ARS | Publication request: Conservation tillage, irrigation and variety selection impacts on cotton quality premiums, discounts and profitability: evidence from the gin

Submitted to: Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 29, 2008
Publication Date: July 29, 2008
Citation: Bergtold, J.S., Balkcom, K.S., Arriaga, F.J., Kornecki, T.S., Price, A.J., Raper, R.L. 2008. Conservation tillage, irrigation and variety selection impacts on cotton quality premiums, discounts and profitability: evidence from the gin. In: Endale, D.M., editor. Proceedings of the 30th Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference and 8th Annual Georgia Conservation Production Systems Training Conference, July 29-31, 2008, Tifton, GA. p. 28-33.

Interpretive Summary: Fluctuating market prices, increasing production costs, and shifting mill demand, has made cotton markets more uncertain, making cotton quality a more important aspect of the profitability of cotton. Scientists with USDA-ARS located at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, AL designed a project to examine the effect conservation tillage systems and variety selections have on cotton quality attributes and cotton profitability. Such information may be useful to agencies promoting conservation tillage systems for cotton producers. In addition, knowledge of these types of effects may help producers and gins maximize profits by providing guidance on variety selection and production decisions that improve cotton lint quality.

Technical Abstract: Fluctuating market prices, increasing production costs, and shifting mill demand, has made cotton markets more uncertain, making cotton quality a more important aspect of the profitability of cotton. The purpose of this research project is to examine the effect conservation tillage systems and variety selections have on cotton quality attributes and cotton profitability. Such information may be useful to agencies promoting conservation tillage systems for cotton producers. In addition, knowledge of these types of effects may help producers and gins maximize profits by providing guidance on variety selection and production decisions that improve cotton lint quality.