Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Danny Nusser, 806-376-0051, d-nusser@tamu.edu
LUBBOCK – Raising quality cotton means better products for the consumer and more return to the producer.
To ensure growers have all the information they need to make decisions that impact quality, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Cotton Fiber Quality Conference and Tours Aug. 4 in Lubbock.
The educational program will start with registration at 8 a.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294, also known as Shallowater Road.
Information to raise cotton profits by increasing quality will be the goal of an Aug. 4 Cotton Fiber Quality Conference in Lubbock. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)
“Producing pounds of lint while maintaining quality fiber is always a challenge for cotton producers,” said Danny Nusser, AgriLife Extension regional program leader in Amarillo and Lubbock.
“Topics related to harvest aides, equipment setting and care, irrigation timing, weed control, genetics, fertility, etc. are all late-season decisions producers make that impact this challenge. The goal of this program is to prepare producers with information that potentially helps them increase their return by increasing the quality of their product.”
The concurrent morning tours will include:
— Texas Cotton Quality in Developmental Research, Dr. Jane Dever, Texas A&M AgriLife Research cotton geneticist, and Carol Kelly, AgriLife Research associate, Lubbock.
— Late-Season Timing of Irrigation for Maximum Efficiency and Quality, Dr. Dana Porter, AgriLife Extension irrigation specialist, Lubbock.
— Quality Impact on Late Season-Fertility Decisions, Dr. Katie Lewis, AgriLife Research and Texas Tech University soil fertility researcher, Lubbock.
— Cotton Growth and Development/Plant Growth Regulator Opportunities, and Harvest Aid Technology, Dr. Seth Byrd and Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension cotton agronomists, Lubbock and College Station, respectively.
— Late-Season Cotton Weed Management, Dr. Peter Dotray, AgriLife Extension weed and herbicide specialist, Lubbock.
Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director at College Station, is the scheduled luncheon speaker. Steele will speak on the agency’s mission and impact. He will be followed by the Plains Cotton Growers staff discussing Agriculture Legislative Updates, Producers Opportunities to Get Involved, and the 2016 Crop Outlook
The next tours are set for 1:30 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Agricultural Research Service Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit, 1604 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294.
Presentations at this stop will include:
— Harvesting and Ginning Effects on Cotton Quality, John Wanjura, agricultural engineer, USDA Production and Processing Research, Lubbock.
— Cotton Market Update and the Value of Quality Fiber, Dr. Jackie Smith, AgriLife Extension economist, Lubbock.
The day will end with a 3:30 p.m. tour of the Texas Tech University Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute located at 1001 E. Loop 289 by Dr. Brendon Kelly, Texas Tech University cotton fiber researcher, Lubbock.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and two general, will be offered.
Nusser said there will be no charge for lunch or the program due to sponsor support, but an RSVP is requested by Aug. 1.
For more information or to RSVP, contact the local AgriLife Extension county office or Nusser at 806-376-0051 or d-nusser@tamu.edu .
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