In the News - September 2009
Weed scientist seeks input from cotton growers until harvest can begin
MONTICELLO, Ark. - A University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture weed
scientist is asking cotton farmers to do a little research until fields are dry
enough to harvest.
"While it's too wet to get in the fields, I'd like to see producers make
written notes about special weed problems in the fields," said Ken Smith,
professor and extension weed scientist for the U of A Division of Agriculture.
"This information will be useful to them later on when they start making
decisions about what to plant and what weed control programs should be initiated
in each field."
He's asking cotton producers to record:
- Types of weeds
- Location of weeds - which fields
- What herbicides were used and what worked and what did not.
The written notes are important because once harvest does start
"it'll all be erased in the field," Smith said. Additionally, the producer may not be in the field riding
the combine or picker and won't be noting those field issues.
"Once the marketing, field prep, holidays and financing issues are
worked out, we might forget what problems were in the field the previous year," he said.
"The notes will be an important reminder not to get into the same situation next
year."
Harvest of most crops in Arkansas came to a standstill the week
ending Sept. 20, as up to 10 inches of rain poured into areas of the state. Cotton was running late on
maturing because much of it was planted late due to spring rain.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Arkansas growers
planted 520,000 acres of cotton this year, down from 620,000 last year. The 2008
crop was valued at nearly $349 million dollars.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
September 25, 2009
By Mary Hightower
U of A Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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