What is in this article?:
- Yield, variety traits weigh heavily for Texas cotton producers
- Management system
- Protection plans
- Yield and traits top Texas cotton growers priority lists
- Traits reduce hassles
- Some still want conventional options
More About:
In today's world of Texas cotton, large-acreage farmers may not be as apt to switch to conventional varieties as small producers, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
Producers planting hundreds of acres don't have the time for hassles such as weed and insect problems more associated with conventional varieties. Take the chance and there's potential for added labor and input costs that could chip away at potential profits during times of historically high cotton prices, said Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension state cotton specialist.
"When it comes to non-genetically modified cotton, some producers have just gotten so big and it would require more time and labor for them to go with conventional varieties," Morgan said. "They just won’t be able to stay ahead of the weeds."
In his presentation at the Texas Plant Protection Association conference recently, Morgan said Texas planted more than 93 percent in genetically modified cotton in 2010. When farmers make variety selections, they should consider both variety and technology that fit their farming operation.
