Missouri Cotton News
April 2001

This newsletter is published for the Missouri Cotton Industry.
Editor: Bobby Phipps
State Extension Cotton Specialist

Saving Money during Boll Weevil Eradication

Business will be as usual until weevil eradication starts in mid- August and the diapause program starts. The program is based on actual cost. If the cost of the program is less than expected we will be charged less than originally planned. There are several practices that can reduce the cost of the program. Leaving the boll weevil traps unharmed will help the eradication staff determine the need of each field to be sprayed. Volunteer cotton in soybeans can be a problem if the cotton is left in the field. Weevils can then reproduce in the plants and be a source of reinfestation in neighboring cotton fields. Early destruction of cotton stalks will help leave few places for a weevil to reproduce. By all of us working together we can reduce the cost of the weevil eradication program.

Save the Seed Tags

We all occasionally have problems establishing a stand. Was it the seed? I checked a field that was supposed to be Roundup Ready but it obviously was not since it died after an application of Roundup. Who made the mistake? It is much easier to resolve these problems if you saved the tag or label on the bag since it gives the lot number of the seed. The Seed Company can check the reserve sample that was from the same seed lot. Then it can be verified if it was labeled wrong and germination can also be verified. Without the lot number it is almost impossible to determine if the seed was to blame.

Free Disposal of Old Chemicals, Even DDT

Most of us have old agricultural chemicals around the farm that are no longer useable or are illegal to use. It is not illegal to own these old chemicals but it is illegal to dispose of items like DDT. Usually we have no way to dispose of them that is not costly. The Department of Natural Resources has some funds left to provide us a way to dispose of these items free of charge. This is an opportunity to clean chemicals out of old storage sheds. The chemicals can even be in unlabelled containers. This chemical disposal will be at Ag Distributing, Hwy. T South, in Portageville. It is located across the street from the Delta Center. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 6, 2001 for one day only. The chemicals will need to be in containers that are not leaking or place in larger buckets or wrapped in plastic sheeting so they will not leak. Unknown items will also be accepted. Do not bring in diluted solutions of currently registered useable pesticides. Pre- registration is necessary so that the Department of Natural Resources can have the right size truck available. No walk-ins or additional products will be accepted. Be sure to pre-register with your local county extension agent by May 18,2001.

A New Version of Cotman

Cotton Incorporated and the University of Arkansas have released the new Windows version of Cotman. It is a computer program that tells you if your crop is growing like it should in time to do something about it. It does not predict yield. One strong point is that it tells when bolls are large enough that boll eating insects like bollworms and budworms can no longer damage the boll. It also tells if the crop is cutting out too early or late. It requires only a minimal amount of data to be obtained in the field. Copies are available from my office and if you need instruction please give me a call at 573-379-5431. The program is very simple to use and user friendly. I like the program because it tells if there is a problem in time to do something about it.