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Kara Bishop
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Texas High Plains Planting Conditions – April 29, 2024

By Ken Legé, Extension Cotton Specialist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock

I keep waiting to see the inevitable cold front that we normally receive in early May, but no signs of any strong cool weather yet. Still, there is still potential in the coming days so keep that in mind when making planting decisions.

Similar to last week, we are including two planting conditions forecasts, each with three specific locations. Each shows the high and low temperatures, as well as percentage precipitation forecast.  I have calculated the DD60s for each day, and a 5-d DD60 accumulation total for the next five days.  Then I’ve added some commentary to help you plan your planting operations.  Most comments indicate to consider your field’s soil moisture and soil temperatures.

2024 TX Panhandle Planting Conditions Forecast 042924

    • Spearman, and Panhandle, TX, forecasts are very similar; air temperatures from today through Wednesday certainly favor planting, but I would caution continuing to do so Thursday and Friday (5/2 and 5/3) due to cool night time temps.   By Saturday, the forecast favors resuming planting.
    • Dumas, TX, forecast is quite a bit cooler than Spearman and Panhandle; I recommend delay planting until at least Saturday, 5/4.
    • Soil temperatures are trending the lower to upper 60s, but that could change rapidly if we receive rainfall.  Monitor the region’s soil temperatures using the West Texas Mesonet (https://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/), but rely solely on a soil thermometer in your field to make the final decision.

To download the PDF, click on the image above.

2024 Southern HP Planting Conditions Forecast 042924

      • Plainview, TX, forecast shows some cooler than desired low temps from Monday (4/29) through Thursday (5/2), so I recommend delaying planting until at least Friday (5/3) or better yet, Saturday (5/5).  If the warming trend continues, next week is looking more favorable.
      • Lubbock, TX, forecast favors planting today (4/29) through Wednesday (5/1); the low temp forecast toward the end of the week seems variable (it changes quite a bit every time I looked at it over the last 24 hrs).  If we trend toward a cooler temp forecast for Thurs night into Friday, delay planting until Saturday (5/4) or even Sunday (5/5).  However, if the forecast for Thursday/Friday trends warmer, you could continue planting, if you desire.
      • Lamesa, TX, forecast shows much more favorable temperatures throughout the entire week.  It would be prudent to monitor the low temp forecast for Thursday/Friday (for the same reasons stated in the Lubbock discussion above).  From traveling in this region late last week, I’m sure the concern is much more about available soil moisture than temperature.  Plus, we have seen some great yield potential from June planting, so you have lots of time.
      • Soil temperatures are in the upper 60s to lower 70s, but that could change rapidly if the region receives any rainfall.  Use the West Texas Mesonet (https://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/following) to monitor the region, but rely solely on a soil thermometer in your fields to make the final decision.

to download the PDF, click on the image above.

Soil Moisture LBB 042624

Also included in this week’s forecast is a comparison of the U.S. Drought Monitor for the region from 2020 through 2024. While we’re not quite as drought-free as we were this time in 2020, we are more similar to 2020 than we were to 2021, and certainly not nearly as bad as 2022 and 2023 (years that all of us would rather forget!).

The picture below shows soil moisture status here at the Texas A&M AgriLife Lubbock Research and Extension Center in a conventionally tilled field at about 20” depth on Friday (4/26). (There was moisture even further down, I was simply tired of digging!). Certainly a good sign, but we realize that not everyone has that subsoil moisture. Perhaps this week’s rain chances will find your fields.

I will continue to send out these Planting Conditions Forecasts weekly throughout the planting season as an aid for planting decisions. These forecasts are not iron-clad, as you know, because the weather forecasts change frequently. However, the purpose of these weekly forecasts is to get growers and others who consult them to consider the temperature and rainfall forecasts in a logical manner before making the commitment to plant cottonseed, which is one of the highest input costs for a cotton crop.

If you want your specific location (down to the field level), you can access your own tailored planting conditions forecast on demand with a calculator from North Carolina State University.  Go to:  https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/ag/cotton-planting/  The map will default to a location in NC, but you can scroll the map to your specific location and click on a field.  Click ‘submit’ and the tool will provide a two-day planting conditions forecast with commentary.

I would also suggest that growers know the actual warm and cool germs on your lot(s) of cottonseed. The cool germ especially provides you with important information about realistic expectations on emergence.  Contact your local retailer or seed company representative who can provide you with that critical information.

