Fifth Annual Wiregrass Cotton Expo Set for Late February
	The fifth annual Wiregrass Cotton Expo will be held Tuesday, Feb.24 in Dothan. The 
Expo, a regional meeting serving both Alabama and Florida farmers, will be held on the National 
Peanut Festival grounds on U.S. Highway 231 South. 
	“The Expo will provide cotton producers a great chance to learn the latest in management 
recommendations as well as recent developments in cotton research,” said William Birdsong, a 
cotton agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  
	The meeting, sponsored by Alabama Extension and the Florida Extension Service, 
begins with registration at 8 a.m.
	A variety of speakers will address weed control, insect control, variety selection, tillage 
and nitrogen management.  Dr. Jim Marois from the University of Florida will discuss results from 
the Southeast Regional Hard Lock Boll Trials.  Hard lock is a condition that prevents bolls from 
opening fully and exposing the cotton lint.  
	Thomas Kirkland, an Alabama cotton producer who is a representative to the National 
Cotton Council, will discuss ongoing activities of the Council.
	Industry representatives will exhibit the latest farm products and services as well as the 
newest farm machinery to be used in cotton production.  Dr. James O’Brien from the Florida 
Climate Center will be the guest speaker during the Expo’s luncheon.  He will discuss the weather 
for the 2004 crop year.


2004 Wiregrass Cotton Expo and Equipment Show
February 24
National Peanut Festival, Dothan

8:00	Registration and Exhibitor Visits
	
8:30	Welcome:  Jimmy Jones, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

 	Cotton Weed Management Update, 2004 
	Mike Patterson, Alabama Cooperativ. Extension System

8:45	Cotton Market Outlook, 2004 
	Bob Goodman, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

9:00	Controlling the “Bug” Complex in Wiregrass Cotton
	Ron Smith, Auburn University

9:30	Variety Selection and Performance 
	William Birdsong, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
	Cotton Seed Representatives: DPL, Stoneville, Fiber Max, Phytogen

10:00 Break and Visit With Exhibitors

10:30	Tillage and Nitrogen Management in Cotton
	David Wright, University of Florida

11:00	National Cotton Council Report
	Thomas Kirkland, Alabama Cotton Producer
	National Cotton Council Representative

11:25	Results from Southeast Regional Hard Lock Boll Trials
	Jim Marois, University of Florida

11:55 	Farm Service Agency Update
	Ronnie Davis, State FSA office—Alabama

Noon	Lunch and Door Prizes		
	Guest speaker:  Dr. James O’Brien, Florida Climate Center