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Talkin' Cotton Podcast

University of Georgia's Cotton Team

Welcome to the UGA Cotton Team's Talkin' Cotton Podcast. This is a podcast for cotton growers, county agents, industry partners and anyone else interested in learning about science-backed cotton production and pest management. Our goal is to educate you with the most up-to-date data and information all season long. Talkin' Cotton will feature guests, such as, extension specialists, research faculty, graduate students, extension agents, industry allies and many others! Let's get into the why's of puttin' on, throwin' off and cuttin' out.

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21 episodes
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Avg 37 min
English

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S3 · E22
Thursday · 39 min
Knock The Leaves Off And Quit Feeding Bugs
Cotton can go from “almost ready” to “overdue” in a hurry, and that’s the tension driving this conversation from the University of Georgia Cotton Team. With bolls cracking fast across Georgia, we talk through the real-world decisions behind putting on defoliation, throwing it off, and knowing when the crop is truly at the finish line. We also share what we’re seeing from the road and in trials, plus the small details that separate clean harvest prep from a frustrating one. Even though insect pressure feels quiet, we explain why late-planted, lush cotton can still draw cotton jassids as other fields get defoliated, and why whiteflies stay on the watch list in the latest acres. Then we get honest about end-of-season “autopsies”: missing fruiting positions are not a slam-dunk diagnosis for plant bugs, but boll feeding signs, stink bug damage, and knotty growth can help you judge whether you were too aggressive, just right, or behind. One trial takeaway stands out for cotton jassid control: bifenthrin shows very little activity, and we discuss what that might mean for biological control and beneficial insects in a year where pressure isn’t off the charts everywhere. We also shift into irrigation termination at cutout, including why a full soil moisture profile matters before you walk away, how late-season water use drops, and how diesel costs change the economics of “one more shot.” To zoom out, we dig into water balance and drought reality across the state, why rainfall distribution during bloom can still limit yield, and why a “dry harvest” doesn’t erase a long-term deficit. Finally, we cover drone defoliation best practices (height, swath width, gallons per acre, drift risk) and wrap with harvest safety and yield monitor calibration reminders so your data is trustworthy when you compare fields. If you farm cotton, advise growers, or scout fields, you’ll leave with practical next steps for cotton defoliation timing, late-season cotton pest management, irrigation management at cutout, and harvest prep. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, share this with a grower who’s making these calls right now, and leave us a review. What’s the biggest harvest decision you’re wrestling with this week?
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S3 · E21
September 17 · 31 min
Cutting Out Cotton At The Right Time
Cotton can look “done” and still trick you into spending money in the wrong places. We sit down and work through the late-season calls we’re getting right now, especially the big one: when to terminate irrigation. We share the questions we ask before we give an answer (last irrigation, last rain, planting date, current growth stage, whether you’re at cutout or beyond) and why those details matter more than any one-size-fits-all rule as the crop winds down. Weather is the wildcard, and we talk honestly about how a dry stretch can flip to a wet cycle that slows harvest and complicates defoliation timing. We also zoom out to discuss drought impacts using water balance thinking, plus how wildly different rainfall can be even within the same county. The takeaway is simple: make decisions for your farm, your fields, and your maturity, then move fast when conditions line up. From there we shift into harvest readiness, because the best yield on paper can still be lost to poor setup or bad timing. We cover picker maintenance and daily checks, cleaning out last year’s lint and debris, and watching humidity so you do not pick too early or push too late. We also hit safety and logistics as machines and module trucks start running, and we repeat a line we believe in: just because the picker can run faster doesn’t mean it should. We finish with late-season insect management and defoliation strategy, including how boll age affects plant bug and stink bug decisions, why you often have to live with whiteflies but still manage them until defoliation, and what we’re learning about jassids as they shift to late, greener cotton. We explain why timely defoliation is not only an agronomic win but also an insect pest management win, helping shut down reproduction and reduce what carries into next year. If this helps you, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share it with a friend who’s gearing up to pick, and leave us a review so more growers can find the show.
