July 31

Acreage up
U.S. cotton plantings for 2001 are expected to total 16.3 million acres, 5 percent above last year, according to USDA's June 29 Acreage supplement to the June 12 Crop Production report.

Upland cotton acreage is expected to total 16.1 million acres, up 5 percent from 2000. Growers planted
235,000 acres of American-Pima cotton, up 38 percent from 2000. Midsouth growers revised their original spring intentions and shifted several hundred thousand acres from soybeans to cotton, while producers in Texas planted 200,000 more acres to cotton than originally intended.

Into the fruiting cycle
More than half of the U.S. cotton crop was squaring and 9 percent was already setting bolls as of the end of last week, according to USDA's June 25 Crop Progress report. In addition, 55 percent of the crop was reported in good to excellent condition.

The overall crop condition deteriorated a bit from the week before, as the portion reported as very poor increased from 4 percent to 9 percent, with the portion reported as fair dropping from 30 percent to 26 percent.

The highest overall quality appears to be in California so far, where 30 percent is reported as excellent and the remaining 70 percent as very good. However, the Midsouth crop also is showing extremely good condition.  In Mississippi, 76 percent of the crop is reported as good to excellent. In Louisiana, the total is 81 percent. In Arkansas, 79 percent.

The crop appear to be suffering only  in Texas, where 38 percent is reported as poor to very poor, and in Oklahoma, reporting 21 percent poor to very poor.

A step or two beyond plant mapping
First came the fruitfly, then the rat, the the mapping of the human genome. Now researchers are ready to take on something really complicated: the cotton genome.

A group of cotton researchers met in Australia in early last year to establish the groundwork. From this meeting emerged a plan to establish an International Cotton Genome Initiative.  An expanded group met in France in June 2001 to develop the organizational structure of ICGI.  They developed this mission statement:

Mission: To increase knowledge of the structure and function of the cotton genome for the benefit of the global community.

The group seeks to facilitate: global communication, collaboration, and education; knowledge and resource integration; technology and resource development; and coordinated research planning.

The group is recruiting participants for these work groups:

You can sign up using an online form at:
http://algodon.tamu.edu/icgi/icgi.html

For more information, contact R.J. Kohel, Crop Germplasm Research Unit, 2765 F&B Road
College Station, TX 77845. E-mail: kohel@qutun.tamu.edu or kohelrj@tamu.edu
Phone: 979.260.9311; fax 979.260.9333.

Advice on replanting alternatives
by Roger Haldenby, Plains Cotton Growers Inc.
Calvin Trostle, extension agronomist at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Lubbock, suggests that growers who are planning to replant after failed cotton should consult the information featured on the home page of the Lubbock Center, http://lubbock.tamu.edu, for suggestions on catch crop/late season planting options (particularly planting dates) as well as last recommended planting dates for sorghum hybrids.

These documents include "Alternative Crop Options for Failed Cotton and Late-Season Crop Options for the Texas South Plains" and "Last Recommended Planting Dates for Grain Sorghum Hybrids in the Texas South Plains -- 2001" (A PDF document that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.)
 
 

Motes & Linters Items of value in a small space
Two bales from four bolls per plant Gene Farmer is the only cotton grower in Cherokee County, Ala., who is planting cotton with a grain drill. But he doesn't let that stop him. He knows cutting edge technology when he sees it, and he's convinced that ultra-narrow row planting is the way he can produce two bales per acre on marginal land. You can read his story from The Anniston Star at: www.annistonstar.com/news/news_20010619_6211.html	ICAC boll weevil study A six-year International Cotton Advisory Committee project on boll weevil control in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay is ending this week with a final workshop in Brazil to distribute the findings. Preliminary information on the meeting is available at: www.icac.org/icac/projects/commonfund/boll/final_workshop.pdf Watch for the final report when the conference concludes.
	Texas boll weevil study A study comparing overwintering boll weevil populations in 1999 and 2000 in the Texas High Plains suggests that eradication efforts are bringing down the numbers in the active eradication areas, but not impacting the numbers in inactive zones.  You can read the three-page report at: www.plainscotton.org/rkh/bwstudy.pdf

Aug. 2

ICAC has little optimism for price recovery
Although world cotton consumption is expected to jump 200,000 tons to a record level in 2001-02,  an even bigger rise in production -- an increase of 1.15 million tons -- is expected to continue driving prices down,  the International Cotton Advisory Committee said Wednesday in its monthly statement.

