Crop producers are encouraged to have their soil tested to determine fertilizer carry-over prior to establishing the next crop, especially if the previous crop was fertilized for a yield goal that was much higher than the actual yield of the drought-stressed crop.

Cotton producers should minimize expense for harvest-aid chemicals on small, drought-stressed crops with low-yield potential. In many fields only a defoliant or desiccation treatment may be required to prepare the crop for harvest. Decision on type of harvest-aid program to use will need to be made on field to field basis. Harvesting cost can be greatly reduced by using a stripper harvester on small size stalks with a low yield potential.

Cotton producers should destroy stalks as early as possible to reduce the removal of soil moisture from rains that came too late for the current crop. After stalk destruction, sub-soil and chisel to achieve maximum storage of moisture throughout the soil profile.

Cotton producers should terminate the application of the growth regulator, PIX, in fields that fail to receive additional rainfall. Decision to continue multiple low rate application of PIX should be based on vegetative growth and fruit load along with amount of effective rainfall. A total of 8 ounces of PIX per acre in two to four applications maybe sufficient for most dryland fields provided rainfall distribution has been adequate.

Cotton producers should be aware that regrowth can be substantial when heavy rains are received after a cut out period. A high carryover of plant nutrients that were not used by the low yielding crop due to dry weather and followed by a prolonged period can set the stage for significant regrowth. A resurgence of weeds can also be expected in many fields with the return of moisture. Timely harvest preparation is critical during favorable weather to minimize the interference of regrowth and weeds during the harvest operation.

Whether to harvest or plow up a failed crop should only be decided by comparing potential returns with costs yet to be incurred. Costs already incurred and which are non-refundable should not be considered. Harvesting a cotton crop, then, depends on whether the expected revenue from lint and cottonseed exceeds the cost of harvesting, hauling, and ginning.

If you are covered by Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) or Catastrophic (CAT) coverage, and you plan to plow out the crop rather than harvest it, notify your insurer for clearance and for yield loss determination prior to plowing it out. For MPCI, notify your insurer and CAT notify FSA. Failing to do so may result in a loss of insurance benefits.

If you are participating in the government farm program, a prudent rule is to always check with your local FSA office for information and/or approval for any actions which may impact program eligibility.

The virtual unlimited flexibility allowed in the Farm Bill will allow many producers to plant almost any commodity on program acreage.

Having a written marketing plan helps to avoid getting caught up in the emotion of the markets. In past short crop years, prices often peaked at or before harvest, so returns to storage are often poor to non-existent.

Several pricing mechanisms exist which could be used in pricing a crop that has not been harvested or may not even by planted yet. These include futures, options, forward contracts, minimum price contracts or other marketing alternatives such as cooperative pools. Further explanation of the use of these marketing/pricing alternatives can be obtained from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.