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S3 · E20
September 4 · 50 min
Are Your Late Season Inputs Paying You Back
You can feel it in the field right now: some cotton is ready to roll, some is two weeks behind, and the temptation is to keep spending money just to feel like we are “finishing” the crop. We sit down after a busy Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day to get real specific about late season cotton management in Georgia, starting with the decision that can drive a lot of profits or regrets: when to terminate irrigation. We walk through what cutout actually means from the plant perspective and why nodes above white flower (NAWF) is still the backbone for our recommendations, even in a season with oscillating weather, scattered rainfall, and uneven growth. We also pull water use numbers that show how fast cotton demand drops near cutout and first open boll, why a near full soil moisture profile can carry you further than you think, and how to avoid chasing top bolls that rarely pay you back. If you have been irrigating well past 10 percent open out of caution, this conversation gives you a clearer way to scout, stage, and decide when it is time to walk away. From there we shift into the practical realities of harvest season: equipment safety around today’s large cotton pickers and module handling, plus pesticide stewardship that still matters during defoliation. We close with what we are seeing in late season insect pressure including plant bugs, stink bugs, jassids, and especially whiteflies, with a blunt reminder that you cannot get behind and then catch up. If you care about cotton yield, input efficiency, and timely defoliation, this one is built for you. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, share it with a neighbor, and leave a review so more growers and consultants can find research-based guidance when decisions get tight.
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S3 · E19
August 20 · 54 min
Late-Season Cotton Choices Decide The Paycheck
Cutting off inputs is easy to say and hard to do when the crop still looks good, the heat won’t quit, and diesel bills keep climbing. We sit down as the Georgia cotton crop moves quickly toward open bolls and talk through the decisions that matter most right now: when to terminate irrigation, how to judge cutout using nodes above white flower (NAWF), and how to avoid spending money that no longer returns yield. We also put real numbers on the cost of water and explain why refilling the soil moisture profile before you “walk away” can be the difference between confidence and regret. Then we shift into late-season risks that can sneak up fast. We cover disease timing in bloom, including when to start looking for target spot and why areolate mildew can cause rapid defoliation if conditions stay favorable. We talk leaf wetness, why night irrigation can help both irrigation efficiency and disease management, and how fungicide resistance changes product choices and the value of well-timed applications. Finally, we get practical about what we’re seeing in the field: surprise plant bug pressure, spider mites thriving in hot and dry weather, and whiteflies reaching extreme levels in some areas. We explain why spray coverage and canopy penetration matter, why drones require extra caution for drift and performance, and how conserving beneficial insects becomes a farm-wide priority once whiteflies are in play. We close with defoliation timing, harvest prep, and key dates for upcoming UGA field days. Subscribe on your favorite platform, share this with a grower who’s making these calls today, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
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S3 · E18
August 7 · 30 min
Timely Scouting And Defoliation Keep Pests From Snowballing
A rain map can lie to you. One farm gets 2.7 inches with standing water, another a mile away stays dry, and suddenly your irrigation plan, insect pressure, and spray plans all change. We’re coming to you from a busy stretch of the Georgia cotton season with a fresh look at fields around the Plains Experiment Station and an honest check on where the crop sits statewide. We walk through the latest crop progress numbers, what we’re seeing in fruit retention, and why an “average” crop can still jump to above average fast if the right rains land in the right places. Then we dig into irrigation scheduling reality: sensors that trigger day after day, shallow refills that never rebuild deep moisture, and why supplemental pivots can struggle when the profile is already drained. We also unpack drought monitor questions and water balance, because a dry spring can haunt you even after a wetter July. From pest management to late-season decisions, the message stays the same: scout and stay timely. Plant bugs have been lighter, stink bugs stay a regular part of producing cotton in Georgia, and whiteflies are building where we expect them and showing up in fringe areas too. We share how to think about chemistry choices so you do not make whiteflies worse, plus a clear update on cotton jassids in 2026, what hopperburn and leaf puckering look like, and how quickly populations can grow in hot, dry weather. We also explain why timely defoliation matters not just for cotton, but for reducing pest carryover and protecting nearby vegetables. You’ll also meet our new research entomologist, Dr. Alana Jacobson, and hear what questions she’s excited to tackle with emerging pests and extension-driven research. If this helped, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share it with a grower or consultant, and leave a quick review so more people can find practical cotton production and scouting guidance.
