising cost of new varieties and technology front end our production expense to the point we can ill afford to be wrong.  Fifteen years ago it cost about $40 an acre to run a planter across a field compared to today's cost of approximately $140.  In addition, the rampant spread of glyphosate resistant weeds has done away with the one variety fits all program of the past.  Selection now must be made on a field by field basis according to the special requirements of each. For producers in the Southeast and Mid South,  selection this year becomes ever more critical as the search continues to find a replacement for  DP 555, our most consistent and highest yielding performer since DP 90.

  The mere fact I've been working on this newsletter for weeks reflects the difficulty of this task.  Every time I gained confidence in my recommendations new data would appear creating second thoughts. However, after repeated reviews of test results and recalling personal observations, I have drawn these conclusions and comments.  Yield potential and consistency should be your number one selection criteria.  Choose from those which consistently produce top yields over a wide range of test locations and growing conditions. Try to use more than one year's data where you can, even though it's nearly impossible with the newer ones.  I would recommend planting 80% of your acreage to more proven varieties which have at least a 2 or 3 year performance history. Limit the plantings of newer varieties to no more than 20% of your acreage.  Always remember your farm is its own best test site.  If something has been working well don't change for the sake of change.  Stay with it and only experiment on a small scale.

            It seems there's no end to the rising cost of seed and technology.   Justification in the minds of the seed manufacturers is a higher yield bar.  My question to them is at what cost to the producer.  The risk a dryland producer is asked to assume when he purchases that $650 bag of seed is unreal. There is no guarantee of making yields greatest enough to offset these front end loaded expenses nor the supplemental applications we are now having to make.  Even more unjust is the lack of choices in technology.  Practically all the newer varieties are coming to us as Bollgard II and Roundup Flex which not surprisingly carries the highest price tag.  For years now I have been a vocal advocate for choices.  Every field situation is different and they all do not require a Cadillac technology package.  It is here I applaud the efforts of Phytogen.  They are the only seed company who offers a Bt variety without a herbicide gene.  It is my opinion PHY 440W is the most cost effective transgenic variety. In addition to providing worm control, Widestrike is also tolerant to Ignite herbicide.   The final proof can be found in the cost which is less than half that of the newer varieties.  On the other hand, if you prefer a variety with the herbicide gene and no Bt your selection is limited to PHY 315 RF, PHY 425 RF, or DP 174 RF.

            The threat posed by glyphosate resistant weeds has forced wholesale changes in our traditional herbicide programs.  Roundup is no longer the silver bullet it once was.   Alternative chemistry to include residual products is now a must placing the value of Roundup in question.  Ignite herbicide has emerged as a key player in the battle to control resistant weeds. It can be applied over the top of Fibermax Liberty Linked varieties as well as Phytogen Widestrike varieties.  Unfortunately, the Fibermax brand has not had a stellar track record in the Southeast when it comes to yield performance.  However, I do think the newly introduced FM 1845 LLB2 has potential. With Widestrike technology's tolerance to Ignite herbicide, the Phytogen varieties offer another excellent option.   PHY 375 WRF, PHY 485 WRF, PHY 370 WR, PHY 440W are all proven choices.  They also have a new full season variety PHY 565 WRF which shows some promise.

            The million dollar question remains what is our best DP 555 replacement.  The simple answer is no variety has truly emerged with performance characteristics equal to the task.  Consistency has been lacking with their performance erratic at best. The indeterminate growth habit of DP 555 was its major attribute contributing to late season boll set.  Look for varieties which tend to begin fruiting higher up the plant.  Varieties  currently available which show some promise include; Dyna-Gro 2570 B2RF, DP 0949 B2RF, DP 0935 B2RF, DP 1050 B2RF, FM 1740 B2RF, FM 1845 LLB2, PHY 375 WRF, PHY 485 WRF, PHY 440 W, STV 5458, and STV 5288.

            Now you didn't honestly think I was going to overlook conventional cotton did you?  You all know I have been a proponent of conventional cotton for some time and remain so.  Granted, I know conventional production is not for everyone.  However, for those willing to devote the extra time and energy profits can be had at much less risk.  Dr. Ron Smith,  Auburn University Extension Cotton Entomologist, conducted some systems trials in 2009 that supported this.  I will elaborate on his work in a later newsletter. Limited availability of high performing conventional varieties has and continues to be the major obstacle.  As a result, many producers have resorted to saving their own seed.  Until this year we were quite successful in doing so.   2009, however, reminded us of why seed production is best left to the arid climates of the west.  This winter we were fortunate in locating a supply of preferred conventional seed from Texas.  AQCA is taking steps to insure a steady supply will be available for future use.  Another option would be the commercially available CT varieties from South Texas.  CT Linwood and CT 310 have performed admirably in both on farm trials and University tests.  Finally, there are a few bags of Bronco 7169 available from last year. Please call my office if you would like to know more about conventional cotton production.

             I am in the process of putting 2009 cotton variety test data from various states on our website for your review.  It should be up within the week.  In the mean time here are my recommendations for 2010 plantings.

80% of acreage - Dyna- Gro 2570 B2RF, DP 0949 B2RF, DP 0935 B2RF, PHY 375 WRF, PHY 485 WRF, PHY 440 W, PHY 315 RF, PHY 425 RF,STV 5458 B2RF

20% of acreage - DP 1048 B2RF, DP 1050 B2RF, FM 1740 B2F, FM 1835 LLB2, PHY 565 B2RF, STV 4288 B2RF

Conventional - AQ 91, AQ 900, CT Linwood, and CT 310

Until next time,