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Varietal improvements are cornerstone of U.S. cotton competitivenessBy Jennifer M. Latzke U.S. cotton continues to be a competitive force on the world market, and much of that is due to varietal improvement, said Kater Hake, vice president, Agricultural Research, Cotton Incorporated. Hake spoke during the opening session of the 2008 Production Conference Jan. 9. He explained that consumers who are emerging from poverty want cotton products, but that cotton breeding programs take a long time to respond to market signals. For example, it takes seven years of field testing in the United States for a cotton variety to be approved, with an extra four to seven years for testing of any biotech traits. Fortunately, the cotton varieties currently on the market are producing higher quality cotton despite environmental stress across the Cotton Belt. "In Dumas, Ark., for example, we've seen an unusual stability of fiber quality from year to year," Hake said. He attributed this stability in quality to supplemental irrigation and better production practices in the region. Across the Cotton Belt yields are above the trend, gaining 8.4 pounds per acre per year, and are predominantly strong in Texas where full-season varieties are growing stronger. "In the last 10 years, we've seen a 14.7 to 15 pound per acre per year increase in lint due to germplasms," Hake said. "Historically lint increases about 8 pounds per year, but we've achieved an average of 31 pounds per year increase in the last 10 years." It's a combination of favorable weather in improved production techniques, and the newer germplasms available. The future of cotton production shows promise, Hake said. And, with better crop management skills and improved germplasms, U.S. cotton will continue to be a competitor on the world market.
Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached by phone at 620-227-1807, or by e-mail at jlatzke@hpj.com . 2/4/08 Date: 1/31/08
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