Rogan Gibson, Agronomy Agent
Clemson Extension agents Joe Varn and Rogan Gibson conducted their annual Regional Peanut and Cotton Production Meetings on February 20th and 27th. With commodity prices like they are going into the 2025 growing season, producers need to be up to date on research conducted by Clemson University staff to maximize yield to be profitable. Dr. Anco started the peanut meeting with an outlook on how the 2024 season turned out. He showed data on research he has been conducting on seed quality (split seeds) at planting, causing poor stands of peanuts. Dr. Kendall Kirk presented on new technology (apps) such as windrow drying forecaster, freeze damage: digging recommendations and yield estimation that CU-Cat has been working on. The windrow drying forecaster will help producers determine when they can harvest their peanuts after digging to cut down on some drying costs. Dr. Nathan Smith finished the meeting with an economic outlook and Clemson’s crop budgets.
Dr. Mike Jones, State Cotton Specialist, kicked the cotton meeting off with his variety selection, firmly saying that it’s the first step in growing the crop and potentially the most crucial decision producers must make. He presented yield data from a variety of trials (dryland and irrigated) conducted on Clemson University’s research stations. Dr. Jeremy Greene gave an insect/insecticide update to prevent producers from taking yield losses. He also walked the producers through using the Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton website. Extension Agent Rogan Gibson gave a short presentation with Dr. Mueller regarding the work they have been doing for the past three years with Target Spot and Areolate Mildew. Currently, no data has shown that these two diseases have caused significant yield damage to our crop in South Carolina. If you want more information about topics covered in these meetings, don’t hesitate to contact your local Clemson Extension Agents.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