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S3 · E17
July 24 · 28 min
Georgia Cotton Check-In
Cotton can look great from the road and still be quietly losing yield in the rows. We sit down with a roundtable of Georgia Extension agents (Savannah Tanner - Emanuel County, Will Brown - Appling County, and Seth McAllister - Terrell County) to compare notes from across the state: where the crop stands after a rocky planting season, how far along fields really are from early square to peak bloom, and what those growth stage differences mean for every decision you make next. We dig into the calls agents are getting right now, starting with weather-driven challenges like herbicide programs that “fell apart” after leaching rain, and the scramble to keep pigweed, spiderwort, and nutsedge from escaping under the canopy. We also talk cotton pest management in real terms: aphids fading as fungus moves in, plant bug pressure that feels lighter than last year in some areas, stink bug scouting that is about to matter more, and the big question that keeps coming up, cotton jassid. The message is consistent across counties: scout for jassids, but do not stop scouting for everything else. Then we tackle fertility and plant health problems that can fool even experienced growers. After side-dress applications and sudden downpours, the question becomes whether nutrients leached and if you should reapply. We walk through why yellow cotton is not always nitrogen, how sulfur deficiency can show up fast, and why documenting weak spots now is the best way to solve nematodes, fertility issues, and pest injury while the evidence is still in the field. If you’re looking for practical Georgia cotton advice you can use this week, this conversation is built for that. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a grower or consultant, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What are you seeing in your cotton fields right now?
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S3 · E16
July 10 · 38 min
Cotton Stays Profitable When We Stay On Time
Cotton can look “fine” from the road and still be one storm, one missed spray window, or one miscalibrated spreader away from losing yield. We break down the early July Georgia cotton picture, including the latest acreage numbers, where the crop sits on squaring and bloom, and why that stretch of heavy rain after drought created two problems at once: delayed fieldwork and nutrients that may have moved before plants could use them. If you are seeing yellow cotton, we talk through what might be happening and how to think about recovery without guessing. From there we get practical about irrigation scheduling as cotton water use ramps up during squaring and bloom. We share what monitoring wells and sensor data suggest about drought risk returning fast, plus how isolated summer storms can make your neighbor’s situation totally different from yours. One of the most important takeaways is learning to separate heat stress from true moisture stress, since mid-afternoon wilting can happen even with adequate soil moisture, and adding water at the wrong time can hurt yield. We also dig into fertility and equipment: dry spreader width issues, liquid nozzle variation, clogged screens, and why quick calibration checks can prevent streaking and under-application when every pound of nitrogen counts. We close with longer-term field stewardship and pest management, including why fallow fields can create erosion and weed seed bank headaches, how low-cost summer cover crops can help, and the latest integrated pest management updates on aphid fungus, rising plant bug pressure in key areas, and what “jassid detection” really means in Georgia right now. Subscribe, share this with a cotton grower or consultant, and leave a review so more folks can find timely, research-backed cotton production advice.
