The cotton crop across the Southwest is not just “variable” this year, it’s split-screen. We talk with a panel of Extension cotton specialists from Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to compare what’s holding on, what’s falling apart, and why water capacity is still the number one story even when the heat is doing the loudest damage. From Arizona’s mostly irrigated acres and surprising insect pressure to West Texas estimates of massive dryland abandonment, the regional update is blunt, specific, and packed with field-level realities. We also pivot into the part of the season where good intentions meet hard math: defoliation and harvest aid decisions. When cotton is drought stressed, leaves droop early, plants are less active, and timing matters more than ever. We dig into practical guidance on spraying when leaves have turgor, adjusting ground speed and spray volume, choosing products that fit picker versus stripper systems, and scouting maturity by cutting upper bolls instead of waiting on a calendar date. Frost timing, cool-down risk, and the possibility of fall rain and regrowth all shape the strategy. Finally, we zoom out to the bigger question: what happens if the toolbox shrinks. Harvest aids are not just convenience products, they are central to fiber quality, timely harvest, and meeting stalk destruction deadlines tied to Boll Weevil Eradication Program. If you farm cotton, advise cotton, or just want a clear view of how drought, irrigation limits, and harvest logistics collide, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share the episode with a grower or consultant, and leave a review with your biggest harvest concern for 2026.

The cotton crop across the Southwest is not just “variable” this year, it’s split-screen. We talk with a panel of Extension cotton specialists from Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to compare what’s holding on, what’s falling apart, and why water capacity is still the number one story even when the heat is doing the loudest damage. From Arizona’s mostly irrigated acres and surprising insect pressure to West Texas estimates of massive dryland abandonment, the regional update is blunt, specific, and packed with field-level realities. We also pivot into the part of the season where good intentions meet hard math: defoliation and harvest aid decisions. When cotton is drought stressed, leaves droop early, plants are less active, and timing matters more than ever. We dig into practical guidance on spraying when leaves have turgor, adjusting ground speed and spray volume, choosing products that fit picker versus stripper systems, and scouting maturity by cutting upper bolls instead of waiting on a calendar date. Frost timing, cool-down risk, and the possibility of fall rain and regrowth all shape the strategy. Finally, we zoom out to the bigger question: what happens if the toolbox shrinks. Harvest aids are not just convenience products, they are central to fiber quality, timely harvest, and meeting stalk destruction deadlines tied to Boll Weevil Eradication Program. If you farm cotton, advise cotton, or just want a clear view of how drought, irrigation limits, and harvest logistics collide, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share the episode with a grower or consultant, and leave a review with your biggest harvest concern for 2026.

The cotton crop across the Southwest is not just “variable” this year, it’s split-screen. We talk with a panel of Extension cotton specialists from Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to compare what’s holding on, what’s falling apart, and why water capacity is still the number one story even when the heat is doing the loudest damage. From Arizona’s mostly irrigated acres and surprising insect pressure to West Texas estimates of massive dryland abandonment, the regional update is blunt, specific, and packed with field-level realities. We also pivot into the part of the season where good intentions meet hard math: defoliation and harvest aid decisions. When cotton is drought stressed, leaves droop early, plants are less active, and timing matters more than ever. We dig into practical guidance on spraying when leaves have turgor, adjusting ground speed and spray volume, choosing products that fit picker versus stripper systems, and scouting maturity by cutting upper bolls instead of waiting on a calendar date. Frost timing, cool-down risk, and the possibility of fall rain and regrowth all shape the strategy. Finally, we zoom out to the bigger question: what happens if the toolbox shrinks. Harvest aids are not just convenience products, they are central to fiber quality, timely harvest, and meeting stalk destruction deadlines tied to Boll Weevil Eradication Program. If you farm cotton, advise cotton, or just want a clear view of how drought, irrigation limits, and harvest logistics collide, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share the episode with a grower or consultant, and leave a review with your biggest harvest concern for 2026.

Drought, Water, And Heat Across The Southwest Cotton Belt

Randy Norton, Ben McKnight, and Murilo Maeda provide updates from their areas on the 2021 cotton season so far, and their outlook as harvest approaches.

Randy Norton, Ben McKnight, and Murilo Maeda provide updates from their areas on the 2021 cotton season so far, and their outlook as harvest approaches.

