Land of Cotton Archives
This is the electronic version of back issues from landofcotton.com.
Articles are listed by date they were removed from the news page.
January-March, 2002
Jan. 14

See you around, old friend
By Geni Certain

The subject of the e-mail message was simply "Retirement." The sender was Jim Yancey. Before I opened it, I figured he was advising me, one old ag journalist to another, that someone well known in the cotton industry was turning in his boots.

That much was true. The shock was that the retiree is Yancey himself.

Yancey was already an institution when I first ventured into cotton journalism, and through the years he has been a source of support and inspiration.

He hasn't said what he plans to do now that he's a free man, but there's no doubt he will do it well. He says this will be the first Beltwide Conference he's missed in 22 years.

His e-mail message was a finely crafted bit of writing, which he has given me permission to publish. You can read it for yourself: FREE AT LAST!
 

Prices received drop; prices paid level
The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in December was 93, based on 1990-92=100, unchanged from the November index, according to the Department of Agriculture's December Agricultural Prices report, released Dec. 31. Higher prices for lettuce, corn, broccoli and strawberries offset lower prices for milk, broilers, turkeys and eggs. The seasonal changes in the mix of commodities farmers sell also affects the overall index. Higher seasonal
marketings of tobacco, wheat, milk and oranges offset lower marketings of cattle, grapes, soybeans and corn.

Compared with last year, the current All Farm Products Index was six points (6.1 percent) lower. Price decreases from December 2000 for cotton (lowest December price since 1973), cattle, eggs and soybeans more than offset increases in milk, broilers, oranges and lettuce.

The December Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes and Farm Wage Rates was 122 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index was unchanged from last month and December 2000. Lower prices in December for diesel fuel, nitrogen, hay and forages, complete feeds and gasoline offset higher prices for herbicides, feeder cattle, feeder pigs, feed grains,and trucks in the index.

For cotton, the December index, at 49, was unchanged from a month ago but 48 percent below December 2000.  The cotton price, at 29.8 cents per pound, was up 0.3 cents from November but 28.0 cents below a year ago.  The November price was below 30.0 cents per pound for the first time since June 1973.
 

Outlook Forum planned for February
USDA's annual Agricultural Outlook Forum is Feb. 21-22 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

Government officials, business leaders and commodity analysts will assess the outlook for 2002 and beyond, and economist Larry Chimerine will discuss U.S. and global economic prospects.
Focus sessions featuring rural innovators will highlight trends in bio-energy, contract negotiation, rural development and other areas. USDA will release new 10-year commodity projections at the forum. Session topics include:

The two-day forum drew 1,350 people last year, according to the forum Web site. Attendees come from production agriculture, commodity groups, the food and fiber industry, finance, universities and government. A networking luncheon, reception and dinner are planned for the opening day and a choice of commodity luncheons on the second day.

Advance registration is required. Register online at www.usda.gov/oce or call (202) 314-3451.

BASF wins registration for pasture and rangeland herbicide
RALEIGH, N.C. —  BASF Corp. has gained registration for Plateau, a new herbicide for control of leafy spurge, cheatgrass and medusahead rye.

Plateau has been approved for use on pasture and rangeland in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to control noxious and invasive weeds and to aid in the establishment of native grasses and forbs.

University research showed that Plateau provided 96 percent control of leafy spurge after a fall application. Research has shown that Plateau provides up to 100 percent control of cheatgrass and medusahead rye when applied in the fall. Field trials demonstrate that Plateau provides 96 percent control of dalmatian toadflax after a fall application, according to company literature.

Plateau is labeled to control a large number of weeds, including leafy spurge, Russian knapweed, Canada thistle, dalmatian toadflax, downy brome, cheatgrass and medusahead rye.

Plateau may be used on CRP land. There are no grazing restrictions following application, although there is a seven-day haying restriction.

For more information about Plateau, contact BASF at (800) 545-9525 or visit http://www.vmanswers.com.