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S3 · E15
June 29 · 26 min
Georgia Cotton Commission Mid-Year Meeting Preview
The easiest way to get blindsided in cotton is to focus on only one thing, one pest, one headline, one price, one rumor. We’re heading to East Georgia with a packed Georgia Cotton Commission mid-year meeting, and we wanted to give you a clear preview of what’s worth your time on July 29 in Statesboro at the Neesmith Lane Conference Center. We talk through what’s changing in the program and why the market conversation feels different this year, including the USDA Great American Cotton Plan and the growing public spotlight on clothing materials and sustainability claims. That leads straight into cotton marketing and demand building, with Cotton Incorporated’s new direction and a major theme we keep coming back to: cotton is a team sport, and grower engagement matters. We’re also excited to hear from Bev Sylvester as she shares how cotton can be positioned as the fiber of choice and how brands can be moved from near-zero cotton use to meaningful market share. Then we get practical about risk and readiness. Rusty Rumley from the National Ag Law Center joins the agenda to help producers think about farm business structure, compliance, and how policy changes can affect eligibility, payment limits, and cash flow. On the production side, we’ll update everyone on jassids and reinforce a calm, scout-first approach, while still keeping an eye on the rest of the pest management board: plant bugs, whiteflies, and stink bugs. Dr. Singleton also brings a much-needed look at pesticide regulation and EPA registration, including how to explain safety and science when public opinion gets loud. Register by July 11 at GeorgiaCottonCommission.org, then come see us in Statesboro. Subscribe, share the show with a neighbor, and leave a review so more growers can find these conversations.
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S3 · E14
June 26 · 46 min
Georgia Cotton Update On Rain, Plant Bugs, And Scouting
97% planted sounds like a clean headline, but the real story is what happens next when rain turns “finally catching up” into “can’t get in the field.” We’re recording on June 24 with the UGA cotton team to sort through where Georgia cotton stands right now: acres moving into squaring and early bloom, deep soil moisture finally re-wetting, and the very real management squeeze that comes with spotty showers, standing water, and delayed field work. We get specific on cotton insect management, because this is the time when guessing gets expensive. Plant bugs are more common than they were a few years ago, and we talk sweep-net scouting, early squaring thresholds, clouded plant bugs, and how we think about protecting retention while also protecting beneficial insects. We also keep aphids and the coming aphid fungus in the back of your mind so plant bug decisions don’t create a new problem. Then we dig into programs: where Diamond fits as an insect growth regulator on immatures, why ThryvOn cotton still needs scouting, and how a premium residual product like Vertento may make the most sense later in bloom when pressure ramps up. From there, we pivot to water and application management. We talk irrigation scheduling as cotton approaches peak July water use, why overwatering can grow a beautiful plant and still cut yield, and the calibration issues that quietly cause streaking, gaps, and lost performance in fertilizer spreaders and sprayers. We also cover responsible drone applications when fields are too wet, plus a candid look at deer damage, repellents, depredation permits, and the realities of solving a “pest problem” after dark. We close with pix and PGR timing and a simple rule: if it doesn’t need it, don’t spray it. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, share this with a grower or consultant who’s making spray decisions this week, and leave a quick review so more cotton folks can find the show. What are you seeing in your fields right now?
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S3 · E13
June 10 · 37 min
Early Squaring Decisions For Georgia Cotton
Cotton can look “quiet” in early June, but the decisions you make right now decide how well the crop holds onto fruit later. We walk through a boots-on-the-ground Georgia cotton update from the UGA Cotton Team, starting with where planting and squaring stand, then moving straight into the practical pest management choices that protect retention and keep you from creating problems with the sprayer. We dig into cotton aphids the way scouts actually see them: present in every field, sometimes melting down a plant or a small spot, and often tempting people into a spray that does not pay. The key is understanding how broad-spectrum applications for other pests can wipe out beneficial insects and accidentally flare aphids. We also talk jassids and the identification reality check: immature lookalikes show up on multiple hosts, you need adults to confirm the two black spots on the wings, and hopperburn clues can help you decide when suspicion is justified. Then we pivot to real-world farm management issues that matter just as much as insects: uneven growth across fields, how planting date and early stress change growth potential, and when PGR applications make sense without overdoing it. We also cover deer damage, permit headaches, and why repellents are complicated, plus how tank mixes and timing research may make those tools more efficient. We close with breaking news from June 10: jassids are detected on okra in Tifton, and we lay out exactly how we want growers and scouts to look, document, and report through their county agents so we can track movement by county. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a scouting crew, and leave a review so more growers can find these updates. What are you seeing in your cotton fields this week?
