SOUTHWEST PANHANDLE COTTON CONFERENCE FEB. 11

Writers: Dennis Newton (806) 364-3573,dw-newton@tamu.edu

Pam Dillard (806) 359-5401, p-dillard@tamu.edu
Contact: Deaf Smith County Extension Service, (806) 364-3573

HEREFORD – Cotton producers will be offered the latest information on cotton production and marketing at the Southwest Panhandle Cotton Conference on Friday, Feb. 11, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Deaf Smith County Bull Barn in Hereford.

Program topics include management options for cotton and irrigation, control strategies for weeds and insects, genetically modified cottons, selection of seed treatments, marketing opportunities, fertilization, plant physiology, controlling herbicide drift, safe handling of pesticides and risk management.

Experts from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas Agriculture Experiment Station, Texas Tech University and private industry will be the presenters. Extension cotton marketing specialist Carl Anderson from Texas A&M University will be featured with his current marketing strategies and cotton price outlook.

Extension agronomist Randy Boman of Lubbock will discuss cotton management for profits, while entomologist James Leser, also of Lubbock, will cover cotton insect identification and integrated pest management. Weed management and control strategies will be addressed by Wayne Keeling, a weed and herbicide scientist with the Experiment Station in Lubbock.

Extension agricultural engineer Leon New of Amarillo will discuss irrigation management. Ken Ferreira, agronomic research manager with Monsanto Agricultural Sciences Company, will address the future of genetically modified cotton. Texas Tech University’s Cary Green, soil chemistry and fertility expert, will cover fertilizer selection, soil testing and plant nutrient usage. Dan Kreig, a crop physiologist also from Tech, will discuss how cotton plants develop and how the environment effects this development.

Jack LeClair, product development manager with UAP Southwest in Dallas, will cover methods of controlling herbicide drift in cotton. Jackie Smith, Extension farm management economist at Lubbock, will describe ways to improve financial resource management.

A trade show, displays and poster presentations from agricultural support industries, universities and other organizations will round out the program, according to Dennis Newton, Extension agricultural agent with Deaf Smith County.

“We’ll provide an opportunity for the seasoned and new cotton producers to learn more about production, marketing and managing their risk, ” the agent said.

Texas Department of Agriculture has been asked to approve five continuing education units (CEUs) for both private and commercial pesticide applicators. Additional CEU’s are planned for Certified Crop Advisors.

Registration includes a $10 fee which covers the noon luncheon, refreshments and hand out materials. For more information, contact the county Extension Service offices in Deaf Smith, Oldham, Potter and Randall counties. Call (806) 364-3573 to register.

Sponsors include the Extension Service and the Crops Committees of Deaf Smith and Randall counties, and Extension offices in Deaf Smith, Oldham, Potter and Randall counties, and the Hereford Farmers Gin, Inc.

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