Production is expected to increase by 6 percent,  to 20.3 million tons, the highest since 1995-96. Consumption is expected to increase by 1 percent, to a record of 19.9 millions tons, the ICAC said.

"International cotton prices, as measured by the Cotlook A Index, have declined steadily from 66 cents per pound in December to 45 cents per pound by the end of July, a 32 percent decline. The index averaged 57 cents per pound in 2000-01," the ICAC said. "The 4 cent increase from the previous season reflects a decline in world ending stocks for the third consecutive season to a six-year low of 8.2 million tons. However, the burden of stocks continued to shift from China, which remained a net exporter, to the rest of the world, where stocks actually rose by some 100,000 tons. The stocks-to-use ratio outside China increased from 37 percent in 1999-00 to 41 percent in 2000-01 and is projected to increase further to 46 percent in 2001-02 and to 47 percent in 2002-03. As a result, the Cotlook A Index is projected to average 54 cents per pound during the next two seasons, even though China is expected to become a net importer again.

"Four factors are contributing to the rise in world production: Improved technology, primarily genetic engineering; the strength of the U.S. dollar, encouraging production in countries where currencies have depreciated; the development of new areas for cotton in Brazil and Turkey; measures by governments to support farmers and domestic production during periods of low prices. Due to the structural nature of the changes affecting supply," the ICAC said, "a recovery in prices to the average level since 1973-74 of 73 cents per pound is unlikely soon."

Despite hotel fire, plans for ICAC meeting proceed
The Elephant Hills Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, suffered extensive damage in a recent fire, but plans are going ahead for the International Cotton Advisory Committee's 60th Plenary Meeting there.

The fire was started by a welding accident during repairs, and one wing of the hotel and some central areas were damaged extensively. Representatives of the National Cotton Council of Zimbabwe have been meeting with Zimbabwe Sun officials, owners of the hotel, to evaluate the extent of the damage and consider alternatives, according to the ICAC. The Zimbabwe Sun Group owns several major properties in Victoria Falls, and officials have assured the ICAC that a suitable meeting site will be ready.

The meeting is Sept. 16-21. Advance registration has been excellent, according to the ICAC, with some 300 participants from 40 countries and five international organizations expected.

Seven topics will be emphasized in the agenda: Government Measures, Demand Enhancement, Good Trade Practices, Improving Quality, Genetic Engineering in cotton, and Integrated Crop Management.

 Registration information is available on the ICAC web site at www.icac.org.
 

Quality Loss Program sign-up
Sign-up for the USDA 2000 crop Quality Loss Program begins Aug. 13. No ending date for the program has yet been announced. The program compensates farmers who suffered at least a 20 percent loss in 2000 year crop quality due to weather-related disasters. Congress has not set a limit on the total funding for the program.

Unharvested production is not eligible for the program.

"Persons" whose gross revenue exceeded $2.5 million for the 1999 tax year are ineligible for the program. Losses on more than one 2000 crop on the same acreage are not eligible, unless there is an established practice on the farm of planting and harvesting two or more crops in the same crop year on the same acreage.

Applicants must provide written documentation of the quality of their harvested crop. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

Quality loss payments are calculated by multiplying 65 percent of the affected production times 65 percent of the loss in value due to reduced quality. Payments to farmers may begin soon after they sign up. More information at www.fsa.usda.gov.

Aug. 16
Herzog dies
The cotton industry mourns the passing of Georgia entomologist Gary Herzog, who died Sunday at his home in Tifton. Herzog was an associate professor of entomology at the University of Georgia in Tifton and a leading researcher in cotton insect management. He was buried Wednesday in Tifton.

The family requests that memorials be made to the University of Georgia Foundation, designated in honor of the Gary Herzog Fund. Contributions may be made to the office of the department, Four Towers - UGA, Athens, GA 30602-4352.

His obituary, published Tuesday in the Tifton Gazette, is a fitting tribute. His friend, crop consultant Carl Hobbs, speaks for many cotton: "Loved ones have lost a hero, and the cotton farmer has lost a proven asset."

Making and opening bolls
In South Carolina, 76 percent of the cotton crop is setting bolls. In Oklahoma, the number is 83 percent. And those are the only two states where less than 90 percent of the crop was setting bolls as of Aug. 12, according to this week's Crop Progress report from USDA. South Carolina is the only state behind last year's pace. In five states -- Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia -- 100 percent of the crop is setting bolls. Overall, the 94 percent of the crop is setting bolls, compared to 91 percent last year and 92 percent averaged over the last five years.

Arizona leads the other states in boll opening, with 28 percent. Texas is next with 18 percent, followed by Louisiana and Mississippi with 11 percent each.