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S3 · E12
May 28 · 41 min
Georgia Cotton Update On Rainfall, Irrigation, And Stand Quality
Rain shows up, planters roll, and somehow we’re still talking about drought. That’s the tension driving cotton decisions across Georgia right now, so we sit down as the UGA Cotton Team to sort out what’s actually happening in fields and in the weather data. We look at planting progress, why some areas are still playing catch-up, and how a “wetter week” can coexist with negative water balance when evapotranspiration keeps draining the tank. If you’re trying to decide whether to push planting, pause, or line up irrigation, this conversation gives you a clearer framework. We also get practical about what we can control. We talk planter speed, seed depth, downforce, and row closers because stand quality is where a lot of seasons get won or lost. Then we pivot to irrigation management and pivot maintenance: uniformity issues like flipped drops and sideways sprays can quietly build drought stress patterns that show up later when July heat hits. We add a serious reminder on pivot safety, grounding, and why lightning damage can turn a routine check into a dangerous situation. On the pest and scouting front, we highlight upcoming scout schools and explain why scouting every acre matters as cotton approaches squaring. We cover early season insects including thrips, grasshoppers, and false chinch bugs, then talk about plant bugs and square retention. Finally, we address the big question we keep hearing: what’s the latest on jassids, where we expect first detections, and how growers and gardeners can help by watching hosts like okra and sharing suspect photos through county Extension. If this helped you make a cleaner call on planting, irrigation, or pest management, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share it with a neighbor, and leave a review so more growers can find it.
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S3 · E11
May 15 · 25 min
You Can Fix A Stand Fast If You Fix Downforce
A wet stretch can feel like a gift and a trap at the same time. We sit down with the UGA cotton crew to sort out what the rain really changed across Georgia cotton fields, from how fast acres are going in to what you should do the minute you can get back in the field. We talk about planting pace, why slow rain helps stand establishment, and how to think about planting decisions when shallow moisture is back but the long-term water picture is still tight. Then we get practical. Dr. Lauren Lazaro joins us to flag what that moisture triggers next: major weed emergence. We walk through why pre-emergence herbicides matter, and how precision agriculture fundamentals like nozzle condition, boom height, and sprayer setup can be the difference between clean fields and those telltale straight stripes of escapes. We also dig into planter performance, including real-world downforce failures that leave seed on top of the ground, when active downforce helps, and when sandy, dry soils can make you overdo it. On the pest side, we cover early-season thrips management, what we are hearing about grasshoppers and false chinch bugs, and why scouting stays non-negotiable. We also push the maintenance items that pay back fast, especially irrigation pivot uniformity, before dry weather exposes problems on yield maps and in the bank account. We wrap with cotton price and acreage outlook plus upcoming UGA opportunities, including scout schools, an irrigation expo, and a preview of the National Proving Grounds weed tech work in Perry. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who is planting right now, and leave us a review so more growers can find these weekly Georgia cotton updates.
