This crop continues to make good progress with the hot weather pushing it daily. Where we have good water this crop is really loading up, is other area I have noticed some fields have already reached cutout and are very near blooming to the top. This is not the situation that we want to be in when the only crop we have is our irrigated cotton. Many fields are blooming nicely and are sitting at 7-8 NAWF at this time. This is really good and if we can hold close to this for about the next week as the temperatures start to decline and then work our way towards cutout we should carry a nice load towards harvest. On the other hand, if we get behind on our water and go from 7-8 to 4-5 in one week we very well may see some small bolls shed. Several fields are already stressing in the heat of the day and are not even blooming yet, they could definitely see fruit shed.

From a pest situation, I am not overly concerned about anything at this time, but I have seen stinkbugs in several fields in Region 1 for over a week now. A couple of those fields have been treated and I have spoken with other producers about their fields. I would keep an eye out for stinkbugs, especially in Regions 1, 2, and parts of 3. Spider mites have started showing up in cotton this week. They are exactly where we would expect them to be, dry, dusty areas along turn-rows and county roads. Watch for these areas. I have also seen several spots where there is webbing present but the beneficials have already taken care of the mites. Aphids are still hanging out in low numbers, again, take care of your beneficials. Bollworm moths are increasing in trap catches, it looks like we may be seeing our peek flight here in the next week or two. I’m picking up quite a few in a trial that I’m conducting. Keep an eye out, no matter what technology your using.