Delta cotton planting conditions improving a bit

Some cotton planting started at least a week ago in central Louisiana, and we're also hearing scattered reports about a bit starting in Arkansas.

Tennessee growers have probably not cranked up quite yet, according to Chris Main, the state's Extension cotton specialist. After the Easter weekend freeze and damage to wheat and corn, growers are probably reluctant to jump out there too quickly, he said today.

"Parts of the state aren't to the point that we would recommend planting," he added. "In Lake County today, the soil temperature was 56 on flat ground, and we sure don't need to be planting there yet. Farther south and closer to Jackson, I took a reading, and it was 68, which is almost ideal. I think there will be some cotton going into the ground this weekend and the first part of next week. That depends, of course, on what the weather does between now and then. Rain is in the forecast. But I don't think heavy planting activity will really start until the middle of next week."

Main said cotton acreage could go up at least some because some growers will plant cotton where wheat was killed by the Easter weekend freeze. "Guys are looking for a way to utilize some of the nitrogen applied to the wheat, and cotton is the first thought," he said. "I don't think this will be more than 60,000 acres, though."

Louisiana Extension Cotton Specialist Sandy Stewart issued a positive cotton planting forecast for his state. Stewart said all growing areas in the state were in the "good" range for planting, based on the most recent weather forecast. That means the DD60 accumulation for the 5 days following planting will range between 25 and 50.

"The forecast is for dry weather and a good accumulation of DD60s over the next 5 days," Stewart said in his planting forecast advisory this morning. "The most positive aspect is a warming trend throughout the forecast period. A north wind could persist until early Saturday morning, which should help dry some fields too wet for field work.

"Overall, the outlook for planting cotton is finally a good one. It should be kept in mind, however, that these are not the kind of extremely warm conditions that will result in a full stand 5 days after planting. Emergence and seedling growth is still likely to be slow, so the need for insect and seedling disease protection either in-furrow or on the seed will be needed."

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