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S3 · E10
April 30 · 43 min
Georgia Cotton Drought Playbook
Georgia cotton is trying to get started with one hand tied behind its back: dry soil, low ponds, and more pivots running in late April than most of us like to see. We sit down with Dr. Bob Kemerait, Dr. Wes Porter, and Dr. Phillip Roberts to break down what this drought pattern means for cotton production decisions you’re making right now, from getting a stand to protecting roots and stretching limited water through the season. We dig into why soil moisture matters beyond germination, especially for nematode management and the performance of nematicides like aldicarb. Wes shares what he’s hearing on pre-watering, irrigation inefficiencies, and why a water allocation plan matters when surface water sources are already low and the state is running a major rainfall deficit. We also talk planting depth, seed placement, and how cover and residue can buffer soil temperature swings that stress seedlings. On the pest management side, Phillip gives a straight update on thrips pressure, what immatures on seedling cotton really indicate, and how seedling vigor can reduce injury. We also hit grasshoppers, the ongoing cotton jassid search (okra, sunflowers, even hibiscus checks), and early whitefly monitoring with sticky cards as hot, dry weather builds risk. We close with thoughts on cotton acres, input costs, and making ROI-based fertilizer and protection decisions even when cotton prices improve. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a grower who’s making planting calls this week, and leave a review so more cotton folks can find the show.
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S3 · E9
April 17 · 46 min
How To Stay Ready When Rain Won’t Show Up
Cotton season can feel like a race when it’s warm in April and the rain won’t come. We sit down with Dr. Taylor Singleton and Mrs. Sarah Hobby to get practical about what actually works in a Georgia drought spring: how to avoid “planting on hope,” what counts as a meaningful rain event, and why planting into moisture matters more than any date on the calendar. We also talk through cover crop termination timing and how a dead cover can help conserve soil moisture by creating a protective mat when the forecast is stingy. From there, we dig into early-season cotton pest management and the decisions that get harder when soils stay dry. Thrips are already showing up, and we explain why they’re the one insect where we consistently recommend preventive protection, plus what changes when in-furrow products may not activate without moisture. We also cover variety selection, including ThryvOn trait options, the fast turnover of cotton varieties, and why multi-year performance data beats chasing last year’s “perfect” weather results. Along the way, we don’t ignore the economics: fuel and nitrogen costs are up, but cotton price movement changes the math. We wrap with stewardship that protects both yield and people. Pivot uniformity can make or break irrigation efficiency, and UPW updates around dicamba, ESA compliance, and documentation are now part of doing the job right. Then we share a vivid pesticide safety lesson using fluorescent dye that shows how exposure spreads from hands to sleeves, cars, pets, and home, plus simple PPE systems that make gloves, eye protection, and respirators easy to use every time. Subscribe, share the episode with a grower or consultant, and leave a review to help more cotton acres start the season ready.
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S3 · E8
March 30 · 39 min
Georgia Cotton Insect Updates For 2026 And What To Do First
Jassids didn’t “ease into” Georgia cotton, they exploded across the map. We recorded this update heading into 2026 because what we learned in 2025 changes how we scout, how fast we react, and how we protect yield when a new insect pest shows up and multiplies in summer heat. We walk through the big lessons from the UGA Cotton Team’s response: how we confirmed what kills cotton jassid, why insecticide rotation matters for resistance management, and what hopperburn tells you before losses become permanent. We also share the field reality that makes this pest so unforgiving: you can’t miss a spray once the threshold is met because the crop can go from green to yellow to red in about two weeks, and red leaves don’t recover. We explain the current working threshold moving into 2026 and the push to standardize scouting by sampling main stem leaf number four so agents, consultants, and growers can make faster, clearer decisions. Just as important, we zoom out to the full cotton insect management picture. Thrips still deliver one of the most consistent yield responses in Georgia cotton, plant bugs are a major problem in specific regions with confirmed pyrethroid resistance, and whitefly pressure can be influenced by winter freezes. We also touch on practical risk factors like field edges, weak spots, potash deficiency, and why excessive nitrogen can make pest issues worse. If you want a grounded, field ready IPM plan for Georgia cotton, this conversation is built for you.
