Browse Cotton Stories - Page 11

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will recognize nine of its finest next month with the D.W. Brooks Awards for Excellence and the CAES Faculty and Staff Support Awards.

The University of Georgia’s newly hired Cooperative Extension cotton agronomist believes the biggest challenge Georgia cotton farmers face is making a profit. Jared Whitaker will officially being his post on Dec. 1 and will be based in Tifton, Georgia.

Led by increases in forestry and livestock values, Georgia’s agricultural output increased by $484 million in 2014, making agriculture, once again, the largest industry in the state with a value of $14.1 billion. According to the most recent University of Georgia Farmgate Value Report, published earlier this month, the value of Georgia’s livestock and aquaculture industries increased by almost 36 percent from 2013.

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ outreach at the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo and the presence of university, college and UGA Cooperative Extension leaders at the event highlighted Georgia's importance, and UGA's role, in regional and national agriculture.

An impending El Niño weather pattern could negatively impact Georgia farmers’ abilities to harvest their peanut and cotton crops, according to University of Georgia climatologist Pam Knox.

Women own 13.6 percent of America’s active farms and their farms produce almost $13 billion worth of goods each year. Just like male farmers, they need access to business and technical information to help make their farms successful. But while many pride themselves on not needing a “women’s only” class on how to work the land or run a business, many other women simply feel more comfortable learning around other female farmers.

Cotton and peanut research will be featured at the University of Georgia field day, set for Wednesday, Sept. 9, on the UGA campus in Tifton.

Georgia cotton farmers can benefit from using rye as a cover crop, according to scientists on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. Along with providing an added defense against glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth at planting, rye significantly reduces thrips infestations and could save farmers irrigation expenses.

A University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agronomist says managing vegetative growth is key for cotton farmers. Yields and profits may be at risk without the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs).

In addition to low prices, controlling nematodes is top priority for Georgia cotton farmers. But with one effective control method being taken away and a new one in short supply, University of Georgia researchers and Cooperative Extension agents are working quickly to help farmers find a solution.