Bhupinder Farmaha (Clemson University), Tyson Raper (University of Tennessee), John Arnall (Oklahoma State) and Katie Lewis (Texas A&M) join host Steve Brown to discuss N management in cotton. The session addresses:  Are we using too much N in some areas? Why do many N studies across the Belt show limited or even no response to N? If that is the case, where does the N come from? How much N is actually required to make a bale of cotton (and the associated seed, etc.)? Can we mine residual N in subsoil layers? Might it be possible to impose targeted nutrient stress on cotton and improve root growth and yield? And a lot more. There are clear differences in how we manage N across the U.S. It is a lively discussion on a key topic.

Drs. Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State) and Brian Arnall (Oklahoma State) join host Steve Brown in a broad discussion on the subject of new Biological, Microbial and other products targeted to improve crop productivity. We discuss the 2023 Beltwide Cotton Incorporated project in this realm and also chase several "rabbits," including topics such as N rates (are we using too much?), soil health and "regenerative" ag.

Fred Bourland (University of Arkansas) and John Snider (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown for another discussion on cotton seed quality. We talk about seed quality variations within the plant, within varieties, the effects of ginning and acid delinting, seed vigor versus seedling vigor and other related issues. This is the second of two sessions on Cotton SEED QUALITY.

Fred Bourland (University of Arkansas), Camp Hand and John Snider (University of Georgia) and Lori Unruh Snyder (NC State)  join host Steve Brown in a detailed discussion on Seed Quality. Subjects include Cotton Incorporated Beltwide Seed Quality Projects 1.0 and 2.0, visual mechanical damage (VMD), seed quality measurements,  comparisons with seed in Australia, "seed vigor" versus "seedling vigor" and considerations for planting in 2024. A related discussion will follow in a couple of weeks.

Drs. Mike Jones of Clemson University and Ken Lege of Texas A&M join host Steve Brown of Auburn to discuss methods of variety testing and evaluation as well as the process of variety development at the corporate level. We talk about small plot OVTs versus large scale on-farm trials and the relative strengths of each. Variety selection is extremely important -- study the data!

Plant Pathologists Kathy Lawrence of Auburn University, Heather Kelly of the University of Tennessee and Terry Wheeler of Texas A&M join host Steve Brown, Extension Cotton Agronomist at Auburn, to discuss nematode management in major regions across the U.S. Topics include nematode species prevalent in respective ares of the Belt, presence by soil type, levels of annual yield loss as well as control measures such as seed treatments, in-furrow and foliar products, considerations for sampling, utility of nematode resistant varieties and effective rotational crops by region.

Texas A&M, Texas AgriLife  Extension Agronomists Ben McKnight, Josh McGinty, Reagan Noland, Jourdan Bell and Ken Lege join host Steve Brown of Auburn University to talk about the 2023 Texas crop and  prospects for 2024. The discussion provides insight on the diversity of the state's production areas and their related challenges, past and present.

Camp Hand (Agronomist) and Phillip Roberts (Entomologist) of the University of Georgia and Scott Graham (Entomologist) of Auburn University join host Steve Brown, Extension Cotton Agronomist, to discuss the complicated issue of deer damage in cotton. Deer provide a significant threat to the crop in much of the eastern Cotton Belt. These scientists  talk about various measures that deliver some help, but acknowledge there is no simple, easy, fool-proof solution. It's a fun but sobering discussion.

Fred Bourland, University of Arkansas, longtime Cotton Breeder, and Steve Hague, former Cotton Breeder at Texas A&M and Bayer, join host Steve Brown, Auburn University, to give a broad perspective on the process and history of breeding. Both have years of experience in the public sector in university breeding programs and Hague also shares from his years with Bayer during the early transition to transgenic technologies.

Entomologists Ben Thrash, University of Arkansas, Scott Graham, Auburn University, and Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, along with Agronomists Tyson Raper, University of Tennessee, and Camp Hand, University of Georgia, join host Steve Brown, Auburn University, to discuss overall results with the ThryvOn technology in the 2023 season. Subject matter includes a review of thrips and tarnished plant bug management as well as agronomic performance of available germplasm.