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S3 · E7
March 16 · 48 min
Jealous Of Jassids And Afraid Of Nematodes - Bob Kemerait's 2026 Update
One wrong assumption in a cotton field can get expensive fast. We sit down with UGA’s Dr. Bob Kemerait to talk through the 2026 decisions that are easy to “cut out” on a spreadsheet but hard to recover once the planter runs, especially nematode management, variety selection, and early-season disease prevention. We dig into the reality that nematodes are already there, including reniform nematode, root-knot nematode, and sting nematode, and why winter weather mostly slows them down rather than erasing the problem. Dr. Kemerait explains how to think about nematicide choices, why rates and product types matter, and how nematode resistant cotton varieties can protect yield differently depending on which nematode you’re fighting. We also cover why stalk destruction can help hit a “reset button” by breaking the life cycle, even if the economics are still being pinned down. Then we shift to diagnosis and mid-season protection: jassid injury that can look like potassium deficiency, how Stemphylium leaf spot ties back to nutrition, and why scouting prevents wasted sprays. We wrap with practical updates on target spot and areolate mildew fungicide timing, the warning signs around declining azoxystrobin performance on mildew, and why boll rot remains a weather-driven headache. Finally, we talk rotation, including the long-term risks of peanuts behind peanuts and why cotton still matters for Georgia agriculture.
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S3 · E6
March 2 · 41 min
Practical Rules For Pesticides, ESA Labels, And Cover Crop Payoffs
Cotton growers are juggling new label realities, tight margins, and the pressure to do right by their land and communities. We tackle all three with a practical roadmap: how to meet ESA requirements without guesswork, how to build records that prove what you already do well, and how to rethink PPE and daily habits so safety isn’t the first thing to slip when weather and workload collide. We break down ESA label language into plain steps: confirm pesticide use limitation areas on Bulletins Live 2, set downwind drift buffers by the label, and earn mitigation points with the practices you likely use today—bigger droplets, lower booms, cover crops, conservation tillage, and grassed waterways. County agents now have EPA tools to translate your fields’ soils and slopes into documentation that stands up. The payoff is access to key chemistries while protecting sensitive areas, neighbors, and your crew. Then we pivot to cover crops and ask the hard questions. Which species and maturities fit shrinking fall windows? Do broadcast seeding rates need to jump to match drilled biomass, or does data say otherwise? And when do multi‑species mixes deliver enough biomass, nutrient capture, and yield stability to justify higher costs, even with program payments? We share ongoing university trials comparing rye, oats, clovers, and vetches by cultivar and rate, plus studies tracking nutrient flow from cover residue into cotton tissue. Paired with long‑term lessons—organic matter, aggregation, infiltration—the story points to covers that build soil and soften risk, provided termination timing and pest pressure are managed. The throughline is balance: leave the ground better than you found it, but make the numbers work. Safer spraying, stronger records, and smarter covers all add resilience to the operation and the community around it.
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S3 · E5
February 20 · 34 min
Science Over Noise: Saving Tools, Fields, And Future Cotton
The weeds aren’t waiting—and neither are the courtrooms. We sat down with Dr. Stanley Culpepper to unpack why the biggest threats to your herbicide toolbox aren’t just resistance anymore, but activist lawsuits, policy shifts, and social narratives that ignore on-farm reality. From dicamba’s re-registration to smarter, structured labels, we trace how grower voices and evidence-based comments turned a bleak outlook into workable rules that keep fields cleaner and neighbors safer. We get tactical fast. If you want to save money this year, start clean and stay ahead: no troublesome weeds at planting, overlap residuals, and hit early post windows before antagonism drags down grass control. We dig into troublesome weeds at burndown, including ryegrass and horseweed - which can cause serious problems in conservation tillage systems. You’ll also hear why droplet size, VRAs and DRAs, and tank-mix choices matter more than ever under the new dicamba labels. Licensing and mandatory training aren’t busywork; they’re your insurance policy for safe, legal, on-target applications. Late-season strategy still pays. A focused layby application can break the cycle on nutsedge and tropical spiderwort, both perennials that quietly build underground banks within weeks of emerging. Morningglory cleanup, Palmer amaranth insurance, and precise directed sprays can protect yield and keep your program sustainable. Beyond the field edge, we talk about how farmer-led advocacy moves ESA implementation toward science, unlocks stalled chemistries, and speeds innovation when labels are clear and stewardship is tight. If you care about keeping effective tools on the farm—and using them in ways that cut costs and conflict—this conversation delivers the why and the how.
