DATE:     1/22/04
CONTACT:  Dr. Mike Jones, (843) 662-3526, ext. 255; majones@clemson.edu
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241; tlollis@clemson.edu

S.C. cotton growers will
meet at Edisto REC Feb. 5

     BLACKVILLE -- South Carolina cotton growers will meet at Clemson
University's Edisto Research and Education Center Feb. 5 to get an
industry update and hear the latest on research and production
practices.
     Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program at 9, according
to Mike Jones, Clemson Extension cotton specialist and meeting
coordinator. Lunch will be served at noon and afternoon sessions will
wind up around 3:15.
     "We will hear reports from our meeting sponsors, the S.C. Cotton
Board, and from other organizations such as the Southern Cotton Growers
Association, the National Cotton Council and Cotton Incorporated," said
Jones.
     A representative from the Risk Management Agency will talk about
crop insurance policy options and Bruce Pinkerton, Clemson University's
associate dean for Agrisystems Productivity and Profitability, will
report to growers.
     S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Sharpe will also be on
hand to make some comments.
     Scientists from Clemson University, North Carolina State
University and Louisiana State University will make presentations on a
wide range of research on production systems and management practices.
     "We'll hear about Roundup Ready cotton research results, early
season problems in conservation tillage systems, hardlock cotton
research and work with piercing-sucking insects in Bollgard II cotton,"
said Jones.
     He will review the 2003 growing season and discuss varieties and
new weed control technology.
     Edisto REC is three miles northwest of Blackville on U.S. Highway
78 in Barnwell County.
                              END