Cotton and Peanut Research Virtual Field Day set for Sept. 9, 2020

PERRY/TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams, will co-sponsor a virtual research field day on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.

The virtual field day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at noon.  Re-certification credits for pesticide applicators and CCA will be available pending approval.  The field day is a free event, but attendees are encouraged to preregister at http://bit.ly/cottonpeanutfieldday.

The purpose of the tour is to showcase current research to producers and industry leaders, which is funded by both commissions. The sponsors’ goal is to provide an educational opportunity for cotton and peanut farmers and offer them the chance to present questions directly to the researchers and express opinions and concerns pertinent to the production of their crops.

Chairmen of the peanut and cotton commissions, Armond Morris and Bart Davis, respectively, agree this event provides farmers with the opportunity to learn about the latest research advancements at the University of Georgia regarding cotton and peanut research programs. Since an in-person field day was not possible this year, the virtual platform will provide a way for farmers to learn about the research projects funded by their checkoff investments and ask questions.

Videos from the Cotton and Peanut Research Virtual Field Day will be available on the Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commissions websites at http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org or http://www.gapeanuts.com.

Cromley, Hopkins and Ruark Reappointed to Georgia Cotton Commission Board

The Commodity Ex- Officio Committee reappointed three members to the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors. The members include Lee Cromley of Bulloch County, Chris Hopkins of Toombs County and John Ruark of Morgan County. They will serve on the Commission’s board for another three-year term.

Cromley is a sixth-generation cotton farmer from Brooklet, Ga.  Cromley has been growing peanuts and cotton since 1983. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Cromley has served on the Commission’s board since 2011. Along with the Georgia Cotton Commission, he serves as a board member of Bulloch Gin, Bulloch County Farm Service Agency and the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Statesboro. Cromley is also currently the Chairman of the Southern Cotton Growers and serves on the board of directors for the National Cotton Council of America. He and his wife, Ann, reside in Brooklet and have three children.

Hopkins is returning to the Georgia Cotton Commission for his second term. Hopkins is a first-generation farmer from Lyons, Ga. He is a University of Georgia graduate and earned a bachelor’s degree in Crop Science and a master’s degree in Plant Pathology & Pest Management. He and his wife, Marilynn, began Hopkins Farm on 50 acres in 2005. Today, they grow cotton, corn, peanuts, rye, watermelons and timber on 850 acres. Hopkins serves as a delegate to the National Cotton Council of America and a director of the Southern Cotton Growers. He is also the president of the Toombs County Farm Bureau. The Hopkinses have two sons.

Ruark is a multi-generational farmer. He farms in Morgan, Oconee and Walton counties with his father, Marvin, and son, Andrew, and operates Bostwick Gin & Supply. He grows cotton, wheat and soybeans and raises cattle and poultry. He has been a member of the Commission’s board since 2014. Ruark is a director of the Southern Cotton Growers and the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of Georgia. He also serves as an advisor to the National Cotton Council Board. Ruark is married to his wife, Tamie, and has two children.

Update from Cotton Incorporated/Quail Forever Partnership

Cotton in Georgia is looking relatively good across the regions and holds great potential.  As you are in the field preparing to harvest, keep an eye out for chronically problematic areas of the field for production.  An average to above average year is the best time to look for poor producing areas. Using your crop budgets and average yields broken down per acre, consider these poor areas being removed and how that may improve your field average yields, APH overtime, improved efficiency and sustainability, and less wear and tear and time on equipment from low-to-no yield places.  Profit per acre is better than yield per acre.

To help you harness sustainability insights and unleash opportunities for your farm, we have developed a guide to better understand how your management practices intersect with sustainability metrics and potential factors that can influence improved outcomes through working with Quail Forever Precision Ag decisions in the areas of: •  Biodiversity •  Energy Use Efficiency •  Greenhouse Gas Emissions •  Irrigation Water Use Efficiency •  Land Use Efficiency •  Soil Carbon •  Soil Conservation •  Water Quality.

If you would like help taking a look at your crop health & profitability or consider biodiversity with quail habitat, you or your trusted crop advisor can give Quail Forever Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist a call as complements of Cotton Incorporated and the American Society of Agronomy.

Chaz Holt , CCA|  Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist
Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever Inc. |  Georgia
m. 406-425-3039 |  cholt@quailforever.org
Twitter @agrarian_life
Instagram #agrarianlife
https://quailforever.org/Conservation/Precision-Agriculture.aspx