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S3 · E4
February 2 · 43 min
Irrigation, Planting, And Precision Ag Wins For 2026 Cotton
Stop watering cotton that’s ready to pick. We dive straight into the decisions that protect margins in 2026: getting pivots uniform, setting planters for true depth, dialing fertility with grid sampling, and timing irrigation to the crop’s changing demand. With Dr. Wes Porter from the University of Georgia, we compare what the data promises with what real systems can deliver, turning research into a framework you can actually use. First, we tackle pivot uniformity—the cheapest, most reliable ROI in irrigation. From clogged nozzles and cracked regulators after freeze events to backwards orifices that cause yield‑robbing bands, we outline why preseason testing matters and how a $2,500 to $5,000 re‑nozzling can pay back quickly. We connect aerial images and yield maps to water distribution so waste is visible, fixable, and profitable to correct. Then we shift to precision fertility and planting. Stop trying to homogenize fields by pouring inputs into chronically weak zones. Use 2.5‑acre grid sampling to align nutrients with potential, and protect returns by reducing seed and fertility where yield never responds. On the planter, prioritize real seed‑to‑soil contact: a true one‑inch placement in hot, dry windows, lighter downforce for a small seed, and appropriate speed or high‑speed delivery when you push past 6 to 7 mph. We also unpack years of hill drop data: it boosts emergence in tough conditions but rarely adds yield unless stands are consistently poor—so deploy it tactically on crust‑prone ground. The payoff comes with water timing. We explore stage‑based irrigation thresholds that let cotton run a little drier early, tighten through peak bloom, and relax late—always within the limits of your system’s capacity. And we address the bottom‑line finding growers ask about most: multiple years show no yield difference between terminating irrigation at cutout versus watering to 10 percent open or beyond, as long as the profile is full at termination. That’s real savings—often $10 to $40+ per acre—without sacrificing lint, and less risk of boll rot in wet finishes. Want to turn wasted inches into margin? Listen now, take notes to tailor the framework to your fields, and send us your biggest win or sticking point. If this helped, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review so more growers can put money back in the bank.
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S3 · E3
January 21 · 41 min
From Trials To Fields: Smarter Variety Selection For 2026
Prices are stubborn, inputs aren’t getting cheaper, and acres have shifted—but we still need cotton in Georgia. We take you inside the decisions that matter most for 2026: choosing stable, above‑average varieties with multi‑year proof, pairing trait packages to your pest pressure and management style, and building a plan where timing—not just rate—drives performance. From OVT comparisons to 25 on‑farm trial sites, we explain how to read the data for stability across environments instead of chasing last year’s headline yield. We also unpack a hot question: can conventional cotton really save money? The math often says no once you include extra trips, worm sprays, and weed pressure. Yield per pound remains the biggest lever on profitability, so we outline where to spend and where to skip—clean starts with effective residuals, scouting‑led insect calls, and right‑time PGRs tailored to variety vigor. Small positioning choices matter too, like using semi‑smooth leaves outside whitefly zones to buy time against jassids and placing aggressive genetics on weaker ground to rein in height and hasten earliness. Deer pressure is no longer “just a headache”—it’s measurable loss. We share new work that links NDVI satellite imagery to yield maps so you can put dollars to damage, make a case with insurers, and decide if fencing pays back in one field edge or across a whole farm. For those exploring repellents, we discuss practical ways to fold them into existing spray calendars without letting costs outrun returns. Along the way, we keep the focus where it belongs: make every input count, avoid unproven add‑ins, and keep the two‑way conversation going with your county agent. Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review with your biggest 2026 decision—what will you change to protect yield this year?
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