Drs. Guy Collins (NCSU), Keith Edmisten (NCSU), Sudeep Sidhu (UF), and Josh Lee (AU) join host Camp Hand (UGA) to discuss planting conditions, acreage reduction, and crop management during a challenging 2024 season. Weather patterns, market pressures, and management strategies dominate the conversation as experts share insights on navigating the lowest cotton acreage since the early 1990s. • North Carolina experienced good early planting conditions followed by wet, cool weather that prevented ma...
Jul 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 56
Drs. Shelley Pate-Kerns (Louisiana State University), Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State University), Zachary Treadway (University of Arkansas), Tyson Raper (University of Tennessee), and Bradley Wilson (University of Missouri) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the status of the Mid-South Cotton Crop. Discussions include planting conditions and planted acres, current situation, and the crop outlook.
Jul 07, 2025•58 min•Ep. 55
Drs. Randy Norton (University of Arizona), Ken Lege (Texas A&M AgriLife), Jenny Dudak (Oklahoma State University), Logan Simon (Kansas State University), and Benjamin McKnight (Texas A&M AgriLife) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the crop in the Southwestern portion of the cotton belt. Discussions included planting conditions, planted acres, crop condition, and outlook for the season.
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 54
Drs. Jesse Daystar (Chief Sustainability Officer, Cotton Inc.) and Richard Venditti (Professor, Dept. of Forest Biomaterials at NC State) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss plastic leakage, particularly as it pertains to microplastic contamination in the environment and our bodies. Conversations revolve around the sustainability of cotton and how polyester is the main source of microplastic contamination around the world. For those wanting additional resources, those can be f...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 53
Entomologists Drs. Ray Frisbie (Texas A&M), Ron Smith (Auburn University), Phillip Roberts (University of Georgia), and agronomist Dr. Steve Brown (Auburn University) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss the history and importance of the boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis ) and its eradication. Discussions surround the boll weevil and its management prior to eradication, controversy surrounding eradication during the early days, changes in cotton growth and management followi...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 52
Extension Cotton Specialists Drs. Ken Lege (Texas A&M Agrilife), Tyson Raper (University of Tennssee), and Mike Jones (Clemson University) join host Camp Hand (University of Georgia) to discuss ways that growers across the cotton belt are adjusting production strategies with the difficult economic situation facing the farm in 2025. Conversations revolve around reducing current inputs (seeding rates, fertility) or changing production strategies entirely (ELS/conventional cotton) and associate...
Mar 24, 2025•53 min•Ep. 51
Drs. Keith Edmisten and Camp Hand, cotton specialists at North Carolina State University and the University of Georgia, respectively, join host Dr. Steve Brown to discuss the economic situation facing agricultural producers throughout the US, along with the impacts of hurricanes on cotton production, specifically discussing the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September.
Oct 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 50
Byron Cole, Deputy Director of the Grading Division, and Greg Townsend, Area Director of the Visalia Cotton Classing Office, join host Steve Brown to discuss the USDA Cotton Classing System, including Some of the history behind the System The processes and diligence of delivering consistent, repeatable analysis of samples within and across Classing Offices The actual how-to's of classing HVI versus the old way Year-to-year challenges and efficiencies Extraneous Matter Differences between upland ...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Dr. Wes Porter, Extension Ag Engineer at the University of Georgia, joins host Steve Brown to talk about the JD roll picker, with a few thoughts about the comparable stripper version. We discuss a little history about the concept and talk about advancements in capabilities of these remarkable machines. We specifically address how to calibrate the module handling system and the possible uses of the resulting data.
Aug 22, 2024•38 min
Extension Cotton Specialists Drs. Randy Norton (University of Arizona), Brian Pieralisi (Mississippi State) and Camp Hand (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown to discuss approaches, means, methods and challenges of irrigation in their respective regions. We also discuss WHEN to quit, when to shut off irrigation and the associated factors that go into that decision.