No states report more than half of the crop in poor or very poor condition. Texas and Oklahoma each report 21 percent very poor and neither state has more than 1 percent rated as excellent. California reports 40 percent of its crop in excellent condition and the remaining 60 percent in  good condition. Mississippi reports 31 percent of its crop as excellent and another 50 percent as good. Louisiana has 23 percent excellent and 46 percent good. North Carolina reports only 5 percent excellent but 73 percent good.

Headed toward record production?
U.S. cotton production is likely to set a new record this season, according to USDA's latest survey, made public in the Aug. 13 Cotton and Wool Outlook. The current forecast is for 20 million bales, a 4 percent increase (800,000 bales) from last month's projection and 16 percent above last season's production. The standing record was set in 1994, with production of 19.7 million bales.

According to the report, Upland production is expected to come in at 19.4 million bales, while the extra-long staple crop is projected at 593,000 bales, 52 percent above last season but 12 percent below the 1999 crop.

The report notes that over the past 20 years, the August forecast has been above the actual production total as often as it has been below it. Chances are two out of three, the report says, that the 2001 U.S. cotton crop "will range between 18.4 and 21.6 million bales."

The increase in production will add to the stockpile of U.S. cotton. "Despite the highest demand in four years, U.S. ending stocks are projected to rise dramatically during the season to 8.1 million bales, the largest stock level since 1985-86," the report says.

Worldwide, stocks are projected to rise 9 percent to 41.5 million bales, up from last season
but similar to 1999-2000, the report says. "However, the United States is expected to hold nearly 20 percent of these stocks, unlike the 10 percent held in 1999-2000."

ICAC plans African Safari theme for Plenary Meeting
Plans are firming up for the 60th Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee in Zimbabwe Sept. 16-21. A number of extracurricular activities have been announced:

• Golf tournament and Zambezi River cruise, Sept. 16
• "Drums of Africa" gala dinner, Sept. 17
• Cotton fashion show with cocktails, Sept. 18
• All-day tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana, Sept. 19
• African dinner at the "Boma," Sept. 20
• Closing African "Braai" lunch, Sept. 21

During the business part of the gathering, discussions are planned on six major topics:

• Improving cotton quality through appropriate ginning practices
• National cotton promotion
• Government measures affecting the cotton industry
• Good trading practices
• Integrated cotton crop management
• Biotechnology in cotton.

Deadline to destroy failed crops in Texas BWEP zone
By Roger Haldenby, Plains Cotton Growers Inc.
Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation Program Director Charles Allen and SHP Zone Manager Patrick Burson are laying it on the line to Southern High Plains growers that failed
cotton fields in the SHP Zone must be destroyed before the Sept. 3 program start date, otherwise those fields will be liable for an assessment.

In a joint letter to all growers in the SHP Zone, Allen and Burson explain "We understand that removing or killing scattered plants [in failed fields] is often difficult and costly, but doing this is critical to the success of boll weevil eradication." They go on to say that these plants can grow, produce fruit and provide places for boll weevil feeding and production. "These fields will need to be sprayed" says Burson "and the cost of treating failed but incompletely destroyed cotton will have to be paid by the cotton producers in the zone."

"It's well understood that growers need to allow time for insurance companies to evaluate and process claims on failed fields" says Allen, "and we also understand and respect that some farmers want to leave cotton in the field for as long as possible to provide cover and to help prevent wind erosion. However, other growers should not be expected to pay for the
treatments that will be required on incompletely destroyed cotton."

Plans are to start treating SHP Zone fields for boll weevil eradication starting Sept. 3. Fields that have not been completely destroyed by that date will be assessed.

"If cotton plants remain in a field, that field can produce boll weevils" explained Burson. "Then that field will require treatment in the diapause phase of our program. We've instructed our personnel to work with growers to ensure all cotton has been destroyed in failed fields before spraying begins Sept. 3."

Allen urges SHP growers to call their local TBWEF District Office with any questions. "The greatest expenses are incurred in the diapause phase and then in year two of the program" says Allen. "Multiple insecticide applications to acres of failed, but incompletely destroyed cotton will
add unnecessary costs to the program. Every grower in the SHP Zone should make sure any failed cotton is completely destroyed before Sept. 3."
 

