Cotton ranges from seed just placed in the ground to 5 true leaf cotton. This is a normal range for this time. I cannot review all the scenarios which have played out and continue to play out over the last few weeks during planting., and unfortunately many have experienced some very severe weather just last night (June 5). Just suffice to say that it has been a real challenge for some to get cotton up and will continue to be for a while. Hopefully your situation is or will be soon, straightening out and the path is clearer for this growing season. However, I know there are many where still too many uncertainties exist in this current planted crop and what direction it will take. If you must make that hard decision to leave your cotton and replant another crop here are some considerations: https:/ /lubbock.tamu.edu/ and look for
2025 Alternative Crop Options after Failed Cotton and Late-Season Crop Planting for the Texas South Plains.
Some of the factors which have a dramatic impact on uniform emergence are planting depth, dry planted, planted in good moisture, firm soil, loose soil, timing of planting in relation to a storm event, presence of wireworms, intensity of rain and hail causing compaction, and soil temperature as it can be affected by irrigation, rain, or hail. Now some of these factors in themselves can be limiting to stand establishment. Then combine those in multiple stressors that can be devastating.
Scouting this last week has detected thrips ranging from 0 to 0.5 per plant in Hockley and Cochran, and +0.6 up in Lamb County. Remember the threshold for thrips is one thrips per a true leaf. So as an example, if a field is averaging 2 leaf cotton, then an average of 2 or more thrips per plant would be cause for an insecticide application. We inspect 100 plants per field when we scout for thrips. For more information go to: http:// lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2017/05/ ENTO-069_fn.pdf .
Other insects noted included chinch bugs which are coming from winter weeds. I mentioned wireworms as a factor on stand establishment. Numbers of reported fields with activity continue to increase each year. We normally associate wireworms with a grass crops. However, I am seeing wireworm larva in fields where it may have only been terminated wheat which may have been the attraction. Make note of these fields for next year and plan for management.