Kara Bishop
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2024 Farm Bill Information Released

Both chambers have released overviews of their respective farm bill packages.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) said, “This bill is a product of an extensive and transparent process, which included soliciting feedback from members of both political parties, stakeholder input from across the nation, and some tough conversations. Each title of this farm bill reflects a commitment to the American farmer and viable pathways to funding those commitments, and is equally responsive to the politics of the 118th Congress. The Committee on Agriculture will mark up this bill on May 23, and I hope for unanimous support in this endeavor to bring stability to producers, protect our nation’s food security and revitalize rural America.”

You can read the House farm bill overview here.

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) also released her version of the legislation. “This is a serious proposal that reflects bipartisan priorities to keep farmers farming, families fed, and rural communities strong,” she said. “The foundation of every successful Farm Bill is built on holding together the broad, bipartisan coalition of farmers, rural communities, nutrition and hunger advocates, researchers, conservationists, and the climate community. This is that bill, and I welcome my Republican colleagues to take it seriously and rejoin us at the negotiating table so we can finish our work by the end of the year. Farmers, families, and rural communities cannot wait any longer on the 2024 Farm Bill.”

You can read the Senate farm bill overview here.

Ranking Member of the Senate ag committee John Boozman (R-AR) issued a statement regarding Stabenow’s release, saying:

“Chairwoman Stabenow and I have had several conversations about getting our ideas down on paper, so the release of the majority’s framework is a welcome development. My colleagues and I will be soliciting input from stakeholders as we consider these ideas alongside the approach we have constructed in our framework, which will be released after the House considers its bill in the coming weeks. With Chairwoman Stabenow releasing a framework that reflects Senate Democrats’ priorities, and Chairman Thompson’s work to advance legislation out of committee this month, I’m optimistic that real progress on the farm bill can still occur this Congress.

Our actions must reflect the realities in farm country. Farmers are facing challenging times that, by every metric, are likely to continue in the coming years. Considering the farm bill only comes around every five years, we must ensure we do right by our farmers and make meaningful investments in the risk management tools they rely on to weather the storm.”

Bill mark-up for the House version is May 23. As of press time, the Senate has not scheduled their work session. If you have questions, call the office at 806-792-4904.

Kara Bishop
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The Details Behind the 2022 Emergency Relief Program

If you haven’t read PCG CEO Kody Bessent’s take on the new 2022 Emergency Relief Program, click here.

DATES: Funding availability: Application period for Track 1 will begin October 31, 2023. Application period for Track 2 will begin October 31, 2023. Contact your local FSA office for instructions on how to apply for Track 2 — FSA will be mailing out pre-filled applications for Track 1. You may still apply for Track 1 if you do not receive a pre-filled application.

COMMENTS: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency will consider comments received by January 2, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following method: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID FSA–2023–0020.

You may also send comments to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of the Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments will be available for public inspection online at https://www.regulations.gov.

Track Overview

Track 1 will provide a streamlined application process for eligible crop and tree losses during the 2022 or 2023 crop years for which a producer had:

-A Federal crop insurance policy that provided coverage for crop production losses or tree losses related to the qualifying disaster events and received an indemnity for a crop and unit, excluding:

  • crops with an intended use of grazing,
  • livestock policies,
  • forage seeding,
  • Margin Protection Plan policies purchased without a base policy,
  • banana plants insured under the Hawaii Tropical Trees provisions, and
  • policies issued in Puerto Rico; or

-NAP coverage and received a NAP payment for a crop and unit, excluding crops with an intended use of grazing. The applicable Federal crop insurance policies and NAP provide payments to producers for crop and tree losses due to eligible causes of loss, as defined in the producer’s Federal crop insurance policy or NAP regulations and basic provisions. RMA and FSA are using data submitted by producers for Federal crop insurance or NAP purposes to calculate a producer’s eligible loss under Track 1. The Track 1 payment calculation is intended to compensate eligible crop and tree producers for a percentage of that loss determined by the applicable ERP factor, which varies based on the producer’s level of Federal crop insurance or NAP coverage.

Track 2 will provide assistance for eligible revenue, production, and quality losses of eligible crops not included in Track 1 — similar to Phase 2 of the previous ERP program. FSA has determined that the best estimation of such losses is a producer’s decrease in disaster year revenue compared to a benchmark year revenue, where benchmark year revenue represents a producer’s revenue prior to the impact of the qualifying disaster event.

Payment Factoring

According to the notice issued by USDA, progressive factoring will be used to calculate payments. See figure 1.

Figure 1 (click on image to download)

The basic examples used by the notice break down how payments will be calculated.

