Factors Affecting Weed Control Costs and Farmer Values for Roundup ReadyŽ Cotton

This study examines weed control costs and the net value of the Roundup Ready® weed management system to cotton growers using random survey data from 400 Southern and Southern Plains producers in 2007.  The study examines how the adoption of weed resistance best management practices and producer attitudes affect these costs and value.  The average weed control cost reported by growers was $56.00 an acre.  Growers with more years of experience and greater production risk reported significantly lower costs, as did those who were more concerned with crop safety, the timing of herbicide applications, the public’s health, wildlife, and water quality.  Growers who planted more crop acres, used the Roundup Ready® weed management system with a residual herbicide, used burndown treatments to start with a clean field, controlled weeds early, used supplemental tillage to control weeds, and planted saved seed reported significantly higher costs, as did those who were more concerned with yield loss, weed control consistency, the number of herbicide application made, and their family’s health.  The average net value of the Roundup Ready® weed management system reported by growers was $51.60 per acre.  Growers with more education and experience, more crop acres, who cleaned their equipment between fields, used multiple herbicides, and used supplemental tillage to control weeds reported a significantly lower net value, as did those who were more concerned about weed resistance, weed control costs, yield loss, the number of herbicide applications made, having a clean field, wildlife, and water quality.  Growers who owned a higher proportion of their crop acreage, scouted fields before applying herbicides, controlled weeds early, prevented weed escapes, and reported a significantly higher net value, as did those who were more concerned about weed control consistency, crop safety, the flexibility of herbicide applications, their family’s health, the public’s health, and erosion control.