2022 Variety Selection based on Strategies and Farm Characteristics.
1-19-22
At the most basic level, variety selection has generally been an exercise of looking at test plot performance for 1 to 3 years across a given region. Then picking the top few varieties to plant the next year. Our Human Nature and emotion make us want to choose the variety that was best last year, but our experience and intellect tell us to use more than one year performance. This is what the Variety Report Card (in my biased opinion) is the best at doing of any single tool available. If you plant varieties that have at least 2 years of data in the top 10 or 12, you probably won’t make a mistake.
HOWEVER, I believe for that ultimate cotton success, we must dig deeper and look at varieties that suit our individual situation.
A big weakness of just picking the best 3 for the last few years is that you are selecting very similar varieties that are in the top because of the way the growing seasons for the last couple of years have been. To diversify, you might have to investigate other characteristics that favor a variety that might show up in 2022 differently than 2020 & 2021.
The major criteria for variety characteristics needed in order of importance are:
- Yield covers up everything else. The rest of the characteristics help fine tune
- Growth characteristics fit different situations (soils, planting date, High management varieties vs the easier to grow varieties)
- Know the Cool and Warm germ for the seed lots available to you and kick out anything not at the base standard. This information is NOT on the bag. If seed quality is compromised, then yield is more likely to be compromised which breaks the most important criteria.
- Grade / deductions. 1 cent in price equals 5 pounds of cotton. The payoff for your effort will be focusing on Yield (no cutting corners on variety, fertility, pest management, weeds, etc.)
Click Here Specific Variety recommendations based on different situations
Click here for the 2022 Variety Report Card in the main menu.
Click Here for the 2022 Variety Characteristics of the top Variety choices
These are log in areas for our 2021 and 2022 customers. Call 757-242-3566 today to book some new crop cotton if you are a new customer.
DISCLAIMER: The data contained herein is for informational, conversational, and philosophical thinking and is for general purposes only. Ideas expressed apply to the Uppter Southeast growing region. Although the information was obtained from various sources, which we believe to be reliable, we do not in any way guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Comments are influenced by past experiences, personal bias and hypothetical speculation by the writer and are not always accurate predictors of future events. Specific references to Agricultural Products and Rates are used for examples and do not reflect specific endorsement or recommendations for use. Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use. We disclaim any responsibility for any errors or omissions contained herein. FULL DISCLOSURE: There is no compensation received by Johnny to promote any product referenced with in this blog. Johnny is a paid employee of Commonwealth Gin
