Adoption, Residual Herbicide Use and Grower Values for Roundup ReadyŽ Cotton

This study examines cotton grower adoption of the Roundup Ready® weed management system with and without a residual herbicide application using random survey data from 400 Southern and Southern Plains producers in 2007.  The study examines how the use of weed resistance best management practices and grower attitudes affect adoption, plus it estimates the net benefit to growers of the Roundup Ready® weed management system.  Growers in the survey planned to plant an average of 955 total acres of cotton in 2008—an average of 779 acres with Roundup Ready® varieties, and they planned to treat 536 of these acres with a residual herbicide.  Growers who are more likely to scout fields before and after herbicide applications, control weeds early, and use recommended herbicide application rates planned to plant significantly more Roundup Ready® acres, as did those who are more concerned about having a clean field, their family’s health, and water quality.  Growers who are more likely to clean equipment between fields, use saved seed, and supplemental tillage for weed control planned to plant significantly fewer Roundup Ready® acres, as did those who are more concerned with weed control costs, yield loss, and the public’s health.  Growers who are more likely to prevent weed escapes, use saved seed, and use multiple herbicides planned to plant significantly more Roundup Ready® acres with a residual herbicide application, as did those who are more concerned with yield loss, their family’s health, and wildlife.  Growers who are more likely to scout field after an herbicide application and who are more concerned with crop safety planned to plant significantly fewer Roundup Ready® acres with a residual herbicide application.  The average estimated net benefit of the Roundup Ready® cotton weed management system is $7.69 per acre and $6.39 per acre for the Roundup Ready® cotton weed management system with a residual herbicide.