By Cotton Grower Staff Our first report for the 2024 season shows that cotton planting is already underway in most areas of the Cotton Belt. Good early season moisture and warm temperatures have opened the fields for planters and, where possible, growers are making good progress. It’s still early and there’s plenty of time left to plant. But by mid-May, our contributing cotton consultants predict planting to hit its stride.
Report for early May.
Kerry Siders is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent-IPM for Hockley, Cochran, and Lamb Counties.
The Texas High Plains is not shown to be in drought conditions by the National Drought Mitigation Center, except those of use along the New Mexico state line are showing abnormally dry (D0) to moderate drought (D1). Suffice it to say, we are in dire need of subsoil moisture and planting moisture. At my office in Levelland, TX, we have received 1.65 inches of precipitation since January 1 of this year.
The soil temperature is sufficiently warm enough for cotton. Pre-irrigation has been going out for a while on many acres and those will be planted first. Here in the last few years, we have tended to not plant much until after mid-May in hopes of rainfall. I think most producers are ready to go despite the lack of rain and will start rolling seed in the ground the first full week of May.
My recent visits to area wheat fields have not indicated much in the way of thrips activity. These same thrips will begin to move to nearby germinating cotton, so be sure to scout. If you had wireworm damage last year, be sure you have a seed treatment which will protect from stand losses.