Wednesday, September 1, 2010

White

Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Tommy Horton

Fortunately, producer Benny White of Lamesa has been through this scenario before, and he's usually prepared for any kind of weather event. When you've been farming for 48 years, there are no surprises.

White, who will plant 2,800 acres of cotton this year, has 1,600 of those acres irrigated either in a drip system or with center pivots. Even though the drought conditions have made it difficult, he still believes he can come close to duplicating his 3.5-bale crops of recent years.

Last year White had one of his best seasons when he became a member of the FiberMax One Ton Club.

"We have an advantage over the farmers north of us in the High Plains," he says. "We get more heat units for a longer period of time, and our growing season is a bit longer."


source : cottonfarming



Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Texas Producers Cope With Drought

Tommy Horton

Despite blistering hot temperatures and severe drought, Texas cotton producers are coping as well as can be expected as they try to finish planting this year's crop.

It's never easy producing cotton on the High Plains, and this year is no exception. Drought conditions definitely had an impact on planting season, and now it's a question of getting an early stand, if possible.

Fortunately, producer Benny White of Lamesa has been through this scenario before, and he's usually prepared for any kind of weather event. When you've been farming for 48 years, there are no surprises.

White, who will plant 2,800 acres of cotton this year, has 1,600 of those acres irrigated either in a drip system or with center pivots. Even though the drought conditions have made it difficult, he still believes he can come close to duplicating his 3.5-bale crops of recent years.

source : cottonfarming




Similar Challenges

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Similar Challenges

Though Bibb dealt with minor issues in unloading his 2008 crop bags concerning leakage and moisture, he recognizes the potential to cause greater damage.

"All the same problems you have with a module are similar here," he says. "You've got to be wise about using them."

Of any losses sustained during his first year with bags, Bibb says, "I lose as much in my grain bins each year as I did with bags. It's a good thing and I'd do it again."

Regardless of cotton's future, grain bagging systems are gaining in popularity. According to the Harrells, business should improve in 2009.

While some farmers will build more bins to handler larger amounts of grain, others will find their answers "in the bag."

source : cottonfarming




Efficient Farm Operation

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Efficient Farm Operation

Although Mount Level Farm is a private grain storage and farming operation, it has incorporated grain bag storage into its strategies for segregating different grain commodities and handling overflow. And while the farm has built bags on-site within protected areas of the granary, Sorrell speculates that some of the practices incorporated may be duplicated at other area storage facilities.

"If you look at the carries in the market, sometimes 30 to 60 days makes a huge difference on basis," he says. "These things (bags) are really good for a 30-to-60 day deal."

Cotton farmers will understand after hearing the story of Richy Bibb from Tunica, Miss.

"It's a module builder for grain," he says. "If you put wet cotton in that module, its not going to be good. If you put wet grain in that bag, it's probably not going to turn out the way you want it to."

source : cottonfarming




Grain Storage Solutions Are ‘In The Bag’

Grain Storage Solutions Are
'In The Bag'

Charley Knabb

Blues travelers along legendary U.S. Highway 61 in the Mississippi Delta are always treated to numerous sights and sounds as they travel through the land of cotton. During the last two years, however, the new attractions have little to do with the blues – and even less to do with cotton.

From Sikeston, Mo., to Vicksburg, Miss., turnrows once marked with rows of cotton modules in the fall are now lined with long, white plastic bags. Laid out like huge, mutant caterpillar larvae, they symbolize the fundamental truth about today's cotton industry.

The bags are filled with grain. Corn, soybeans, milo, wheat and even rice are stored within them and, though they have their critics, many say grain storage bags are a sight that cotton country should become accustomed to seeing.

source : cottonfarming