Cotton growers know that the seed they put in the ground directly impacts what they put in the bank after harvest. FiberMax and Stoneville cotton seed varieties help growers maximize profitability with, but great varieties are only part of the equation.
Factors such as geography, soil type, insect pressure and rotations make the variety selection process a daunting task. Growers depend on expert advice to know how varieties perform in their geography, under different soil types and in different crop rotations.
“Simply put, growers want the right variety on the right field to achieve high yield potential and increase profitability,” said Steve Nichols, U.S. agronomic services manager for Bayer CropScience. “We have the right varieties, and we have experienced regional agronomists in every cotton-producing region who evaluate varieties in diverse crop production scenarios and work with local Bayer CropScience representatives to make on-farm recommendations for growers.”
In the Southwest, regional cotton agronomists Will Elkins, Kenny Melton and Daniel Olivier test varietal performance across the entire region in diverse conditions. Through Cotton Agronomic Performance (CAP) trials, they evaluate both experimental and commercial varieties with large-scale tests on growers’ farms.
Elkins is the regional cotton agronomist for south Texas and brings 20 years of experience in the cotton industry with a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. Elkins’ region covers the Rio Grande Valley, Rolling Plains and Coastal Bend, where getting the right variety on the right farm and field is essential for success.
“In my area, we offer a diversity of varieties that you won’t see in any other geography,” Elkins said. “Conditions may warrant recommending a FiberMax LibertyLink okra leaf variety like FM 835LLB2 to a grower in the Corpus Christi area. In the Rio Grande Valley, I might turn around and recommend a newer variety like FM 1740B2F, which yielded 2,000 pounds last year for a grower in that area.”
Melton brings 27 years of cotton experience and a Ph.D. in agronomy from Texas Tech University to help growers in west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In his area, growers face their own distinct challenges. Irrigated growers may want to maximize yield potential using high-yielding varieties with insect traits such as FM 9160B2F or FM 9180B2F. Dryland growers may take a different approach with FM 9063B2F or single-traited FM 9058F.
“Growers have different needs on their farms and on each field,” Melton said. “In our on-farm CAP trials, we learn the strengths of each variety and then work with the local sales representatives to place them on the right acre to help increase grower profitability.”
Olivier is the regional agronomist for the northern Texas High Plains, Kansas and Oklahoma. He brings 12 years of cotton experience and a master’s degree in crop science from Texas Tech University. Growers in this geography often face cooler temperatures and shorter seasons, which makes Olivier’s advice an important asset to the grower.
“We’ve seen good success with FM 9180B2F and FM 9058F,” Olivier said. “Of course, we have to work with the grower and sales representative to ascertain the right fit for the right field. And we will be testing a few new varieties this year, looking to expand the variety selection in my geography.”
Growers can contact their local regional cotton agronomists through their local Bayer CropScience sales representative or directly by calling (866) 992-2937. Email regional cotton agronomists:
Will Elkins: william.elkins@bayercropscience.com
Kenny Melton: kenny.melton@bayercropscience.com
Daniel Olivier: daniel.olivier@bayercropscience.com
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