AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Cotton is an Alabama row crop staple, so much so that the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University have dedicated resources to cotton entomological research for an entire century. While cotton insect research has been continuous for 100 years, agronomic research at the university level has been ongoing longer than that. Scott Graham and Ron Smith, Alabama Extension cotton entomologists, work with a statewide team of university, Extension and industry professionals to provide farmers with timely, accurate and cost-effective information.

Sharing Observations

From left: Steve Brown; Jon Stuckey, cotton consultant; Ed Kane, cotton consultant; Blake Lanton, agronomic crops regional Extension agent; and Scott Graham.

Graham said one of the most important things he and his university counterparts can do is listen to what is happening on farms across the state. This helps them predict patterns and help farmers make sound management decisions.

“It is so important to utilize the network of industry professionals, cotton consultants and Extension personnel to make sure that our recommendations are as accurate as they can be,” Graham said.

Each spring, Smith, Graham, cotton agronomist Steve Brown, weed scientist Steve Li and regional Extension agents from across the state meet with consultants and industry representatives to talk about successes from the previous growing season, as well as anticipated challenges. Smith said the round-table discussion has benefitted farmers because it is a time to share ideas and successes.

“Sharing observations and talking through best management practices is really important to the cotton crop in Alabama,” Smith said. “We want to be on the same page with our research-based recommendations and what farmers are hearing from their scouts or consultants.”

Information Comes from the Same Place

From left: Johnny Reynolds, cotton consultant, Scott Graham, and Ed Kane.

Recommendations for farmers in north Alabama may be different from what producers need in central or south Alabama. However, Graham said the key to a successful cotton season is consistency.

“We can learn so much from the cotton consultants because they are looking at hundreds of acres of cotton every week,” Graham said. “Their observations are critical to our ability to make good management recommendations and decisions.”

The consultants’ thorough scouting and their willingness to share information with the Extension team can mean the difference between farmers having a crop loss or a yield bump. Graham said teamwork is vital to the success of the year’s crop.

“Whether you’re paying a cotton consultant for their recommendations or you are walking the rows using a sweep net with your regional Extension agent, your recommendations are built by a team of professionals and backed by university research,” Graham said. “The cotton industry as a whole is unique because we all need each other to be successful. However, the producers in Alabama really have an exceptional benefit because their consultants and their Extension agents are well-connected.”

More Information

For more information about cotton insect management, visit www.aces.edu or contact your agronomic crops regional Extension agent.