Evaluating the Current Production Practices to Improve the Efficiency in Cotton Production

Cotton growers in Georgia are faced with in season production and management decisions like fertility and integrated pest management. Researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) have developed tools such as UGA soil test recommendations on nutrient applications and economic thresholds for pest management with the goal of improving profitability for growers. However, there is a large percentage of Georgia cotton growers who do not follow UGA production recommendations. Some growers may over apply nutrients and pesticides. Even though higher yield could potentially be achieved, the revenue generated from these increment in cotton yield might not cover the additional cost. In other instances, growers may not use enough nutrients in their field, wait too late to apply pesticides, or not control pests at all, which can drastically reduce yield.

To address these issues and improve farming productivity and profitability, we conducted field trials in 2018 at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, Georgia to compare three different types of production practices, including UGA Recommendations for cotton production, a high input system, and a low input system. The high input system follows the practices of cotton farmers where excessive amount of nutrients and pesticide are used, where the low input system follows the practices of cotton farmers where minimum efforts were applied in applying nutrients and managing pests. A comparative analysis of these three production systems will be conducted in maintaining profitability and sustainability for cotton farmers. Our goal of this research is to improve the profitability of Georgia cotton growers, while reducing the input usage and cost. Economic analysis will be conducted by using budgeting analysis to investigate the cost and benefits of each production system. The cost of inputs and prices for cotton will be used to identify the economic profitability for each strategy.