Leadership class announced
Members of the 2001-02 Cotton Leadership Class are producers Dooie Leach of  Raeford, N.C., Jay Minter of Tyler, Ala., Karen Ollerton of Casa Grande, Aria., and Roger Schuh of Madera, Calif.; ginner Kent Fountain of Surrency, Ga.; warehouseman  Tommy Clodfelter of  Ralls, Texas; merchant Buck Dunavant of Memphis, Tenn.; crusher Billy Breedlove of Greenwood, Miss.; cooperative representative Stan McMikle of Albany, Ga.; and manufacturer Evans Tindal of Cheraw, S.C.

The class will meet for the first time Sept. 9-14 in Memphis to attend the National Cotton Council’s fall Board of Directors meeting, observe cotton production and merchandising operations, tour the USDA cotton classing office, participate in communications training and visit Dupont Agricultural Products’ office.

The Cotton Leadership Program is sponsored through grants from DuPont Agricultural Products to The Cotton Foundation.
 

Sept. 21
Opening up
Where can you go to see some open cotton? Arizona is your best bet. With 40 percent of the crop opening bolls, Arizona leads all other states, according to USDA's Aug. 20 Crop Progress report. Louisiana is not far behind, with 34 percent of the crop opening bolls. After that, the numbers fall off sharply: Texas has 23 percent, Mississippi 20 percent, Arkansas 19 percent.

The crop remains in outstanding condition in most states. Only three states, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, report 20 percent or more of the crop in poor or very poor condition. In Texas, that total is 48 percent, in Oklahoma 44 percent and in Missouri 23 percent. At the other extreme, California reports 40 percent of its crop in excellent condition and the remaining 60 percent in good condition. Arizona and Mississippi each report 25 percent of the crop in excellent condition, Louisiana 23 percent and Virginia 22 percent.

USDA has begun issuing ginning reports for the 2001 crop. The first one, dated Aug. 10, shows 99,000 bales ginned in Texas as of Aug. 1. The next report is due Sept. 12.
 

ICAC sponsors world cotton promotion group
A Consortium for Cotton Promotion has been formed with 11 participating cotton organizations representing the private sectors of national industries from around the world, the International Cotton Advisory Committee announced in July.

The mission of the consortium is "to enhance demand and retail sales for cotton products in a world market threatened by increased production and consumption of chemical fibers," according to the ICAC. The consortium will facilitate the development of national information campaigns about cotton and cotton products targeted at domestic consumers, thereby helping to build world demand for cotton in each country. The consortium also will serve as a clearinghouse for information about fiber demand, proven techniques of cotton promotion, best practices in retail-level communication, cost-effective measures of boosting consumer demand and market research.

The consortium will sponsor a workshop on “Developing National Campaigns for Cotton Promotion” on Sept. 20, during the 60th Plenary Meeting of the ICAC in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

This workshop will highlight tested strategies for the finance, management and organization of national promotion efforts. All organizations with an interest in boosting consumer demand for cotton, including organizations not represented in the consortium, are encouraged to participate. Registration information for the 60th Plenary Meeting is available at www.icac.org.

The consortium will also work to develop a World Cotton Emblem for use by national organizations, industry bodies and private sector entities with an interest in cotton. The emblem will be designed to appeal to the interests of modern consumers in diverse cultures and will serve as a unifying symbol for the hundreds of millions of farmers and workers employed in all segments of the world cotton industry.

Andrew Macdonald, director of Santista Textil SA, Sao Paulo, Brazil, serves as coordinator of the Consortium for Cotton Promotion and will chair the workshop in Victoria Falls. The secretariat of the ICAC serves as secretariat to the consortium, with the support of cotton industry bodies. A plenary meeting of constituent organizations within the consortium will be held in Victoria Falls at noon Sept. 16. Observers are welcome.

The founding members of the Consortium for Cotton Promotion are:
ALCOTEXA, Egypt; Asociacao Brasileira da Industria Textil (ABIT), Brazil; Associazione Tessile Italiana, Italy; Bremen Cotton Exchange, Germany; Cotton Australia Ltd., Australia; Cotton South Africa, South Africa; East India Cotton Association, India; Gdynia Cotton Association, Poland; Liverpool Cotton Association, United Kingdom; The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe Ltd., Zimbabwe; Turkish Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association, Turkey.

 

JAN-MAR 1998	APR-JUN 1998	JUL-SEP 1998	OCT-DEC 1998
JAN-MAR 1999	APR-JUN 1999	JUL-SEP 1999	OCT-DEC 1999
JAN-MAR 2000	APR-JUN 2000	JUL-SEP 2000	OCT-DEC 2000
JAN-MAR 2001	APR-JUN 2001	JUL-SEP 2001	OCT-DEC 2001
JAN-MAR 2002

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