DATE: 8/30/04

CONTACT: Randy Cubbage(803) 484-5416

WRITER: Susan Bedingfield , (864) 656-3876

Clemson cotton field day is  response to grower concerns

BISHOPVILLE – Technology has affected the way everyone does business – even business on South Carolina farms.

As technology advances, the agriculture community is faced with tough choices, and as with all businesses, the bottom line is always a concern.

To help cotton growers, Clemson Extension Service in Lee County will hold a cotton field day on the Steven Welsh Farm near Bishopville on Sept. 9 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Since the introduction of biotech cotton varieties in 1998, the whole concept of growing cotton has changed overnight. Cotton varieties containing genes for weed control systems, like Roundup Ready, are less labor and cost intensive. There are also varieties that control certain insects. These can be purchased with or without the Roundup Ready gene. Varieties that contain both have what are called stacked genes, according to Randy Cubbage, Clemson Extension agent from Lee County .

Cotton growers are concerned that a few of the Roundup Ready varieties are yielding lower than the conventional cotton varieties.

“We have established plots, side by side so growers can see for themselves how the varieties fare in the field,” said Cubbage. “This will help with decision-making come planting time next year.

Not only can farmers compare plant fruit, but they can also compare yields because the plots will be harvested later and a report sent to growers.

The plots are comparing the conventional parent variety with no Roundup applied to Roundup Ready plots with and without treatments of Roundup, and stacked-gene cotton, with and without Roundup applications. By utilizing biotech varieties bred from the same parent hybrid, the field comparison should be more meaningful.

The field day is free and open to the public. For more information contact Randy Cubbage at the Extension Office in Lee County or by email rcbbge@clemson.edu.

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