2023 Cotton Tour Field Day Hosted At West Tennessee AgResearch And Education Center

Local Producers Receive Updates on Cotton Production Strategies

JACKSON, TENNESSEE

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) hosted the 2023 Cotton Tour Field Day at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center to inform local agricultural producers about the latest advances in row crop research and cotton production strategies.

The event featured various field tours to provide over 140 attendees with engaging, interactive learning opportunities about current cotton growth trends as well as ongoing challenges. Topics included variety testing, ThryvOn cotton plants, fungicides and disease treatment options, weed management, insect control, drought mitigation, market outlook, nutrient application and profitability strategies. Attendees were eligible to receive Certified Crop Adviser points as well as pesticide recertification points.

“We had one of our largest crowds on record, and we were excited to share this year’s research with producers in our area. It is our goal to provide everyone with accurate, up-to-date information, and this is especially important as we near harvest and turn our focus towards next season’s planting,” says Tyson Raper, cotton and small grains Extension specialist with UTIA. 

Heather Kelly, plant pathologist within the UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, says communicating with local farmers through field days is an essential part of protecting harvests across the Mid-South. “Cotton is an important and profitable row crop, but plant diseases and pests can arise quickly and cause major damage if left untreated. The Cotton Tour Field Day allows us to teach local producers about seasonal diseases and harmful pests, helping producers better protect their harvest as well as their financial livelihood.” ∆

University of Tennessee