Agricultural News
National Cotton Council's Don Parker Says Planning Ahead is Key for Cotton Producers
Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:57:49 CST
With spring upon us and planting season just around the corner, cotton producers have to consider several key things. With exceptionally high input costs and shipping concerns, now is the time to start getting all your ducks in a row.
Farm Director KC Sheperd spoke with Don Parker, Vice President of Technology Services with National Cotton Council. He said the critical thing for this year is Top management, "It's going to be thinking about the timing of things, planning ahead, and making sure you've taken every measure you can get so that if shipping does become an issue, you have a backup plan." Parker encourages producers to make a plan if they haven't already and then think about the what-ifs, "If something interrupts your plan do you have a backup plan and a strategy to move forward?"
Parker also advises to start taking some preventative measures now so that when planting season hits, things roll smoothly, "If you know your herbicides that you are going to use, go ahead and make sure you get your labels downloaded. Make sure you get your documents in order so that once you get started, you don't have to keep up with all the paperwork."
With high fertilizer prices and the challenges that go with getting things shipped on time, Parker encourages producers to give some consideration to their cover crops, "You have to be thinking, what are those cover crops going to be contributing back into your fertilizer program? Cover crops will allow nutrients back in, and Parker says if you haven't accounted for those in your fertilizer plan, this is the year to make sure you do that, "That could help you shave some of those nitrogen applications, and that could be a big saving this year."
With drought covering a good portion of the US, Parker says he wouldn't go for the top yield with nitrogen applications, "If things turn around and get better, later on, you can come back and add some, but I wouldn't start the year putting out nitrogen at my plan for a top yield."
As the VP of Tech services, so many improvements and advancements have been made, Parker says it's incredible to see the technology that has moved into the agriculture sector, "Th equipment can keep the rows straight to make sure we optimize our land use, it's just amazing technology."
From the plant standpoint, Parker says technology is still "You have plants that have been modified where you are not putting as many chemicals into the system just to grow a crop, so its just tremendous, scientific breakthroughs that have not only improved our efficiency and productivity, but its also made us use less the natural resources."
To hear KC's complete conversation with Don Parker, click or tap below.
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