The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the 2024 Permian Basin Cotton Conference on March 20 in Big Spring.

A close-up of a cotton boll on a cotton plant. Participants at the March 20 Permian Basin Cotton Conference in Big Spring will learn the latest tips and trends in growing cotton in the region.
Participants at the March 20 Permian Basin Cotton Conference in Big Spring will learn the latest tips and trends in growing cotton in the region. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Sam Craft)

The free event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the H.C. Broughton Jr. Complex, 2411 Echols St. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

An RSVP is recommended by March 18. To RSVP, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Howard County at 423-264-2236.

Lunch will be provided, and a total of three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available, including two integrated pest management, IPM, units and one laws and regulations unit.

On the agenda

The conference will feature the following speakers and topics:

  • Integrated pest management update — Brad Easterling, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent, Glasscock County.
  • Weed/invasive species management — Reagan Noland, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, San Angelo.
  • Rotational and IPM strategies to enhance wheat with cotton — Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist, state hemp and alternative crops specialist and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Lubbock.
  • Summer forages — Trostle.
  • Farm bill update — Kody Bessent, chief executive officer, Plains Cotton Growers, Lubbock.
  • Economic outlook for cotton and small grains – Darren Hudson, Ph.D., professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock.
  • Industry updates from seed and chemical representatives.
  • Auxin training — Noland.