Everything but the Farmer’s Tan
February 13, 2012 One of the best things about writing for Cotton Grower magazine is getting to meet growers from across the Cotton Belt. Editor Henry Gantz and I probably sound like a broken record when we make this point, but it’s the truth.
We get to hang out with some pretty sharp characters from all over the country. As a general rule, if you see a grower on the front of our magazine, it’s because that guy or gal is doing something exceedingly well. It follows, then, that those folks aren’t scared to think outside the box.
That was actually the lead headline on our front cover in June of this year, next to a picture of West Texas grower Bobby Byrd. “Thinking Outside the Box” was that issue’s theme, and Byrd was a good fit for it. When I interviewed Byrd back in the spring of this year, he had some concerns – legitimate ones, it turns out – about the lack of rain in his area of the country.
So I had to chuckle when I got a gift in October from Byrd – a bumper sticker that reads: “2011 – I survived the DROUGHT. Took everything but my FARMER TAN.” It’s nice to know they haven’t lost their sense of humor on the High Plains.
But Byrd’s bumper sticker isn’t too far off base, and it turns out that farmers aren’t the only ones who lost something in the 2011 drought. Many of the cotton seed companies produce most of their seed stock there in West Texas, too. With the extreme weather of 2011, there is concern that some varieties could be hard to come by in 2012.
We’re in the process of producing a video feature on this topic, as well as other seed-related issues, on our new Seed Strategies video channel at Cotton247.com. Learn about the steps you need to take to ensure you get the varieties you want on your operation at Cotton247.com/seedstrategies.
Of course, we’ve got our most comprehensive seed review here in this issue. Starting on page 10, check out which varieties were the most popular across the Cotton Belt and in your region in 2011. We’ve also got an in-depth examination of what each of the major seed companies are bringing to the table for the 2012 planting season.
We’ve also got a great feature on page 34 about cotton’s latest collaboration – this time with a former self-described ‘Enemy.’ In truth, Under Armour’s use of cotton in a cutting edge athletic apparel line is yet another example of the great work done by the hard working people at Cotton Incorporated. Read along to find out how they continue to create demand for cotton.
We’re looking forward to wrapping harvest season up and heading into the winter months. We’re sure to see you at some of the winter meetings. And if you feel the urge to follow Bobby Byrd’s lead and send Henry and I gifts and mementos from your farming operation, well, you know where to find us.
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