For example, to apply progressive factoring to a calculated loss (after subtraction of indemnities) of $5,000, FSA would multiply:

  • the first $2,000 by a factor of 100 percent ($2,000 × 100% = $2,000),
  • the second $2,000 by a factor of 80 percent ($2,000 × 80% = $1,600), and
  • the remaining $1,000 by a factor of 60 percent ($1,000 × 60% = $600).

The sum of those calculations is $4,200, which is the calculated ERP 2022 payment after progressive factoring.

For another example, to apply progressive factoring to a calculated loss (after subtraction of indemnities) of $430,000, FSA would multiply:

  • the first $2,000 by a factor of 100 percent ($2,000 × 100% = $2,000),
  • the second $2,000 by a factor of 80 percent ($2,000 × 80% = $1,600),
  • the third $2,000 by a factor of 60 percent ($2,000 × 60% = $1,200),
  • the fourth $2,000 by a factor of 40 percent ($2,000 × 40% = $800),
  • the fifth $2,000 by a factor of 20% ($2,000 × 20% = $400), and
  • the remaining $420,000 by a factor of 10 percent ($420,000 × 10% = $42,000).

The sum of those calculations is $48,000, which is the calculated ERP 2022 payment after progressive factoring.

For underserved producers, the producer’s share of the Federal crop insurance administrative fee and premium will be added to the resulting sum.

For all eligible crop producers, FSA will then apply a final payment factor of 75 percent, resulting in the producer’s calculated Track 1 payment. So in the example above, the $48,000 calculation will be factored by 75% resulting in a payment of $36,000 to the producer. We’ve provided visual aids below, which are available for download.

Click on the image to download.

Click on the image to download.

Kara Bishop
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High Plains Planting Conditions Forecast – May 15, 2023

By Ken E. Legé, Ph.D.

Panhandle: 

It looks like many of us received some much need rainfall these past several days!  Additionally, the 10-day forecast currently shows more chances to come.

If you are already planting, please make sure to keep an eye on soil temperatures and the ever-changing forecast.  As the attached shows, the forecast does not look good for cotton germination today,  but there are some opportunities otherwise.  I suspect many of you will be waiting on fields to dry enough only to have another shower sometime this week…a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.

I have also attached a factsheet addressing the question ‘how late is too late to plant cotton?’  Bottom line:  plant as soon as you can, as yield tends to deteriorate later in May.  However, the yield decrease is rather small from week to week throughout May, so you can still make similar yields throughout the month.  Yields greatly decrease for fields planted after May 28.

Southern High Plains

It looks like many of us received some much need rainfall these past several days!  Additionally, the 10-day forecast currently shows more chances to come.

If you are already planting, please make sure to keep an eye on soil temperatures and the ever-changing forecast.  As the attached shows, the forecast does not look good for cotton germination today,  but there are some opportunities otherwise.  I suspect many of you will be waiting on fields to dry enough only to have another shower sometime this week…a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.

I have also attached a factsheet addressing the question ‘how late is too late to plant cotton?’  Bottom line:  we have quite a bit of time remaining that we can plant cotton and expect to make very good yields and fiber quality.  It’s not quite time to panic yet, but take every opportunity between showers to put some seed in the ground when conditions are good.

Download Report (Lubbock)

Download Report (Dumas)

Download "When to Plant Cotton" Factsheet

Kara Bishop
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USDA Seeks Nominees for the Cotton Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations of domestic cotton producers from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products for positions on The Cotton Board. The producers and importers will fill positions for 13 members and 13 alternates. USDA will appoint members and alternates to serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2026.

Certified producer organizations (CPOs) and certified importer organizations (CIOs) will hold caucuses to nominate two qualified persons for each open position in their respective industry segment.

Texas Producer caucus is scheduled for Thursday, July 20 at 2 p.m..

“The Cotton Board seeks to promote diversity and ensure equal opportunity and inclusion for all those who qualify for nomination and appointment to The Cotton Board regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, socio-economic status, religion or sexual orientation,” says Bill Gillon, President & CEO of The Cotton Board. “Further, we strongly encourage certified organizations to keep in mind the benefits that diverse membership and leadership will bring to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program when considering individuals for nomination to The Cotton Board.”

For nominating and caucus information, including organizations seeking certification and a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact AMS’ Cotton Research and Promotion staff at (540) 361-2726 or CottonRP@usda.gov.

Kara Bishop
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High Plains Planting Conditions Forecast – May 8, 2023

By Ken E. Legé, Ph.D.

