Peanut and cotton growers provided their input into commodity programs in the next farm bill during a hearing this week before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Georgia farmer Tim McMillan testified on behalf of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation in support of maintaining the peanut provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill and the …
More Beans and Cotton, Less Corn and Wheat
The first estimate for crop plantings this year by USDA is calling for less corn and wheat but more soybeans and cotton. The 2017 Prospective Plantings report based on farmer surveys estimates that corn planted area for all purposes in 2017 will be 90 million acres, down 4 percent or 4.0 million acres from last year. Soybeans planted area for …
Bayer Opens Texas Cotton Breeding Station
Southwest cotton growers will benefit from a new $16.7 million Bayer breeding and research station near Lubbock, Texas that celebrated its grand opening this week. The facility will focus on developing drought-resistant cotton varieties and traits for limited-input situations. Pictured in the ribbon cutting photo are: Tom Speed, Bayer cottonseed and traits; Tim Timmis, Bayer project execution; Margaret Shields, US …
FMC Supports #MSFGS17 and Cotton Growers
Mid-South Farm and Gin Show took place last week in Memphis, Tennessee and FMC is a big part of making that happen as a long-time sponsor. Chris Reat says the show is a lot of fun; a place where relationships are built and reconnected as members of the industry gather to learn about a commodity which plays a lesser part …
Farm & Gin Show is #MSFGS17 and 65
The Mid-South Farm & Gin Show just celebrated 65 years! And to learn more about this year’s show I spoke with show director, Tim Price. I have to share this anecdote from my hotel the night before the show started. Waiting for an elevator a small group of people were discussing the show sign that was in the hallway. One …
Bayer Recognizes Growers with Legacy Club
Stoneville cotton seed is celebrating the history of the south with a special Legacy Club to honor growers averaging more than 1,794 lb/acre of Stoneville seed cotton grown on 20- acres or more. The 1,794 mark was chosen to remember the year Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin. Those who qualify for membership also have the opportunity to attend a …
Topguard® Terra Helping SW Cotton Farmers
Cotton root rot has been a problem for farmers in the southwest for decades, but FMC’s Topguard® Terra is making a difference. FMC Southern Regional Business Manager Matt Hancock says Topguard® Terra is an extremely systemic triazole fungicide. “So it gets into the plant and it stays there,” he said during an interview this week at the ARA Conference and …
Big Crops Get Bigger
USDA increased the numbers for corn, soybeans, cotton and oranges in the latest crop production forecast out Wednesday. Corn production is now forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up one percent from the October forecast and 12 percent higher than last year with yields expected to average 175.3 bushels per acre, which will be the highest yield and production on record. …
Some Changes in USDA Crop Forecast
The September crop forecast out today from USDA decreases the corn crop a bit, but increases both soybeans and cotton. Corn production is now forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, down less than one percent from the August forecast, but still 11 percent more than last year and still expected to be a record. “Based on conditions as of September 1, …
Year Two of LibertyLink #RealYield Sweepstakes
The 1st annual Bayer Showcase Plot Tours are underway across the country delivering diverse solutions and expertise for many pressing crop challenges. Athens, Illinois was home to one stop where I got to chat with Bayer’s Daren Bohannan to learn more about Bayer’s LibertyLink Real Yield Sweepstakes which is in it’s second year. Growers have the chance to win up …