Episode 8 - Southwest Update

Stu Duncan, Keith Edmisten, and Brian Pieralisi discuss characteristics they look for in varieties mid-season. They also cover the current condition of the crop in their respective states.

Stu Duncan, Keith Edmisten, and Brian Pieralisi discuss characteristics they look for in varieties mid-season. They also cover the current condition of the crop in their respective states.

Episode 7 - Variety characteristics and other mid-season tips

Dr. Camp Hand, Dr. Bob Hutmacher, and Mr. Tyler Sandlin discuss the use of plant growth regulators in their respective states. Topics include typical recommendations, current issues that impact this year’s decisions, and trends they’ve seen in the use of PGRs.

Dr. Camp Hand, Dr. Bob Hutmacher, and Mr. Tyler Sandlin discuss the use of plant growth regulators in their respective states. Topics include typical recommendations, current issues that impact this year’s decisions, and trends they’ve seen in the use of PGRs.

Episode 6 - PGR Strategies for 2021

Dr. Steve Brown, Dr. Hunter Frame, and Dr. Randy Norton discuss in-season nitrogen applications in cotton. Topics include methods of application, scheduling applications, and potential issues with nitrogen fertility in cotton production.

Dr. Steve Brown, Dr. Hunter Frame, and Dr. Randy Norton discuss in-season nitrogen applications in cotton. Topics include methods of application, scheduling applications, and potential issues with nitrogen fertility in cotton production.

Episode 5 - In-Season Nitrogen Applications

Recorded May 26th, Dr. Matt Foster, Dr. Brian Pieralisi, Dr. Tyson Raper, and Dr. Bill Robertson give an update on planting conditions for the mid-south and discuss considerations moving forward.

Recorded May 26th, Dr. Matt Foster, Dr. Brian Pieralisi, Dr. Tyson Raper, and Dr. Bill Robertson give an update on planting conditions for the mid-south and discuss considerations moving forward.

Episode 4 - Mid-South Planting Update

Entomologist Dr. Scott Stewart discusses management of thrips and factors that influence thrips pressure.

Entomologist Dr. Scott Stewart discusses management of thrips and factors that influence thrips pressure.

Episode 3 - Thrips Pressure

Dr. Guy Collins, Dr. Murilo Maeda, and Dr. Tyson Raper talk replanting issues, including scenarios where replants may be needed, factors to consider when replanting, and when to accept a thin stand.

Dr. Guy Collins, Dr. Murilo Maeda, and Dr. Tyson Raper talk replanting issues, including scenarios where replants may be needed, factors to consider when replanting, and when to accept a thin stand.

Dr. Guy Collins, Dr. Murilo Maeda, and Dr. Tyson Raper talk replanting issues, including scenarios where replants may be needed, factors to consider when replanting, and when to accept a thin stand.&nbsp;

Episode 2 - Replant Decisions

Discussions on planting preparations with Dr. Bill Robertson, Dr. Keith Edmisten, and Dr. Ben McKnight.  Topics covered include seeding rate, planting date, planting considerations.

Discussions on planting preparations with Dr. Bill Robertson, Dr. Keith Edmisten, and Dr. Ben McKnight. Topics covered include seeding rate, planting date, planting considerations.

Discussions on planting preparations with Dr. Bill Robertson, Dr. Keith Edmisten, and Dr. Ben McKnight.&nbsp; Topics covered include seeding rate, planting date, planting considerations.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Episode 1 - Planting Preparations

Seth Byrd and Tyson Raper give an overview of what will be covered in Cotton Specialists Corner, a podcast by the Cotton Specialists working group and other cotton experts from across the U.S.

Seth Byrd and Tyson Raper give an overview of what will be covered in Cotton Specialists Corner, a podcast by the Cotton Specialists working group and other cotton experts from across the U.S.

Cotton Specialists Corner - Trailer

Extension Cotton Specialists and others from across the U.S. weigh in on a variety of topics that impact cotton producers, consultants, and the industry as a whole.

Science

Natural Sciences

Extension Cotton Specialists and others from across the U.S. weigh in on a variety of topics that impact cotton producers, consultants, and the industry as a whole.

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