Panhandle: 

Good to very good planting conditions persist throughout most of this upcoming week, but be aware of the rainfall and cooler temperatures forecast for the weekend and the first part of next week.  With the favorable temperatures for the better part of this week, I’m sure many of you will be able to cover quite a few acres of cotton.

As always, monitor soil moisture and temperatures closely, as each field is unique and present a different planting situation.

Southern High Plains

From a temperature perspective, good to very good planting conditions persist throughout most of this upcoming week; however, most of you are awaiting rainfall before planting cotton, and hopefully we have relief coming toward the weekend and first part of next week.

If you have some irrigated fields that you’ve been able to pre-water, you could certainly plant those the first part of this week.  However, I realize most of the irrigated fields will need to wait for a rain to plant, as will, of course, all dryland fields.

Continue to pray that the rain will materialize this upcoming weekend!

Download Report (Lubbock)

Download Report (Dumas)

Kara Bishop
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High Plains Planting Conditions Forecast

April 17, 2023

By Ken Legé, Ph.D.

The High Plains planting conditions forecast report shows DD60 accumulation over a week and a half in Lubbock, and Plainview, Texas, with predicted planting conditions for the next five days — this takes into account air temperature forecast.  In the comments section, I have placed comments that also take into account things like soil temps (via the mesonet) and the rain and air temp forecast.

This week’s report is simple:  I recommend waiting for better conditions, hopefully later next week, as we are forecast to experience temperatures that would be very conducive to chilling injury or even seedling death.

While this report only shows the forecast for Lubbock and Plainview, the intention is to check your local forecast and consider the temperature and other factors in making a well-informed planting decision.

Additionally, North Carolina State University has developed a very good tool to develop a similar planting conditions forecast to a specific location.  Find it here:  Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator – Products | North Carolina State Climate Office (ncsu.edu)  Simply scroll on the map to your specific location (you can drill down to an individual field, if you want), and hit ‘submit.’

Another good rule of thumb to consider during this time of year:  the soil temperature at seed depth will be within 10F of the low temperature (which is usually around dawn) for a 24 hr period.

Download Report
Kara Bishop
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Williams Family Named High Cotton-Southwest Award Recipients for 2023

By Kara Bishop

On February 14th, the Farwell community gathered in the high school gymnasium to celebrate the Williamses and their contributions to the cotton industry. 

The Williamses have produced cotton near Farwell, Texas, for four generations, according to Southwest Farm Press reporter Shelley Huguley. In the last 10 years they’ve expanded their operation 150 miles north to Dalhart. They produce cotton, corn, wheat and sorghum on roughly 18,000 acres of farmland. 

“My involvement with the Williams family began long before I came to work for Plains Cotton Growers,” said Steve Verett, producer in Crosby County and former executive vice president of PCG. “I met Bert first, which is Mark’s dad and one thing that always amazed me is how their family operation supported Bert, Mark, Mark’s two brothers and Bert’s son-in-law. They were all able to live off of one operation and were very successful farmers.” 

According to Verett and Shawn Holladay, producer in Dawson County and National Cotton Council chair, Mark was an influential contributor to PCG.

“Mark was always ‘looking over the hill,’ and futuristic in his approach to farming,” Verett added. “He was one of the first farmers to realize the water was depleting in Parmer County and started growing cover crops before we really even called them that.”

Holladay said Mark mentored him and encouraged him to increase his involvement in producer organizations. 

“I had been farming for a little over a decade when I began to get involved with Lamesa Cotton Growers,” Holladay added. “It wasn’t long before I expanded into the Plains Cotton Growers organization and Mark really took me under his wing. I owe a lot to him.” 

Mark served on many organizations and, according to his friends, “so supportive of his community and industry. If you wanted something done, he would help you.” 

He served as American Cotton Producers chairman, Plains Cotton Growers president and was the inaugural Southwest Council of Agribusiness president. Mark fought for the 1996 Farm Bill and remembers standing on stage with House Ag committee Chairman Larry Combest when President Bill Clinton signed it into law. 

“I can’t tell you what he means to me personally,” Verett added. “He was on the PCG officer team when we started ramping up our political advocacy. He is a lifelong friend and was a great encouragement to me over the years.”

The Williams farm includes Mark and his sons Ryan, Russel and Reagan, each playing different roles in making the operation successful. And while this award was given to the family, Ryan says it really belongs to his father. “This award is for my dad. He’s the one who deserves it.” 

Contributions from Shelley Huguley’s story in Southwest Farm Press were made to this story. Read Huguley’s article here.