How do you know it’s time to change cottonseed brands? For farmer and ginner John Ruark, the break-through moment came a few seasons ago after harvesting the variety trial on his family operation in Georgia.
The Ruark family had fought for years to control nematodes with aldicarb and seed treatments, but the cotton kept losing ground to the yield-robbing pests. Wanting to try something new, they planted two PhytoGen® brand varieties with resistance to reniform and root-knot nematodes in his trial.
Ruark noticed a night-and-day difference as soon as the cotton emerged. Previously, nematode hot spots riddled their fields, leading to drought stress, uneven plant height and ultimately, lower yields. But the PhytoGen brand varieties looked healthy all summer, with a tabletop evenness across the rows. The massive payoff came at harvest.
“The PhytoGen varieties with nematode resistance yielded 400 pounds better than everything else in the trial,” Ruark said. “Since then, we’ve switched to PhytoGen varieties, and they have been proven leaders on our farm. They will make good cotton that’s level across the field with high, dependable yields.”
Not only did yields improve, crop protection costs went down. They saved an estimated $45 per acre on nematicides, which they no longer apply with the nematode-resistant varieties. Higher yield potential with lower inputs is a double shot that boosts their bottom line.
The advantages don’t stop there. Ruark also touts excellent emergence and seedling vigor, a natural defense against early season pests, diseases and weather challenges. Strong emergence also means fewer replants and lower seeding rates, providing more opportunities to increase profit potential.
“PhytoGen varieties come out of the ground growing strong. We've been very pleased with the vigor,” Ruark said. “PhytoGen does a good job on their seed with cool and warm germ, and that’s paying off. We have no trouble getting stands with PhytoGen cottonseed.”
The Ruarks have simplified their herbicide program by planting PhytoGen brand varieties and Enlist E3® soybeans. With the Enlist® weed control system, they can make on-target applications of Enlist One® herbicide across his cotton and soybeans for smoother transitions between crops and better weed control.
“We use Enlist One across all of our cotton and soybean acres, and it has worked really well,” Ruark said. “It makes it easy for us, and we haven’t had any trouble with drift at all.”
Looking to next season, they’re excited about new PhytoGen® brand PHY 357 W3FE and PHY 433 W3FE. As a PhytoGen Horizon Network member, Ruark planted both varieties as experimentals in his trial last season. In addition to top-end yield potential, the varieties offer superior fiber quality, with PHY 433 W3FE producing staple lengths up to 40 in pre-commercial trials.
Ruark said PhytoGen brand varieties offer optimal fiber quality, especially staple length, which can help earn premiums from cotton buyers. He’s excited about the opportunity to produce even higher fiber quality with the new varieties for higher profitability.
“You need the best fiber quality you can produce, and we’ve seen a longer staple with PhytoGen varieties,” Ruark said. “That premium adds up at the end of the season and makes a difference to our bottom line, especially with lower commodity prices.”
As a producer and ginner, Ruark is committed to cotton. The family grows other crops, but they rely on cotton as the backbone of their operation.
“Cotton is our crop. It’s beautiful to grow,” Ruark said. “Cotton is tough. With half a chance, you’ll make a crop, and with PhytoGen, you get a cottonseed you can count on.”
Find information on nematode management and more in the PhytoGen Cottonseed Agronomy Library.
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