This weekend, I accidentally called a friend who farms (ok, I butt dialed him) and he called me back. We enjoyed the serendipity of it all and had a good visit. As is always the case, weather was a major discussion point. Seems not only was Memphis cooler and wetter than I’d like but he could definitely identify. As would be… Read More
How does a big rain impact a cotton farm early in the season?
A week ago, I was driving to Memphis for the weekend and the drama of a bright, rich sunset with the rain lured me off my path. I took the chance to get off the interstate, and snapped a few photos in a couple of different places before finding a cotton farm at the perfect point of light. I snapped loads… Read More
Cotton 101: Early Season Weather Problems in Mid-South Cotton
As I drove up to St. Louis last Sunday, I noticed some field work being done. Some planters running. My guess is the crop going in the ground was soybeans as we are getting too late for cotton and definitely too late for corn in Arkansas & West Tennessee. I noticed the sandbags that have been holding water back for… Read More
Tennessee Cotton Photos from Friends
Last week I was busily going about things & checked in on Twitter and somehow, almost miraculously I caught two tweets about Tennessee cotton. It was awesome! First came this one from Shane Kinne with the photo at right. Touring a #cotton gin in TN. New territory for this north MO farm boy. #agchat https://t.co/cj3BoIo — Shane Kinne (@ShaneKinne) May 9,… Read More
Looking for a Break for Spring Planting in West Tennessee
About a month ago, I was all excited. Planters were rolling in the Mid-South and I could smell the soil. We had had several hot days in the Mid-South and I was ready to get to planting cotton. Like cotton farmers in the area, I knew it was still too early. But I saw strawberries up, some corn beginning to… Read More
Mid-South Cotton at Harvest
With that title, I just have to start this post by screaming UGH! It’s most likely what you’d hear if you brought the topic up to a Mid-South cotton farmer. Well, if they were able to refrain from cursing. And while today is gorgeous, cotton farmers in the Mid-South are looking at yield and quality losses. Just a look through… Read More