Aug 12, 2024•59 min
Cotton Entomologists Drs. Scott Graham (Auburn University) and Phillip Roberts (University of Georgia) join host Steve Brown to discuss management of this common pest ... at least a pest that is ever-present in the Southeast and perhaps some other parts of the Belt. Topics include why stink bugs are a threat in many areas, basic biology and life cycle characteristics, damage symptoms, scouting methods and thresholds as well as the intersection and influences of plant bug management with stink bu...
Jul 16, 2024•52 min
Soil Scientists / Fertility Experts Drs. Hunter Frame (Virginia Tech), Glen Harris (University of Georgia), Audrey Gamble (Auburn University) and Katie Lewis (Texas A&M) join host Steve Brown of Auburn to discuss the challenges associated with K management in cotton. Sometimes, particularly in the the Lower Southeast, we can fertilize appropriately and still encounter K deficiencies, presumably because pre-bloom heat/moisture stresses limit K uptake; then during boll-fill, K demand from leaf...
Jun 17, 2024•57 min
Numerous Extension Cotton Specialists from across the U.S. provide an update on the 2024 crop as of June 7. Reports include planting progress, expected final acreage crop, crop condition and emerging issues and challenges. Information from 10 states is provided, from Arizona to Virginia.
Jun 10, 2024•48 min
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...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min
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.
Apr 08, 2024•42 min
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.
Apr 05, 2024•54 min
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....
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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!
Mar 01, 2024•58 min
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, ...
Feb 07, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 38
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.
Feb 02, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 37
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....
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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.
Dec 13, 2023•59 min
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.
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Cotton Entomologists Ron Smith and Scott Graham join host Steve Brown to discuss some of the most critical events and challenges of managing cotton insects over the past 50 years or so. Ron is Professor Emeritus and Scott is an Assistant Professor; both serve the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University.
Nov 17, 2023•56 min
Ag Economists O.A. Cleveland, John Robinson and Don Shurley share their thoughts about the HOW-to's of marketing cotton. Cleveland and Shurley are Professors Emeritus of their respective institutions, Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia, and Robinson is Professor and Extension Specialist for cotton marketing in the Ag Economics Department at Texas A&M. They join host Steve Brown, Extension Cotton Agronomist, Auburn University in a discussion of different methods and me...
Oct 12, 2023•57 min
Extension Cotton Specialists and Agronomists from across the U.S. Cotton Belt talk about their 2023 crop and provide tips and recommendations for harvest aid applications and other preparations for cotton harvest. Speakers include Keith Edmisten, NC State, Brian Pieralisi, Mississippi State, Tyson Raper, University of Tennessee, Jourdan Bell, Texas A&M, and host Steve Brown, Auburn University.
Sep 01, 2023•54 min
Eminent Weed Scientists Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia, and Larry Steckel, University of Tennessee, join host Steve Brown, Auburn University, in discussing herbicide resistance in cotton. These scientists have had a front row seat in dealing with herbicide resistance in the field, in professional Weed Science circles and before regulatory bodies.
Aug 23, 2023•47 min
Entomologists Scott Graham, Auburn University, and Ben Thrash, University of Arkansas, along with Agronomists Tyson Raper, University of Tennessee, and host Steve Brown discuss the challenges and opportunities of the ThryvOn technology for plant bug management. Plant bug pressure has been significant across most of the South and in some areas, numbers are higher than we have ever seen. 2023 is the first year for most growers to see ThryvOn in large acreages.
Jul 18, 2023•29 min
Agronomists Keith Edmisten, NC State, Camp Hand, UGA, Brian Pieralisi, and Randy Norton, Univ of Arizona, join host Steve Brown, Auburn Univ, to talk about the use of PGRs (mepiquat, etc.) in cotton. It is interesting to hear the different approaches to growth management and similarities of thought about PGR use.
Jul 08, 2023•48 min
Extension scientists Brian Pieralis (Mississippi State) , Brian Arnall (Oklahoma State), Hunter Frame (Virginia Tech) and host Steve Brown (Auburn) discuss new "microbial" products that offer potential to enhance nutrient uptake and efficiency and possibly stress tolerance in cotton and other crops. This realm of study and development represents new possibilities for agriculture.
May 13, 2023•22 min
