The
2003 crop is history, and in many cases our yields made
history. By Nov. 17, U.S.D.A designated the state’s
1.1-million-acre cotton crop was 99 percent harvested
with yields of 916 pounds of lint per acre, which is the
largest per acre yield in our state’s history.
Harvest of soybeans was close to completion and also tallying
up to set an all-time record of 36 bushels an acre. Our
other major row crops performed at similar levels.
The best crop we’ve had in a long time is translating
into a resurgence of optimism for row crop farming. Growers
are talking about upgrading equipment, doing some long
over due land forming or other field work.
The near perfect growing season should result in good
supplies of seed for the 2004 crop and seed suppliers
are already taking orders.
Another upside of a good growing year will be the likelihood
that growers will feel better about the potential of next
year’s crop and will want to do all they can to
be sure yields next year meet or exceed this year’s
bounty.
Educational meetings, seminars, workshops and expos are
planned at regular intervals throughout the winter. Each
will offer the latest in technology, seed varieties, equipment
available, the latest recommendations in nutrient management
and irrigation scheduling and even federal program compliance.
Below are some of the events I’ve been asked to
pass along to readers.
The 20th Annual Cotton Production Short Course will be
December 3-5 at the Bost Center on the campus of Mississippi
State University. On-site registration is $100. The annual
event offers information on all aspects of cotton production
and offers growers the opportunity to visit with and ask
questions of agronomists, breeders, researchers and even
commercial representatives. For more information contact
Emily Rose at (662) 325-2701.
The 2004 Beltwide Cotton Production Conferences January
5-9 at the Mariott Rivercenter in San Antonio, TX will
offer attendees valuable insight into today’s cotton
issues—from farm support mechanisms to trade negotiations—along
with strategies central to profitable cotton farming.
Held under a theme of “Today’s Challenges—Tomorrow’s
Solutions,” the conferences also will include The
Cotton Foundation Technical Exhibit and the 12 cotton
technical conferences covering research progress in disciplines
ranging from economics to weed science.
The National Cotton Council is the conferences’
primary coordinator. The forum’s objective is speeding
the transfer of current and emerging technology to U.S.
cotton producers and other industry members—with
an overall goal of strengthening U.S. cotton’s competitive
position in domestic and world markets and increasing
industry members’ profitability.
For further information on conference registration, go
to h or contact the NCC’s Debbie Richter, P.O. 820285,
Memphis, TN 38182 (901) 274-9030 FX (901) 725-0510 or
email d.
The Annual Tri State Soybean Forum will be held in Greenville
at the Washington County Convention Center on Jan. 9,
2004. For more information contact Alan Blaine at (662)
325-2701 or Dan Poston at (662) 686- 9311.
The 31st Annual Delta Ag Expo is set for Jan. 20-21 at
the Bolivar County Exposition Center in Cleveland. The
two-day event offers more than 100 indoor and outdoor
commercial and educational exhibits on the latest trends,
products and services available for Delta agriculture.
Admission is free and door open daily at 8:30 a.m. For
more information, contact Bolivar County Extension Service
at (662) 843-8361.
The Mississippi Agronomic Professional Continuing Education
Workshop and the Mississippi Chapter American Society
of Agronomy’s winter meeting will be Feb. 10-12,
2004 at the Bost Extension Center on the campus of Mississippi
State University. Please contact Emily Rose at (662) 325-2701.
The first ever Soybean Short Course will be Feb. 11, 2004
in conjunction with the Mississippi Agronomic Professional
Continuing Education Workshop. For more information, contact
Alan Blaine at (662) 325-2701.
The Annual Mississippi Seedsmen Association meeting will
be Feb. 13, 14 and 15 at the Grand Convention Center at
Robinsonville. Contact Richard Taylor at (601) 686 4621
for more information. DBJ
(Eva Ann Dorris is an agricultural journalist and columnist
from Pontotoc, Miss. She can be reached at 662-419-9176
or eadorris@aol.com.)
