# Record Cutout Dates, Save Insect Treatments

Author: Jim Steadman
Published: 2014-08-07
Canonical URL: https://www.cottongrower.com/cotton-news/record-cutout-dates-save-insect-treatments/

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Nodes above the uppermost first position white flower (NAWF) is a well-recognized way to monitor cotton maturity. The blooms present at cutout – when there is an average of five nodes above this white flower (NAWF=5) – represent the last effective bolls that will contribute to yield in a substantial way.

According to Scott Stewart, Extension entomologist with the University of Tennessee, growers who [**record the date of cutout**](http://news.utcrops.com/2014/08/save-a-spray-record-nawf5-cutout/#more-10468)can start counting down the days until treatments for some insect pests like plant bugs, stink bugs and caterpillar pests can be ended.